Chelmsford Dog Association
Meeting Minutes
Chelmsford Public Library, Chelmsford
April 12, 2017
6:30 PM
I. Call to order 6:37pm
II. Roll call
a.) Board members present: Will, Danielle, Vivian, Sarah
b.) Voting members present: Barbara, Kathy G, Kathy K, Kari
c.) Guests present: 6 including eagle scouts
III. Approval of minutes from last meeting
Motion to approve the minutes from the March 2017 CDA meeting as amended
Presented: Vivian
Seconded: Danielle
Vote: Unanimous
IV. Public discussion (30 minutes)
1.) Eagle Scout presents ideas for fundraising- money bucket at the Chelmsford diner, going classroom to classroom at school, a lockbox at park (would need to be secured in an immovable fashion), movie night type event at CHS w/dog themed movie- can sell snacks. Could possibly do movie night at the park. Would need to tell DPW to open lot for Parking. Scout wants to get $2,400 for project. He is looking at landscaping companies for assist with project. Sarah recommended Nolet landscaping.
2.) Second Eagle Scout wants to start his project ~ June 17th. He will build a 10’x16’ storage shed for the park. The estimated cost would be $3,000-$3,500. Will cautions for heavy equipment to stay on path so as not to disturb grass. Would build large items off site and put together on site. Scout leader suggests get bobcat in there between 4/22/- 4/24. Scout leader says 4’x8’ sheets of plywood will be put down to walk on. Scout suggests fundraising during “plus-blocks,” church coffee hour fundraiser.
V. Officer Reports
1) Treasurer’s Report (Sandra) Current balance- $ including several donations as well as $ table for rally. To deduct $ for most recent sign purchase. Phase two bricks: total of 32 paid orders.
2) Website and Media Report (Will) Website averaged ~100 hits a day/ ads are getting clicked through for Mr. Arena’s landscaping and Amazon Smile.
Survey results- Will created a survey on dog park usage/ Results from survey- 50% of park users from Chelmsford, some from surrounding towns, small amount from towns further away/ Time of day with the most “traffic” is middle of day and late afternoon/ Biggest park user concern -inconsiderate owners, safety, & maintenance/ Rated 8 or higher for 80% of people/ Biggest suggestions –to fix mud problem and finish seeding.
3) President’s Report (Will)- Covered in previous reports
VI. Committee Reports
1.) Fundraising/Events Committee Report
a) Completed events (Volunteer Fair, Wine Glass Painting)- Raised ~$ / Made $ at volunteer fair at Senior Center.
b) Upcoming Events (Steps for Pets, 7th Annual Walgreens Dog Rally) Application for Steps for Pets sent in- vendors to arrive at 9am at 4H fairground May 13th. Event 11-2 / Walgreens Event-will have DJ face painting, cotton candy, tee shirt painting, dog tattoos, operation delta dog vendor, K9 cravings cannot come but donated, Shane’s anti-bullying group. Kathy suggests old cellphone fundraiser-to possibly have table at Walgreens and at park? Stores? Other fundraising ideas: Restaurants of the month, Hannaford bags. Motion by Vivian to do old phone donation boxes. Seconded: Sarah. Vote: Unanimous
c) Ongoing fundraising: Pennies 4 Puppies- $
d) Donations- March donations at the park are up. Danielle presents updated bar graph to demonstrate donation trends.
e) Other events- July 4- Trailer is no go this year. Plan to do tent on the common on July 3rd/ Joyce to talk next month about farmers’ market.
2) Membership and Volunteer Coordinator’s Report – 3 new members. Need to get blank cards from Sandra so that people can get cards that have not yet.
VII. Old Business/Open Issues
1) Bricks
a) (37 total to date) 32 paid orders, plus 2 8×8 and 2 4×8 recognition bricks.
2 replacement mini-bricks from Phase 1 (Manzelli)- need to order/ Push for deadline for phase two bricks.
2) Advanced Lawn Care – Quote and time for spring-time seeding-$ plus $ for loam raking, $ for seeding- 3 types of hearty seeds to be used for good coverage year round to sprout in spring, summer, and fall.
3) Greenlawn to do maintenance on irrigation (est. @$ /hr)
4) DPW – will install benches and hydrants. To be done before the work party on 4/22 so the hydrants can be repainted. The DPW will be moving fence back to provide us with more parking. Sidewalks will be installed on road, so no more on-street parking. Doggie digging pit for large dog side would need edging. DPW to give us sand.
5) Boy Scout Eagle Project: Jonathan Puffer – lay bricks under large pavilion
6) Boy Scout Eagle Project: Bailey Berglund – build storage/equipment shed
7) Outdoor bookshelf (Will) – Will be done by April 22- placed in front vestibule
8) Spring Work Party (moved to April 22) 8-12- sanding cabinet on kiosk- peeling and not weather protected, re-polying, putting wrap, opening fountains etc., placing plaques, new sign install.
a) Place plaques and park signs for benches and pavilions etc.
9) 2017 taxes (filed, many thanks to Beth Logan)- to confirm with Beth
Got federal, not state- vendor asked for state non-profit confirm. Filed for state form / raffle permit has been filed and received raffle taxes have been filed.
VIII. New business
1) New sponsorship items? Want to update sponsorship list
Small dog time-out ($300) 4ft height to match fence
Digging strip for main dog area ($600+) will go down as sand being provided
Info Center/Kiosk on small dog side ($2000)
Donation box ($130)
Dog Washing Station ($5000+) (coin-op water timer)?
2) Motion to vote on lawn project- Carly motions to spend money. Seconded: Kathy G. Vote: Unanimous.
IX Next Meeting Date: Wednesday May 24 @630
X. Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn: Kathy G at 8:26
