Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-02-22-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 February 22, 2007 Members Present: Rick DeAngelis, Dick Thuma, Sandra Shaw, Wendy Rudner and Bob Boudreau Staff Present: Karen Simmons, Sheila Butts AGENDA: 1.Citizens and other boards There were no citizens or other board members present. 2.Meeting Minutes Sandra Shaw moved and Dick Thuma seconded approval of the minutes. The minutes of the January 17, 2007 Recreation Committee meeting were accepted by a vote of 4-0. 3. Board of Selectmen Park and Recreational Facilities Regulations Karen Simmons distributed copies of the Board of Selectmen Park and Recreational Facilities Regulations most recently revised in 1981. She explained to the committee that these regulations should be included in the Lexington Code Book. The Town Clerk has advised that the Recreation Committee review the regulations and offer any changes. The Recreation Committee will need to bring these recommendations to the Board of Selectmen for discussion and approval. The Recreation Committee will review and comment on the regulations as currently written and take up the matter in more detail at the March Recreation Committee meeting. Rick DeAngelis suggested that one addition to the Regulations should deal with playing field use without a permit. He suggested that the regulation might state, “It is forbidden to use playing fields except as allowed by the “Recreation Department Field Use Policy.” The Committee will vote on this recommendation in March. 4. Board of Selectmen Naming of Facilities and Placement of Memorials The Recreation Committee received a copy of the new policy set forth by the Board of Selectmen regarding the Naming of Facilities and Placement of Memorials. 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420 5. Park Drive Parking Regulations Karen Simmons received a call from Dave Cannon of the Engineering Department requesting a letter in support of either designating two parking spots on Park Drive for the playground or restricting the existing parking spots to a two-hour limit. Karen Simmons spoke with Captain Charles Sargent, Lexington Police Department, about the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee request. The proposal does not have the support of the Lexington Police Department. The proposal would adversely affect recreation staff, participants and spectators, especially in the summer months. Dick Thuma noted that the Recreation Committee must be very careful of the long-term effect of regulating parking next to playgrounds and playing fields. Wendy Rudner concurred, noting that it could lead to other opportunities to prohibit parking near fields and playgrounds. Rick DeAngelis moved that the Recreation Committee not support this proposal. Bob Boudreau seconded. The Recreation Committee voted 5 – 0 to oppose this proposed parking restriction on Park Drive. 6.Recognition of Don Chisholm The Recreation Committee discussed possible options for memorializing Don Chisholm. Rich DeAngelis suggested naming one of the turf fields at Lincoln Park in his honor. Sandra Shaw indicated that all of the turf fields could be named for Don. Bob Boudreau and Dick Thuma both suggested that naming only one of the fields allows for future naming of the other two. Sandra Shaw also suggested that naming the playground at Lincoln Park would be an appropriate memorial. A third option might be erecting a plaque at Pine Meadows Golf Course. The Recreation Committee discussed all of the options available. Sandra Shaw will draft a summary paragraph detailing Don Chisholm’s long and dedicated service to the Lexington Community in general, and Recreation specifically. The Recreation Committee will reach a final decision on an appropriate recognition of Don Chisholm at the March meeting. 7. Recreation Report. ??Karen Simmons provided the Recreation Committee with copies of the following materials: i. Town Meeting Zoning Articles ii. Old Reservoir Dam Report iii. Recreation facilities location and inventory update iv. Lincoln Park Subcommittee membership list v. Pine Meadows Golf Course 2006 statistics ??Karen Simmons informed the Recreation Committee about a talk by Cal Ripkin, Jr. on April 4, 2007 at Salem State College. She said that Peter Coleman was going to attend the speech. Any member of the Recreation Committee interested in going should contact her as soon as possible. ??Karen Simmons reported that the Bicycle Advisory Committee and/or DPW have obtained grant money ($7,900) for bike racks in town. The Town must pay for the bike racks up front and will be reimbursed next fiscal year. Dave Pinsonneault is working with the BAC on this project. In her discussions with the BAC, Karen Simmons suggested that they apply to the Jack Eddison Trust for money to pay for the shipping of the bike racks, which is not included in the grant. She also read the list of potential locations to the Recreation Committee, many of which were not Recreation or Park sites. ?? The Recreation Committee voted 5 – 0 to support the purchase and installation of Bike Racks throughout the community . ?? The Recreation Committee voted 5 – 0 to request that Karen Simmons recommend suitable locations at