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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-10-15-REC-min Town of Lexington Recreation Committee Sandra Shaw, Chairman Tel: (781) 862-0500 x262 Pamela Varrin, Vice Chairman Fax: (781) 861-2747 Frederick DeAngelis Donald A. Chisholm Richard Thuma RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING October 15, 2003 Members Present: Sandra Shaw, Pam Varrin, Don Chisholm, Rick DeAngelis, Dick Thuma Staff Present: Karen Simmons, Sheila Butts, Dave Pinsonneault Others Present: David Williams, Lynne Wilson, Lincoln Park Sub-Committee; Semoon Oh, Greg Sheehan, Lexington Youth Soccer AGENDA 1. Citizens and Other Boards There were no citizens wishing to speak. Sandra Shaw welcomed Dick Thuma as a new member of the Recreation Committee. 2. Meeting Minutes Pam Varrin moved that the meeting minutes of August 13, 2003 and September 17, 2003 The minutes were accepted 5-0. be accepted. Sandra Shaw seconded the motion. 3. Skate Park Committee Update There were no members of the Skate Park Committee present. Sandra Shaw asked about the status of the perimeter fence. Karen Simmons reported to the Recreation Committee about the ongoing fence issue. The Recreation Committee had voted in August for a new six-foot fence on three sides of the park and a new four-foot fence along Worthen Road. Since that vote the contract has been awarded to George Spartichino. In late August changes were made to the original specifications as a result of a compromise between the Skate Park Committee and the Town officials. Karen Simmons expressed concern that some members of the community failed to look at the big picture regarding the fencing height and location. The fencing will now consist of two four-foot sections and two six- foot sections. The fencing materials have been ordered and it is expected that the fencing will be installed at the beginning of November. The wording for the signs at the Skate Park has been passed to Town Counsel for a legal opinion and recommendation. The Skate Park Committee does not want the signs to say that “helmets are required”, but rather that they are recommended. A new issue at the park is the use of bicycles inside the park and on the ramps. The Department has 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420 received numerous complaints from parents of younger children about this potential safety problem. The current rules state that bicycles are not allowed, and the Department has asked for additional support from the Lexington Police Department in monitoring this situation. 4. Lexington Youth Soccer Request Greg Sheehan, on behalf of LYS, requested that the Recreation Committee allow Youth Soccer to install temporary lighting on one field at Lincoln Park. He explained that the lighting would be similar to that used by Pop Warner Football at Hayden. LYS would like to use the temporary lighting from 5:00 – 8:00 P.M., Monday through Friday, thth October 27 through November 4. Sandra Shaw noted that this is a “hot button topic”. There are several other issues citizens are raising about Lincoln Park. Lights at Lincoln Park were discussed many years ago, and the idea was tabled due to neighborhood opposition. Ms. Shaw indicated that she does not see Lincoln Park as a location for lights, temporary or permanent, now or in the future. Pam Varrin asked the LYS representatives if they had investigated other field locations for temporary lighting. She noted her concerns about integrating the Lincoln Park soccer fields with the larger park and the neighborhood. She explained that to have lighting at the site (even temporary) would be to go against the spirit of what the Recreation Committee envisioned for the facility. Don Chisholm asked if the Center Playground fields would be an option for LYS. Greg Sheehan responded that they have not booked time on the Center fields, and imagines that there would be limited availability. Recreation Committee members felt that it was inappropriate to put any lighting at Lincoln Park. Members of the Recreation Committee suggested that if the track field were available, and a safe location were found for temporary lighting at the Center, this would be the best solution to the problem this season. Sandra Shaw made the following motion: “The Recreation Committee does not authorize the use of temporary lighting at Lincoln Park at this time, but does authorize the use of temporary lighting at the Center Track Field for the purpose of Lexington Youth Soccer practices, not to exceed the Town Park usage bylaws.” Pam Varrin seconded the motion. The Recreation Committee approved the motion 5 – 0. 5. Lincoln Park Update Karen Simmons reviewed the current status of the Lincoln Park Project with the Recreation Committee. The project, as a whole, is moving forward. Punch list work is ongoing. The contractor has removed the construction trailer and has begun work on re- grading the Little League Field. Some citizens have complained that the berms are too small and that there is not enough parking. Karen Simmons noted that both the height of the berms and the number of parking spaces were reduced due to citizen opposition prior to the onset of construction. Pam Varrin asked if there was any resolution to the blocked drain. Dave Pinsonneault told the Committee that the Town had hired a contractor to run a camera through the drain lines to see if a blockage exists. This company should begin work on Friday, th October 17. Karen Simmons added that when the Department of Environmental Protection became involved they modified the location of the field drain. Dick Thuma asked if Geller Associates had signed off on the design change. Dave Pinsonneault responded that Geller had questioned the design change but had no option other than to sign off. Karen Simmons reported that the Fitness equipment had arrived. It is being stored at Forte Construction, who will be doing the installation. Lynne Wilson explained to the Recreation Committee that the Lincoln Park Sub Committee and the Recreation Department are partnering on this project and the scheduled fitness path work and equipment installation have to be done simultaneously. 