HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-11-17-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
November 17, 2004
Amended and accepted 4-0-1 on 12/15/04
Members Present
: Sandra Shaw, Pam Varrin, and Dick Thuma
Staff Present:
Karen Simmons, Dave Pinsonneault, and Sheila Butts
AGENDA:
1. Citizens and other boards
2. Recreation Meeting Minutes
The minutes from the October 20, 2004 meeting were reviewed. The minutes were corrected
and accepted by the Committee. (Corrected minutes are attached.)
The minutes were approved 3 – 0.
3. Lincoln Park
Dave Pinsonneault reported that the irrigation system and water fountains in the park were turned
off this week. Karen Simmons thanked Dick Thuma for responding to the previous weekend’s
emails by Lexington United Soccer Club members suggesting that the fields be plowed with a
bobcat to remove the snow and allow scheduled youth games to be played.
The Lincoln Park Sub-Committee continues to move forward with its proposal to construct an
overlook area in the park. The sub-committee must go before the Conservation Commission for
approval. Dick Thuma asked if the LPSC had contracted with an architect to design the
overlook. Dave Pinsonneault indicated that the LPSC was working with a company to design the
pilings and other aspects of the overlook. Karen Simmons reminded the Recreation Committee
that the LPSC is a sub-committee of the Recreation Committee and as such must receive the
approval of the Recreation Committee prior to any construction of the overlook.
4. Five Year Capital Plan
Karen Simmons reported to the Recreation Committee that Lynne Wilson, as the representative
from the Lincoln Park Sub-Committee, has indicated that they want the number of toilets
proposed for the park to remain the same. Also, they want the height of the building to be
lowered. As previously indicated, the LPSC is willing to make a donation for the construction of
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420
the building, but they have suggested that the overall cost be reduced from the initial $250,000
currently proposed in the 5 Year Capital Plan. Dick Thuma reported that he had spoken with
Mark Barons, a Lexington builder, about the possibility of other Lexington builders constructing
the Bathroom Facility at Lincoln Park. Dick Thuma believes that this group will step forward
and seize this opportunity to give back to the community by providing manpower and some
materials to the project. The Recreation Committee discussed the amount of money to request in
the 5 Year Capital Plan for Lincoln Park Bathrooms, and agreed to drop the request from
$250,000 to $175,000.
Karen Simmons reviewed the remainder of the Capital items with the Recreation Committee.
The Committee, after discussion, recommended moving the $30,000 request for a Town Pool
Infrastructure Study to FY2007. All other items will remain intact.
5. Recreation Report
Karen Simmons provided members of the Recreation Committee with information about a
seminar on conflict of interest issues scheduled for Tuesday, November 23. Members of all
Town Boards and Commissions are invited to attend.
The Monroe Center for the Arts has asked for permission to erect a permanent stage on the grass
behind the Center. Karen Simmons reported that she has reviewed the plans for the stage and
has walked the site. She believes that such a structure will negatively impact the use of the field
by Little League. She reported her findings to the Acting Town Manager, who will meet with
the Executive Director of the Monroe Center.
The Recreation Department will begin using the Cary Hall building for programs in the winter
months. Ski Rental Night on December 2, 2004 will be the first such use.
Karen Simmons updated the Recreation Committee on the ongoing FY06 Budget preparations
and meetings.
6. Parks Report
Dave Pinsonneault reported that the contractor would begin renovating the softball field at
Harrington within the next few weeks. The old backstops and fencing have already been
replaced. When the new Harrington School is completed there will also be an intermediate (3/4)
sized soccer field available for use.
The Parks Department has hired a contractor to redo the Softball outfield at Lincoln Park. The
work should be completed in time for the spring season. The Parks Department also plans some
reconstruction of the grass fields at the Center and Adams.
The asphalt sidewalks abutting fields 1 and 2 at Lincoln Park will be completed within a few
weeks, weather permitting.
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Effective November 15 all permitting of natural fields has ceased until Spring 2005.
6. New Business
Sandra Shaw indicated that she had received a request from Marshall Derby, LexHAB, to report
on ongoing plans for the North Street property at the December Recreation Committee meeting.
The next Recreation Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 15, 2004 at
7:30 P.M. in Town Hall Room G15.
The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
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