HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-09-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
April 23, 2024
A regularly scheduled meeting of the Recreation Committee was held on Tuesday, April 23,
2024 in person and via Zoom as a hybrid meeting at 6:30pm in Room 237of the Lexington
Community Center.
Members Present: Rick DeAngelis, Christian Boutwell, Weiwei Li, Lisa O’Brien, and Claire
Sheth
Staff Present: Melissa Battite, Director of Recreation and Community Programs,
Christine Dean, Community Center Director (virtual), Peter Coleman,
Asst. Director of Recreation (virtual)
Others Present: Sanjay Padaki (virtual)(Appropriation Committee liaison), Nelson Ortiz,
1021 Massachusetts Avenue, Erik Larsen, Hsing Min Sha, 35 Bartlett Ave
(School Building Committee member), Kseniya Slavsky, 14 Ridge Ave
(School Building Committee member)
Rick DeAngelis called the meeting to order at
approximately 6:35pm. The Recreation
Committee held a meeting, both in-person and
via Zoom.
Agenda Item
1. Public Comment was delayed to later in the meeting.
2. Meeting minutes for the months of March and April :
Lisa O’Brien moved to accept the meeting minutes and the Committee approved the
minutes with a vote of 5-0.
3. Recreation Committee Email Correspondence:
There were no email correspondences reported.
4. Liaison Reports:
Lincoln Park Sub-Committee liaison, Wei Wei Li, reported that the Sub-Committee met
two weeks ago and discussed three items. The Committee unanimously approved to
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continue using Parterre contractors for the 2024 season to assist with park services and
is awaiting approval of the second contractor. The Sub-Committee discussed the
conditions of the Boardwalk and the use of funds from the Trusts of Public Trustees.
There was also preliminary discussions on the renaming of the Granite Forest in
memory/honor of David Williams. The use and requests of the Trustees funds have not
been reviewed as the three new Trustees were recently appointed and had not met as of
yet.
5. Lexington Athletics Requests:
a. Temporary Signs – Girls Varsity Soccer Booster request
The Committee discussed various issues related to the use and safety of athletic
facilities, including the potential for fundraising events and the need for permits and
approvals for signage. Nelson Ortiz from the Boosters Club proposed a fundraising
event at the Lincoln soccer field, with business signs to be placed for advertising. The
Recreation Committee, while open to the idea, expressed concerns about potential
issues such as the number and size of signs, and the need for permits and approvals
from other boards. The department also proposed deferring a decision on municipal
placement regulations until they could consult with the Select Board and gain a town-
wide perspective. Additionally, they agreed to explore whether any signage rules exist
for school property that could provide guidelines. The Committee viewed the initiative
positively, noting it could teach leadership skills to players regardless of gender,
provided certain conditions and questions were addressed. Nelson Ortiz will double
check with Doug Lucente about the requirement for the Select Board approval for
private signs on municipal lands and get back to the Committee. Nelson will create a
PowerPoint presentation outlining the plan and impetus behind the fundraising effort
with banner ads for the girls' varsity soccer team. The Recreation Committee will review
the PowerPoint presentation during the May 2024 Recreation Committee meeting.
b. Portable lights at Worthen Road practice field:
Rick DeAngelis moved “to approve the use of portable lights at the Worthen Road
practice field for the remaining three home track meets, subject to the lights are
moved off the field and to a place of safety, out of the way to prevent a hazard for
people using, crossing or during maintenance by the Town of Lexington”. Lisa O’Brien
seconded and the Recreation Committee approved the motion 5 -0.
6. Lexington High School Project Discussion:
The members of the Committee along with members of the School Building Committee
in attendance discussed the challenges of decision-making in school selection, and the
potential disruption and costs associated with temporary facilities for classroom
renovations that the Recreation Enterprise Fund, Center Recreation Complex and
community at large will experience. The athletic fields project, led by Peter Coleman,
was discussed along with the current status of the Lexington High School project. The
role of the Town Manager sponsored working group, SMMA as the project manager and
architect, and ongoing stakeholder meetings were clarified. The Article 97 process,
requiring a simple majority in a town meeting and approval by both houses of the
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legislature, was explained, with the next meeting scheduled for June and monthly
meetings thereafter. Recreation emphasized the challenges and uncertainties associated
with the legislative timeline and the need for stakeholder support for the project. The
Recreation Committee discussed the complexities and challenges of decision-making
processes in school selection and development, emphasizing the need for community
engagement and feedback. They highlighted the trade-offs between security, circulation,
and other criteria, and acknowledged the potential for misunderstanding and
misconstruing information. Lastly, plans for a new design were discussed, with
considerations for lay down area concerns and the potential financial and human impact
of displacement and busing athletes to practices and games.
Christian Boutwell will provide a one-page summary of the design options and criteria
matrix to the Recreation Committee. Peter Coleman will follow up with Christian to
ensure accurate measurements of the existing athletic fields are obtained for the design
process. The Recreation Committee will also look to prepare and submit a
communication plan to Town Meeting to ensure community engagement and
understanding of the project as it applies to the Center Recreation Community Park and
Recreation’s programs and services.
The conversation ended with an acknowledgment of the hard work of the architectural
engineering firm and a reminder of an upcoming community event.
7. Appoint member to the CPC effective 6/1/2024.
Community Preservation Committee liaison member, Lisa O’Brien, shared an overview of
the role as the Recreation Committee will need to appoint a new member as of June
2024 with Lisa O’Brien’s term ending on May 31, 2024. Lisa O’Brien highlighted the
importance and responsibilities of the Community Preservation Committee (CPC). The
committee's regular activities, including reviewing project applications and meeting with
applicants, were emphasized. The team also discussed the application process for the
Recreation CPC position and the potential candidacy of Christian Boutwell, and Rick
DeAngelis noted Mr. Boutwell for his intelligence, motivation, and established credibility
in the town. Though a decision was not made during the meeting, the team agreed to
revisit this during the May meeting as Renen Bassik also indicated interest in this role at a
previous Recreation Committee.
8. Recreation & Community Programs Report
Melissa Battite discussed their recent and upcoming events, including the Special
Olympics field day and the Lexington Little League opening day parade, and announced
plans for the summer, such as new staff and volunteers onboarding, and April programs
delivery. The department also reported on project progress, including the Gallagher
Tennis Courts and the Lincoln field and lights project, while highlighting a need for
additional staff at the aquatics center. The department also shared updates on their
social media presence and Christine Dean shared a recent Dana Home Foundation's
award for next year's fitness programs. Christine also encouraged applications for artists
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to paint the community center walls and discussed the selection of a mural for Lexington.
Claire Sheth volunteered to represent the Recreation Committee along with other
community members to review and determine which artists and work will be chosen.
9. Public Comment
Rick DeAngelis discussed the need for repair or replacement of the batting cage at the
Center Recreation Complex adjacent to Center Field #1, with potential funding from
youth baseball and cricket groups.
The next meeting of the Recreation Committee is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, May
15, 2024 at 6:30pm.
The April 23rd, 2024 meeting of the Recreation Committee adjourned at 8:50pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Melissa Battite
Director of Recreation & Community Programs
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