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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-10-16-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 16, 2002 Members Present: Sandra Shaw, Dick Neumeier, Pam Varrin, Don Chisholm, Rick DeAngelis Staff Present: Karen Simmons, Sheila Butts, Dave Pinsonneault Others Present: Nell Walker, David Williams, Lynne Wilson, Lincoln Park Sub- Committee; Sheldon Spector, Appropriations Committee; Olga Guttag & Bob McConnell, Lexington Skate Park Committee; John Igoe & Karen Boudreau, Lexington Youth Basketball Association; Tom and Sandy Noble, SPC; Richard Petrasso, Sarah Takagi, Peter DiMarzo, Maria Haynes, Helen Euart, Kathie vonStetten, Joseph Lehar, Rochelle Sharit AGENDA 1. Recreation Meeting Minutes Dick Neumeier requested that the minutes of the September meeting be amended to indicate that Don Chisholm, not he, suggested in discussions of the Five Year Capital rd Plan that the 3 hole at the Pine Meadows Golf Course be extended. Additionally, Dick Neumeier indicated that he did not suggest allocating proposed Capital Funds earmarked for Valleyfield to the Skate Park. With those amendments to the minutes in place, he moved to accept the minutes of the August 21, 2002 Recreation Committee meeting. The minutes were accepted by a vote of 5–0. Don Chisholm seconded the motion. 2. School Gymnasium Size John Igoe and Karen Boudreau, representing the Lexington Youth Basketball Association, addressed the Recreation Committee about their expanding programs and need for additional gym space. They asked for suggestions and support from the Recreation Committee in their efforts to promote plans for full size gymnasiums in all future elementary school building projects. Sandra Shaw asked for clarification of the size difference between a full size and elementary size basketball court. Karen Boudreau explained that the minimum size for a 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420 full size court is 84’ x 50’. The current plans for the new Harrington School call for the gym to be 60’ x 40’. Rick DeAngelis suggested that Lexington Youth Basketball advocate their position before the School Committee. Karen Simmons noted that expanding gym sizes in Elementary Schools would help Recreation Department programs. Gym space must accommodate Recreation In Town Basketball Programs and the LYBA travel program. Because of size constraints, safety concerns are a big issue. Karen Simmons has written a letter to the Permanent Building Committee and sent a copy to the School Superintendent. Dick Neumeier asked if it would be helpful for the Recreation Committee to adopt a resolution supporting LYBA. Karen Simmons said yes. Dick Neumeier proposed that Sandra Shaw write a letter to the School Committee, on behalf of the Committee, promoting the design and construction of full size gymnasiums in future school The motion was seconded and adopted, 5 – 0. renovations. 3. Center Tennis Courts Bang Board Richard Petrasso addressed the Committee about the noise issues at the Center Playground Tennis Bang Board. He is an 11 year resident of Parker Street, and has noticed an increase in the noise level over the past few years. Pam Varrin noted to Mr. Petrasso that the Recreation Committee did agree at the September meeting to explore ways to mitigate the noise. Dave Pinsonneault explained that repairs were recently done to the Tennis Bang Board to fix the vandalism. He added that currently the board is filled with stone concrete. He is still investigating how to mute the noise further. Don Chisholm asked Mr. Petrasso if he knew why the noise had increased in recent years. Mr. Petrasso explained that he had addressed that issue in his letter to the committee (attached to minutes). Rick DeAngelis said that he did not disagree with the issue and reiterated that the Recreation Department and Parks Department are looking into it. Sandra Shaw and Pam Varrin assured the abutters that the issue would be investigated thoroughly. Once all necessary information is gathered the options open to the Committee will be reviewed. It is the hope of the Recreation Committee that a solution amenable to all can be reached. The other issue to take into consideration is funding. Neither Parks nor Recreation has money in their budget for this expense. Dave Pinsonneault will meet with Mr. Petrasso to review his data and brainstorm about possible solutions. The Tennis Bang Board will be placed on the December Recreation Committee agenda. 