HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-10-19-REC-min
Town of Lexington
Recreation Committee
Frederick DeAngelis, Chairman Tel: (781) 698-4800
Christian Boutwell, Vice Chair Fax: (781) 861-2747
Carl Fantasia
Lisa O’Brien
Claire Sheth
Renen Bassik
Weiwei Li
Recreation Committee
Minutes of Meeting
October 19, 2022
A meeting of the Recreation Committee was held on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 in person and via
zoom as a hybrid meeting at 6:30pm in Room 237 of the Lexington Community Center.
Members Present: Rick DeAngelis, Christian Boutwell, Renen Bassik, Carl Fantasia, Weiwei Li, Lisa
O’Brien, and Claire Sheth
Members Not present:
Staff Present: Melissa Battite, Director of Recreation and Community Programs, Peter Coleman,
Assistant Director of Recreation, Mike Cronin, Public Facilities Director, Christine
Dean, Community Center Director, and Dave Pinsonneault, DPW Director
Others Present: Suzie Barry (Select Board liaison), Michael Broderick (8 Pine Knoll Road,
Lexington), Tim Clackson (14 Winthrop Road, Lexington), Sonal and Vivek
Gupta (24 Parker Street, Lexington), Jerry Harris (25 Parker Street), Suzanne Lau
(18 Phinney Road, Lexington), Kathleen Lenihan (School Committee liaison),
Gerry Paul (43 Highland Avenue, Lexington), Lisah Rhodes (482 Marrett Road,
Lexington), Carol Rose (11 Parker Street, Lexington), Sonali Shah (21 Parker
Street, Lexington), Tom Shiple (18 Phinney Road, Lexington), and Longwei Su
(29 Parker Street, Lexington)
1. Public Comment
Carol Rose, resident of 11 Parker Street, introduced her concept to transform the eight remaining
tree stumps at the Center Recreation Complex into a work of art. The stumps would be
transformed into wood carvings with the theme being birds of New England. Each of the wood
carvings would have a QR code where people could learn more about birds and ecology in New
England. Ms. Rose indicated that she would like to apply for Community Preservation
Committee (CPC) funding under the open space and recreation category. She is willing to
volunteer her time for project management and if approved, the CPC funding would pay for the
artists. This would serve as a link between Lexington High School, Hastings Park, and Cary
Library. Ms. Rose informed the Committee that this proposal has been supported by Cary
Library, DPW, and the Munroe Center for the Arts, support is pending from ACROSS Lexington
and the Greenways Corridor Committee, and she is attending this meeting to seek support from
the Recreation Committee. Ms. Rose stated that the trees have been capped after being cut to a
height of 10’ and added that Dave Pinsonneault has been great to work with. Dave Pinsonneault,
DPW Director, added that the tree carvings would complement the tree replantings at the park.
Members of the Committee said that the concept sounds like a good idea and it will be a formal
agenda item at the November meeting.
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2. September Meeting Minutes
Lisa O’Brien moved to approve the minutes from the September 29th meeting. Weiwei Li
seconded the motion. The Recreation Committee voted 5-0 to approve this motion.
3. Recreation Committee Email Correspondence – Lisa O’Brien
Lisa O’Brien reported to the Committee about the emails that were received over the past month.
There was a wide variety and included such topics as the lights at the Center Track Field, a
professional juggler associated with the Lexington Cultural Council, an article about no new
synthetic turf fields being installed in Boston, the athletic fields feasibility study, indoor
pickleball at the Hayden Recreation Centre, the Gallagher/Farias community meeting on October
25th, misuse of the Center Track (spectators and equipment in the track lanes during a game on
the field), bench donation at Sutherland Park, parking issues at Muzzey, Lexington Little League
storage containers enhancements/replacements, and the tree stump art proposal from Carol Rose.
4. Center Recreation Bathrooms & Maintenance Building – Mike Cronin
Mike Cronin, Public Facilities Director, provided the Committee with a status update on the
Center Recreation Bathrooms and Maintenance Building project. The bid opening was held on
Thursday, September 1st. Five bids were received and they all came in over-budget. The average
of the middle three bids was approximately $900,000. When soft costs and a 10% contingency
are incorporated, that would bring the project total to $1,080,000, meaning that an additional
$400,000 in funding is needed. Mr. Cronin added that there has been no change in the scope of
the project and the request for supplemental funding will be presented at Special Town Meeting
this fall. Renen Bassik asked what could be done to avoid having to ask for additional funds in
the future. Mr. Cronin acknowledged the unpredictability that currently exists within the
construction climate and it is unknown how much longer these conditions will continue into the
future. Lisa O’Brien informed the Committee that the Community Preservation Committee
(CPC) unanimously supported the request for additional funding at its September 15th meeting.
