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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-05-16-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 May 16, 2007 Members Present: Rick DeAngelis, Sandra Shaw, Dick Thuma, and Wendy Rudner Staff Present: Karen Simmons, Sheila Butts and Dave Pinsonneault Others Present: Hank Manz, Board of Selectmen’s Liaison AGENDA 1. Citizens and Other Boards There were no Citizens or other boards in attendance. 2. Meeting Minutes The minutes of the April 25, 2007 meeting were approved 3 – 0. 3. Don Chisholm Memorial Sandra Shaw reported that Marcia Chisholm and her entire family are very happy and pleased that the Recreation Committee is planning a memorial to Don. The Recreation Committee reviewed the updated language for the plaque. (Attached) Dave Pinsonneault will assist Sandra Shaw in locating a rock on which to place the plaque. Sandra Shaw and other members of the Committee will obtain pictures of the proposed memorial and the location at the Pine Meadows Golf Club. The Recreation Committee will go to an upcoming Board of Selectmen meeting with a design for the memorial and the language for the plaque. As Chair, Rick DeAngelis will make the presentation to the Board of Selectmen. 4. Discovery Day Karen Simmons announced to the Recreation Committee that Discovery Day, sponsored by the Lexington Retailers Association, is scheduled for Saturday, May 26, 2007 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. She asked if members of the Recreation Committee would be willing to volunteer to assist at the Recreation table. Dick Thuma indicated that he would help out between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420 5. Recreation Report A. Karen Simmons presented a report on the status of Recreation Capital Projects: ??The tennis backboard should be installed within the next two weeks. Forte Construction has been retained to install the boards. The Recreation Department has incorporated Richard Petrasso’s feedback and suggestions into the planned location of the three practice boards. Dave Pinsonneault discussed the placement of the boards and proposed signage with the Recreation Committee. ??The Pine Meadows Golf Club engineering study is ongoing. Tutela Engineering was hired in Fall 2006. They are expected to deliver a draft report to the Recreation Department in Fall 2007. ??Karen Simmons reported that the Town interviewed four companies that responded to the Pool Audit (#27b of 2006) Capital project. It is anticipated that the company hired will work through the summer and present a draft report in early fall. ??The Center Playground Capital project is complete with the exception of the purchase and installation of a few site amenities such as additional benches and picnic tables. Dick Thuma asked if the Recreation Department and Recreation Committee o would be able to incorporate the findings of both the Pine Meadows Hydrology Study and the Pool Audit into FY2009 Capital requests. Karen Simmons noted that the Department reviews the five-year capital plan annually and makes modifications as needed and recommended by the Recreation Committee. ??The FY08 Capital Projects are: Center Basketball Court reconstruction, Valley Tennis Courts reconstruction, and renovation of the fields at the Bowman School. Dave Pinsonneault will seek information and direction from the School Department regarding a possible upcoming school renovation of the Bowman School. Karen Simmons reported that the Town is currently negotiating the cost of architectural services with Geller Sport for the Valley tennis courts and Center basketball courts. Hopefully work will begin at Valley in late August and at the Center in September. ??Skate Park Fencing – Dave Pinsonneault will obtain a quote from City Works, which is on the state contract, for installation of a six-foot fence around the skate park. Lincoln Park – $12,500 remains in the Lincoln Park Article. There is a problem with ?? erosion on the walking path near the Softball field. This money will be spent to address and remedy that problem. Some members of Town Meeting continue to insist that restrooms were a part of the project. However, Karen Simmons stated that at no time was the restroom facility a part of the initial project. Rather, Town Meeting was informed that if there were leftover money the Town would use it for restrooms. B. Karen Simmons gave the Recreation Committee an update on the situation with Ice Cream Vendors for summer 2007. She explained that she is working with Town Counsel and the Town Manager’s Office to resolve the issue. C. Sandra Shaw raised the issue of parking on the grass along Lincoln Street near the Little League Field. She noted that parents of Little League players and other spectators are pulling up over the curb and onto the grass rather than using the parking lot at Lincoln. Dave Pinsonneault indicated that he is going to contact Little League about this issue. D. Harrington Playfield – Karen Simmons provided the Recreation Committee with an update on the status of the playing field at Harrington School. The field was not built to athletic field specifications, and remains unplayable. Dave Pinsonneault and Karen Simmons reported that the Recreation Department had not been charged for the installation of irrigation at the Harrington Fields. As a result of discussions with the 2 School Department, the Parks Department will repair and regrade the soccer field so that it is safe and playable in lieu of charges for the irrigation system. Dave Pinsonneault anticipates that the field will be playable by Spring 2008. Karen Simmons expressed her appreciation to Hank Manz for his assistance in resolving some of the field issues that have arisen at both the Harrington and Fiske School fields and for assuring that both the Recreation Department and Parks Department will be “at the table” for future school projects. The Fiske fields also have playability issues. The contractor did not work on the fields all spring. DPW loamed and seeded the area and leveled it off. Additionally, the grade of materials used on the backstop was incorrect. The Permanent Building Committee has promised to provide Dave Pinsonneault with the contract specifications used for fencing and backstops, so that he can review them. Wendy Rudner asked if the Town would “own the fencing and backstop” if it met the specifications of the contract? Dave Pinsonneault replied that the Town would own it. He also noted that Little League is committed to bringing the fencing and backstops up to required safety levels, if the contractor will not. Rick DeAngelis asked if a manual existed for the P.B.C. to follow that spelled out the process for school construction and field renovation work. Hank Manz responded that there was no such manual yet. E. Sandra Shaw asked if the Recreation Committee and Department had any ideas for future Community Preservation requests. Karen Simmons stated that many capital project proposals would depend upon the outcome of the proposed revised CPA legislation. F. Karen Simmons reported that there are at least twelve lights out at Center # 1 and Center # 2 fields. These lights will be replaced this season. thth G. The Lions Club Carnival will operate from July 4 through July 8. This year there will be no fireworks display. Fiesta Shows will arrive on July 1 after 11.00 p.m. to begin setup. They will leave the site on Sunday, July 8 after the Carnival closes. Rick DeAngelis will send a letter to the Board of Selectmen on behalf of the Recreation Committee requesting that the Lions Club, prior to issuance of a license, provide an access and exit plan. The plan should include hiring of Police Details to monitor and supervise the arrival and departure of Fiesta Shows. H. Pine Meadow Farm – Karen Simmons reported to the Recreation Committee that the drainage system installed as a part of the new housing development next to Pine th Meadows Golf Club is not working properly. It is creating problems on the 4 fairway. She has met with Conservation, and they are setting up a meeting with the development contractor. 6. Parks Report Dave Pinsonneault reported that the gate structure at the Old Reservoir is currently open. The Town Engineering Department has gone to the Conservation Commission with plans to install a new gate structure out of the water, eliminate some broken lines and reconstruct the swale in August 2007 when the water level is lowest. Public Works is in the process of identifying funding sources based upon preliminary pricing estimates for the project. If no viable funding source is found for FY2008, funding will be requested from future Community Preservation Act monies. 3 7. New Business The next meeting of the Recreation Committee will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 21, 2007 in Room G15. The May 2007 Recreation Committee meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m. 4