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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-05-22-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 May 22, 2002 Members Present: Sandra Shaw, Don Chisholm, and Dick Neumeier Staff Present: Karen Simmons, Sheila Butts and David Pinsonneault AGENDA 1. Adoption of the April 17, 2002 minutes was tabled until the June meeting. 2. Skateboard/Inline Skate Park Report Members of the Skate Park Committee were not in attendance. Dave Pinsonneault reported that the Skate Park contractor hopes to begin grading work the week of June 10. Karen Simmons asked when the drainage system was going to be installed at the park. Dave indicated that this was unknown. Karen Simmons indicated that the drainage system is important to the overall project. This spring evidence indicates that the varsity softball field is retaining water on the infield much more than in past years. She is concerned that the initial work done on the Skate Park has adversely affected the softball field. Don Chisholm asked what the current ground water level was at the site. Dave Pinsonneault said that he was unsure of this. Sandra Shaw and Don Chisholm asked if there is a problem on the baseball field with water. There is no problem on this field. 3. Lincoln Park Sub Committee Update Karen Simmons addressed the Recreation Committee regarding the Lincoln Park Master Plan and Lincoln Park Field Restoration Project. She indicated to the members present that it was important and necessary for the Recreation Committee to come to a timely decision on acceptance or non-acceptance of the Lincoln Park Master Plan presented at the April meeting. Don Chisholm asked if the Town could proceed immediately with Patrick Maguire of Geller Sport, or if we were required to open up the design process. Karen Simmons told the Committee that because this is not a building project the Department does not have to go out to bid with the design phase, and Geller Sport already went through a selection process with 2 the Athletic Field Construction Project. She plans to meet with Dave Pinsonneault to review the process, and to sit with Patrick Maguire to make sure that he is comfortable with the project, and to ascertain whether he has the experience necessary to design a project with this large a scope. She also told the committee members that she had attended a Sports Field Workshop on Wednesday, which gave her new insight into writing some of the bid specifications for the project. Among the items to be considered in the bid and contract are insurance covering the turf for the life of the 8-year warranty and a full maintenance contract for the 8-years. Dick Neumeier raised the parking issue at the site. He questioned the need and rationale for parking for 200 cars. Karen Simmons responded that, although the fields are not currently seeing maximum use, there is overflow parking on Lincoln Street each weekend. When five fields are operating there will be more need for parking. Don Chisholm agreed with this. Dick Neumeier then asked how the number of 200 cars was arrived at. Karen Simmons explained that the capacity number was a compromise between the Lincoln Park Master Plan and the Field Restoration plan. There are no current standards for field use parking. However, Patrick Maguire worked with a firm that specializes in planning parking areas for businesses, and they gave him ideas on appropriate numbers to cover 5 fields plus the fitness path. She indicated that the Recreation Committee has to look at the pros and cons of both plans when reaching a consensus. Sandra Shaw told the Committee that she does not want to move the Little League field. Don Chisholm suggested that this aspect of the project could be put out to bid as an alternate so that the Committee could see what the cost would be. He also stressed the importance of planning for restrooms at the site. Karen Simmons agreed but the Committee has to look at the impact on the Town operating budget for cleaning and maintenance funds. She and Dick Neumeier agreed that this could be an alternate to plan for, so that water and sewer lines would be present if and when the restrooms were installed. Karen Simmons told the Recreation Committee that she was looking for direction from them regarding which avenue to take in this process. Sandra Shaw said that it is important to resolve the parking issue before approving the final field design. She also asked whether the lot would be asphalt or stone dust. Karen Simmons said that she would not recommend stone dust and Dave Pinsonneault agreed. Don Chisholm said that a good alternative would be using a surfacing similar to that at the Minuteman National Park. Dick Neumeier and Don Chisholm inquired how long the field installation would take. All indications show that once the contract is signed and work begins, the project would take 16 to 20 weeks for construction. All present agreed that it was important to get moving on the project. Don Chisholm suggested that the Committee get input relative to accessibility requirements from Pam Varrin. Sandra Shaw suggested moving up the next Recreation Committee meeting to tackle and resolve the outstanding issues. Karen Simmons said that she would ask Pat Maguire to attend, and Don Chisholm would let Conservation and the Lincoln Park Sub Committee know of the meeting. 3 th The purpose of the meeting – scheduled for June 5 – will be to discuss the parking plan and auxiliary components (i.e. bathrooms, tot lot, Little League field, etc.) of the Lincoln Park design. 4. Recreation Report Karen Simmons reported that the contractor is laying sod at the Clarke Middle School field. Since the Lincoln Field project will remove three fields from use and the Harrington School project will eliminate at least one additional field, a contract change order was approved for Clarke. Permits will not be issued for the field until the fall. Work on the tennis courts is proceeding, and Karen anticipates the final coats to be done in June. The design for the Pine Meadows project is being worked on. The netting is being shipped, and will be installed when it arrives. She has met with John Allen and Bill Harrison of New England Golf and received their “wish list” for the maintenance building. At this time the Department would like to close the Golf Course around November 1, 2002 to facilitate construction work on the parking lot. Karen Simmons briefly updated the Committee on the status of summer hiring and program registrations. She also gave the committee an overview of dealings with the School Department and the summer relationship between Camp For All and the new School Department Thrills and Skills program. The School Department has eliminated the partnership between Recreation and Special Education and will not be using any Camp For All slots this summer. She indicated that next summer the Department might have to totally revamp the Camp For All Program due to low enrollment. The Pool and Res are scheduled to open June 1. Don Chisholm suggested that since money had been appropriated by Town Meeting for Justin Park, the Committee and Department might want to get moving on that project. He suggested meeting with the abutters again to finalize the equipment design. Karen Simmons suggested that th the Justin Park abutters be invited to attend a meeting at 6:30 p.m. on June 5, prior to the Recreation Committee meeting. Members agreed with this. Letters will be sent to the neighborhood informing them of the date and time. 6. Parks Report Dave Pinsonneault reported that one field at Harrington has been pushed back. The backstop canopy has not been installed yet, but the field has been sodded and is playable. He also reported that he is trying to line up a contractor to deal with clearing an area of the woods for construction of a new field at the site. th The Center Playground Tot Lot will be installed the week of May 29. The funding is from the Blossom Street public benefit money. The Parks Department is preparing the site. Dave Pinsonneault informed the Committee that there had been a change of location for the tot lot, due to electrical lines and a water culvert running through the initial area. The new site is to the rear of the existing wooden structure, and will allow for a significantly separate tot play area. 7. New Business th June 5 in Room G15. The next meeting of the Recreation Committee will be 6:30 p.m. – Justin Park 7:30 p.m. - Lincoln Park 4 The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.