Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-04-17-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 April 17, 2002 Members Present: Sandra Shaw, Don Chisholm, Pam Varrin and Dick Neumeier Staff Present: Karen Simmons and Sheila Butts Others Present: David Williams, Lynne Wilson, John Eddy, Nell Walker, Lisa Baci, Rosemary Green, Wilma Dickerman, Pam Northridge, Kay Tiffany, Charles Lamb AGENDA 1. The meeting minutes from February 12 and March 25, 2002 were accepted. 2. Skateboard/Inline Skate Park Report Members of the Skate Park Committee were unable to attend. Karen Simmons reported on their behalf. ?? The Committee has raised $5,000 in the past month. ?? A contract has been signed with Rontondi Construction. The insurance policy from Rotondi has not been submitted yet. As soon as it is on file, construction of the cement slab can begin. ?? The Skate Park Committee is comfortable beginning the process with the cement slab and two or three events. Karen Simmons has reminded the Skate Park Committee that they are required to appear before the Recreation Committee for approval of additional events and materials. Don Chisholm asked when it was anticipated that the Recreation Committee and Department would be comfortable releasing the additional money to the project. Karen Simmons responded that money could be released when the concrete slab is done and drainage issues are resolved. She stressed that this is critical to the well being of the track and softball field. Additionally, Karen Simmons told the Committee that it might be necessary to erect a protective screen near the softball field to preserve the safety of the users of the Skate Park. Members of the Skate Park Committee will attend the May Recreation Committee meeting to give a progress report. 2 3. Lincoln Park Sub Committee Report Lynne Wilson, Chair of the Lincoln Park Sub Committee, provided the Recreation Committee with a brief history of the Lincoln Park Sub Committee work, and progress of the LPSC since 1986. She told the Recreation Committee that since its inception the LPSC has raised more than $125,000. Money was used for the original fitness path, the boardwalk, landscaping and upkeep. She also detailed the two-year process that the Committee has undertaken to conceptualize and create a Master Plan for the area. The Lincoln Park Sub Committee has worked with Sasaki to complete the Master Plan, at a cost of approximately $80,000 and Ms. Wilson requested that the Recreation Committee accept the plan. The Lincoln Park Sub Committee believes that their Master Plan is compatible - to a degree - with the current field restoration plans. They do have questions and concerns about field drainage and the location of the parking lot. The LPSC met on April 15 and voted to work cooperatively with the Town in dealing with the parking lot location. Don Chisholm noted that the general thinking of the LPSC is that if the fields are restored, more than 120 parking spots will be needed. Karen Simmons noted that there are currently 5 fields at the site, and it is necessary to plan for an appropriate number of parking spots based on a maximum use of the fields. Don Chisholm said that he was comfortable with increasing the number of available parking spots to 200. The Recreation Committee also suggested that perhaps an arrangement could be made with the Temple to allow for use of their parking lot. David Williams told the Recreation Committee that the LPSC does not want the proposed parking lot to be paved. He believes that a temporary surface should be put down until there is consensus at to the final location of parking. Sandra Shaw inquired as to the location of parking in the Field Restoration Plan. Karen Simmons explained that the plan is to expand the existing area and not move the Little League field, as is proposed in the LPSC Master Plan. There is currently no money available for moving the field. The LPSC members were asked if it were appropriate and possible for money they have raised and have in trust to be used for the relocation of the Little League Field. Lynne Wilson noted that the parameters of the “Trust” limit what money could be spent on. In general the money is earmarked for the fitness path and boardwalk renovations and upkeep. When asked by Sandra Shaw if improvements to the fitness path and boardwalk areas could proceed, Lynne Wilson responded affirmatively. Pam Varrin inquired as to the task of the Recreation Committee in reviewing the Lincoln Park Sub Committee Master Plan. She expressed concerns about accessibility to the fields, and inquired if this issue had been considered in the Master Plan and/or Field Restoration Plan. Karen Simmons told her that the field plan definitely provided accessible routes to the fields. David Williams of the LPSC said that the fitness path would be refurbished to be accessible. He noted that the plan