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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-01-21-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 January 21, 2004 (Amended February 25, 2004) Members Present: Sandra Shaw, Don Chisholm, Pam Varrin, Rick DeAngelis, and Dick Thuma Staff Present: Sheila Butts Others Present: Richard Petrasso. David Williams, Bob Earsy, George Brunnell AGENDA: 1.Citizens and Other Boards 2Meeting Minutes . The minutes of the November 19, 2003 meeting were accepted by a vote of 5 – 0. The minutes of the December 17, 2003 meeting were amended and accepted by a vote of 5 – 0. Revised minutes will be distributed at the February meeting. 3. Tennis Practice Board Richard Petrasso and Bob Earsy presented the Recreation Committee with new suggestions about the Tennis Practice Board at the Center Playground. The best solution in their mind is to replace the existing band board with a fiberglass structure similar to those used at the Longwood Cricket Club. The structure is called a Bakko Board. Mr. Petrasso brought a small sample of the proposed Practice Board for the Recreation Committee to examine. The fiberglass boards run 8 – 10 feet high and come in widths of 12, 16 or 20 feet. Rick DeAngelis asked about sound factors, installation and cost. Mr. Petrasso indicated that the Bakko Board provides excellent sound abatement. It is installed by fastening it to in ground posts, and is guaranteed to be maintenance free for 20 years. A board 8’ x 20’ would cost $2,000. A 10’ x 20’ board would cost $4,500. These costs do not include removal of the existing board or installation. Dick Thuma suggested that if the Town were to duplicate what is currently at the site it would cost approximately $30,000. Sheila Butts explained to Mr. Petrasso and Mr. Earsy that this would be considered a Capital Expenditure. Currently, replacement of the Tennis Practice Board is not in the Recreation 5 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420 Year Capital Plan, but it could be possible to place this item in the Plan in the future. Mr. Petrasso noted that he understood this. Pam Varrin asked if the Recreation Department had enough data about usage to make an accurate decision. Don Chisholm suggested that the data is not currently available. He asked Mr. Petrasso about how much usage he feels the Practice Board gets, and at what time. Mr. Petrasso said that despite the change of hours approved by the Recreation Committee, people still use the Practice Board at 6:00 a.m. Sheila Butts asked if he had contacted the Police about this, and he said that he had. Rick DeAngelis suggested that a possible way to collect usage data would be to close the back side of the Practice Board and take a count of the number of tennis players using the side of the board facing the track. The Recreation Department would also be able to track the number of calls that are placed complaining about half of the Practice Board being closed. The Committee discussed how to best close off one side of the board. Dick Thuma suggested removing the plywood; others suggested that fencing could be installed to limit use. Rick DeAngelis suggested that Dave Pinsonneault be consulted before any action is taken. Dick Thuma recommended closing the back side of the Practice Board though the end of June. Rick DeAngelis then made the following motion: The Recreation Committee recommends that the Parker Street side of the Tennis Practice Board be closed until June 30, 2004. Karen Simmons, Recreation Director and Dave Pinsonneault, Superintendent of Public Grounds will determine the manner in which the Parker Street side of the Practice Board is closed. In conjunction with the closure of the Parker Street side of the Practice Board, the Parks Department will paint a line dividing the useable side of the Practice Board in half. The line should run from the top of the Practice Board to the edge of the asphalt. The Recreation Department will develop and evaluate usage data for the track side of the Practice Board. The Recreation Committee 5 – 0, approved the motion. Don Chisholm seconded the motion. 4. Skate Park Update There were no representatives from the Skate Park Committee present. Sheila Butts told the Recreation Committee that Tom Noble had been on site in November. To date no repairs had been completed. Skaters are climbing the fence and using the park despite the fact that the gates are locked, and the park is closed for the winter. 5. Lincoln Park Update Sheila Butts reported that bids for the bathroom construction had been received and opened. She told the committee that the bids had come in higher than expected. At this point, Karen Simmons had not made a final decision on how to proceed. Dick Thuma asked what process is used to review the aesthetics of a project. He was interested in understanding the oversight process surrounding a project. Don Chisholm and Rick DeAngelis indicated that the Recreation Committee reviews projects that fall under their jurisdiction. Don Chisholm noted that the Permanent Building Committee also reviews many projects, but Lincoln Park fell below the financial threshold of the PBC. David Williams, Lincoln Park Sub Committee, suggested that there is a flaw in the system. In his opinion the LPSC should have been asked for input on the proposed bathroom building. Pam Varrin interjected that the LPSC was asked to look at the plans and offer input into the project. 2 Many of the suggestions offered by LPSC had been incorporated into the overall design of Lincoln Park and the bathroom facility. Pam believes that although the Recreation Committee asks for input at every meeting there is no formal process for reviewing plans. 6. Recreation Report Sheila Butts reported that planning for the spring and summer programs were ongoing. The Spring-Summer Brochure is due to be mailed at the beginning of March. Applications are currently being accepted for summer jobs. She told the committee that the Department was waiting confirmation on summer space. She hopes that Camp will be allowed use of the High School, which will allow the program use of the Center fields, tennis courts and pool. She also noted that should the Camp relocate, the name would probably change, although the philosophy of the program would remain the same. 7. Parks Report/Capital Project Update Dave Pinsonneault was not able to attend the meeting. George Brunnell, Capital Expenditures Committee, reported to the Recreation Committee that after reviewing the Capital requests for the Recreation Department the Committee voted unanimously to support them. 8. The next meeting of the Recreation Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, February 25, 2005 at 7:30 P.M. in Room G-15. The Recreation Committee meeting adjourned at 9:30 P.M. 3