Rick DeAngelis, Chairman of the Recreation Committee, stated that if the CPC is behind it, then
the Committee should support the request for additional funding since the need still exists for this
project to move forward. After a brief discussion, Christian Boutwell made the following
motion: “The Recreation Committee supports and recommends approval by Town Meeting for
the request for $400,000 in supplementary funding from the Community Preservation Fund to
complete the Center Recreation Complex bathroom and DPW maintenance building renovation
project.” Rick DeAngelis seconded the motion. The Recreation Committee voted 7-0 to
approve this motion.
A copy of the Special Town Meeting materials for Article 5 (Center Playground Bathrooms and
Maintenance Building) and Article 10 (Town Pool Domestic Hot Water Heater) is attached to the
meeting minutes.
5. 5 Year Capital Plan Updates – Peter Coleman
Peter Coleman, Assistant Director of Recreation, provided the Committee with an update on the
5-Year Capital Plan. An updated version of the plan was distributed with the September meeting
minutes. The revised version included a cost of $35,000 for the Town Pool Water Chemistry
Automated Controllers (as compared to the initial amount of $25,000) and the requests for the
Lincoln Park Field Improvements projects were adjusted based on the conversation that took
place during the September meeting (FY24 – feasibility study, turf replacement at Lincoln #1,
light installation at Lincoln #1 and #3; FY25 – turf replacement at Lincoln #2; FY26 – turf
replacement at Lincoln #3). An updated version of the FY24-FY28 5-Year Capital Plan summary
sheet is attached to the meeting minutes.
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The request to replace the equipment at the Lincoln Park fitness stations has been moved from
FY2027 to FY2025. Lisa O’Brien indicated that the next step would be to have a site visit as
there is some concern about the condition of the boardwalk. Melissa Battite, Director of
Recreation and Community Programs, mentioned that she needs to have a conversation with the
Trust for Public Lands to see if funds could pay for the fitness equipment. If the answer is yes,
this project would not have to follow the fiscal year schedule. The balance in the trust is
approximately $800,000. Ms. O’Brien stated that while the trust receives approximately $20,000
in income each year, annual expenses average $40,000 each year to maintain the passive areas of
Lincoln Park. At the conclusion of the conversation, Christian Boutwell made the following
motion: “The Recreation Committee approves the updated Recreation FY2024-FY2028 5-Year
Capital Plan with the revised amount of $35,000 for project Rec-24-4: Pool Water Chemistry
Automated Controllers included.” Lisa O’Brien seconded the motion. The Recreation
Committee voted 6-0-1 to approve this motion.
6. Draft Fact Sheets for Special Town Meeting articles – Christian Boutwell
Christian Boutwell, Vice Chair of the Recreation Committee, reminded the Committee that
creating fact sheets for the various capital improvement project requests is a practice that began
back in the spring for Annual Town Meeting and this would be a continuation for the two articles
that will be presented at Special Town Meeting. The fact sheets include a project background,
funding background, updates, and a list of the boards and committees that supports the project. It
was mentioned that the Committee’s vote should be listed on the presentation slides. Suzie
Barry, liaison to the Select Board, recommended including the drawbacks, such as what it would
mean if the project is not approved, on the presentation slides. Rick DeAngelis emphasized that
the Center Bathrooms project is essential. Mr. Boutwell stated that the Department of Public
Facilities has recorded presentations for both articles and that Mike Cronin will be able to answer
questions that come up. Members of the Committee agreed that additional explanatory language
is needed and should be posted on the website and Town Meeting Members email to convey all
the supporters of these projects. Rick DeAngelis made the following motion: “The Recreation
Committee approves the draft fact sheets for the 2022 Special Town Meeting with the provision
that additional justification language will be inserted by the Vice Chair of the Recreation
Committee.” Weiwei Li seconded the motion. The Recreation Committee voted 6-0-1 to
approve this motion. The revised draft of the fact sheets for Special Town Meeting are attached
to the meeting minutes.
7. Working Group(s) Update
Claire Sheth provided the Committee with an update on the Tennis & Pickleball Working Group
(TPWG). The group most recently met on Wednesday, October 12th. Ms. Sheth is the
Committee’s liaison to the group and will be facilitating this working group going forward. She
came up with some clarity surrounding the group’s charge and purview and prior to last week’s
meeting, distributed a memo to this advisory group that focused on its ability to solve the
supply/demand problem in Lexington. Ms. Sheth indicated that there was good attendance at the
meeting with the members being engaged and that the group is in the information gathering stage
at this point. The next action item is to identify criteria that court construction will be held to
with the goal of providing staff and the Committee with a clear decision-making matrix. The
group is comprised of a fair representation of stakeholders (tennis players, pickleball players,
abutters). Renen Bassik inquired about accessible sports and asked how to further develop these
programs in town. Melissa Battite stated that the accessibility improvements that were included
in the 2017 ADA Compliance Study are being implemented every year and both Ms. Battite and
Ms. Sheth agreed that accessibility would be an important element to include in the criteria. Rick
DeAngelis asked if accessibility should be included in the charge of the TPWG as well as that of
the Committee. Suzie Barry stated that the Committee is appointed by the Town Manager and
approved by the Select Board and that committees know the work that they are tasked with. Mr.
