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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-02-26-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 February 26, 2003 Members Present: Sandra Shaw, Don Chisholm, Pam Varrin, Rick DeAngelis, and Dick Neumeier Staff Present: Karen Simmons, Sheila Butts, and Dave Pinsonneault Others Present: Margaret Heitz, Parker Hirtle, Joyce Hirtle, Nell Walker, Tim Rees, Avner Shakartzi, Franco Diaz, John Frey, Kay Tiffany, David Williams, Lisa Baci, Dawn McKenna AGENDA: 1.Citizens and Other Boards Franco Diaz made a brief statement as part of a group of adults involved in youth and adult soccer programs. He spoke of the goals of the local soccer clubs and indicated that he would like to meet with the Recreation Department to discuss a proposal for the cooperative use of the fields. He told the committee that the proposal would include a potential source of new revenue for the Department and the Town. Karen Simmons told Mr. Diaz that he should contact her to set up a meeting. 2Meeting Minutes . Sandra Shaw proposed amending the January 2003 meeting minutes to add the words “on Citizens and Other Boards. schedule” to the last sentence of paragraph two of If agreed to, the sentence would read: “It is crucial that the Lincoln Park project go forward on schedule for Recreation programming and school needs.” Fee Increases Dick Neumeier requested that the minutes be amended to indicate that in the discussion at the January 2003 Recreation Committee meeting he did not say that he “does not think that the Department needs to raise $100,000 for Lincoln Park.” Mr. Neumeier clarified his remarks by noting that he does not think that it is “realistic” for the Recreation Department to be able to raise $100,000. Don Chisholm moved that the minutes be accepted as amended. Pam Varrin seconded the motion. 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420 The minutes of the January 13, 2003 meeting were accepted 4 – 0 - 1. 3. Skate Park Update Sheila Butts reported to the Committee on the status of the Skate Park. Bob McConnell was unable to attend because of a prior commitment. The Skatepark Committee will attend the March Committee meeting to give a formal update and discuss the Warrant Article they submitted to Town Meeting. Tom Noble has begun construction of the street course. The Skatepark Committee has ordered a Quarter Pipe for the park and continues to fundraise for additional equipment. They have applied to the Tony Hawk Foundation for a grant and believe that they will be given $1,000. The Skatepark Committee hopes that the park will be finished and open in April. 4. Lincoln Park Project with Lincoln Park Sub-Committee Karen Simmons updated the Recreation Committee on the status of the Lincoln Park Project. She reviewed the details and outcome of two meetings that were held on January 30, 2003. A memo dated 2/18/03 detailing the outcome of the two meetings is attached. Attendees at the first meeting were representatives from the Town Engineering Department, David Pinsonnealut, Conservation Commission (Karen Mullins, Lisa Baci, David Langseth) Geller Sport (Pat Maguire, Meg Patterson and Geller engineering staff). Topics of discussion at the first meeting were: drainage, permeable barriers, and aesthetics of the basin off Lincoln Street. Don Chisholm inquired as to the difference between a basin and a swale. Dave Pinsonneault explained that a swale is shallower than a basin and therefore has less capacity. He also indicated in response to a question from a citizen present at the meeting that the Parks and Highway Departments would be maintaining the site when it is complete. Attendees at the second meeting were Karen Simmons, Dave Pinsonneault, Sandra Shaw, Leo McSweeney, Dawn McKenna, Pat Maguire, David Williams, John Frey and Lisa Baci. Topics of discussion at this meeting included removal of 200 linear feet of fencing, a fitness path redesign to keep the path as far away as possible from the fields, central parking reduction allowing for more space between the lot and fields, the actual size of the three multi-purpose fields, berm height, bike racks and trash receptacles. Rick DeAngelis asked if it were within the zoning laws to reduce the width of drive space to 20 feet within the central parking lot. Karen Simmons indicated that she had spoken with the Assistant Fire Chief and a minimum of 18-foot width is acceptable, although the Fire Code is being rewritten to expand the fire access to 20 feet. Rick DeAngelis also indicated that he believed that the compromise reached on the size of the fields was more than fair. Sandra Shaw asked if the work being done to the fitness path and the fields would relieve some of the run off problems on the path near the softball field. Don Chisholm and Dave Pinsonneault both explained that the work being done would greatly improve the runoff. Karen Simmons then explained to the Committee that the Lincoln Park Sub-committee was scheduled to present their plan for plantings at the site as well as materials for the new fitness stations. She also explained that construction had begun at the site. The water line, fire hydrant and electrical conduit were now at the site and the sewer installation would begin soon. She told 2 the Recreation Committee that there was a new obstacle to be overcome. A resident filed a complaint with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) charging that the construction at Lincoln Park is disturbing and relocating landfill waste. (A copy of the complaint is attached.) DEP has begun a review of the design and Haley and Aldrich has submitted copies of their reports to DEP for additional review. Karen Simmons indicated that this DEP review might hamper any further changes to the design. The Contractor failed to cover the fill that was disturbed during initial site work, as required in the contract. Don Chisholm asked when the DEP would issue a ruling. Karen Simmons said that the Town should hear within two weeks. DEP had visited the site and would issue a determination as soon as possible. Karen Simmons also told the Recreation Committee that this additional review was increasing the cost of the project, and could increase the cost even more if DEP returns with an unfavorable determination. Rick DeAngelis and Don Chisholm asked for further clarification of the DEP Complaint form and separate letter (attached) by Baskin Road residents to DEP. Mr. DeAngelis said that both seemed “well