2021-03-17-REC-min (includes attachments)

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2 Greenways Corridor Committee (GCC),indicated that the GCC is trying to bring greater attention to the trail system in Lexington and is looking at implementing such apps as AllTrails or Gaia GPS. Rick DeAngelis commended Ms. Pfrommer for her vigilance and for writing the letter that was sent to the Planning Board regarding trails and connectivity. Eileen Jay, liaison to the School Committee,reported that the elementary schools will return to full-time,in-person learning as of Monday,April 5th and that the middle schools will follow beginning on Wednesday, April 28t''. A decision on Lexington High School will be made in April once the State's Education Commissioner provides additional guidance. 4. Donation of Bench to Pine Meadows Golf Club A copy of the proposal is attached to the meeting minutes. Melissa Battite, Director of Recreation and Community Programs, stated that this program began a few years ago and through this proposal,the request is to install a new bench near the 3rd tee. The bench that is currently there can be relocated to a different location. Lisah Rhodes made the following motion: "The Recreation Committee moves to accept the donation of a park bench at the Pine Meadows Golf Club and recommends that it be approved by the Select Board as well." Lisa O'Brien seconded the motion. The Recreation Committee voted 5-0 to approve this motion. 5. LPS Fall II Season Request A copy of the request submitted by Naomi Martin, Director of Athletics with the Lexington Public Schools(LPS), is attached to the meeting minutes. Dr. Julie Hackett, Superintendent of the Lexington Public Schools, and David Coelho,Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations, were in attendance and provided an overview of the request. Mr. Coelho reminded the Committee that at the December 2020 Recreation Committee meeting, Ms. Martin approached the Committee seeking approval to plow snow off of the synthetic turf fields (if needed) in order for football to be able to use the fields when the Fall II season began in late February and the Committee voted in opposition of allowing snow removal from the synthetic turf fields at that time. Mr. Coelho reported that with the Fall II season now underway,the football team has been practicing out-of-town in Woburn,which has been a chaotic process. In addition to practices, all football games have been scheduled as away games this season. In the new request,the Lexington Public Schools would like to resubmit a request to work with DPW and the Recreation and Community Programs Department and is asking the Committee to reconsider this issue and allow for snow removal from Lincoln#1 should there be a large snowstorm during the remainder of the Fall II season to allow for football practices to take place in town. Dr. Hackett reaffirmed the partnership that the Lexington Public Schools has with the Committee, Ms. Battite, Ms. Martin, and the student-athletes. Dr. Hackett acknowledged the importance of outreach and that there have been some communication issues, especially on the school side. The goal is to continue to work well together in the future and Dr. Hackett added that the partnership matters deeply to her and the School Committee. Jim Malloy, Town Manager,voiced the concern that people have been shoveling the synthetic turf fields, which can damage the turf and void the warranty. Mr. Malloy reiterated the importance of working together and for everyone to be vigilant to not clear the turf fields in a manner that could lead to long-term damage that will impact the usability of a field for the 2021 season. After these initial comments, what followed was a lengthy discussion on the matter between Committee members and staff members from DPW, LPS, and the Recreation and Community Programs Department. Rick DeAngelis stressed the importance of working together and highlighted that through the reconstruction of the Center Track and Field,the parties involved worked together with the end result being another crown jewel that belongs to all members of the community. Mr. DeAngelis added that he can empathize with the student-athletes wanting to get 39 MARRETT ROAD,LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02421