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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-03-15-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 Robert Boudreau Richard Thuma RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING March 15, 2006 Members Present: Bob Boudreau, Dick Thuma, and Rick DeAngelis Staff Present: Karen Simmons, Sheila Butts and Dave Pinsonneault Others Present: Shirley Stolz, Capital Expenditures Committee AGENDA 1. Citizens and Other Boards 2. Meeting Minutes The minutes of the February 15, 2006 meeting were approved 3 – 0. 3. Lincoln Park Update Karen Simmons reported that work on the Lincoln Park Overlook was proceeding. David Williams of the Lincoln Park Subcommittee has told Dave Pinsonneault that the subcommittee will pay for all repairs to the field and grass caused by vehicles going to and from the Overlook project. Dave Pinsonneault reported to the Recreation Committee that the turf fields would be lined for spring lacrosse and small-sided soccer on March 23. All users have been informed that the fields are closed on March 23, 24 & 25. Karen Simmons informed the Committee that the “as-builts” have been received. The Town is very close to settling with Quirk Construction and signing off on the project. Dave Pinsonneault added that Quirk Construction has removed the spring toys on the playground and cut out the areas for their replacement. Rick DeAngelis inquired about the status of the Bathroom Facility at the park. He recommended that a meeting be set up after Town Meeting to address this issue. He suggested that members of the Recreation Committee, Recreation professional staff, Lincoln Park Subcommittee representatives, the Town Manager, Board of Selectmen liaison to the Recreation Committee Hank Manz, and Peter Kelley be included in this “brainstorming” session. 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420 2 4. 2007 Budget Karen Simmons reported that on February 20, 2006 the Board of Selectmen adopted the fees th approved by the Recreation Committee on February 15. She further reported “The Board of Selectmen approved the Town Manager’s recommended FY07 budget, which includes shifting $25,000 of athletic field maintenance from the tax levy to the Recreation Enterprise Fund. Effective July 1, 2006, the indirect payment to the Department of Public Works will increase to $100,000. This cost must be passed off to the athletic users.” Because not all Recreation Committee members were present, a recommendation for recovering the cost of this increased Indirect Payment will be presented to the Recreation Committee at an upcoming meeting. After approval by the Recreation Committee the recommendation will go to the Board of Selectmen for implementation in January 2007. Rick DeAngelis raised the issue of the Fee Schedule for Lighted Fields approved at the February meeting. He would like to revisit the approved fees so that the light fees are assessed by the minute rather than the hour. The Committee discussed the suggestion. Karen Simmons noted that she has concerns about the ability to provide such a service efficiently, and that it could necessitate hiring a staff person specifically to handle the reporting and billing for Center # 1 and #2. Karen Simmons indicated that she would take Mr. DeAngelis’s recommendation under advisement. The Recreation Committee is concerned about the financial stability of the Recreation Enterprise Fund. They are concerned that the Town may be moving in a direction that is creating a deficit on an annual basis. This a pattern similar to the one displayed in the mid 1990’s, which resulted in the Recreation Enterprise Fund Policy, established by the Board of Selectmen. When Town Meeting is over, the Recreation Committee would like to meet with the Town Manager to discuss financial stability of the Recreation Enterprise Fund. 5. Town Meeting Articles Dick Thuma will present all of the Capital Articles at Town Meeting. The Recreation Department will provide all of the backup information he will need for his presentations. The Recreation Committee briefly discussed what position to take if Town Meeting proposes that the Center Playground article be paid for by the Recreation Enterprise Fund. The Recreation Committee is concerned about the financial stability of the Recreation Enterprise Fund. As a result of their discussion the members adopted the following motion: If Town Meeting proposes that the funding for the Center Playground reconstruction be from the Recreation Enterprise Fund, the Recreation Committee will withdraw their support for the Article and move for Indefinite Postponement. 6. Recreation Report Dick Thuma presented information to the Recreation Committee on the Pine Meadow Farm development. He reviewed the new plans he has received for the three lots that abut the Fourth Tee, Fairway and Green at the Golf Course. The current plans call for an Indemnification Clause to be added to the Purchase and Sale Agreement for Lot # 9. Mr. Thuma recommends that the developer add this clause to agreements for Lots 8 and 10 as 3 well. Mr. Thuma will make changes to his draft letter and send it to the Developer on behalf of the Recreation Committee. 7. Parks Report Dave Pinsonneault reported that the Parks Department removed the swings at Rindge, Sutherland and Lincoln Park due to a recall by the manufacturer. The Parks Department is awaiting a retrofit kit from the company and will reinstall the swings once the retrofit is completed. A RFQ (Request for Quotation) has been sent out for the Pine Meadows Golf Course Capital project. All fields are expected to open for spring use by April 3. The Parks Department will have the Center Complex Fields ready for High School use by March 27. 8. New Business The next Recreation Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 11, 2006 at 7:30 Please note the change of date and location. p.m. in the Cary Hall Legion Room. The Recreation Committee meeting adjourned at 9:34 p.m.