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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-09-15-REC-min `puS mop pQ 1775 G x Town of Lexington Q m Recreation Committee APRIL 19'" �FXI NUS Frederick DeAngelis, Chairman Tel: (781)698-4800 Lisah Rhodes,Vice Chair Fax: (781) 861-2747 Christian Boutwell Carl Fantasia Lisa O'Brien Claire Sheth Recreation Committee Minutes of Meeting September 15, 2021 A virtual meeting of the Recreation Committee was held on Wednesday, September 15,2021 at 7:00pm through the Zoom platform. Members Present: Rick DeAngelis, Lisah Rhodes, Christian Boutwell, Carl Fantasia, Lisa O'Brien, and Claire Sheth Staff Present: Paige Bagley, Therapeutic Recreation Intern, Melissa Battite,Director of Recreation and Community Programs,Peter Coleman,Assistant Director of Recreation, Christine Dean,Community Center Director,Kate DeAngelis, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Chris Filadoro,DPW Superintendent of Public Grounds,Katharine Labrecque,Management Fellow, and Dave Pinsonneault,DPW Director Others Present: Meredith Applegate(42 Reed Street,Lexington), Sandy Beebee (Capital Expenditures Committee liaison),Kathleen Lenihan(School Committee liaison), Hanna Starobinets, and Leslie Wilcott-Henrie (70 East Street, Lexington) 1. August 18,2021 Minutes Lisah Rhodes moved and Lisa O'Brien seconded the approval of the minutes from the August 18t1i meeting. The Recreation Committee voted 5-0-1 to approve the August 18 minutes. 2. Public Comment Rick DeAngelis, Chair of the Recreation Committee,inquired about the status of the tennis practice backboards next to the Gallagher Tennis Courts at the Center Recreation Complex. Melissa Battite, Director of Recreation and Community Programs,reported that one of the backboards has been removed and the signage has been updated. This item was discussed in greater detail during the review of the Recreation&Community Programs 5-Year Capital Plan and may be added to a future meeting agenda. 3. Therapeutic Recreation Intern—Paige Bagley Paige Bagley has completed a therapeutic recreation internship with the department this summer. She provided an overview of her internship and a copy of the presentation slides is attached to the meeting minutes. Paige is a recent college graduate from the University of New Hampshire and she plans to take the certification exam in November. Ms. Bagley highlighted the numerous responsibilities that she fulfilled during the internship. Melissa Battite explained what an honor it was for the department to go from no therapeutic recreation staff to one full-time employee and an intern in less than three years. Kate DeAngelis,Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, supervised Paige and stated that she brought energy and a new lens to the programs. She added that Ms. Bagley connected well with the staff,volunteers, and participants and that she was a tremendous asset to the department for the summer. Rick DeAngelis commended Paige for doing God's work and that therapeutic recreation as a tool for inclusion is so important, especially at this point in 2 time. Other members expressed their appreciation and congratulations to Paige on a job well done. 4. Lexington Farmers' Market Thanksgiving FEASTival This request is attached to the meeting minutes. Leslie Wilcott-Henrie,President of the Lexington Farmers' Market, requested to extend the current permit through Tuesday, November 23'd,which would include an extension of one day and a change in hours on that date(the market would be open from 12:00-4:00pm on November 23"instead of the regular hours of 2:00- 6:30pm). This extension would have no impact on LHS Athletics,DPW, or Police. Ms. Wilcott- Henrie acknowledged that mead would be available for purchase, but there would be no sampling or serving. With this being the case,Kathleen Lenihan, liaison from the School Committee, indicated that the School Committee will vote on this request at its September 28t'meeting given the proximity of the Worthen Road practice field to Lexington High School. After a brief conversation, Rick DeAngelis made the following motion: "The Recreation Committee moves to extend the Lexington Farmers'Market permit through Tuesday, November 23, 2021 from 12:00- 4:00pm at the Worthen Road practice field." Lisah Rhodes seconded the motion. The Recreation Committee voted 6-0 to approve this motion. 5. Lexington Council of the Arts—utility boxes The project proposal from the Lexington Council of the Arts is attached to the meeting minutes. As a follow-up to the August Recreation Committee meeting, Melissa Battite reported that the Lexington Council of the Arts is proposing to transform some of the Town's utility boxes into unique works of art. The Council of the Arts secured funding for Lincoln Park and Center Recreation Committee from the Fund for Lexington at its September 14'meeting. The project will have an outdoor/open space/recreation theme. Applications will be sent out and submissions will be reviewed by the "jury,"which will consist of a panel that includes one member from the Recreation Committee and one member from the Lincoln Park Sub-Committee. Artwork will be painted on Town-owned utility boxes at each park and the goal is to complete the project by the end of the fall. The Committee members discussed whether the final proposal should be voted on by the Committee or to entrust that to the Recreation Committee liaison serving on the jury. The consensus was that people were comfortable with the liaison voting on the final proposals and Claire Sheth stated that she was willing to serve on the jury. Christian Boutwell made the following motion: "The Recreation Committee moves to approve the Lexington Council of the Arts utility box painting project at Lincoln Park and the Center Recreation Complex and appoints Claire Sheth to serve as the Recreation Committee liaison to the jury." Rick DeAngelis seconded the motion. The Recreation Committee voted 6-0 to approve this motion. 