2020-01-15-REC-min (includes attachments)

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2 the hammer throwing cage. Suzie Barry, Select Board liaison, reminded Ms. Jay that the hammer is not a MIAA-sanctioned event and there are very fewstudent-athletes participating in the sport. There are approximately three weeks of work remaining to install the track surfacingand the goal is to open the facility in mid-May. Ms. Battite met with Naomi Martin, Lexington High School Athletic Director, in October 2019 to review this scenario and to give Ms. Martin ample time to plan for the spring season. Ms. Martin has communicated to coaches about the timeframe and the practice and meet schedules have been adjusted accordingly. Ms. Martin indicated that the spring schedule would be announced at the annual February Spring Season meeting. 4.Lexington Little League Carl Fantasia, Vice President of Lexington Little League, came before the Committeeto express his interest to set something in motion to invest in the fields (capital improvements and maintenance) and establish a stronger working partnership between Little Leagueand the Town. Little League’s desire is to repurpose the fields to fit the age of the users and addresssafety issues and how to best support DPW in these efforts. MelissaBattite inquired about the safety issues and expressed her concerns about any potential or suggestedsafety issues. She reminded everyone of the upcoming Athletic Fields Feasibility Study in FY2021 and some of the suggestions by LLL may be included in this work. The main safety issues are bees in fencing, the dugout areas, and the hardness of the infield clay at various fields. Mr. Fantasia indicated that coaches in other towns rake the fields and clean the dugouts before leaving the field and he would like for a similar practice to be introduced for the upcoming season. Chris Filadoro, DPW Superintendent of Public Grounds, stated that having a training session/demonstration for the coaches would be a practical first step and he believes this would go a long way. Mr. Fantasia also expressed his interest in learning more about how the permitting process works, which is something that staff can discuss with him. Rick DeAngelis, Chairman of the Recreation Committee, expressed his interest in starting a working group that would allow for Chris’s staff to handle the day-to-day operations while also creating a public-private partnership between the two organizations. Mr. Filadoro indicated that if a working group was to be formed, it would need to happen quickly since there is a process to capital projects and the spring season is fastapproaching. Mr. Fantasia believed that all of the improvements can be done this spring and wants the improvements to be a permanent fix at the fields. After a brief discussion, it was decided that a working group will be created with Lexington Little League. Once the model is established, then other sports may be able to get involved. The next steps include Little League sharing a list of the recommended improvements with Town staff in the next few weeks and to schedule an initial kick-off meeting tobe held in February. 5.ACROSS Lexington –Keith Ohmart Keith Ohmart, chairman of the Greenways Corridor Committee, provided his annual update to the Committee. Route J, which is 1.7 miles long, was completed in Fall2018 and Route L, which is 4.4 miles long, was completed this past fall. Currently, the ACROSS Lexington system consists of over 30 miles of trails. There are two new routes proposed for 2020: Routes K and M. Mr. Ohmart is currently working with the Town Manager’s Office regarding the property lines at 41 Peacock Farm Road, which is along Route K. Once these two routes are completed, the system will consist of approximately 40 miles of trails. A draft design of the new and proposed trails are attached to the meeting minutes. A potential trail at Jefferson Drive off of Grove Street is also being considered. Mr. Ohmart will work with staff regarding the placement of signs at Sutherland Park. He also reminded the Committee that ACROSS Lexington is runcompletely by volunteers. Mr. Ohmart was pleased to announce that a new merit badge program is beginning this spring. Individuals who complete all segments of ACROSS Lexington will receive a merit 39 MARRETT ROAD,LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02421