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Frederick DeAngelis, Chairman
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Wendy Rudner
Sandra Shaw
Lisah Rhodes
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Minutes of Meeting of
February r
Tel: (781) 698 -4800
Fax: (781) 861 -2747
A meeting of the Recreation Committee was held on Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
at the Town Office Building, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, Parker Room. A quorum of 4 was
present.
Staff Present: Karen Simmons, Director of Recreation, Peter Coleman, Supervisor of
Recreation, Chris Filadoro, Superintendent of Public Grounds, and Sheila Butts, Assistant
Recreation Director
Citizens Present: Tom Shiple, Lexington United Soccer Club, Hank Manz, Selectman's
Liaison, Saatrik Ahluwalia, and Francesca Pfrommer
The meeting acted on the following items:
L Citizens and Other Boards
Saatrik Ahluwalia introduced himself to members of the Recreation Committee. He
explained that he is running for the vacant seat on the Board of Selectmen, and spoke to the
Committee about what he hopes to bring to the community and the Board if elected.
2. Meeting Minutes from January 15, 2014
The meeting minutes of January 15, 2014 were discussed. The minutes were amended to
remove the Bicycle Advisory Committee statement by Peg Enders from the list of meeting
attachments. Wendy Rudner move acceptance of the January 15, 2014 Recreation Committee
Minutes as amended. Sandra Shaw seconded. The Recreation Committee voted 3 — 0 to accept
the January 15, 2014 Recreation Committee minutes as amended
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE . LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420
3. Liaison Reports
o Sandra Shaw distributed copies of the Bicycle Advisory Committee Statement made
to the Board of Selectmen on January 10, 2014 by Peg Enders (attached)
o Wendy Rudner, Lincoln Park Sub - Committee Liaison updated member of the
Recreation Committee on the LPSC budget. She indicated that due to Public Trust
investments for the Teresa and Roberta Lee Fitness Path and Paul and Jean Kirk
accounts, which fund projects at Lincoln Park the principal balance for the LPSC
account is higher than initially shown.
o Hank Manz reminded the Committee that there will be a new Selectman's Liaison to
the Recreation Committee at the March meeting as he will no longer be a member of
the Board of Selectmen. Karen Simmons, Director of Recreation thanked Mr. Manz
on behalf of the Recreation Committee and the Recreation staff for all he has done to
support the Committee, the Department and Recreation throughout the Community
over his years on the Board.
. Lincoln Park Sub - Committee Restroom Signage
Karen Simmons, Director of Recreation, distributed the proposal by the Lions Club for the
wording of the signage (attached) to be placed on the Lincoln Park Restroom facility to
members of the Recreation Committee. The Committee members reviewed the wording and
made the following recommendations:
o "Lincoln Park Committee" should read Lincoln Park Subcommittee.
o "Funding Provided in part by:" could be changed to say Major Funding By:
o "Construction and Support provided by:" could read Construction and Support By®
The Recreation Committee approved the signage as modified by a vote of 4 — 0.
5. Little League — Fiske School Field Improvements
Karen Simmons, Director of Recreation, provided an overview of her discussion with Joe
Cacciatore, Lexington Little League representative, regarding minor modifications and
fencing at the Fiske Little League fields. Little League would like to install fencing in the
outfields for safety reasons. A representative from Little League was invited to the
Recreation Committee meeting, but no one is in attendance. The Fiske School Principal has
indicated support for the project, and has been requested to submit a formal support letter.
Hank Manz, Selectman's Liaison, suggested that the Recreation Committee review any
abutter agreement that might be in place for the Fiske School fields, specifically as it relates
to the field closest to Adams Street. Karen Simmons noted that she will check with the Town
Clerk's office and the Selectman's Office.
6. Sponsorship Signs at Park and Recreation Facilities
Lisah Rhodes brought this item to the agenda for consideration by the entire Recreation
Committee in response to inquiries by resident Todd Cataldo regarding any regulations, in
place, for sponsorship signage at park and recreation facilities. Mr. Cataldo indicated at the
January Recreation Committee meeting that installing sponsorship signage on the Fitzgerald
Field could be a mechanism for continued funding of the proposed light project. Mrs.
Rhodes suggested that the Committee needs to take a long hard look at these proposals, and
the impact that sponsorship signage might have on facilities going forward. Rick DeAngelis
concurred that a serious review was in order. Karen Simmons, Director of Recreation,
reminded the Committee that there are sign By -laws in place in Lexington that the Recreation
Committee would need to review and comply with the By -laws. She also noted that there is
a difference between advertising signage on fields and a sponsorship plaque listing donors to
a project. Sandra Shaw commented that she does not object specifically to the concept of
signage on fields, but believes the idea warrants additional discussions. She and Mr.
DeAngelis suggest that this topic be added to the next meeting agenda.
7. Recreation 5 Year Capital flan — Standing Item for Updates
Karen Simmons, Director of Recreation reported that she had begun working on the capital
Article presentations for Town Meeting. Lisah Rhodes told the Committee that she would be
happy to do all capital Presentations at Town Meeting.
Article 8 will be all CPA items; Article 9 will be for the Pine Meadows request.