intentioned, but….” Sandra Shaw noted that Lisa Baci filed the complaint. Ms. Baci immediately denied such a filing. When Sandra Shaw indicated that Ms. Baci’s name was indeed on the complaint form, Ms. Baci told the Recreation Committee that she had received a copy of the Baskin Road residents’ letter to DEP, and had called David Adams at DEP to find out what was going on. She told the committee that she was acquainted with Mr. Adams from the Arlington field project, and she was merely inquiring about the letter, not making a complaint. Don Chisholm asked her if this were indeed the case, would she be willing to withdraw the complaint. She indicated that she would like to see the actual form before making such a determination. Don Chisholm, Pam Varrin and Rick DeAngelis offered her their copies of the form for review. Sandra Shaw recognized David Williams of the Lincoln Park Sub-Committee. Mr. Williams was reporting on behalf of the sub-committee. He reviewed the following items with the Recreation Committee: The LPSC recommends that the fitness stations that have been dismantled for the project o construction be reinstalled as is, “no matter what the condition”. Combine the pavilion and bathroom in one structure. o LPSC appreciated the removal of the 200’ of fencing. They would also like to have the o softball field fencing be temporary during the softball season. LPSC applauds removing spaces from the central parking and has a plan to add a few o spaces overall. LPSC turned in suggestions for Lincoln Park trees and plantings. o LPSC plans to meet monthly beginning in March. A day has yet to be set. o Sandra Shaw then recognized Parker Hirtle. Mr. Hirtle commented that he was happy to see the changes that had been made to the design. He noted that this project is a wonderful opportunity to upgrade and enhance the fitness path at Lincoln Park. Mr. Hirtle then reviewed his proposal for design changes with the Committee. (Attached) 3 Sandra Shaw thanked both David Williams and Parker Hirtle for their thoughtful analyses and suggestions. She then opened the floor for comments and questions. One resident inquired about the status of the Americans with Disabilities Act and its impact on the proposed pathways at Lincoln Park. Dave Pinsonneault explained that the law requires that any changes or additions to facilities, paths, structures, etc. require that they meet all ADA standards. John Frey suggested several additional changes to the design. Dave Pinsonneault and Karen Simmons commented that they will review possible changes but some may be too costly to revise. Both also reminded all that DEP’s involvement would have a serious impact on any proposed future design changes. John Frey also told the Recreation Committee that he believes that the existing chain link fence should be salvaged. He said the fence was not in bad condition and it would be a cost savings. Karen Simmons asked David Williams if the LPSC wanted to retain the existing fence along Lincoln Street. Mr. Williams was not able to respond on behalf of the LPSC. Karen Simmons and David Pinsonneault each stated that the chain link fence is in poor condition and needs to be replaced. Pam Varrin asked if the proposal to move the fields suggested by LPSC and Mr. Hirtle would change the size of the fields. The field width would be reduced by 5 feet. Rick DeAngelis then summarized the discussion thus far. He also noted that he was against any reduction of the size of the turf. Karen Simmons explained that while the width of the field might be reduced, the actual dimensions of the turf would remain the same. Franco Diaz, resident, commented to the Recreation Committee that if fields keep being reduced the purpose of the entire project is defeated. He has been at Lincoln Park many times and seen hundreds of children participating in field activities, but does not see many people using the fitness path. Don Chisholm then asked David Williams if the LPSC has considered investing financially in the Lincoln Park project. Mr. Williams said no. He continued on to indicate that Lynne Wilson wants to work on the “overlook” and install new fitness stations. The LPSC does not have the money to invest in the overall project. Dave Pinsonneault assured the residents in attendance and the Recreation Committee that the grass berms at the site would be maintained by the Parks Department, and that DPW would routinely empty the trash receptacles and do site clean ups. 5. Ball field Policy and Fees The Recreation Committee reviewed the proposed 2003 ball field permit policy and fee structure for fields. Rick DeAngelis asked for clarification regarding the light fees at Center 1 and 2. He suggested that the Recreation Department and Recreation Committee consider an hourly light fee, especially for the 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. time block. The Committee members made additional revisions to the document. The attached document shows the “tracked” changes recommended by the Recreation Committee. The Recreation Committee tabled a vote on the draft until the March meeting. Karen Simmons told the committee that she would wait to submit the ball field th permit fees to the Board of Selectmen until after the March 11 Recreation Committee meeting. 6. DPW Budget Impact Dave Pinsonneault reviewed the attached Memo dated 2/14/03 to Karen Simmons and the Recreation Committee, outlining the cuts already implemented to the DPW operations. Dave 4 explained that the cuts were the result of town-wide budget issues and that the cuts would carry over through the FY04 fiscal year. Dave indicated that the proposed changes were a means of reducing spending, while affecting as few programs and services as possible. He explained the rationale about removing swing sets, including use, safety and surfacing. Members of the Recreation Committee suggested that the Bow Street swing set be saved due to its location next to the Bike Path. Don Chisholm made a motion to remove the swing sets at Baskin, Poplar, and Valleyfield, and the slide at Baskin. The motion was approved 5 – 0. 7. Recreation Report Karen Simmons reported that the Recreation brochure was at the printer’s and is expected to be in the mail the second week of March. Non-resident swim tag registration will be held on th Wednesday, March 5. 8. New Business Tuesday, March 11, 2003 The next meeting of the Recreation Committee is scheduled for in Room 111 at 7:30 p.m. The Recreation Committee meeting adjourned at 10:35 P.M. 5