2021-12-15-REC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 stakeholders meeting with the Rindge Park and Playground community took place,and there will likely be a third meeting scheduled based on the feedback received. The Sutherland playground meeting took place and generated helpful feedback about the additional play equipment. On December 4t'',the story walk at Lincoln Park had its grand opening celebration. The story is scheduled to change every 6— 8 weeks. Landscaping was added at the three scoreboards at Lincoln Park. Due to rain and poor drainage,the golf course will need work before opening in the spring. Efforts are currently underway to get designs and a quote from the contractor. Rick DeAngelis asked if the current vendor takes the carts at the end of the season. Ms. Battite responded that although that is an option,the carts are kept onsite. 5. Liaison Reports The December 2021 Liaison Reports are attached to the meeting minutes. 6. Working Group—New LHS Development Plan and Impact on Athletic fields/Recreation facilities Rick DeAngelis shared the history of his use of the fields. He expressed the need to be proactive and advocate for recreation and open space. The community can't afford to have fields taken offline for years or permanently. It will be important to understand where they are going and what they need. Mr. DeAngelis asked Ms. Battite how she saw the process working. Ms. Battite explained that the working group will include herself and the following staff: Department of Public Facilities Director, Mike Cronin,Department of Public Works Director, Dave Pinsonnault, Grounds Supervisor, Chris Filadoro,Town Manager,Jim Malloy, Deputy Town Manager, Kelly Axtell, Superintendent of Schools, Julie Hackett, or her designee,two liaisons from the Recreation Committee,two liaisons from the School Committee, Doug Lucente and Suzie Berry of the Select Board, Town Council representative Mina Makarious, and Karen Mullins from Conservation. The group's first order of business will be to identify what and where a high school is feasible and what steps need to be taken in terms of available funding, etc. The group will be meeting in early January to begin working and they will report out to their respective groups. The frequency of meetings is yet to be determined. Mr. DeAngelis stated that a new high school is a maj or development. The Town needs to give some thought into what is being removed. It is important to allow for community discussion. Ms. Battite would like to have an understanding of what will happen on the land in question in the meantime. It is important to identify our current resources and decide if we continue to invest in them without knowing what the future will bring. The facilities are still open and operating while the discussion is taking place. School Committee member, Kathleen Lenihan,mentioned that working with the MSBA can be tricky. One cannot get ahead of the process. When it came to Estabrook,the community knew that the building had to come down but they still had to go through the process of comparing a renovation to a new build. It is impossible to know if the application will get approved. The Town of Burlington is on year 8 of proposals. School Committee member, Deepika Sawhney, added that decisions will not be made in a vacuum;the community will be involved. Ms. Battite proposed to Chair DeAngelis that the Recreation Committee vote on liaisons for the working group, as well as designating a backup in case one could not make it to a meeting. Rick DeAngelis made the following motion: "The Recreation Committee moves to authorize Rick DeAngelis and Lisah Rhodes, with Christian Boutwell as a 3 seat to back up in case of absence, to be Recreation Committee liaisons for the Lexington High School Building Project working group." Lisa O'Brian seconded the motion. The Recreation Committee voted 4-0 to approve this motion. 39 MARRETT ROAD,LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02421