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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-04-14-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 April 14, 2008 Members Present: Rick De Angelis, Sandra Shaw, Bob Boudreau, Dick Thuma, and Wendy Rudner Staff Present: Karen Simmons, Dave Pinsonneault, Sheila Butts, and Peter Coleman Others Present: Ralph Wilmer, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) AGENDA 1. Citizens and Other Boards None were present. 2. Meeting Minutes The minutes of the February 27, 2008 and March 26, 2008 Recreation Committee meetings were approved 3 – 0. 3. Open Space and Recreation Plan Update Karen Simmons introduced Ralph Willmer of VHB, who is working with the town to update the 1997 Open Space and Recreation Plan. Mr. Willmer provided the Recreation Committee with an overview of process to date. A public forum was held on March 28, 2008 which was well attended and provided some excellent feedback on the work to date and the goals of the 2008 Update. The 2008 Open Space and Recreation Plan will be valid until 2013. The project is a cooperative venture between the Recreation and Conservation Departments with funding from the Community Preservation Act. The project includes an assessment of community needs, natural resources and community recreation needs, and an updated inventory of open space parcels. Mr. Willmer indicated submission of the plan would allow the Town to apply for Self Help and Urban Self Help Grants. The funding for these grants will become available in either June or September 2008. Since the state is looking to give out discretionary funds a valid, accepted plan will provide added points when filing grant applications. Karen Simmons noted that Dick Thuma had volunteered to be the liaison from the Recreation Committee on this project, and would be assisting with the inventory and accessibility of recreation properties. 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420 VHB has indicated that a draft of the 2008 Open Space and Recreation Plan will be submitted to the state in June. 4. Don Chisholm Memorial Update The Recreation Committee is proposing that the memorial, a natural boulder with a plaque embedded into it, be located on the grass between the first and third tees. Rick DeAngelis as chairman of the Recreation Committee will ask to be placed on a Board of Selectmen meeting agenda in early May to present a final draft of the wording for the memorial to the Selectmen for approval. 5. Recreation Report ?? Karen Simmons reported that Tom Scarlatta, from Bargmann Hendrie + Archetype, st Inc., will attend the May 21 Recreation Committee meeting to present the final Town Pool Audit. ?? The Old Reservoir Study and presentation, which took place at a joint Recreation Committee and Board of Health meeting on March 26, 2008has allowed the Recreation Department and Board of Health to prioritize future actions at the Old Reservoir. Bob Boudreau commented that the presentation was “very well done”, a sentiment echoed by other members of the Recreation Committee. Dick Thuma noted that the study allows the department to identify the next reasonable steps. Rick DeAngelis commented that one result of the study is that the Town is headed down a road that allows a plan to be in place for closure due to excessive rain. He noted that there should be continued dialogue between the Health Department and Recreation Department combined with a broader source of funding by Town Meeting. Karen Simmons told the Recreation Committee that the department and Town are looking to find money to extend the water quality study. The State has shown an interest in the mitigation of the storm water. Dick Thuma indicated that there needs to be a clear understanding of what the expectations of a continued study are, including the scope of work, the design work, specifications and how the project will be funded. Is there some funding in the CPA article? Karen Simmons informed the committee that we have that information. There is a proposal for schematics to deal with the retention basins and water run-off. The proposal does not currently include project management by a separate private engineer. Wendy Rudner asked if Public Works were to do the work, would they also pay for it. Dave Pinsonneault responded that it would depend upon the extent of the work and the time frame in which the work would be done. He also noted that certain areas of the project (dredging, etc.) would require specialized operations. th ?? Karen Simmons reported that the golf course opened on March 26. Thus far the new discount card and replay programs have been well received by golfers. ?? Program registration for summer activities is off to a slow start. However, an increase in registrations and requests for information about upcoming programs has increased since the weather has turned nicer. The next Recreation Brochure will be published in late April, early May. th ?? The grass fields opened for all users on April 7 and Lincoln Park opened for high thth school use on March 18. All other users were permitted at Lincoln as of March 27. ?? The pre-bid meeting for the Valley Tennis and Center Basketball Court renovations is thth scheduled for April 17. The Bid Closing is April 24. 6. Parks Report Dave Pinsonneault reported that he had nothing new to report. 7. New Business Karen Simmons told the Recreation Committee that she would be meeting with th representatives of Lexington United Soccer Club at 8:00 a.m. on April 18 to discuss the final transition from the Recreation Department to LUSC of the Fall Kindergarten and In- Town U7 and U8 program. The Recreation Committee discussed the inclusion of a requirement that LUSC financially assist with yearly grass field maintenance and renovations. Dave Pinsonneault is compiling a cost estimate for work on grass fields. Dick Thuma and other Recreation Committee members suggested that the financial responsibility by LUSC be tied into the scope of work (percentage) rather than a dollar figure. The Recreation Committee also suggested that LUSC be responsible for the cost of the work, rather than doing the work themselves. Karen Simmons told the Committee that she would report on the status of the transition at the next meeting. The next meeting of the Recreation Committee will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 in Room G15 of the Town Office Building. The April 2008 Recreation Committee meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.