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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-11-16-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 November 16, 1999 Members Present: Sandra Shaw, Pam Varrin, Don Chisholm, Rick DeAngelis Staff Present: Karen Simmons, Brian Gilbert Others Present: Bob McConnell, Lexington Little League AGENDA: 1. The minutes of September 22, 1999 and October 20, 1999 were accepted. 2. Skateboard Park The Recreation Committee is concerned that the Skateboard/Inline Park Committee wants to put down cement without having raised enough money to complete the project. Before they commence construction the group needs to submit to the Recreation Committee their budget, how much cash has been raised, their plan for financing the project, and their fundraising strategy. The Recreation Committee fully supports the project, but before the Skateboard Committee proceeds with the project, the Recreation Committee would like the Skateboard/Inline Committee to be added to the agenda of the December Recreation Committee meeting to update them on their current status. Rick DeAngelis feels that the contracts with the vendors should be held by the private group, not by the Town. He agreed to draft a policy for private groups planning private recreation projects and present it to the committee to review. 3. Little League Fees Bob McConnell was present on behalf of Little League to voice his concerns regarding the increase in user fees for youth programs. There are between 1000 and 1250 kids enrolled in the baseball and softball programs. Little League has not seen any field improvements by the Town over the years and has spent approximately $20,000 for improvements at Fitzgerald Field. Little League feels they are paying for too much and that the fields are in poor shape. The Little 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420 2 League board would like to propose a minimum of $3-5,000 be spent on fields per year in lieu of $3.00 per child. They would also like to build a new Little League field on Worthen Road and see improvements on the other fields as well. Don stated that in reality the fees are needed for day to day operations. Little League would like the Recreation Committee to have a sub-committee to address field issues. Little League would like to present a plan where they would pay $5.00 per participant plus $3,500–4,000 in capital projects each year. They would take the incremental number of participants and if by chance they do not spend it on capital, they would pay the balance to the Recreation Department or put in a surplus in future years. Little League wants to know how the funds are used. Karen had reviewed this with Bob prior to this meeting. The fees are placed in the “Ballfields and Playgrounds” account and money in that account goes toward the following: paint/liner; maintenance of playground equipment; nets and rims for basketball courts; maintenance of athletic fields; fees for electricity and water; portable toilets at Lincoln; replacement of home plates and pitching rubber; specialized signs, such as those advising users to keep off fields when under repair; standard signs for playgrounds; Center playground restrooms; administrative costs for permitting. The Recreation Committee is not entirely happy with the condition of the fields. Brian’s staff work hard, but the fields are over used, built on wetlands, have poor drainage, and do not have irrigation. If we agree to do something for one youth group, the committee feels it should be consistent in dealing with other groups. League fees should be consistent among youth groups. Sandra appreciates the position taken by Little League, but feels they cannot hold the fee structure hostage. Youth groups demand more and more fields, and with their increased usage adult groups are denied permits, which ultimately causes a loss in revenue. In Spring 1998 we lost $6,500 in revenue and in Spring 1999 we lost $3,300 in revenue because of permits denied to adult groups. The Recreation Enterprise Fund is trying to recover financially. Although we are slowly gaining financial stability, we are not there yet. Sandra doesn’t feel that the Recreation Committee needs another committee to deal with fields. Brian will pull the groups together to have an end of the year field evaluation, which was supported by the committee. Bob recommended that the Recreation Committee do more with youth groups and associations. Pam recommended that the Recreation Committee invite representatives of youth groups to attend the Recreation Committee meetings seasonally. Rick recommended hosting a volunteer day for recreation and would be happy to organize an annual event. Karen is concerned about the costs of hosting such an event. No vote was taken. The Recreation Committee voted 4 – 0 to raise the Little League user fee from $5 to $8 per participant/per season. Bob recommended that the Recreation Committee increase communication with the president of each youth league. 4. Town Report Don Chisholm will write this year’s report for the Recreation Committee. 3 5. Karen’s Report Joseph Leniart resigned from his position as Program Coordinator. The Recreation Committee wishes him well. Karen reviewed the 5-year Recreation Capital Plan with the committee. A copy was handed out to the members. Karen noted that the minimum wage would be increasing to $6.00 per hour on January 1, 2000 and to $6.75 on January 1, 2001. This will have an impact on the salaries of all seasonal employees. All fees will need to be evaluated to offset the increase in wages. (See attached law.) Through October 24, 1999 the total rounds of golf at Pine Meadows Golf Club are 44,626. The FY99 financial figures for Pine Meadows are: July 1, 1998 – June 30, 1999 Revenue- $779,432 Expenses- $434,541 A financial comparison report will be made available after the golf course closes for the season. 6. Brian’s Report Brian reported that the tot lot at Rindge has now been completed. The soccer field at Harrington was put into play at the end of the season. Lincoln #1 soccer field will be out next year. There have been increased requests for moving the portable goals. The pool contractor has stripped and repainted the floors. At Pine Meadows there has been work on the cart paths, and a mound has been put in around the th 9 green. The Highway Department will put a sleeve in under the road to tie into the irrigation systems. The irrigation project is moving ahead and should go out to bid next month. Brian’s team is winterizing all the facilities and Center #3 senior baseball field has been rebuilt. The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m. NEXT MEETING: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1999 7:30 P.M. ROOM G - 15