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DeAngelis believes that the Committee’s charge needs to be updated. He added that Ms. Sheth is
a great facilitator and he is looking forward to ongoing work and recommendations that are put
forth by the TPWG in the future.
8. Outdoor Athletic Lighting Discussion – Melissa Battite
Melissa Battite reminded the Committee that this item was added to the agenda based on the three
different correspondences that were received prior to the September meeting. Prior to the
installation of new Musco lighting systems at the Center Recreation Complex in recent years, the
last updates to the lights at the complex were completed in 1980 (Town Pool), 1986 (Gallagher
Courts #1-4), and 1996/1997 (Center #1 baseball field and Center #2 softball field). Upon
completion, the shutoff time for the Center #1/#2 lights was 10:30pm and the tennis and Pool
lights went off at 9:00pm. Approximately seven years ago, the Center Recreation Complex
athletic facility lighting project was introduced into the 5-year capital plan. There were some
delays with implementation, but the lights at Center #1/#2 were replaced in 2019, the new lights
at the Center Track & Field were installed in Summer 2020, and the light enhancements and
upgrades were completed at the Gallagher and Farias Courts and Town Pool in early Spring 2021.
In addition to these projects, lights were installed at Lincoln #2 in 2017. These lights were
donated to the Town and had a shutoff time of 8:30pm at the time of installation.
The recently completed athletic fields feasibility study identified installing additional lights as a
key factor in reducing the overuse of the fields. The Committee last revised the outdoor lighting
policy in 2020 and the athletic field and court use policy in 2021 and these policies are attached to
the meeting minutes. With the new lighting system, the Center Track and/or Field can be
illuminated based on the use. This year, the shutoff time at Lincoln #2 has been extended until
9:00pm and the lights at the Center Track Field were extended an additional 30 minutes on a
select number of dates. The Recreation Committee was the voting authority on both of these
occasions. Ms. Battite reminded the Committee that during the annual review of fees, the light
times are included on the fee schedule.
Members of the Committee then made remarks. Rick DeAngelis, who was one of four co-chairs
for the Center #1/#2 project back in 1996/1997, emphasized that the shutoff time was 10:30pm
back then and this time has been in effect for the past 25+ years. Mr. DeAngelis added that with
the new light systems, there is less light pollution as newer technology allows the lights to operate
more efficiently and they are focused in a more downward manner. Mr. DeAngelis also
reiterated that the athletic fields feasibility study clearly identified the dearth of the field shortage
that currently exists in town (At approximately 8:02pm, Peter Coleman stepped away from the
meeting to deal with an issue at Lincoln Park and he rejoined the meeting and resumed taking
minutes at approximately 8:15pm.).
Weiwei Li indicated that he had seen the video that was submitted and showed people playing on
the Center Track Field until 10:30pm. Mr. Li acknowledged that Center #1/#2 are farther away
from the abutters than the Center Track Field and encouraged installing signage about there being
less noise at the park after 9:00pm. Mr. Li shared that the sound of the sport playing that late at
night was also loud, when the ball hit the paddle. Ms. Battite stated that the groups using the
Center Track Field until 10:30pm are all adult sports.
At this point, members in the audience had the opportunity to make comments. Jerry Harris,
resident of 25 Parker Street, stated that he has been an abutter of the Center Track Field and
Gallagher Courts for 22 years. Mr. Harris claimed that there have been dramatic changes over the
past two years and asked the Committee to reconsider its policies. His issue is not with the tennis
lights, but rather nights at the Center Track Field combined with the recent removal of the trees.
The trees acted as a wall, a buffer between noise and lights. With the trees gone, Mr. Harris
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explained there is no longer a buffer for noise and people can hear noise in their homes with the
windows closed, which is detracting and distracting. Mr. Harris said that Lincoln #2 and the
Center Track Field should be scheduled equitably. In his opinion, the current shutoff times are
almost discriminatory against certain neighbors and taxpayers. Mr. Harris also questioned why
extensions to the light times were communicated to abutters after the fact and not ahead of time.
Mr. Harris ended his remarks by asking the Committee to reconsider having the lights at Lincoln
and Center end at the same time in 2023.
