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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-12-19-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, 2007 Room G15 – Town Office Building Members Present: Dick Thuma, Bob Boudreau, Wendy Rudner, and Sandra Shaw Staff Present: Karen Simmons, Sheila Butts, and Dave Pinsonneault Others Present: David Williams and Lynne Wilson, Lincoln Park Subcommittee AGENDA 1. Citizens and Other Boards There were no citizens or other boards present. 2. Meeting Minutes from November 20, 2007 Bob Boudreau moved and Wendy Rudner seconded acceptance of the Recreation Committee The Recreation Committee voted 3 – 0 to accept meeting minutes of November 20, 2007. the minutes as presented. 3. Lincoln Park Subcommittee ?? David Williams and Lynne Wilson addressed the Recreation Committee about the upcoming plans for the fitness and nature paths at Lincoln Park. The Lincoln Park Subcommittee (LPSC) has met with Tom Wirth, landscape architect, about potential improvements. Mr. Wirth has spoken with “Garden in the Woods” in Natick about how they promote, maintain, and improve the walking paths and boardwalks at their facility. He has presented the suggestions of staff at “Garden in the Woods” as to how to open up the vistas along the existing Lincoln Park boardwalk. The LPSC is working to replace the signs on the boardwalk and to get more plantings and color into the area. They expect that this will be the first project undertaken in the spring. Bob Boudreau asked if members of the Lincoln Park Subcommittee would do the planned maintenance work along the boardwalk and fitness paths. Lynne Wilson answered that Tom Wirth and “Garden in the Woods” would plan the actual work. They would also do as much work as possible. A contractor would be hired to complete the project if necessary. 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420 th ?? David Williams appeared before the Conservation Commission on December 18 to review some plans for the area. Conservation agreed with the LPSC that pruning and planting were maintenance issues and required no approval from Conservation. Mr. Williams also mentioned to the Conservation Commission that the LPSC was interested in enlarging the pond at the site and adding to the boardwalk. Should these plans go forward an Order of Conditions from the Conservation Commission would be necessary. ?? Lynne Wilson told the Recreation Committee that the Lincoln Park Subcommittee is very interested in designing a new brochure and new map signs. She has also spoken with Hayden Recreation about running nature programs with them. Dick Thuma asked for additional information about the brochure. Lynne Wilson explained that the brochure would include maps of the area, the paths and boardwalk and also provide information about what to look for in the area, including the ecosystem and fitness stations. Karen Simmons suggested that this information, once completed, could also be included in the Recreation Brochure. ?? Sandra Shaw asked if the Lincoln Park Subcommittee were happy with the Overlook, and inquired about the signs that had previously been on the benches along the paths. Ms. Wilson said that the LUSC was happy with the Overlook, but that additional signage that explains what people should look for each season is needed. She told Ms. Shaw that the nature signs along the boardwalk were broken, and the LPSC was in the process of replacing them. The signs that had been located on benches along the nature paths and boardwalk were currently being cleaned and would be reinstalled soon. ?? Bob Boudreau inquired about the Lincoln Park Subcommittee budget. David Williams told the Committee that the Lincoln Park Subcommittee is in the process of planning its new budget. ?? Dick Thuma asked David Williams and Lynne Wilson for any information they might have on the Lincoln Park Bathroom project. David Williams responded that he understood that methane testing was not complete yet. Karen Simmons explained to the Committee that once the methane gas mitigation is finalized the Department of Environmental Protection would review the plans. Sandra Shaw commented that it was her understanding that the plans had previously been voted on by the Recreation Committee. ?? Wendy Rudner asked if there was a location on the Lincoln Park site for the Lincoln Park Subcommittee to have access to water when doing future plantings. Dave Pinsonneault told the Committee that there was an existing water hook up near the Little League field. He would investigate the location of other water hook ups closer to the boardwalk. 