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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-03-25-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 March 25, 2002 Members Present: Sandra Shaw, Don Chisholm, Pam Varrin, Dick Neumeier, and Rick DeAngelis Staff Present: Karen Simmons, Dave Pinsonneault, and Sheila Butts Others Present: Bob McConnell, Olga Guttag, Rochelle Sharrit, Ben Partlow, Jack Cuhna, Paul Barth, Casey Barth AGENDA 1. Lincoln Field Funding Karen Simmons reviewed the Lincoln Park Rehabilitation Project proposal and Recreation Enterprise Fund Impact summary submitted to the Appropriations Committee and the Board of Selectmen by the Town Budget office. She told the Committee that the Appropriations Committee wants the Recreation Enterprise Fund to pay $100,000 per year for 15 years to offset the cost of the field project. The Appropriations Committee wants the Recreation Enterprise Fund to fund 45% of the project cost. The Selectmen have not taken a position on the Article. They want to hear from the Recreation Committee. Karen Simmons indicated to the Recreation Committee that while there does not seem to be a lot of support for the original proposal of $50,000 per year from the Enterprise Fund, she is not comfortable with a commitment of $100,000 per year. Karen gave out an impact sheet showing the $75,000 per year contribution. Don Chisholm expressed his concerns that even the original $50,000 proposal could be too high should other large expenses arise. Dick Neumeier said that it would not be feasible for the field use fees to sustain $100,000 per year. He suggested that the Committee propose a sliding fee per year to support the Lincoln Field project, based on an increase in Enterprise Fund revenues. Don Chisholm said that he was comfortable increasing the Recreation contribution to $75,000 per year, if and when revenues increased. He suggested that increase should be keyed to retained earnings exceeding 5% per year. Rick DeAngelis suggested that the Committee present a compromise position to the Selectmen. The Enterprise Fund can now afford $50,000 per year to support the project. When and if the retained earnings grow, the Enterprise Fund will contribute a 3% cumulative increase in the amount contributed to the support of the project. 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420 V:\Recreation Committee.REC\2002-03-25-REC-min.doc 2 Karen Simmons asked members if they support the Recreation Enterprise contributing $1,500,000 to the Lincoln Field project. Dick Neumeier indicated that there is no basis to assume that the money will be available. Sandra Shaw noted that she is troubled by the suggested annual increase to $75,000. Rick DeAngelis said that as an individual he does not support the $1,500,000, and that despite the Department and Committee requesting annual support from youth groups, there is no legal way to bind a volunteer organization to contributing a set dollar amount per year. As a Recreation Committee member he would be in support if there were strong evidence that the money is there. Don Chisholm said that he couldn’t support $75,000 per year. Pam Varrin said that the information compiled by the Budget Office and the Department suggests that the Enterprise Fund cannot afford more than $50,000. Sandra Shaw suggested that the Board of Selectmen be informed that the Recreation Committee is not comfortable with contributing more than $50,000 per year from the Recreation Enterprise Fund. Don Chisholm made the following motion: The Recreation Committee supports a $50,000 annual commitment to the Lincoln Field Restoration Project from the Enterprise Fund with the understanding that the Committee will seek to increase the contribution upward by 3% annually for the life of the bond. The motion passed by a vote of 5 – 0. The motion was moved and seconded. Prior to attending to Selectmen’s meeting, Karen Simmons asked the Recreation Committee if they were still committed to the capital funding of $30,000 to upgrade the Justin Park play The Committee reaffirmed their support of the project by a vote of 5 – 0. area. Karen Simmons and Sandra Shaw will leave the Recreation Committee meeting and present this information to the Board of Selectmen. 2. Skate Park Committee Bob McConnell presented a cost estimate and proposal to the Recreation Committee for laying a concrete surface base for the Skate Park. The estimate included a comparison of costs for concrete and asphalt. The Skate Park Committee is committed to using concrete, and noted to the Recreation Committee that they have the money available to fund this. They are requesting the permission of the Recreation Committee to go forward with the project. Don Chisholm asked how much money the Skate Park Committee had available. Olga Guttag replied that they have $47,000 in the bank and a commitment from an individual for $5,000. Dick Neumeier asked how much money the Committee had raised in the preceding four months. The Committee has raised $1,000 in cash, but more money is coming in daily. The Skate Park Committee recently received permission from the School administration to distribute a flyer detailing the project and requesting donations. This effort has been and continues to be successful in their opinion. Rick DeAngelis said that he was willing to support the Committee’s request that they be allowed to put down a concrete slab for the Skate Park with the money they have raised thus 3 far. But he also made it clear that he will not look favorably on any future request from the Skate Park Committee for funding events because the money was all spent on the surfacing. Olga Guttag asserted that in the long run concrete was more cost effective, as it would not require an additional coating surface. Dave Pinsonneault told those in attendance that in his community asphalt has held up extremely well without the coating. Bob McConnell said that the Committee was interested in providing the smoothest surface possible for the skateboarders and inline skaters, and this is concrete. Don Chisholm asked what plans had been made for finishing the landscaping around the park once the surfacing was in. Bob McConnell said that there is a plan and that he will work with the Parks Department on this aspect of the project. The Recreation Committee requested that they review any future events proposed for purchase by the Skate Park Committee. Dave Pinsonneault is concerned about the amount of maintenance the Parks Department may have to do in the future. He suggested that he is not comfortable with wood events. He would like to be given the names of communities that have wooden parks so that he can contact the Maintenance Divisions about work requirements prior to signing off on the use of wood. The Skate Park Committee is required to submit an insurance binder covering the Town of Lexington prior to installation of the concrete base. Additionally, Dave Pinsonneault will request that the Town Engineering Department review the proposal and sign off on it. The Recreation Department will send Bob McConnell and the Skate Park Committee a letter detailing requirements of the project and giving permission for the work to begin. Dick Neumeier moved that the Recreation Committee grant approval for the surfacing work The Committee voted 5 – to begin at the Skate Park. Don Chisholm seconded the motion. 0 in favor of the project. 3. Minuteman Regional High School Golf Team Karen Simmons reported that the Recreation Department had received a request from Minuteman Regional High School for use of the Pine Meadows Golf Course for their golf team during March, April and May. The Committee supports the request and suggested that the Department negotiate with Minuteman Regional as to in kind services in return for use of The Committee voted 5 – 0 in favor of this request. the course. 4. Granite Stone – Lincoln Park The Lexington Lacrosse Parents have proposed a memorial for David Germaine and Morgan McDuffee. They would like to install a granite stone with a bronze plaque at Lincoln field. The plaque would read, “In Memory of Morgan McDuffee and David Germaine. Each a true friend and champion, both on and off the field. March 2002.” The Recreation Committee agrees to this memorial, but with the understanding that the site will be determined at a future time, pending the outcome of the Lincoln Field Reconstruction Project. 4 5. Lincoln Park Sub-Committee Report Due to the start of Town Meeting, this item was tabled until the April Recreation Committee Meeting. 6. Karen Simmons and Sandra Shaw reported to the Committee that they had presented the Recreation Committee motion to contribute $50,000 per year from the Enterprise Fund to support the Lincoln Field Restoration Project. The Board of Selectmen had voted to support a $75,000 per year contribution. The Recreation Committee felt strongly that they needed to amended their previous motion by a vote support the Board of Selectmen in this, and thus of 5 – 0 to support a $75,000 per year contribution from the Recreation Enterprise Fund to support the Lincoln Field Restoration Project. 7. New Business th The next Recreation Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 17, 7:30 P.M. in Town Hall Room G15.