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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-02-27-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 27, 2008 Members Present: Rick DeAngelis, Dick Thuma, Sandra Shaw, Wendy Rudner Staff Present: Karen Simmons, Peter Coleman, Dave Pinsonneault AGENDA: 1.Citizens and other boards There were no citizens or other board members present. 2.Meeting Minutes Rick DeAngelis moved and Sandra Shaw seconded the motion to approve the minutes. The minutes of the January 16, 2008 Recreation Committee meeting were accepted by a vote of 4-0. 3. Town Meeting Capital Articles ?? Article 9- Old Reservoir Maintenance, presented by the CPC. ?? Article 14- Appropriate for Recreation Capital Projects. Dick Thuma will present the Center Complex Restroom Renovation and the Park Improvements at Bridge School on April 14, 2008. Sandra Shaw will move the motion and recognize Dick Thuma to do the presentation on behalf of the Recreation Committee. ?? Article 2- Rick DeAngelis will present the Annual Report of the Recreation Committee on April 14, 2008. ?? Article 28- Appropriate for Authorized Capital Improvements. Dick Thuma will present the request for a supplemental appropriation for the basketball project. This is scheduled for April 14, 2008. Hank Manz will move the motion and recognize Dick Thuma to do the presentation on behalf of the Recreation Committee. 4. Recreation Fee Increases Karen Simmons presented the recommended fee increases. Handout was distributed. The Recreation Department is self-supporting and when determining a program fee, staff must calculate the direct expenses, indirect expenses and administrative fees necessary to operate. Each program area is carefully reviewed, trying to minimize the impact to the community . while looking at the big picture and the bottom line 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420 2 In addition to programs run directly by Recreation staff, we contract some services to private vendors. The fees charged for vendor classes and clinics are determined by the per person amount charged by the vendor with the recreation administrative fee added. After examining our projected revenue and expenses, it was determined that the fee increases are necessary as the cost of doing business continues to increase. Specifically, the increase in the indirect cost, minimum wage, higher utility costs and higher costs for expenses such as chemicals, program supplies and fuel surcharges on deliveries. The increases are summarized: Aquatics: ?? Increase swim tags fees effective 2009 swim season ?? Eliminate two different daily admission fees effective 2008 ?? Increase the fee for the 45 minute swim lesson class effective 2008 Tennis: ?? Increase tennis lessons for youth and adults by $5.00 per session effective 2008 Camps & Clinics: ?? Increase Discover the Fun Day Camp registration fee by $10.00 effective 2008 ?? Increase Teddy Bear Picnic Preschool program fee by $5.00 effective 2008 ?? Increase Sports Clinics registration fee by $5.00 effective 2008 Leagues: ?? Increase youth leagues by $5.00 effective next season ?? Increase Co-Ed Softball by $40.00 per team effective 2008 Pine Meadows: ?? Increase greens fees by $1.00 effective 2008 ?? Increase golf cart rental fee by $2.00 effective 2008 Field Permits: ?? The per person youth fee will increase by $3.00 per season effective summer 2008 ?? The permitting will change from 2-hour blocks to hourly, effective 2008 ?? The fee for Lincoln will increase to help offset the debt service effective 2008 After a lengthy discussion, Rick DeAngelis moved a motion to support the Recreation Director’s recommendation and approve the fee increases as presented. Sandra Shaw seconded the motion. Dick Thuma expressed his concern that he did not receive enough details and cannot support the motion or the fee increases. Sandra Shaw, Rick DeAngelis and Wendy Rudner were satisfied with the information presented and prepared to vote on the motion. It was agreed that Karen Simmons would provide additional details as requested by Dick Thuma. The Recreation Committee voted 3-0-1 to support the fee increases. Dick Thuma abstained. 5.Recognition of Don Chisholm The Recreation Committee continued their discussion for memorializing Don Chisholm by placing a plaque at Pine Meadows Golf Club. It was agreed that Rick DeAngelis as Chair will present the proposal to the Board of Selectmen and request their approval of the memorial at Pine Meadows. Sandra Shaw reviewed the language: “Don Chisholm loved the 3 game of golf. A member of the Recreation Committee from 1987 until his death in 2005, Don was instrumental in the establishment of Pine Meadows as an important municipal asset. His role in management evaluation and in supporting regular course improvements helped to create a valuable resource for all Lexington citizens to enjoy. Don’s many contributions also included developing the Lincoln Park playing fields and nature path. The leadership, kindness and intelligence of Don Chisholm will long be remembered”. 6. Recreation Report ?? Karen Simmons provided the Recreation Committee with an update on the Old Reservoir Water Quality Study. Karen will be setting up a joint meeting with the consultant, Dr. Bernward Hay of the Louis Berger Group and the Board of Health as soon as possible to review the data and discuss the next step. ?? Karen Simmons is waiting for the final copy of the Pool Audit. She will invite the consultant, Tom Scarlata from Bargmann Hendrie & Archetype, to attend a future meeting to review the results of the audit. ?? The Hydrology Study at Pine Meadows will be wrapping up over the next two months. Karen Simmons, Dave Pinsonneault, Bill Harrison, President of New England Golf Corporation, and John Allen, Golf Course Superintendent, met with staff from Tutella Engineering to review a draft of the study. Bill Harrison expressed concerns with the recommendation to have a 6’ interceptor drain in the middle of the stnd fairway on the 1 and 2 hole. John Ian from Tutella will meet with Stephen Kay, golf course architect, to review the drainage mitigation recommendations. ?? Karen provided a brief overview of a meeting with the Board of Selectmen regarding property on Hancock Street. The Recreation Committee supports the Board of Selectmen in acquiring the parcel for recreation and open space. th ?? The first Open Space and Recreation Plan Public Meeting will be held on March 18 at 7:00 in Cary Hall. th ?? The West Lexington Greenway will hold its second Public Meeting on February 28 at 7:00pm in Cary Hall. Map viewing will start at 6:30pm. ?? Summer recruitment is going well and programs are falling into place. 7. Parks Report ?? Dave Pinsonneault reported the Town hired Tutella Engineering for the Center Playfield Drainage Study. This is being funded with CPA money. ?? Dave received quotes for the renovations at the Bowman School athletic field. The backstop will be completed before the baseball season begins. The fieldwork may be completed before the season, weather pending. If not, it will be completed during the summer. 8. New Business Rick DeAngelis requested permission to add a concrete pad behind the backstop on Center #1. People like to sit behind the backstop and the area has a depression that collects water. Rick will meet with Dave Pinsonneault and get his approval before any work begins. The Recreation Committee supports the donation. 4 The next meeting of the Recreation Committee will be held on Wednesday March 26, 2008 at 6:30pm. Rick DeAngelis motioned to adjourn the meeting and Dick Thuma seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.