4. Capital Projects ?? Karen Simmons distributed supplemental appropriation information for the Center Basketball Court Reconstruction Project to members of the Recreation Committee. She reminded the members that if they needed any additional information for their presentation of Capital Projects at Town Meeting the Recreation Department would be happy to provide it. 2 ?? The Community Preservation Committee is recommending that of the $60,000 requested for the Old Reservoir Management Project, $55,000 in CPA funds be used to pay for the most of the project, with the exception of the $5,000 budgeted for fencing fabric. ?? Dick Thuma asked about the status of the Skate Park fencing. Dave Pinsonneault is still attempting to get three price quotes for the project. Karen Simmons reported that she had recently spoken with Olga Guttag, former member of the Lexington Skate Park Committee. 5. Budget ?? Karen Simmons announced to the Recreation Committee that the July 1, 2007 Department of Revenue certified balance of the Recreation Enterprise Fund is $1,431,104.00. The certified balance increased $34,000 since 2006. Dick Thuma asked what the high and low points of Enterprise Fund Revenue are. Karen Simmons answered that July marks a high point in the fund, while February is traditionally the low point. Mr. Thuma stated that he is concerned that the Lexington public misunderstands the highs and lows of the Enterprise Fund. He suggested that a graph be compiled that would show the income and expenditures monthly. Bob Boudreau concurred with this suggestion. Dick Thuma made the following motion: The Recreation Committee requests that the Budget officer duplicate the report given to the Recreation Committee for FY2006 with updated FY2007 data presented in graph form. The Recreation Committee approved the motion 4 – 0. ?? Karen Simmons distributed the “2007 Department Highlights”, information for the budget book, including the 5200 – Mission Statement and overview, and the FY09 requested Recreation budget. She explained the increases in the budget, resulting from increased indirect charges, and the increase in the minimum wage. Members of the Recreation Committee questioned the increase in the per person cost for Recreation Programs. Karen Simmons explained that in previous years the calculations and formula used to arrive at a per person cost did not include Indirect Costs or the Lincoln Park debt. ?? Karen Simmons reported that the Recreation Department had recently received $11,000 from Lexington United Soccer to cover the income lost as a result of LUSC now running the Fall Grades 3 and 4 In Town Soccer Program. 6. Recreation Report ?? Karen Simmons reported to the Recreation Committee that Phase 1 of the West Lexington Greenway Project (funded by Community Preservation Funds) is underway. She met with the consultant (Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.) last week and announced that a Public Meeting is scheduled for January 16, 2008 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. in the Cary Library Large Meeting Room. ?? Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc was hired to write the Open Space and Recreation Plan for the Town. A small committee representing Conservation and Recreation will be formed. Dick Thuma volunteered to represent the Recreation Committee. ?? Bob Boudreau asked how the Recreation Department planned on generating the $1,800,000 needed for the operating budget. Karen Simmons explained that the 3 Department was reviewing all fees for field permits and programs. In FY2004, DPW increased the indirect for field maintenance by $25,000. The increase was offset by other program revenue, but we need to adjust the budget so that field users capture the field maintenance increase. The Recreation Committee discussed the indirect costs, and strategies for raising additional revenue. 7. Parks Report ?? Dave Pinsonneault told the Recreation Committee that he and Karen Simmons would meet with the consultant after the holidays to review the final draft of the Pine Meadows Hydrology Study. He has seen a draft of the report and told the Committee that there was nothing in it to indicate the necessity of replacing the dam at Pine Meadows. However, there would be significant costs associated with addressing other drainage issues. ?? Tutela Engineering has been hired to study and develop plans for the Center Playfields. Once the study is completed Dave will go to the Community Preservation Committee to request additional funding for the project. ?? The Bowman Field work will be done in Spring 2008. Work was delayed by the early snowfall. ?? The Valley Tennis Court project will be rebid with the Center Basketball Courts in the Spring. 8. New Business The next Recreation Committee Meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 in the Cary Library Large Meeting Room from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. The meeting will immediately precede the West Lexington Greenway Project Public Meeting. The December Recreation Committee meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Just a reminder that all Recreation Committee meetings will begin at 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 4