6. Bike Path Dave Pinsonneault explained to the Recreation Committee that DPW does a yearly inspection with the Bicycle Advisory Committee. The grass along the paths is mowed twice a year, and the paths are swept yearly. Bill Hadley, DPW Director, is trying to get Capital and operating monies for path asphalt renovations. He is also looking into applying for state grant money for renovations. Dave Pinsonneault also told committee members that he was working with the Bicycle Advisory Committee in an attempt to secure outside funding and grant money for Bike Path work. Pam Varrin asked if money were made available, would it allow for a more permanent repair of the section of the path near Lincoln Park. Sandra Shaw noted that a possible solution to the problem there could be a boardwalk, as has been suggested previously. Dave Pinsonneault explained that the Engineering Department is looking at the problem and will hopefully recommend effective repairs. David Williams, LPSC, inquired as to the length of the sewer project along the Minuteman Bikeway. Dave Pinsonneault told him that he would check with Bill Hadley and Derek Fullerton (Engineering), but estimates that the project would last two to three more weeks. 7. Capital Project Update Dave Pinsonneault reported that the infield work on the softball field at Lincoln Park is almost completed. He hopes that the contractor can start work on the baseball field the th week of October 20. Also, Little League will redo the backstop on the field and will share the cost of infield mix for both the little league and softball fields at Lincoln Park. The trees have been removed at Harrington. Once the final grading numbers are completed by Engineering, Dave Pinsonneault will put the field renovation project at Harrington out to bid. DPW has received approval to run a drainage pipe along the embankment at the Clarke field and out into the outfield. Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator, has reviewed the plan and taken it before the Conservation Commission. They have approved the work. The new playground at Justin Park is completed, and being heavily used by the neighborhood. A bench for the site has been ordered and should be delivered and installed in November. 8. Recreation Report Karen Simmons reported that the Winter Recreation Brochure is almost completed and should be mailed out by the beginning of November. She told the Committee members that fewer people had volunteered for the Nashoba Valley Ski Program and Youth Basketball clinics and leagues. This decrease in volunteer numbers could directly impact the number of participants registered for these programs. Karen Simmons apprised the Recreation Committee of the ongoing issues with school use. Programs in elementary schools are now charged a custodial fee after 4:00 p.m., and negotiations are ongoing regarding charges for use of the Middle Schools and High School. The proposed Recreation budget for FY05 is due on October 24. Capital projects for FY05 will probably be limited. However, the current Capital Budget proposal shows a request for $35,000 for Kineen Park playground equipment replacement and monies from the Enterprise Fund for Pine Meadows. Don Chisholm suggested that an Engineering assessment is needed for the retaining wall at Pine Meadows. He also suggested that renovation or replacement of the bang board at the Center Tennis Courts might also be a capital item. The Recreation Committee had a brief discussion on the FY05 budget. Dick Thuma requested a list of the Recreation Department’s Capital Assets. Karen Simmons said that this list would be revised and recompiled and made available to him. 9. Parks Report Dave Pinsonneault reported that the Friends of Lincoln Park through the Selectmen have requested that recycling containers be placed at Lincoln Park. He is attempting to find a recycling container that will match the existing trash receptacles at the site. The Recreation Committee supports the idea, but does not support funding the project from the Enterprise Fund. The Recycling Coordinator should reach out to the Friends of Lincoln Park to suggest that they support the project financially. Dave Pinsonneault informed the Committee that Mrs. Nazarian, who donated money for work at the Center #1 baseball field, would like to put a plaque somewhere on the bullpens or dugouts honoring her late husband. Rick DeAngelis volunteered to speak with Mrs. Nazarian and work with her on the possible wording for the plaque. New Business 10. November 19, 2003 at The next meeting of the Recreation Committee will be held on 7:30 p.m. in Room G15. The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.