Recreation sites for the bike racks. ??Town Meeting Articles - Recreation Committee members were reminded that they would be presenting the Capital Articles at the upcoming Town Meeting. Karen Simmons will let members know which evening the article will be on the floor. Members were reminded that if they need assistance with their presentation materials to contact the Recreation Department. Dick Thuma – Valley Tennis Court reconstruction Bob Boudreau – Center Basketball Court reconstruction Dick Thuma – Bowman School Field renovation The presentations need to be completed and installed on the Town Meeting computer one week before the scheduled presentation date. ??In Town Soccer Program - Karen Simmons reported to the Committee that the Recreation Department had recently met with representatives from the Lexington United Soccer Club regarding the Fall In Town Soccer Program. LUSC is concerned that they are losing money by partnering with the Recreation Department in the Fall. LUSC runs an In Town Program for U11 and up as well as a Travel Program for U9 + in the fall. They run all In Town and Travel Programs in the spring. The Recreation Department has run an In Town Fall Soccer Program for over 35 years. Fifteen plus years ago the Recreation Department entered into a partnership with Lexington Youth Soccer to assist with the week to week running of the program. The Recreation Department pays LUSC $13.50 per participant for this service. Additionally, the Recreation Department covers the cost of field layout and lining (16 Kindergarten Soccer fields, 18 U7 & U8 fields and 4 Intermediate size fields) and purchases T shirts and soccer balls for Kindergarten soccer, organizes all K Soccer Teams, and provides all coaches with shirts, manuals, CORI checks and appreciation gifts. Approximately 4 years ago Lexington Youth Soccer merged with Lexington Independent Soccer Club (a travel soccer/MAPLE program) to form Lexington United Soccer Club. Since the merger, some philosophical differences between LUSC and Lexington Recreation have become apparent. John Miller, Treasurer and Tim Carruthers, Vice President of LUSC presented the Recreation Department with three options for the future: 1) LUSC will take over full operation of the Fall Kindergarten and U7 – U10 In Town Program in the fall. 2) LUSC wants the Recreation Department to pay $35.00 per child (an increase of $21.50) to offset their costs for facilitating the program and to offset the costs incurred by hiring a Director of Coaching and professional coaches to train the participants. The Recreation Department never requested this service, and is now being asked to help pay for it. 3) The Recreation Department can take over all operations of the Fall Kindergarten through U10 In Town Programs. During the discussions the LUSC representative made it clear that if this were the avenue the Town took, they would also offer this program under the LUSC banner. Dick Thuma and Bob Boudreau, former LYS Board members, noted that the current direction of LUSC invokes more of the LISC (competitive) mentality than LYS. Rick DeAngelis commented that conceptually the merger is okay if it is for the benefit of all. Bob Boudreau noted that LUSC is devoting a lot of time to training and development of players. Dick Thuma said that LUSC is applying the same methodology it uses for “elite” teams to those teams comprised of non-elite, recreational boys and girls. The league has hired a full time Director of Coaching and also brings in paid coaches to run weekly clinics for the U9 and U10 In Town teams and the Travel Program. Bob Boudreau explained to the Committee that the LUSC proposal is based solely on economics. He is going to try to meet with the LUSC treasurer, John Miller, about this. In the interim, Karen Simmons told the Committee that the Department would be reviewing all of the options presented, and the fiscal ramifications of each option to both the Recreation Department and Lexington United Soccer Club. The Recreation Department will also investigate additional options that might serve as a compromise for the Town and LUSC. The Recreation Committee fully supports the Recreation In-Town Soccer Program and Kindergarten Soccer program and wants the non-competitive, recreational philosophy of the programs to continue. ??Lincoln Park Subcommittee - Wendy Rudner reported briefly on her first meeting as the Recreation Committee Liaison to the Lincoln Park Subcommittee. Her notes about the LPSC meeting are attached. 8. Parks Report Dave Pinsonneault was not in attendance at the meeting. Karen Simmons read his brief written report. (Attached) Committee members asked about the status of the Lincoln Park Bathrooms. Karen Simmons explained that the application by the private citizens group, which had been filed with DEP, was classified as technically deficient. Dick Thuma asked about the Pine Meadows Hydrology Study. Karen Simmons reported that the study is in progress. A draft of the findings should be available in the summer. 9. New Business The next meeting of the Recreation Committee will be held on Thursday, March 29, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Office Building Room 111. The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.