A joint meeting of the Ballston Town Council and the Jenkins Park Advisory Board accomplished the goal of outlining the council and board’s specific responsibilities.
I think we all walked away with a much better understanding of the responsibilities held by each of the boards, said Councilwoman Kim Ireland. `This will set the framework for what I anticipate to be a very positive working relationship that will allow projects to move forward.`
The joint meeting, held Thursday, March 27, drew more than 40 people to Town Hall to discuss the ongoing needs of the special district park, from cleanup to equipment repairs. Several residents offered to help at the park, while others have already begun.
`It showed what I believe to be a real cooperative effort and willingness of the advisory board, Town Council and the public to work together for the benefit of the park,` Ireland said.
She also said she is thankful to the advisory board for initiating the joint meeting.
According to the bylaws of the park, the advisory board is responsible for the day-to-day repairs of the park such as repairing the pavilion’s roof, but they need town approval for any capital improvement projects like the purchase of new picnic tables and playground equipment.
The immediate goals of the advisory board are to paint the backstop on one of the fields, replace sand under the swings and continue maintenance of the walking path.
Advisory board member Peter Petrillose said he and Norm Collins, who has provided park maintenance and upkeep for several years, have been to the park several times to pick up garbage already.
Another town member has also taken the lead on removing poison ivy bordering the park and cutting down brush.
The Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Junior Baseball organization offered to help clean up the park Saturday, April 12, as a part of its annual cleanup day. They use the fields in Jenkins Park for practice during the week, however they play games in Glenville.
Residents are invited to help fix up Jenkins Park during the town cleanup day Saturday, May 3, however, they should report to the fire station first to sign in and pick up free T-shirts and supplies. Cleanup day is sponsored by the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Business and Professional Association and the Ballston Lake Fire Department.
The Jenkins Park Advisory Board held a public meeting in February to seek feedback from town residents about the future of 55-year-old park.
`The joint meeting between the Jenkins Park Advisory Board and the Town Council was a good follow-up to the initial public park meeting held back in February,` Ireland said.
The 45-acre park is supported through a portion of the special district’s taxes, however anybody can donate to the park through town hall.
There are about 450 homes in the Jenkins Park taxing district.
Following the joint meeting, a Jenkins Park tab was added to the Town of Ballston Web site. The page contains information on advisory board meetings, which are held the second Tuesday of every month, as well as dates and times of scheduled cleanup days.
Jenkins Park came to the forefront of Town Council debate when council members made a motion to table the reappointments of two Jenkins Park Advisory Board members at the town’s organizational meeting Thursday, Jan. 3.
The reappointments of Petrillose and Arelene Ida were tabled again during a Thursday, Feb. 7, town council meeting after Deputy Town Supervisor George Seymour asked for the consideration on the resolution to reappoint Petrillose and Ida, and no one on the council responded.
After a review of town records in February, it was determined that Petrillose was not up for reappointment to the advisory board this year. His term does not expire until Dec. 31.
Ida was reappointed to the board for a yearlong term at the town council meeting Tuesday, April 1.
There are still two open positions on the advisory board.
Ireland said she hopes to sit down in the near future with Town Supervisor Patti Southworth and advisory board chairwoman Sue Macejka to interview interested parties and make recommendations to the council.
She said she would like to present the recommendations during the Tuesday, May 6, Town Council meeting.
Anybody interested in serving on the park’s advisory board is encouraged to contact Ireland, Southworth or Macejka through the Town Hall at 885-8502.“