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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-12-19-REC-min Town of Lexington Recreation Committee Frederick DeAngelis, Chairman Tel: (781) 862-0500 x262 Richard Thuma, Vice Chairman Fax: (781) 861-2747 Robert Boudreau Wendy Rudner Sandra Shaw RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING December 19, 2006 Ellen Stone Room ~ Cary Memorial Building Members Present: Rick DeAngelis, Dick Thuma, Bob Boudreau, Wendy Rudner, and Sandra Shaw Staff Present: Karen Simmons, Sheila Butts, and Dave Pinsonneault Others Present: Bill Harrison, New England Golf Corporation AGENDA 1. Annual Report Picture Pictures were taken of the Recreation Committee for the 2006 Annual Report. 2. Citizens and Other Boards There were no citizens or other boards present. 3. Meeting Minutes from October 18, 2006 and November 15, 2006 Before reviewing the minutes, Chairman Rick DeAngelis welcomed Wendy Rudner to her first meeting as a Recreation Committee member. Bob Boudreau moved and Dick Thuma seconded acceptance of the Recreation Committee The Recreation Committee meeting minutes of October 18, 2006 and November 15, 2006. voted 5 – 0 to accept the minutes as presented. 4. Pine Meadows – New England Golf Corporation Chairman Rick DeAngelis welcomed Bill Harrison, New England Golf Corporation, to the meeting and thanked him for taking the time to present his report on the Pine Meadows Golf Course. Mr. DeAngelis explained that the Recreation Committee had concerns about the state of Pine Meadows, particularly the uneven conditions this past season on the greens and some fairways. He indicated that he and other committee members had received complaints from golfers, and that he had spoken with John Allen regarding the greens. Bill Harrison explained to the Committee that this year had been a difficult one for turf grass at Pine Meadows and other courses in New England. The weather was the primary factor in a 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420 th number of the problems that arose. Pine Meadows opened on March 17. Conditions at the course were excellent and the number of rounds was higher than in previous years. This th continued through April 30. May and June saw significant, record rainfall in the area. The rainfall compounded the preexisting problems of “heavy soils” that exist especially at Holes 1, 2 and 4, and made for untreatable, unmowable grass at times, thus affecting the general condition and playability of the course. Mr. Harrison stressed that this situation was not confined to Pine Meadows, but rather had a negative effect on other golf courses in the area as well. Following the significant rains of May and June, the summer months saw 100-degree weather, which further affected the number of rounds played. Business picked up in October th and November, and the course closed on December 17. In September the greens were infected with a “dollar spot” disease. The normal manner of treating this is to spray a fungicide on the area for a 14-day period to control the disease. The Town purchased a new sprayer this year and the calibration was different, causing less fungicide to be applied. The mistake was corrected and the areas were seeded and top- dressed. While the areas have not yet recovered Mr. Harrison expects no problems in the spring. Rick DeAngelis asked who was specifically in charge of maintenance and grounds work at Pine Meadows, and how much time the superintendent spends at the course. Bill Harrison explained that John Allen is the superintendent. He did spend less time at Pine Meadows in 2006, but Mr. Harrison does not believe that this situation caused any grounds problems. The Assistant Superintendent is very capable and has a degree in turf management from UMASS. He has also worked with John for three years at Pine Meadows. Dick Thuma asked if Mr. Harrison were comfortable that the situation is under control and that the appropriate steps had been taken to assure that this mistake will not happen in the future. Mr. Harrison assured the Recreation Committee that the “lesson had been learned”. The equipment has been recalibrated and it will be checked again in Spring 2007. The Recreation Committee discussed the status of the contract with New England Golf Corporation. Karen Simmons explained that the contract runs through December 2007 with an option to extend for two additional one-year periods. The option may be exercised through mutual agreement of the Town of Lexington and New England Golf Corporation. Dick Thuma asked if New England Golf wanted to continue managing Pine Meadows. Bill Harrison said that the experience thus far has been extremely positive and he wants to continue the association. Rick DeAngelis inquired about planned projects for 2007. Mr. Harrison noted that in addition th to normal, yearly undertakings, the bunkers on the 5 hole were to be reconfigured and rebuilt with funding from the Town. Rick DeAngelis thanked Bill Harrison for attending the meeting and addressing the concerns of the Committee and the community. 2 5. Capital Articles Karen Simmons reminded the members of the Recreation Committee about the presentation of Capital Articles at the 2007 Town Meeting. Committee members presenting articles should let the Recreation Department know in advance what information and pictures they might need. 6. Recreation Report Karen Simmons gave the Recreation Committee a brief update on the request for Community Preservation monies for the West Lexington Greenway Corridor. She and Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator, will meet with representatives of the National Park Service to discuss receiving their approval on December 20. Sandra Shaw explained further that the plan to connect the Minuteman Bikeway to the Minuteman Park trail requires obtaining easements to build on both private and National Park Service lands. The first phase of this project will request funding for a masterplan, which must be completed before proceeding with the project. 7. Parks Report ?? Dave Pinsonneault reported on the status of the Hydrology Study at Pine Meadows. A walkthrough of the course was done with Bill Harrison, John Allen and representatives from Tutela Engineering Associates, Inc., the firm doing the study. The charge is to look at the entire area. The study should be completed and a draft report submitted by June 2007. Dick Thuma noted that after the study is completed it would be very important that the Committee prepare a Capital Article for the 2008 Town Meeting. ?? The Community Preservation Committee approved $40,000 for a drainage study at the Center Playground. The study will include specifically the areas along Worthen Road and Park Drive over to the High School. The CPA request must go before Town Meeting in the spring. Once approved, documents will be prepared for a July 1, 2007 bid. ?? The contractor leveled two areas at the Center Playground between the Center 1 and Center 2 fields. The area has been graded and sodded with Lions Club funding. Rick DeAngelis stated that the Recreation Committee needs to meet with the Selectmen regarding the annual Lions Club Carnival. If the Carnival is to continue using the Center Playground, then the Recreation Department and Parks Department must designate and define the access route that the Carnival vendor is required to use to set up and breakdown equipment and rides. Rick DeAngelis will send a letter to the Board of Selectmen detailing the concerns of the Recreation Committee, including access, length of time the Carnival is in town, and the damage done annually to the fields at the Center Playground. ?? The new Center Play structure on Park Drive has been completed. While smaller in square footage than the previous structure, the new equipment has many more activities for users, and has been very well received by the community. ?? The tennis practice board has not yet been removed. Dave Pinsonneault is in contact with Scott Gatchell regarding removal. He hopes to have the project completed in the near future. 3 ?? The Rindge Playground swings have been reinstalled. It took four attempts to get the correct retrofit equipment delivered. ?? Dave Pinsonneault is working with the Finance Department to produce the bid document necessary for the Pool Infrastructure Study. An RFP was initially done for the project, but the Finance Department rejected this and is requiring a formal bid. The documents should be finalized so that the study can begin in May or June 2007. ?? DPW is trying to obtain one additional quote for the fencing at the Skate Park. Once this quote is received a determination can be made on the contractor and the project can go forward. The additional quote should be available after January 1, 2007. 8. New Business The next Recreation Committee Meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 in Room G15 of the Town Office Building. The December Recreation Committee meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. 4