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`OVs MORN' O� 1775 tic s� wA APRIL 19' �FXI NGSO� Frederick DeAngelis, Chairman Lisah Rhodes, Vice Chair Christian Boutwell Carl Fantasia Lisa O'Brien Claire Sheth Town of Lexington Recreation Committee 2022 05 May, 5 airti TOWN CLERK Tel: (781) 698-4800 Fax: (781) 861-2747 Recreation Committee Minutes of Meeting April 12, 2022 A virtual meeting of the Recreation Committee was held on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at 7:OOpm through the Zoom platform. Members Present: Rick DeAngelis, Lisah Rhodes, Christian Boutwell, Carl Fantasia, Lisa O'Brien, and Claire Sheth Staff Present: Melissa Battite, Director of Recreation and Community Programs, Mike Cronin, Public Facilities Director, Christine Dean, Community Center Director, Others Present: None 1. Annual Town Meeting Capital Articles Melissa Battite gave a brief update of the status of Annual Town Meeting and the capital articles that were not part of the consent agenda. She explained that it is unclear at this point whether the 2 articles, I Oe and l Of, will be up for reconsideration. Lisah Rhodes suggested that the Committee talk about their votes for both of the pro] ects and certify that they are needs, established as part of the 5 year capital plan; they are part of our core values. She added, that as a group, they need to affirm their vote. Rick DeAngelis offered that that he is a long time user of the facilities and with respect to the bathrooms, they are at the end of their usable life. The Town has done a goodJob at keeping them fit for human use, but when asked by other users where the bathrooms are, he suggests other facilities offsite. He added that a new high school will be a while still and this is a worthwhile investment for now. It is a matter of comfort and safety. Mr. DeAngelis stated that the courts are also assets that need to be maintained. He suggested that both pro]ects are not big asks and they need to be done. Clair Sheth expressed concern that the community is confusing "closer" to getting a new high school with "close." She believes that the Town is still a good 5 years away from construction and worries about delaying the pro]ects given the importance of the Center. She added that there are other constituents in the community that use and depend on the resources to be safe and reliable and that the High School is not the only thing that is happening for the next 5 —10 years. Christian Boutwell stated that he remains fully committed to both of these pro]ects. Ms. Rhodes continued that they part of our core values and she stands with her votes. Lisa O'Brien expressed that it is theJob of the Recreation Committee to advocate for safe facilities for all ages and abilities. Both pro]ects have been on the horizon for quite some time and she stands by her vote. Carl Fantasia said that Ms. Sheth summed it up well, the high school is not right around the corner and we need to do something for the now.