6. Annual Report&Photo Melissa Battite informed the Committee that the deadline to submit the Recreation Committee and Recreation&Community Programs annual reports is Friday, September 24'. A draft of the Recreation Committee report is attached to the meeting minutes. The FY2021 annual report covers the period from July 1, 2020—June 30,2021 and by distributing the draft now,members of the Committee can provide comments and feedback before the September 24'deadline. After reviewing the annual report, it was decided that the annual Recreation Committee photo will be taken on Tuesday, September 21st at 6:30pm at the Farias Basketball Courts. 7. Liaison Reports The September 2021 Liaison Reports are attached to the meeting minutes. Christian Boutwell is serving as the interim liaison to the Greenways Corridor Committee and is becoming familiar with what this committee does. While the Greenways Corridor Committee's charge does not include any specifications regarding liaisons,Mr. Boutwell expressed his interest in continuing to participate with this committee. After a brief conversation,Rick DeAngelis made the following 39 MARRETT ROAD,LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02421 3 motion: "The Recreation Committee moves that Christian Boutwell will represent the Recreation Committee and attend future Greenways Corridor Committee meetings,when necessary." Lisa O'Brien seconded the motion. The Recreation Committee voted 6-0 to approve this motion. 8. Recreation& Community Programs Report The September 2021 Recreation& Community Programs Report is attached to the meeting minutes. Melissa Battite stated that the Community Center resumed regular hours,including weeknights and Saturdays, on September 7th. While in-person attendance has been low,virtual program participation through Zoom remains extremely high. The in-person attendance is in line with what other Town organizations are experiencing. While circulation rates at the Cary Memorial Library are approaching pre-pandemic levels, in-person visitation is less than 50%. The portable toilet pilot program will be implemented this fall and the memo from December 2019 that outlines this program is attached to the meeting minutes. Ms. Battite explained that due to the lack of officials and buses,there have been some last-minute and untimely changes to the LHS Athletics game schedules this fall,which have negatively impacted other youth and adult sports organizations. Staff are in the process of trying to close the communication gap on this issue. Christine Dean, Community Center Director,informed the Committee that the kick-off meeting for the Youth Advisory Group will take place on Friday, September 24t'from 6:00- 7:00pm. The intent is to gather feedback from high school students with the goal of creating more teen-specific times, spaces, and/or activities at the Community Center and Tom Romano, Youth&Family Program Coordinator,will oversee this advisory group. Christian Boutwell enthusiastically expressed his support for the monthly pop-up events as they bring people together and to the Community Center and asked what can be done to ensure that this type of event will continue in the future. Rick DeAngelis thought it would be a good idea to compile information on the people who the recreation facilities are named after, such as Irving H. Mabee, and Claire Sheth thought the CVS storefront on Massachusetts Avenue may provide adequate space where this historical information could be displayed. 9. 5-Year Capital Plan—FY23-FY27 Before discussing the 5-Year Capital Plan,the Committee discussed the possibility of requesting funding for additional play equipment at Sutherland Park. Melissa Battite told the Committee that the Community Preservation Committee(CPC)is next scheduled to meet on Thursday, September 23r`'and based on estimates received,the Committee would need to decide whether or not to request an additional $75,000 in CPA funds in FY2022. If approved,this request could be voted on at the 2021 Special Town Meeting this fall,the 2022 Annual Town Meeting next spring, or not at all. Ms. Battite explained that an advantage with moving ahead with the request this fall would be that if the additional equipment was installed in Spring 2022,it would be within a year of the initial playground replacement and the life cycle for the entire playground would be within the same year. If the request is not voted on this fall,it would cause additional delays to when the supplemental equipment was installed. Members expressed their thoughts and opinions on the matter. It was agreed upon that this decision would not set a precedent for other playground replacements in the future and with the approval of additional funding, Sutherland would fall in line with the current budget of similar playground replacements that are scheduled over the next five years. Ms. Battite admitted that communication with and engagement of the community can be