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Meeting report · Recreation Advisory Committee
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Recreation Advisory Committee — June 11, 2026

Discussion remained professional but included visible disappointment over LWCF feedback and repeated emphasis on the Rams' lack of fields.

Date Thursday, June 11, 2026 Duration 0.8h Speakers 14 Public comments 4 Decisions 2 Lively
▶ Video
Emergency egress plan diagram on wall behind speaker Video still
Emergency egress plan diagram on wall behind speaker Frame from meeting video ▶ 27:24

Decisions ⁠logged

Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Approval of May 14 minutes
Motion and second received; all in favor.
Unanimous
Adjourn meeting
Motion made by Chair; second received; all in favor.
Unanimous

Topics ⁠discussed

Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
▶ 01:21 Approval of May 14 Minutes

Chair called for review and motion to accept the May minutes.

Speakers: Thomas Woelfel
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What was discussed

Minutes from May 14 were distributed; members were asked to check for spelling or grammar issues.

What happened

Motion made, seconded, and unanimously approved.

▶ 01:57 Town Council Update

Keith Stramaglia reported ongoing discussions about converting the wastewater treatment plant site into a park.

Speakers: Keith Stramaglia
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What was discussed

Status of wastewater plant redevelopment discussed briefly.

What happened

No new decisions; noted as the main ongoing topic.

▶ 02:56 Community Services Director Report

Jillian Smith provided updates on Hedgehog Park opening, LWCF grant feedback, Millville CIP submissions, and upcoming events and senior programs.

Speakers: Jillian Smith
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What was discussed

Hedgehog Park opens June 20; pavilion and signage delays noted; LWCF recommends master plan with community data over piecemeal projects; Millville beach/trail CIP submitted; multiple events and senior programs listed.

What happened

Information received; no formal votes.

What's next

LWCF follow-up meeting and data collection; Millville planning continues.

▶ 09:23 LWCF Grant and Hedgehog Park Master Plan

Extended discussion on LWCF reviewer feedback emphasizing need for updated master plan and community data before pursuing further grants.

Speakers: Jillian Smith, Thomas Woelfel, Corinne Gordon
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What was discussed

Members expressed disappointment that prior planning work was not presented; LWCF wants comprehensive vision supported by surveys/data rather than incremental improvements; timeline concerns raised for 2026 cycle.

What happened

Consensus that more planning and public input required; no immediate grant application.

What's next

Develop Hedgehog master plan; possible inclusion in RAC Phase 2; town match discussion with council.

▶ 20:45 Eagle Scout Project Proposal

Life Scout Odin Bradley presented ideas for a kiosk/trail work at Hedgehog Park or observation deck at Linwood Park.

Speakers: Odin Bradley, Thomas Woelfel, Corinne Gordon
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What was discussed

Bradley sought input on projects; committee supported kiosk with trail mapping and markers at Hedgehog.

What happened

Positive feedback; contact information to be exchanged.

What's next

Project likely after summer 2026; committee liaison to assist.

▶ 27:24 Salem Rams Field Needs and Wastewater Site

Mike Bolduc and Ron Spicer requested direction on using the retained wastewater plant property for practice fields and eventual athletic complex.

Speakers: Mike Bolduc, Ron Spicer, Keith Stramaglia
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What was discussed

Rams lack dedicated practice space; wastewater site discussed as potential multi-use field with dog park element; fundraising and partnership offered.

What happened

Councilor Stramaglia to arrange meeting with town manager and Colleen.

What's next

Meeting to be scheduled; temporary practice options considered for next season.

▶ 41:12 Millville Beach Cleanup

Discussion of organizing a volunteer cleanup at Millville beach and parking area.

Speakers: Thomas Woelfel, Jillian Smith, Paul Pelletier
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What was discussed

Residents and Scouts willing to participate; parking lot signage and cleanup proposed.

What happened

Jillian to confirm process with Colleen; date to be set.

What's next

Cleanup date to be coordinated and communicated.

Controversy & ⁠dissent

Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.

