[Adopted 2-17-1981 (Ch. 15, Art. III, of the 2010 Code)]
Pursuant to Chapter 569 of the Acts of 1980, there shall be
a Park and Recreation Department (hereinafter called the "Department")
and a Park and Recreation Commission (hereinafter called the "Commission")
consisting of five members to be appointed by the Mayor, with the
approval of the Municipal Council. The Mayor shall initially appoint,
subject to the approval of the Municipal Council, the five members
for terms as follows: one for a term of one year, one for a term of
two years, one for a term of three years, one for a term of four years,
and one for a term of five years respectively from the first Monday
in May next following such appointment and until their successors
are qualified. Thereafter, as the term of office of any member expires,
the Mayor shall annually, before the first Monday of May, appoint
a successor for a term of five years. A vacancy in the Commission
shall be filled in like manner for the remainder of the unexpired
term. The members of the Commission shall serve without compensation.
The Commission shall be the policy-making body and shall establish
policies relating to planning and development of all parks, playgrounds,
commons and recreation programs for the City, The Commission shall
approve the annual budget requests as prepared by the Director and
review and approve all bills submitted by the Director. As provided
by statute (MGL c. 45), the Commission shall exercise the powers and
duties contained therein as to parks, playgrounds and public domains,
and specifically as contained in MGL c. 45, § 14, with regard
to recreational programs, except that the Commission shall not make
appropriations of money.
[Amended 12-20-1983]
A.
The Department shall be supervised by a Director of Parks and Recreation,
hereinafter called the "Director," who shall not be subject to MGL
c. 31 but shall be appointed by the Commission, subject to the approval
of the Mayor and Municipal Council, for a term of three years or until
a successor is appointed and qualified.
B.
The Director shall have a bachelor's degree from a college or university
of recognized standing with either a major in recreation, physical
education and/or recreation leadership or a major in parks administration
or closely related field and special emphasis in physical education,
recreation or recreation leadership; also, a minimum of three years'
experience in recreation leadership in supervisory or executive work
combining recreation and park responsibilities and duties.
C.
Duties.
(1)
The Director shall be in charge of the daily operations of the Department
and have the following duties, in addition to those required by the
Commission, the laws of the commonwealth, and ordinances of the City:
(a)
Organize, develop and administer a full-time year-round recreation
program to serve the needs of all age segments in the community.
(b)
Train, supervise and evaluate performance of all staff employees,
recommending salary increases, promotions, demotions and dismissals.
(c)
Establish liaison with other municipal department heads for
the purpose of coordinating all of the activities necessary for the
proper functioning of the Department.
(d)
Recommend departmental budget requests and estimates for the
subsequent year and establish the controls necessary for proper departmental
operation under current budget disciplines which would allude to both
field staff and office staff operating controls.
(e)
Protect the worth of the total program to all interested persons
both within the community and outside, through a purposeful and well-planned
public relations program.
(f)
Direct and arrange for proper maintenance and operations of
park and recreation facilities and equipment; with the Commission,
approve and coordinate the acquisition, planning, design and construction
of parks and recreation facilities.
(g)
Superintend the suppression of gypsy and brown-tail moths, and
in carrying out said function may enter upon private property within
the City.
(h)
Assume the duties of tree warden, as defined in MGL c. 87, §§ 2
and 13, and shall, in carrying out said duties, enjoy all of the rights
and duties set forth in MGL c. 87.
(2)
All of these duties, and any others which are deemed necessary to
the successful functioning of the Department, shall be continually
reviewed and evaluated by the full membership of the Commission.
D.
The Director may be removed for just cause by the Commission with
the approval of the Mayor and Municipal Council.
A.
After consulting with the Director with regard to the qualifications
necessary and the duties to be performed, the Commission shall appoint
not more than two division heads who shall have such powers, duties
and responsibilities as the Commission may assign or impose and shall
be subject to the assignments and duties given by the Director.
B.
They shall not be subject to MGL c. 31 and shall be appointed by
the Commission, subject to the approval of the Mayor and Municipal
Council, for a term of three years or until their successors are appointed
and qualified. They may be removed for just cause by the Commission
with the approval of the Mayor and Municipal Council.
The care, control and supervision of all school playgrounds
shall be exercised by the School Committee.
Nothing in this article shall be deemed to give the Commission
control of the cemeteries within the City. There shall be, by separate
ordinance, a board of cemetery commissioners and department.[1]
[Added 1-25-1983]
There is hereby established in the Park and Recreation Department
the position of mechanical equipment repairman. All appointments to
and salary and wage gradations of said position shall be made in a
manner consistent with the rules and regulations of the civil service
administration of the commonwealth for the appointment and wage or
salary of a Class III labor service position, and no person shall
be appointed to said position who shall not conform to the requirements
of the civil service administration and of other appropriate statutes
and ordinances relative to such position.
