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<br />
<br />Town of Lexington
<br />Recreation Committee
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<br />Frederick DeAngelis, Chairman Tel: (781) 698-4800
<br />Christian Boutwell, Vice Chair Fax: (781) 861-2747
<br />Carl Fantasia
<br />Lisa O’Brien
<br />Claire Sheth
<br />Renen Bassik
<br />Weiwei Li
<br />
<br />Recreation Committee
<br />Minutes of Meeting
<br />August 16, 2023
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<br />A meeting of the Recreation Committee was held on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 in person and via
<br />Zoom as a hybrid meeting at 6:30pm in Room 237 of the Lexington Community Center.
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<br />Members Present: Rick DeAngelis, Christian Boutwell Renen Bassik, Weiwei Li, Lisa O’Brien, and
<br />Claire Sheth
<br />
<br />Members Not present: Carl Fantasia
<br />
<br />Staff Present: Melissa Battite, Director of Recreation and Community Programs, Peter Coleman,
<br />Assistant Director of Recreation, Christine Dean, Community Center Director, and
<br />Dave Pinsonneault, DPW Director
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<br />Others Present: Dongling Chen (39 Parker Street, Lexington), Bill Huber (21 April Lane,
<br />Lexington), Joseph Lehar (33 Parker Street, Lexington), Kathleen Lenihan
<br />(School Committee liaison), Wendy Manz (3 Captain Parker Arms, Lexington),
<br />Eric Pearlman (47 Parker Street, Lexington), Jason Penniman (7 Parker Street,
<br />Lexington), Helena Petrasso (21 April Lane, Lexington), Richard Petrasso (39
<br />Parker Street, Lexington), Longwei Su (29 Parker Street, Lexington), and
<br />Zuoling Wang (29 Parker Street, Lexington)
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<br />1. Public Comment
<br />Richard Petrasso, resident of 39 Parker Street, made a statement about the new practice boards at
<br />the Gallagher Courts. A copy of Mr. Petrasso’s position statement, which was signed by 18
<br />supporters, is attached to the meeting minutes. Mr. Petrasso made two recommendations during
<br />his comments. First, he stated that two sound mitigating boards should be placed in the
<br />immediate vicinity of the new practice boards as in his opinion, the current design will be
<br />ineffective in mitigating sound. The second recommendation is to post signage on the practice
<br />boards which says “Tennis only, 9:30am to dusk” since the balls used in other sports (lacrosse,
<br />soccer, pickleball, field hockey), can make loud impulsive noises. Joseph Lehar, resident of 33
<br />Parker Street, expressed his strong support for Mr. Petrasso’s letter as he believes the
<br />recommendations outlined in the statement are reasonable accommodations. Regarding the
<br />ongoing discussion about pickleball, Mr. Lehar is seeking ways to welcome pickleball in
<br />Lexington in a fashion that will not lead to endless lawsuits. Mr. Lehar noted that the Select
<br />Board is considering to lift noise by-laws to allow for pickleball. Mr. Lehar emphasized that the
<br />Parker Street neighborhood is eager to engage with the Committee on this issue. Eric Pearlman,
<br />resident of 47 Parker Street, indicated that while court reservations begin at 8:00am, people will
<br />often begin using the courts at 7:00am. Mr. Pearlman stated that there is a significant noise
<br />difference between a tennis ball and a lacrosse ball and he advised the Committee to think hard
<br />about what sports are allowed to use the practice boards. Jason Penniman, resident of 7 Parker
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