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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-12-19-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 December 19, 2001 Members Present: Sandra Shaw, Don Chisholm, Pam Varrin, Rick DeAngelis Staff Present: Karen Simmons, Sheila Butts, Dave Pinsonneault AGENDA: 1. The meeting minutes from November 28, 2001 were approved. 2. Skateboard/ Inline Skate Park There were no representatives from the Skateboard/Inline Skate Park Committee present at the meeting. Karen Simmons gave members of the Committee a copy of a letter she had received from Dawn McKenna supporting the Skate Park initiative and requesting that 100% of the allocation of Public Benefits money go towards the completion of the Skate Park. The Recreation Committee discussed the status of the Skate Park, and briefly revisited the issue of community need for a Tot Lot designed to serve children ages 2 – 5 versus the Skate Park. The Committee agreed that both projects are important and necessary. Karen Simmons reviewed the history of the Blossom Street Project Public Benefit that began in 1997. The Town currently has approximately $40,000 in the account and another $13,500 is expected by September 2002. Members remained committed to the resolution discussed, moved and approved at the November meeting, allocating the Blossom St. Public Benefits money to construction of a 2 – 5 year old Tot Lot at the Center Playground and earmarking the remainder of the funds to the Skateboard/Inline Skate Park project. Sandra Shaw will respond in writing to Ms. McKenna’s letter on behalf of the Recreation Committee. 3. Lincoln Park Don Chisholm reported that Sasaki Associates appear to have backed off on the plans for Lincoln Park. The Sub-Committee has had little or no contact from them recently. However, he did notify the Committee that Tony Bonano, Landscaper, would begin the restoration of the fitness path stations this week. New timbers will be installed to replace those currently at the fitness stations. Dave Pinsonneault said that the old timbers might not be accepted at the 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420 Hartwell Avenue disposal site. If they are not accepted, he requested that the contractor pile them near the entrance and DPW would take care of the disposal. Don Chisholm told the Committee that the Lincoln Park Sub-Committee hopes to have a Master Plan from Sasaki Associates by January or February so that it can be presented to the Recreation Committee for review and approval. The new playground construction at Lincoln Park is on hold until the Master Plan is approved. The plan is needed to accurately site the playground equipment. Karen Simmons indicated that the Recreation Department would like to order and install the Playground Equipment in the spring. Rick DeAngelis updated the Committee on the new private initiative underway to refurbish the Lincoln Park soccer fields. To date there have been four meetings held. Most recently Patrick McGuire from Geller Associates and a consultant from Haley & Aldrich engineering firm were in attendance. The group is in the process of comparing the costs of traditional field renovations, including irrigation, and the newer synthetic surfacing now available. Patrick McGuire has estimated that it would cost approximately $3,000,000 to install the “Infilled Synthetic Field”. The cost for natural turf is $6.50 per square foot, while synthetic grass is approximately $9.00 a square foot plus engineering, architectural and contingency money. The Committee discussed the benefits of using such a product. Karen Simmons and Dave Pinsonneault reported that the synthetic surfacing comes with an eight year warranty, and a 15 + life span. It is estimated that the cost recovery is 5 – 8 years. Rick DeAngelis told the Committee that the “private initiative” group plans to report on the proposed project at the January 7, 2002 Board of Selectman’s meeting, and may reserve a Town Meeting article for the project proposal. After a brief discussion it was suggested that it might be possible to postpone the Article for a year until the financial numbers were firmer and more defined. Rick DeAngelis will keep the Committee informed. 4. 2003 Capital Requests Karen Simmons reported that there are two Recreation Capital items for 2003. The first is $30,000 for a new play structure atr Justin Park. The second capital item is $300,000 for a new maintenance building and parking lot at Pine Meadows Golf Course. Patrick McGuire will be submitting a preliminary price estimate for architectural services on Pine Meadows for the Town Meeting Article. Karen Simmons expressed her concern about the future of the Pine Meadows Article based on the reception at last year’s Town Meeting. 5. Recreation Report Karen Simmons told the Recreation Committee that two bids were received for the Pine Meadows Management Contract. She and Dave Pinsonneault had visited several golf courses managed by the respective bidders. She said that the RFP Evaluation committee formed to review the bids took their time, read the proposals carefully and made recommendations, then opened up the financial packets. New England Golf Management Corporation has been awarded the contract for the next three years. Rick DeAngelis noted that they presented the best proposal, and did in fact also come in with the lowest bid. Bill Harrison of New England Golf 2 Management will be asked to attend the January Committee meeting to present the 2001 Pine Meadows report. Recruitment for 2002 summer positions has begun. Letters and application forms were sent to 2001 summer staff. Sandra Shaw asked if returning staff would see a pay increase this summer. Karen Simmons indicated that returning staff would get a slight increase. The Recreation Department continues to work towards a resolution of the Old Reservoir water issues that arose last summer. Cheryl Ozolins is chairing a committee investigating possible solutions and remedies, including the installation of an aerator or aqualator. Don Chisholm reminded the Committee that years ago such a device was at the Old Reservoir, but that it proved to be ineffective. Karen Simmons told the Committee that Beverly Anderson, Health Department Director, is facilitating a second committee that is reviewing all avenues and possible causes of increased bacteria counts at the Old Reservoir. 6. Parks Report Dave Pinsonneault reported to the Committee that the backstop on the Little League field at the Harrington School would be removed this week. The Parks Department will push back the field and backstop 30 feet. The decision to make this move is based on extensive work by the Engineers, and is designed to offer the most "green" space for soccer fields. The infield will be sodded and the backstop replaced. Work will be finished before the spring. Additionally, the second field at Harrington will be relocated next summer. This field will relocate 100 feet into the hill and woods, but will not infringe upon or affect the wetlands or buffer zone. These two field relocations will allow for soccer and baseball to coexist during and after the Harrington School construction. The tennis nets at the Center will be put up in the spring. The courts will initially be lined in white. Final surfacing and court striping cannot be completed until the ground is warm. The contractor is replacing the fencing at backstop posts at all the ball fields. The Recreation Department rejected the old materials. Work is beginning this week. Dave Pinsonneault reported that there are 13 potential bidders reviewing the Pine Meadows Driveway Specs. The bid process was originally scheduled to end on December 19. However, amendments were made to the specs, and therefore Jim McLaughlin moved the Bid Closing date to January 17, 2002. This added time would allow all potential bidders time to review the addenda. All bidders indicated that the project could be completed before the spring. Pam Varrin asked about the status of the Press Box. Karen Simmons and Dave Pinsonneault reported that after discussions with the manufacturer who sent the wrong item, a modification will be made to the ramp to allow for a smooth, ADA compliant access to the Press Box. 7. New Business The next Recreation Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 16, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 8:48 p.m. 3