The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About1999-09-22-REC-min Town of Lexington Recreation Committee Sandra Shaw, Chairman Tel: (781) 862-0500 x262 Pamela Varrin, Vice Chairman Fax: (781) 863-2350 Frederick DeAngelis Donald A. Chisholm Richard L. Neumeier RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES September 22, 1999 Members Present: Sandra Shaw, Pam Varrin, Dick Neumeier, Don Chisholm, Rick DeAngelis Staff Present: Karen Simmons, Joseph Leniart Others Present: Bob O'Neill, Buzz Gillis, Nick Santosuosso AGENDA: 1. Citizens and other boards Buzz Gillis, Lexington High School girls’ tennis coach, and Bob O'Neill, assistant tennis coach, were present to speak about their tennis concerns. Bob voiced the opinion that he believes the tennis facilities are being neglected compared to the C#1 baseball field and presented to the Recreation Committee a list of his concerns and suggestions. Bob stated that he had spent two hours fixing screens that were blown down by strong winds two nights before the tennis tournament took place. Karen thanked him for his efforts and explained that private funds were raised by supporters of baseball for lights, new benches, and irrigation. Bob said he was aware that the tennis courts were scheduled to be resurfaced and said he would like to get some tennis players together to raise funds for other improvements. Karen Simmons responded by informing Bob of the repairs that have been done to the courts and some of the problems with maintaining them: 1) The tennis courts were patched last year. 2) DPW puts up an average of three new nets a year. 3) Center straps are put on at the beginning of the season but are stolen, and nets have been damaged. Karen suggested that Brian McNally could have a storage container for rollers, center straps and balls. Buzz inquired whether the Recreation Department could buy extra straps to keep in storage for when they are needed. Sandra Shaw and Don Chisholm suggested that Buzz speak with Brian McNally regarding this 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420 2 request. The School Athletic Department should be supporting the high school tennis players by providing the necessary storage and center straps. Buzz requested that the Recreation Department have 10 courts set up for the first day of the season with 36-inch high nets. He feels that Brian McNally should financially support the courts 3 months out of the year while the high school tennis teams are using the courts and he will ask Brian to do so. Karen Simmons said that she and Brian Gilbert have been working together to improve service to the tennis facilities. Bob O'Neill said he would like to take a group of volunteers down to the tennis courts to clean the area. Sandra Shaw stated this would not solve the DPW staff accountability problem. Karen would like to work with Bob to develop a tennis stewardship program. Bob stated he wanted to raise money to improve the tennis facility by building a shade structure. Karen Simmons suggested a pavilion with locked storage. Buzz has seen many types of shade structures and believes the cost to be between $5000 and $10,000. Buzz asked if the Recreation Committee knew what the exact improvements would be to the tennis facility and if the improvements were set in stone or open to change. Dick Neumeier replied that the scope of the job could not change, but details such as court color are open to input. Bob offered his list of improvements and said he would need to meet with other tennis players to receive their input. Sandra asked him to meet with his group and come back with a final list. Buzz stated that if he comes up with more suggestions he will send them to Karen Simmons who would present them to the Recreation Committee. Karen suggested that she, Brian Gilbert, and Buzz meet before the tennis season begins to make all necessary pre-season repairs to the courts so they are in good playing condition on the first day of the season. Buzz agreed to this proposal. BOB O’NEILL’S NOTES Current problems: 1. Screens not secure 2. Nets broken 3. Center straps on 2 courts not anchored 4. Fence rusted 5. Lines not painted in several years 6. General neglected look of grounds 7. Court rollers not accessible Possible improvements when courts are resurfaced: 1. New fence (green) 2. Screening for the rest of courts 3. Paint courts school colors 4. Paint a big "L" on entrance to center courts 5. Benches on each court 6. Could use a "kiosk" as protection from sun 7. Storage for court supplies (roller etc.) 8. Message board for tournament, not many knew of town tournament 9. Paint half court on backboard 10. Possibility of courts facing other direction 3 2. The meeting minutes from June 16, 1999 were approved. On July 28, 1999 the meeting consisted only of a tour of Pine Meadows Golf Course. 3. Center #1 Baseball Field/ Blue Sox Karen Simmons spoke about the incidents at the Blue Sox games that involved three alleged brawls during the summer. She said the police spoke with her about dealing with those issues and enforcing the rules of the park. Rick and Karen agreed that there were some issues. The police stated that if the problems persist a detail officer would be required to be present at the games. Eva Heney of the Lexington Minuteman contacted Karen to clarify the name of the Center #1 baseball field. The field was not renamed and the plaque next to the field has also been changed to say something to the extent of "In memory of Matt Santosuosso." 4. Capital project update Karen Simmons and Sandra Shaw attended the Permanent Building Committee meeting where they were informed that the PBC would like the Recreation Committee to write the Superintendent of Schools a letter with their prioritized recommendations. Karen will write this letter and a copy will be sent to PBC. Don Chisholm disagreed with asking the athletic director at the high school to be a primary source for composing this list because there are many other user groups that he may not consider when making recommendations for improvements. The Recreation Committee re-prioritized their list for improvements as follows: 1. Clarke soccer field 2. LHS track 3. LHS football bleachers 4. LHS irrigation 5. LHS tennis courts 6. Clarke tennis courts 7. Diamond playing fields irrigation 8. Diamond softball backstops 9. Diamond baseball backstops 10. LHS backstops 11. Clarke backstops 12. Diamond baseball fields 13. LHS football fence Karen Simmons also noted that the PBC approved hiring a geotechnical specialist to do the borings at Clarke and a surveyor has been hired for Harrington. Don Chisholm asked how the irrigation project at Pine Meadows was going. Karen said it might start early in November. John Allen of New England Golf, the Town Engineering Department, and Brian Gilbert will oversee the project. Other improvements that have been happening at Pine Meadows include upgrading cart paths, tree planting, and setting up screening on the tee 4 boxes with evergreens and fencing. As for the parking lot, Karen said a firm would need to be hired to do a study on how to rebuild the parking lot and driveway. 5. Little League fees Karen noted that Bob McConnell from Little League will plan to attend the next meeting to talk about the increase in fees from $5.00 to $8.00 6. Karen's Report Karen reported that some residents would be doing a neighborhood project to beautify Sutherland Park. Christine Maestri will be organizing the volunteers. Eva Heney will write a story on the beautification project for the newspaper. Karen also reported that the summer programs have come to a close and the fall budgeting process has begun. She will begin working on the operating and capital budgets in the next two weeks. Don Chisholm asked about the quality of the water at the Res. Karen told him it was safe and that the water quality is checked regularly by the Board of Health. 7. Brian's Report Brian Gilbert was not present and will not be able to attend Recreation Committee meetings on Wednesday nights at 7:30 p.m. until January. He is currently taking a night class. Don suggested looking into changing the date of the meetings so that Brian would be able to attend. The meeting was adjourned at 9:37 p.m. Next Meeting: Wednesday, October 20, 1999 7:30 p.m. Room G - 15