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<br /> the remainder of the year, the decision has been made to try to complete this project this spring
<br /> and summer. The bid opening for this project will be Thursday, May 14th and pending the results,
<br /> construction will begin in June with an anticipated completion date on late August.
<br /> 5. Impacts and updates related to COVID-19 to date
<br /> Melissa Battite provided the Committee with an update on how the Department has been
<br /> impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Between registrations for spring programs and summer
<br /> camps,Pool memberships, greens fees at Pine Meadows, and spring field permits, the largest
<br /> percentage of revenue is generated during spring season and it is anticipated that the closures as a
<br /> result of the pandemic will result in a loss of approximately $1 million in revenue. Ms. Battite
<br /> acknowledged that upon reopening, a reduction in participation is expected. Ms. Battite added
<br /> that the operations of the Department will be different and some difficult decisions will need to be
<br /> made in an effort to restore and rebuild the retained earnings in the Recreation Enterprise Fund.
<br /> 6. Reopening Discussion
<br /> Melissa Battite informed the Committee that staff have been working diligently on gathering
<br /> information that will be used when creating the Department's reopening plan. This includes
<br /> safety guidelines and best practices from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
<br /> the American Camping Association(ACA), the National Recreation and Park Association's
<br /> (NRPA)Path to Recovery, consulting with colleagues throughout the Massachusetts Recreation
<br /> and Park Association(MRPA), and working with state officials and the Lexington Board of
<br /> Health. Additionally, staff has developed a survey that will be sent out to our participant database
<br /> to help gauge and better understand what the community's needs are for the summer. All of this
<br /> information and resources will be used when putting the reopening plan together. Additionally,
<br /> the Town has formed a Return to Work task force that is reviewing impacts that the reopening
<br /> will have on staff,buildings, and interaction with the public.
<br /> It is anticipated that the reopening plan will address six key service areas: the Pine Meadows
<br /> Golf Club, Irving H. Mabee Town Pool Complex, summer camps, clinics, and programs, outdoor
<br /> community spaces such as parks,playgrounds, courts, and athletic fields, the Community Center,
<br /> and summer employment. Ms.Battite stated that the NRPA has recommended to not reopen
<br /> splash pads and playgrounds until there is no widespread community transmission of the COVID-
<br /> 19 virus and she added that efforts will be made to align decisions involving the Community
<br /> Center to match those made by the Cary Library. The Department will look to build a
<br /> collaborative effort with the Lexington Board of Health,Public Facilities Department, and
<br /> community stakeholder group in the weeks and months ahead. Staff have a meeting scheduled
<br /> with Kari Sasportas, Health Director, and Casey Mellin, Health Agent, on Monday, May 11th to
<br /> discuss camp and pool permitting for the summer. This will be a follow-up to the Board of
<br /> Health meeting that was held on Friday, May 1st when this topic was discussed.
<br /> Suzie Barry, Select Board liaison,reported on the Cary Library Trustees meeting that was held on
<br /> May 6th. The restoration plan for Cary Library will have a 5-phase approach and all
<br /> programming will remain virtual through the summer. Ms. Barry stated that the trustees voted to
<br /> keep the library meeting spaces closed until at least October 1st and to not host larger events with
<br /> partner organizations until at least January 1, 2021. Ms. Barry indicated that she would send a
<br /> copy of the draft report to department staff.
<br /> Members of the Committee had the opportunity to ask questions and discuss reopening factors for
<br /> consideration. Rick DeAngelis, Chairman of the Recreation Committee, asked about the
<br /> possibility of having an independent,professional hygienist look at various recreational facilities,
<br /> such as the Town Pool,parks,playgrounds, athletic fields, and tennis courts to determine how to
<br /> sanitize and disinfect these areas. Melissa Battite said that this was being considered and added
<br /> 39 MARRETT ROAD,LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02421
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