Potentially controversial issues

01

LWCF grant feedback and Hedgehog Park master plan requirements

LWCF reviewers rejected piecemeal project approach and required updated comprehensive master plan plus community survey data; Corinne Gordon voiced strong disappointment over timeline impact for 2026 cycle and lost prior planning work
Board position: Consensus reached that additional planning and public input must precede any new grant application
medium concern
02

Salem Rams practice fields at retained wastewater treatment plant site

Rams organization (250+ athletes) lacks dedicated practice space and seeks multi-use fields on town-retained land; two club representatives addressed the committee requesting direction and partnership
Board position: Councilor Stramaglia to schedule meeting with town manager to explore options; no immediate commitment on development
medium concern

Community vs. board tension

Action ⁠items

Who owes what, by when.
Arrange meeting with town manager and Colleen regarding wastewater site and Salem Rams practice field needs
Assigned: Keith Stramaglia · Due: Next week
Confirm authorization process for Millville beach cleanup with Colleen; coordinate date
Assigned: Jillian Smith · Due: Tomorrow morning
Exchange contact information with Odin Bradley for Eagle Scout project coordination
Assigned: Thomas Woelfel · Due: Immediate

Notable ⁠statements

I'm very displeased with that report. Not from you, but to me that's a no. It is, time-wise anyway. — Corinne Gordon · LWCF grant feedback for Hedgehog Park ▶ 16:36
That was brought up by at least three of us at the council meeting to make that the new home field for the Rams. It's kind of sad that they don't have a home field. — Keith Stramaglia · Wastewater site redevelopment ▶ 35:10

Member ⁠positions

4 issues · 0 explicit · 2 inferred
Present
Approval of May 14 Minutes YES ~
Adjourn meeting YES ~
LWCF Grant and Hedgehog Park Master Plan ✓
Supported need for additional planning and public input before new grant
Present
LWCF Grant and Hedgehog Park Master Plan ✓
Displeased with LWCF feedback and timeline impact
Keith Stramaglia
Town Council Rep
Present
Town Council Update ✓
Reported ongoing wastewater plant to park conversion discussions
Salem Rams Field Needs and Wastewater Site ✓
Supportive of using site for Rams practice fields

Positions marked ~ are inferred from context and may not reflect the member's explicitly stated position. UNCLEAR means the vote was split but the record did not name how this member voted — it is not a “yes.”

Public ⁠comment

What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
4
Total speakers
2
Addressed
2
Partial
0
Not addressed
Owen Bradley
▶ 34:15
Addressed
A Life Scout from Troop 49 proposed an Eagle Scout project, suggesting either building a new kiosk at Hedgehog Park (to replace the beat-up one and include trail maps/markers) or creating an observation deck along unmaintained trails at Linwood Park over the Spicket River. Key concern
Seeking committee input and approval on a suitable Eagle Scout project location and scope at either Hedgehog or Linwood Park.
Board response
Chair confirmed the ideas, expressed strong support especially for the Hedgehog kiosk, discussed details like trail markers, and offered to exchange contact info for follow-up after summer.
Board engaged positively, endorsed the project idea, and committed to ongoing coordination.
Mike Bolduc
▶ 43:59
Partial
President of Salem Rams highlighted the need for practice space after the wastewater treatment plant land was retained by the town. He offered fundraising support and asked for direction on partnering with the town to develop basic fields, parking, and storage there. Key concern
Urgent need for affordable practice fields for 250+ athletes; seeking process/timeline guidance to utilize the newly retained town land.
Board response
Chair and Keith Stramaglia acknowledged the need, noted the early planning stage, and Keith offered to facilitate a meeting with the town manager and assistant to explore temporary or permanent solutions.
Board voiced support and committed to initiating next-step meetings, but no concrete timeline or immediate action was set.
Ron Spicer
▶ 1:01:59
Partial
Salem Rams board member reinforced the club's decades-long history in town and the ongoing uncertainty of practice space. He advocated for a simple grass multi-use field as the most feasible near-term solution over expensive turf complexes. Key concern
Chronic lack of stable practice facilities for the organization despite its long community presence and fundraising capacity.
Board response
Keith Stramaglia reiterated support for a multi-use field and dog park elements, confirmed the project is in early stages, and again offered to coordinate a meeting with town staff.
Board expressed sympathy and repeated the offer to connect with town officials, but no specific commitments beyond initial discussion were made.
Paul Pelletier
▶ 1:12:21
Addressed
Speaking as a resident, offered to personally clean the Millville beach area and proposed organizing a community cleanup day with ROTC and scout groups, requesting only minor support like pizza or port-a-potties from the Millville Lake Association. Key concern
Improving the condition and appearance of the Millville beach parking and surrounding area through volunteer effort.
Board response
Chair and Jillian discussed logistics and agreed to confirm whether permission is needed; other members supported the idea and volunteered to participate.
Board welcomed the proposal, assigned follow-up for approval, and expressed willingness to help organize the cleanup.
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Report composed by grok-4.3, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-06-22.