Maida calls for a 'top to bottom' audit of Parks and Rec
3-10-2009 4:03 pm
by Brian Keaney
Saying that he had issues with the management of the Parks and Recreation Department, John Maida called for a audit of each of the department’s “many line items” last night.Maida’s comments came as he kicked off his election campaign for a seat on the Parks and Recreation Commission with a party at Deli After Dark.
“I also feel we need to deal with the issue of accountability in our Parks and Recreation Department,” Maida said.“There is an issue there, and we need to do a top to bottom audit to find out where we stand financially.”
Maida’s comments alluded to a recent discovery of an unused $42,000 that was appropriated at the 2000 Annual Town Meeting to upgrade CondonPark.The money has not been spent to date, but officials say that money will be combined with the $110,000 appropriated last year to build a parking lot at the park for field improvements.
Maida said that while the department did many good things, he had issues with “the day to day management.”Declaring that “it’s time for a change, change for the better, and change for the future,” Maida promised to be “a voice of change” on the Commission.
The candidate also promised “action now” on the SMA and Striar properties.He told the crowd that voters, taxpayers, and children had been promised fields on both pieces of land but those promises went unfulfilled.
“We need to get those done, and bring them to a timely conclusion,” Maida said.
The Town is $500,000 short of the lowest bid to develop the SMA property.Maida told the crowd that he would work to find new sources of revenue, including fundraising and grants, to make up the difference.
He also told the crowd that providing “a major upgrade” to the fields would be among his top priorities.Included in those upgrades are turf fields installed across town, beginning at FairbanksPark.
“All the surrounding towns have great facilities, and I say to myself, ‘Why don’t we have the same,” Maida said. “While we’ve talked, Walpole has done it,” he said, referring to the new turf field and track at WalpoleHigh School.“We can’t just talk about it forever.”
As part of his fundraising efforts, Maida said he would bring together all the youth sports leagues and have each of them contribute.
“The only way we can get it done is if we come together as a community,” said Maida.
Also attending the party were State Representative Paul McMurtry, Selectman Carmen DelloIacono, Parks and Recreation Commissioners Sal Ledda and Jim Maher, as well as AssistantParks and Recreation Director Bob Stanley and candidate for the Commission Kevin Flaherty.Tom Ryan and Joanne Flatley of the School Committee, Kevin Coughlin, a candidate for the School Committee, and Zoning Board of Appeal members J.H. Rumpp and Jim McGrail were also there.