improved and reiterated that there is enough space at the site to accommodate another piece of play equipment. After an in-depth discussion,the Committee decided to move forward with this request and Christian Boutwell made the following motion: "The Recreation Committee moves to submit a funding request to the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) in the amount of$75,000 to be considered at the 2021 Special Town Meeting this fall for supplementary play elements and equipment at 39 MARRETT ROAD,LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02421 4 Sutherland Park." Lisah Rhodes seconded the motion. The Recreation Committee voted 6-0 to approve this motion. Melissa Battite and Peter Coleman,Assistant Director of Recreation,reviewed the proposed 5- Year Capital Plan. A memo that provides an overview and a draft version of the FY2023- FY2027 Recreation&Community Programs 5-Year Capital Plan are attached to the meeting minutes. As constituted,the six projects proposed for FY2023 are as follows(the requested amount and funding source are in parentheses: 1. Pine Meadows Improvements($95,000,Recreation Enterprise Fund)—new fairway bunkers on 42 and 47,new greenside bunker and reconstruct the middle tee at the 8`t' hole,reconstruct the green bunker and expand the tee at#9, and the design/engineering work for the cart path restoration and renovation at the 5'hole. 2. Town Pool Water Heater Replacement($30,000,tax levy)—includes materials and labor costs associated with the plumbing and electrical work required to dispose of the existing water heater and install a new water heater at the facility. 3. Park and Playground Improvements($200,000—CPA)—playground replacement at Kinneens Park,which will include new play equipment, safety surfacing, site amenities, and the installation of a new fence around the perimeter of the playground 4. Park Improvements—Athletic Fields($250,000, CPA)—renovation of the Fiske School Fields,which will include the installation of an irrigation system,new natural grass, and new backstops,fencing, and signage. ADA improvements as identified in the 2017 ADA Compliance Study will also be made at the site. 5. Park Improvements—Hard Court Surfaces ($2,500,000, CPA)—complete reconstruction of the Farias Basketball Courts and Gallagher Tennis Courts will include the construction of post tension court surfaces for basketball and tennis/pickleball, new fencing, athletic equipment, storage shed, shelter, site amenities,tennis practice backboards, and signage. 6. Community Park Master Plan—Lincoln Park($100,000, CPA)—with as many as six capital improvement projects scheduled at Lincoln Park over the next five years,this master plan will provide a strategic road map for implementing improvements, enhancements, and upgrades at the park. This is a new inclusion in the plan. In total,the six proposed FY23 projects come to a total of$3,175,000. As Mr. Coleman and Ms. Battite provided an overview of each project,members had the opportunity to ask questions and give feedback. Christian Boutwell believed that all projects are essential and that if they are not completed,then the recreational facilities and infrastructure will deteriorate. Rick DeAngelis seconded this sentiment by stating that the Town's recreational resources are as vital to the quality of life in Lexington as the buildings in the Town Center. Lisah Rhodes expressed her support for the Lincoln Park master plan as it will show the various decision makers and the Lexington community that staff and the Recreation Committee are being forward-thinking when it comes to capital improvement projects at that park. Carl Fantasia mentioned that the requests contain long-term,big-ticket items and would appreciate some more detailed discussions to better understand which projects may be proposed in future years. Ms. Battite offered to have a separate meeting with Mr. Fantasia where the philosophy and further details of the 5-Year Capital Plan could discussed. The Committee agreed to only take a vote on the FY23 projects at this meeting. The formal vote on the FY2023-FY2027 5-Year Capital Plan will take place at its September 29'meeting. At the conclusion of the conversation, Rick DeAngelis made the 39 MARRETT ROAD,LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02421 5 following motion: "The Recreation Committee moves to approve and proceed moving forward with the six capital improvement projects proposed for PY2023, as presented." Claire Sheth seconded the motion. The Recreation Committee voted 6-0 to approve this motion. The next virtual meeting of the Recreation Committee is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, September 29th at 7:00pm through the Zoom platform. The September 15`h, 2021 meeting of the Recreation Committee adjourned at 9:35pm. Respectfully submitted, Peter Coleman Assistant Director of Recreation The following documents distributed at the meeting are attached: • Paige Bagley Presentation Slides • Lexington Farmers' Market Thanksgiving FEASTival Request • Lexington Council for the Arts Utility Box Beautification Project Proposal • Draft of FY2021 Recreation Committee Annual Report • September 2021 Liaison Reports • September 2021 Recreation & Community Programs Report • Memo on Portable Toilets Pilot Program • Memo on 5-Year Capital Plan • Draft of FY2023-FY2027 Recreation & Community Programs 5-Year Capital Plan 39 MARRETT ROAD,LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02421