Sonali Shah, resident of 21 Parker Street, stated that she has lived at her current residence for 5
years and that the bright lights and loud cheering until 10:30pm is disturbing noise, especially on
school nights. She also indicated that she had not received any information on the tree replanting
plan and has looked into the possibility of planting trees on her property. Ms. Shah would like to
see the lights off by 9:00-9:30pm on school nights and asked what the plan is regarding the trees.
Dave Pinsonneault responded that there is a tree replanting plan in place that will occur in Spring
2023. An extensive plan is in place, which has been developed in collaboration with Weston
Nurseries, and Mr. Harris has a copy of the plan. Mr. Pinsonneault added that the trees will be
decent size when planted and the plan will be finalized next fall with a shrub planting. Suzanne
Lau, resident of 18 Phinney Road and Town Meeting Member of Precinct 9, was involved in the
light project at Lincoln #2 and the abutters of the park, especially those that live on Baskin Road,
expressed their concerns about the lights and noise during the planning process. With the lights
being new at Center Track Field, the question that Ms. Lau raised was at what point does the
Committee consider the Center Track Field as a new facility versus including the lights into the
existing facility as part of the entire Center Recreation Complex.
Members of the Committee and staff had a chance to respond to the comments that were made.
Rick DeAngelis acknowledged that he could understand the issue surrounding the tree removal.
There will be a remediation buffer in place once the tree planting is completed as the new trees
will muffle the noise and light. Melissa Battite highlighted the widespread community outreach
and discussion that took place during the Center Track and Field construction project. When new
lights were installed at Gallagher Courts #5-10, it was considered an additional facility. Ms.
Battite added that having the lights on beyond 9:00pm at Lincoln Park would be problematic.
Longwei Su, resident of 29 Parker Street, questioned why the light hours are different at different
fields and thought that the times should be consistent regardless of location. Christian Boutwell
provided some clarification about the 11:30pm end time at the Center Recreation Complex. Mr.
Boutwell stated that anyone can propose a light shutoff time. He also added that the Committee
did not approve the 11:30pm time and never moved forward with that. The discussion was clear
that that time was too late. Rick DeAngelis wanted those in attendance to know that just because
this was discussed, the Committee did not abandon part of the community. Regarding the tree
removal and impact on noise and light, Mr. Boutwell believed that is a factor to consider going
forward and stated that abutters are always stakeholders, whether it is in opposition for more
noise and lights or later use. Lisa O’Brien said that she is very cognizant of the abutters and there
has been a lot going on with that neighborhood over the past few years. Melissa Battite
encouraged people to join the listserv to receive notifications when meeting agendas are posted.
Ms. Battite added that it is a lot to ask Committee members and/or staff to reach every abutter
with time-sensitive materials. Over the past three years, the community engagement practices
that the department has implemented have been far beyond what has been done in previous years.
With everything that is going on, activation of the Parker Street neighborhood is exciting and it
will be beneficial to find a way to move forward.
The item of the tree removal was brought up again. Rick DeAngelis encouraged people to call
Dave Pinsonneault to discuss the tree planting plan and noted that the trees were taken down
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because they were determined by an independent, third-party arborist to be hazardous. Jerry
Harris claimed that the plan was presented to preserve the existing trees before they were
ultimately removed and Christian Boutwell reminded Mr. Harris that trees do not fall under the
purview of the Recreation Committee. Mr. Harris replied that while the new trees will look good
in 10 years, they will not be helpful in the immediate future and the issue of light and noise is one
that the neighborhood is dealing with now.
While the conversation on this agenda item was taking place, people were writing in the
question/answer section, so a copy of the Zoom Q & A is attached to the meeting minutes.
9. Recreation & Community Programs Report – Melissa Battite
The October Recreation & Community Programs Report is attached to the meeting minutes.
10. Liaison Report
The October Recreation & Community Programs Report is attached to the meeting minutes. An
update from the Lincoln Park Sub-Committee will be added to the November meeting agenda.
The next meeting of the Recreation Committee is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, November
16th at 6:30pm.
The October 19th, 2022 meeting of the Recreation Committee adjourned at 8:58pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Peter Coleman
Assistant Director of Recreation
The following documents distributed at the meeting are attached:
Special Town Meeting Materials on Article 5: Center Playground Bathrooms and
Maintenance Building and Article 10: Town Pool Domestic Hot Water Heater
Updated Recreation FY2024-FY2028 5-Year Capital Plan Summary Sheet
Revised Draft of Fact Sheets for Special Town Meeting articles
Town of Lexington Outdoor Recreation Area Lighting Policy
Town of Lexington Athletic Field and Court Use Policy
October 19, 2022 Recreation Committee Meeting – Zoom Q & A
October 2022 Recreation & Community Programs Report
October 2022 Liaison Report