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Recreation Advisory Committee — June 11, 2026

Salem RAC discussed Rams fields on wastewater site previously eyed for park use

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

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Summary AI-generated to surface controversy & community impact without bias — always verify against the actual meeting before relying on it.

At its June 11 meeting, Salem's Recreation Advisory Committee took up a request from the Salem Rams for practice fields on the retained wastewater treatment plant property. Representatives described the need for space serving over 250 athletes and offered to help with fundraising. Councilor Keith Stramaglia said he would arrange a meeting with the town manager to explore options. Earlier updates at the same meeting had referenced ongoing talks about redeveloping the site as a park. Separately, the committee reviewed feedback from the LWCF grant program, which rejected a piecemeal approach for Hedgehog Park and required an updated master plan plus community survey data before further applications. Members noted the added time this would take for the 2026 cycle. No formal decisions were made on either topic.

Jun 11, 2026 0.8h long 14 speakers 4 public comments 2 decisions Lively
❝ Notable statements ↔ Drag to browse

“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 ▶ 16:39

“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 ▶ 35:08
This meeting — choose a section

Topics ⁠discussed

Each topic expands to quotes and full context.
Speakers: Thomas Woelfel
What was discussed

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

What happened

Motion made, seconded, and unanimously approved.

Speakers: Keith Stramaglia
What was discussed

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

What happened

No new decisions; noted as the main ongoing topic.

Speakers: Jillian Smith
What was discussed

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

What happened

Information received; no formal votes.

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

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

What happened

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

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

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

What happened

Positive feedback; contact information to be exchanged.

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

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

What happened

Councilor Stramaglia to arrange meeting with town manager and Colleen.

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

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

What happened

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

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

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
▶ 49:26
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
▶ 49:26
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.

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

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X / Twitter — by angle

Use of town land for specific user group without prior broad notice
On June 11, Salem's Recreation Advisory Committee heard from Rams reps seeking practice fields on the retained wastewater treatment plant site. Councilor Stramaglia agreed to set up a meeting with the town manager. The site had... https://meetingwatch.org/nh/salem/recreation-advisory-committee/2026-06-11/ #MeetingWatch #SalemNH
329/280 chars
Grant requirements forcing additional planning steps
LWCF reviewers told Salem the Hedgehog Park project needs a full master plan and community survey data, not incremental additions. Committee members expressed disappointment over timeline delays for the 2026 cycle. https://meetingwatch.org/nh/salem/recreation-advisory-committee/2026-06-11/ #MeetingWatch #SalemNH
313/280 chars
Youth sports facility needs left without concrete next steps
Rams organization noted 250+ athletes lack dedicated practice space. Club offered fundraising help. Committee response was to schedule one meeting; no timeline or funding commitment followed. https://meetingwatch.org/nh/salem/recreation-advisory-committee/2026-06-11/ #MeetingWatch #SalemNH
290/280 chars

X thread

1
June 11 Salem RAC meeting: Rams reps asked for direction on using the former wastewater plant property for multi-use fields. The same site had been under discussion as a park conversion. #MeetingWatch #SalemNH
209/280
2
Councilor Stramaglia said the idea came up at council. He will arrange a meeting with the town manager. No vote or formal recommendation occurred.
146/280
3
No public agenda item previewed this specific proposal. Residents interested in park vs. field use had no advance notice of the discussion. https://meetingwatch.org/nh/salem/recreation-advisory-committee/2026-06-11/
163/280

Facebook — long form

At its June 11 meeting, Salem's Recreation Advisory Committee took up a request from the Salem Rams for practice fields on the retained wastewater treatment plant property. Representatives described the need for space serving over 250 athletes and offered to help with fundraising. Councilor Keith Stramaglia said he would arrange a meeting with the town manager to explore options. Earlier updates at the same meeting had referenced ongoing talks about redeveloping the site as a park. Separately, the committee reviewed feedback from the LWCF grant program, which rejected a piecemeal approach for Hedgehog Park and required an updated master plan plus community survey data before further applications. Members noted the added time this would take for the 2026 cycle. No formal decisions were made on either topic. https://meetingwatch.org/nh/salem/recreation-advisory-committee/2026-06-11/ #MeetingWatch #SalemNH

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

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.”

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Report composed by grok-4.3, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-06-22.