indicates that the surfacing of the fitness path be clay based like the Minuteman National Park. Discussion with the LPSC about the pros and cons of artificial vs. natural fields. The LPSC members again expressed concerns about the drainage issues. They indicated that a meeting should be held, prior to any fieldwork, with the Conservation Committee. John Eddy, Baskin Road resident, asked if 3 fields were necessary, and if the data regarding life span of 3 synthetic fields and cost effectiveness was solid. The Recreation Committee reviewed the rationale for synthetic fields, cost, length of service and playability. They also explained that studies have shown that there is no feasible way to properly maintain natural surfacing at Lincoln Park. Lynne Wilson asked if the Recreation Committee could accept the Lincoln Park Master Plan. Sandra Shaw indicated that she did not feel the Recreation Committee was ready to do so yet. Pam Varrin said that the Recreation Committee would support working cooperatively with the Lincoln Park Sub Committee and the Field Restoration Committee to assure the best possible outcome for the entire complex. Lynne Wilson told the Recreation Committee that she wanted to report on the Lincoln Park Master Plan to Town Meeting. Sandra Shaw asked if the Committee thought Lynne should report. The Recreation Committee members indicated that this would be fine. Karen Simmons thanked the members of the Lincoln Park Sub Committee for all their ongoing hard work and dedication to the project. She also noted that the Field Restoration Citizen’s Committee was committed to working cooperatively with the LPSC. To date, however, there had been no time. She also indicated that Geller Sport has been very amenable to incorporating the LPSC Master Plan into the field project. She told the Recreation Committee that they would need to make a decision on the Master Plan after the th May 20 Special Town Election. Dick Neumeier told the Committee that if the ballot question passes, the Recreation Committee would need to have a serious discussion about fees charged for field use and programs. He indicated that the Appropriations Committee has been invited to attend Recreation Committee meetings to discuss fees. 4. Articles 8B and 8E Update Karen Simmons asked the Committee it they were all set for the upcoming Town Meeting presentations. Don Chisholm and Dick Neumeier replied that their presentations were ready to go. 5.Recreation Report Karen Simmons reported that staff hiring for summer positions is ongoing. The Pool and Res are scheduled to open June 1. Cheryl Ozolins has been working with a committee to resolve the water quality issue at the Old Res. Karen Simmons said that there have been reports of sewer breaks in the area, and DPW and the Health Department are investigating whether this could be a cause of the water quality issues last year. Don Chisholm said that years ago there was a pipe under the surface to assist with the flow of water. It broke and was subsequently turned off. He also suggested that about 10 years ago there were concerns about the stability of the culvert that runs from the detention pond to the Res. Karen Simmons reported that there has been a letter on file for three years from Karen Mullins suggesting that the pond be dredged. 4 Karen Simmons requested that the Recreation Committee vote to increase the fall soccer fee by $10.00. $3.50 of the increase will be used for insurance, while $6.50 will be geared towards maintenance and administration of the program. Other fees that have increased include those for refs, field lining, and equipment and supplies. Don Chisholm moved that the Fall 2002 Soccer fee be increased by $10.00 per person. Dick Neumeier seconded the The Recreation Committee voted 4 – 0 in favor of the increase. motion. Construction projects are ongoing. ?? The final coat on the golf course access road and the service bay construction is on schedule, however the tank has yet to arrive. The grass was not put down in the fall at Clarke, so that project is not yet completed. ?? Three backstops need repairs. ?? The track work is in the final stages with touch up repairs being finished. Every ?? indication is that both the general public and the school department like the track. The School Department has requested that final seal coating of the tennis courts be ?? put off until the end of the High School tennis season. The finish work will therefore begin at the tennis courts after June 10. New players’ benches are being installed at the softball field and the little league field ?? at the Center. They are made of recycled plastic. 6. Parks Report Dave Pinsonneault was unable to attend the meeting, but he will report at the May meeting. 7. New Business nd May 22 at 7:00 p.m. The next meeting of the Recreation Committee will be The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.