2 4. Skate Park Committee Update Bob McConnell reported that Salem Concrete would start work at the site on October 17. The cement work will be completed – weather permitting – in two weeks. Tom Noble, SPC Skateparks, L.L.C., offered the Recreation Committee a presentation on a proposed “street course” for the Lexington Skate Park. He detailed his background and gave a brief overview of the products and materials he uses in designing, manufacturing, and installing skate parks. In response to a question about the life expectancy of a skate park by Rick DeAngelis, Mr. Noble explained that the materials used for the surfacing, event frames, fasteners and ramp surfacing are the most important items. He says that during the 15 years he has been designing and building skate parks he has seen products fail and has learned from this. He designs skate parks based on community and skater input. Each of his parks is unique. The street course would be constructed of either steel or aluminum framing with Tuff Stuff ramp materials. Mr. Noble himself constructs the events and installs them. He provides a five-year warranty on everything except paint and vandalism and will do a biannual inspection of the events for the warranty period. 5. Lincoln Park Sub-committee Update David Williams of the Lincoln Park Sub-Committee explained that there was nothing substantial to report. Dave Pinsonneault reported that a meeting had been held to discuss the Vine Brook Restoration Feasibility Study. The Town Engineer is contacting a consultant to review the request and propose a scope of work for the project. Karen Simmons told the Recreation Committee members that the money to fund this study is from a state grant. If the scope of work proposal costs more than the $20,000 grant, the Town does not have additional funds to use. 6. Five Year Capital Plan Karen Simmons reviewed the Five Year Capital Plan with the Recreation Committee. The FY04 request consist of $50,000 from the Recreation Enterprise Fund for replacement of a fairway mower, fairway spreader, and aerator at the Pine Meadows Golf Club. Karen Simmons asked the Committee if they wished to use the $35,000 traditionally earmarked for annual playground renovations to fund completion of the Skate Park. Dick Neumeier suggested that $20,000 be requested for fencing, landscaping and benches at the Skate Park. Rick DeAngelis said that any warrant request for “events” money at the park should be delayed a year so that the Skate Park Committee could make another effort to fundraise. Sandra Shaw said that she thinks Town Meeting should decide on whether or not to fund completion of the Skate Park. Karen Simmons and Dave Pinsonneault will come up with cost projections for fencing and landscaping at the Skate Park. 3 Don Chisholm moved that the Recreation Committee advocate for a Capital Item for completion of the Skate Park. This would include landscaping, benches, and fencing. The amount of the request will be determined when the cost projections are complete. Rick DeAngelis seconded the motion. The Recreation Committee approved the motion 5 – 0. The Committee then discussed the status of the annual Playground request. Karen Simmons asked the Committee if they wanted to keep the Kineen Park renovation in FY05 or move it to FY04. Dick Neumeier made a motion to move the $35,000 Kineen Park playground renovation request to FY04. Rick DeAngelis seconded the motion. The Recreation Committee 5 – 0, approved the motion. Recreation Capital Presentations at Town Meeting will be handled as follows: Dick Neumeier - $35,000 Kineen Park Playground upgrade Pam Varrin – Skate Park fencing and landscaping Don Chisholm - $50,000 Pine Meadows equipment replacement 7. Parks and Recreation Report Dave Pinsonneault reported that the “Hours of Use” signs at the Tennis Bang board had been changed. He noted that after the recent repairs to the bang board the crews had inadvertently put up the wrong signs. As soon as this mistake was discovered the signs were changed. Work at Pine Meadows began on Tuesday, October 15. The maintenance building will be put in this fall. 8. New Business November 20, 2002 at The next meeting of the Recreation Committee will be held on 7:30 p.m. in Room G15. Prior to the regular meeting, the Recreation Committee will meet with the Capital Expenditures Committee at 7:00 p.m. on November 20. 4