2020-05-20-REC-min (includes attachments)

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2 4. FY20 Capital Projects Peter Coleman, Assistant Director of Recreation,provided updates on the FY2020 capital improvement projects. The contractor for the Adams tennis and basketball court resurfacing project will be mobilizing on Monday, June 15th and it is anticipated that the project will last through the end of July. The bid opening for the Diamond Middle School field renovation project was held on Thursday, May 14th and the results came in within the budget. Construction is scheduled to begin in early June with an anticipated completion date of late August. The sub-bid opening (plumbing, electrical, tile) for the Old Reservoir bathhouse renovation will be held on Thursday, May 28th and the general bid opening is scheduled for Thursday, June 4th. Pending the results,this project is tentatively scheduled to begin in late June or early July. 5. Phased Reopening Discussion Melissa Battite presented the Path to RECovery—Restoration of Services. This plan is in draft form and is attached to the meeting minutes. Ms. Battite stated that the Town has created a Return to Work task force made up of 1-2 individuals form each Town building,which she is serving on. When reviewing the Path to RECovery, Ms. Battite started off by reviewing the introduction which highlighted the current conditions that the department is experiencing. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the Recreation Enterprise Fund and the loss in revenue is projected to be close to $1 million. As a result, the entire balance of retained earnings has been used up and the department will need to as for tax support in FY2021 and beyond as it attempts to implement its restoration plan. Going forward,it will be essential for the department to provide safe, quality programs that are also financially feasible. Rick DeAngelis gave kudos to Ms. Battite for coming up with its creative title, asked what the timeline for the completion of the plan would be. Ms. Battite indicated that the department is following the guidelines as outlined by Governor Baker and determining how and when to implement it locally. For the time being, all staff have been working remotely and DPW staff is at 50% capacity as well. An overview of Phase 1 was given. In the proposed draft plan, staff would resume working at the Community Center on a 25%building capacity basis during either the week of June 1st or June 8th with appropriate safety measures in place (glass partitions, gloves, sanitizer,back-up face masks). In Phase 1, the Community Center would be closed to the public and the Town Pool Complex, athletics/team sports, camps and clinics,playgrounds,public restrooms and water fountains, athletic fields,hard court surfaces (tennis/pickleball,basketball), and the Skate Park would all remain closed. During this phase, capital projects would continue,virtual services would be provided, and park, trails, and the Pine Meadows Golf Club would be open. Based on the guidelines from the state, tennis and basketball courts and the Skate Park could reopen during Phase 1 and the department has been receiving approximately a dozen emails a day from ardent tennis players asking when the tennis courts will reopen. When the courts do reopen, there will be restrictions on place such as singles play only with members for the same household,no shared equipment, and no permitted use of the courts. It will also take a coordinated effort with DPW to ensure that the correct courts are reopened and people will need to demonstrate personal responsibility when using the courts and Skate Park. Rick DeAngelis inquired about a distinction between athletics, athletic fields, and parks and recommended that a glossary of terms be included in the final plan. Suzie Barry suggested that the phases be categorized with letters rather than numbers to align with other Town reopening plans. In terms of specific facilities, Melissa Battite noted that the recommendation is to keep the Town Pool closed for the summer and the reopening of the Community Center would mirror that of the Cary Library. Ms. Battite added that the Pine Meadows Golf Club reopened for business on Friday, May 8th. The clubhouse and putting green remain closed, carts are available for qualifying medical reasons only, and tee times are fifteen (15) minutes apart instead of the 39 MARRETT ROAD,LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02421