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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-10-17-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 MEETING October 17, 2001 Members Present: Sandra Shaw, Pam Varrin, Rick DeAngelis, Don Chisholm, Dick Neumeier Staff Present: David Pinsonneault, Sheila Butts Others present: Peter Ronchetti, Luisa Ronchetti, Harry MacDonald, Elena MacDonald, Patricia Sallese, Donald Gildea. Paul Boulos, David Rosen, Donna Welsh, Barbara Matthews, Claudia Nole, Ben Richardson, Mary Alice Richardson, Wendy Barrett-Manhard, Rochelle Sharit AGENDA: 1. The meeting minutes from September 19, 2001 were approved. 2. Blossom Street Tot Lot Fifteen abutters and neighbors of the proposed Blossom Street Tot Lot were in attendance. Pam Varrin reported on the discussion that took place at the October 9, 2001 meeting with proponents and opponents of the project. She related to the committee the issues that were raised at that meeting, as well as the community need for a playground structure dedicated to children ages 2 – 5 years old. At the request of Pam Varrin, Claudia Nole of 16 Blossom Street reported on her discussions th with neighbors of the site. Ms. Nole was present at the October 9 meeting and took part in a walk through of the Blossom Street site with Dave Pinsonneault and Karen Simmons. She detailed the scope of the project and the recommendations from the committee to address neighborhood safety and maintenance concerns. Several neighbors expressed concerns about the impact such a project would have on the neighborhood, the concern for children’s safety if they went into the wetlands, and the actual need for such a structure. 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420 2 Dave Pinsonneault reported that the proposed location of the tot lot from the trail to the structure continuing 100’ towards the wetlands would be maintained as a park, with mowing taking place on a weekly basis. The remainder of the site would continue to be treated as conservation land, with mowing occurring yearly. Plantings would be placed along the property line and possibly near the street to act as a buffer. Benches would be installed near the structure that would be set back from the street as a safety precaution. Pam Varrin noted to the neighbors that the purpose of the Recreation Committee and Recreation Department is to provide Recreational opportunities for all residents in Lexington. A needs assessment indicated that the community is interested in a play structure designed for 2 – 5 year old children. The proposed Blossom Street project is intended to address that community wide need. Many in attendance questioned what would happen to the money if the tot lot were not built at Blossom Street. They indicated that they would like to see the money go towards the Skate Park. Sandra Shaw commented that discussion of the Skate Park would come later in the agenda. She briefly reviewed the history of that project noting that it is a private venture, and that the money for Blossom Street belongs to the town. Pam Varrin summarized the history of the Blossom Street project and discussions that had taken place in the past year (s). Dick Neumeier noted that the Recreation Committee and Department had sought to find some common ground between the needs of the community at large and the desires of the abutters. The lines of communication had remained open and compromises were proposed. Sandra Shaw moved the item after commenting that she appreciated the neighborhood presence at the meeting. The Recreation Committee voted not to submit the Blossom Street Tot Lot proposal to the Board of Selectmen. (1 – 4). 3. Skateboard/Inline Skate Park There were no representatives of the Skateboard Committee present at the meeting. Members of the Recreation Committee expressed their displeasure and concern about the absence of Skateboard Committee members for the second straight month. Rick DeAngelis proposed that a letter be sent to the Skateboard Park Committee requiring a formal update at the November Recreation Committee meeting. The members concurred with this suggestion. The Department will draft and send this letter to Jack Cunha and Bob McConnell, formally requesting their attendance at the November meeting. Several Blossom Street neighbors remained for the Skateboard Park discussion. They questioned the commitment of the Town towards the Skateboard park project. All members of the Recreation Committee responded to this, with Dick Neumeier and Rick DeAngelis reviewing the history of the project for the benefit of the public in attendance. Rochelle Sharit and Wendy Barrett-Manhard told the Committee that they were interested in getting involved in this ongoing project. They will contact Sheila Butts for information and contact numbers. The Committee thanked them for their desire to get involved. 3 4. Lincoln Park Sub-Committee Don Chisholm reported that the sub-committee had received a draft proposal from Sasaki Associates. They had reviewed the draft and gave Sasaki feedback on the overall proposal and on financial issues. The sub-committee is scheduled to meet with Sasaki on October 22 to review the proposal and feedback. Don Chisholm told the Recreation Committee that based on the draft proposal, it would not be feasible to currently propose any new initiative for the Capital Budget. Sheila Butts noted the concern of Karen Simmons that the projected costs are too low. She suggested that the Lincoln Park Sub-Committee and Sasaki Associates be invited to the November Committee meeting to formally present the proposal. The Committee was in full agreement with this and Don Chisholm will inform members of the sub-committee. The Recreation Department will send sub-committee members and Sasaki Associates an invitation to present the proposal in November. 5. Recreation Report Sheila Butts reported that budget preparation continues. The Capital Budget meetings are scheduled to begin this week. The Department hired a Safety Inspector to perform a Safety Audit of the Center Playground. Ron Smith, The Safety Guy Company, has finished the Audit and a preliminary report should be available next week. Additionally, Dave Pinsonneault took core wood samples, which are being forwarded to Ron Smith. Mr. Smith has made arrangements to have the wood tested at a Weymouth Laboratory for arsenic and other preservatives that may be considered unhealthy. The Department will update the Committee at the next meeting as to the status of the audit and wood testing. 6. Parks Report Dave Pinsonneault reported that the engineering firm hired for Pine Meadows will be doing a test pit for the fuel storage area bins. The results should be available within two weeks, after which plans and specs for the work should be available. Don Chisholm raised a concern about the level of support received from the consultant. He feels that the Recreation Committee needs “more in its arsenal” to deal with issues raised at Town Meeting about any work to be done at Pine Meadows. Reporting on Article 31, Dave Pinsonneault told the Committee that the track is done and that fence posts are in progress at the Center Courts. The asphalt area near the tennis backboard will also be resurfaced. Littleton Environmental knows that the courts must be up and running by March 2002. Drainage work has been approved at Clarke field and the project is moving forward. Pam Varrin noted that there is a problem with the bleachers. The handicap ramp leading to the press box ends at the door to the press box with a 6-inch step. Dave Pinsoneault said that he would look at it and report back to the Committee on a solution. The Harrington Little League field is in the process of being relocated. Parks Department staff are moving the backstop and redoing the field. It should be available in the spring. Moving this 4 field will allow for one ¾ size soccer field to be lined at the site to replace the existing field which will be lost with school construction. 7. New Business st The next Recreation Committee meeting is scheduled for November 21. Since this is the night before Thanksgiving, the Committee suggested that the meeting be held the following Wednesday, November 28. Sheila Butts will check on the availability of a meeting room, as well as Karen Simmons’ schedule. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m. NEXT MEETING WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2001 7:30 P.M. ROOM G - 15