8. Recreation Reports
Karen Simmons, Director of Recreation, reported on the following:
o Todd Cataldo presented the Fitzgerald Field light proposal to the Board of Selectmen
on February 24. The Board was very receptive, but suggested that the Recreation
Committee hold a public meeting with abutters living within a 300 foot radius of the
field. Ms. Simmons will report back to the Board of Selectmen after this public
meeting is held on March 25 at 7:00 p.m.
o The Conservation Commission closed the public hearing and approved the Pine
Meadows dredging project proposal, with some minor modifications, on February 25,
2014. The goal is to complete the work while snow covers the ground to minimize
damage to the grounds. The bid opening for the project is Friday, February 28, 2014.
The goal is to have approvals in place by March 3, 2014.
o Center Recreation Complex Drainage Project — phase three — is in planning stages.
After discussions with Little League, the scheduled was amended to the following:
i. Fitzgerald Field work will begin after August 1.
ii. Worthen Road field will begin after November 1 so that the renovated football
field gets another low impact (reduced practice use) season.
Rich DeAngelis commended Karen Simmons for her continued leadership and
management of this and all capital projects. Ms. Simmons also thanked Dave
Pinsonneault and Chris Filadoro for their expertise and hard work.
o The staff is gearing up for summer 2014. The Peter Coleman is searching for a new
aquatics manager and several new head lifeguards. He is also finalizing all spring
2014 field permits.
o The Spring — Summer Program Brochure is at the printer. It has been published
online and through the Town's new Constant Contact email lists.
o On March 11, 2014, the Town Office Building will be switching to a new Voice over
IP Phone System. All internal numbers will change.
o A meeting has been scheduled with Little League representatives to discuss their
vision for the future, and to determine if little league wished to develop a master plan
of the Little League fields.
o Peter Coleman, Chris Filadoro, Larry Anderson, and Karen Simmons met to discuss
the potential leak at the Town Pool. Further investigation regarding the leak is
ongoing, and solutions may include the installation of new water meters for each pool
and locker room to determine specific water usage, and replacement of the skimmers
in the wading pool.
• The Community Center Advisory Committee continues to meet and discuss the
renovations, timeline and possible gaps in programming that should be addressed
when the center opens in 2015. The committee was provided an update of the status.
• The proposed closing of Cary Hall for renovations may have a serious impact on
Recreation programs until the Community center opens. Staff is aggressively
pursuing alternative program space in schools and at the Cary Library to compensate
for the loss of regularly used rooms (Estabrook Hall, Robbins Room, Bird Room) in
the Cary Hall building. It is still unknown where the equipment storage will be
relocated.
9. Parks Reports
Chris Filadoro, Superintendent of Public Grounds reported on the following:
o Parks crews are busy maintaining equipment to be used in the spring.
o Crews have also completed several vegetation cut -backs at parks.
o One round of playground inspections has been completed.
o Mr. Filadoro and two Parks department employees will be attending the Certified
Playground Safety Inspector's Certification course in May.
o The Parks Department has purchased safety mats that will be installed underneath the
FIBAR safety surfacing at swing sets throughout the Town in the spring.
o Mr. Filadoro is working with Lexington Little League to determine pricing for the
scheduled work at the Bridge Little League Field and Lincoln Softball Field.
o By May 1, 2014 the Parks Department should once again be operating at full- force.
Several new employees have been hired recently to replace those employees who
have retired.
10. New Business
The next meeting of the Recreation Committee will take place on Tuesday, March 25, 2014
at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will begin with a public meeting on the proposal to install lights at
the Fitzgerald Little League Field on Park Drive. The meeting will be held in the
Selectman's Meeting Room at the Town Office Building, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue.
The following documents /exhibits used at the meeting are attached:
1. Lincoln Park Restroom Facility Proposed Sign Template
2. Statement from the Bicycle Advisory Committee
3, New Recreation Department phone number list
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila Butts
Assistant Recreation Director
A
Restroom Facallitjj
The Lions Club of Lexington, Inc. presents this facility to the residents, families,
volunteers, teams and athletes of the Town of Lexington
Architect: Bechtel Frank Erickson Architects, Inc.
Toole Design Group Draft Report:
"Navigating the Minuteman Commuter Bikewal
The Bicycle Advisory Committee strongly endorses the draft report of the Toole
Design Group and recommends that the Board of Selectmen accept the report
on behalf of the Town of Lexington. The Minuteman Commuter Bikeway is a
critical regional transportation resource that needs considerable improvement in
terms its appearance and, more importantly, its safety.
Of the many recommendations contained in the draft report, the Bicycle Advisory
Committee recommends that the following be given top priority:
1. Resolution of pavement issues, including root upheavals, pavement
erosion, and flooding. The root upheavals are not just an annoyance
for cyclists and skaters: these are a safety hazard. Riders are
swerving to avoid the growing number of roots and potholes, thus
paying less attention to the traffic around them.
Intersection safety recommendations, including traffic controls; signals
and warnings on both streets and the bikeway; removal of unsafe
gates; and reconfiguration • intersections to safely slow bikeway
traffic.
Ill. Development of a signage and amenities plan to improve wayfinding,
bikeway behavior, and public safety. Such a plan — and its
implementation — will require the production of a "master plan" as well
as collaboration with the other Bikeway towns.
Given these important recommendations, and the many others contained in the
report, it is not clear to this committee what agency within the Town would
coordinate the effort. That is, to organize efforts of various town departments,
staff and committees (e.g., engineering, operations, public safety, recreation,
planning, bicycle, center and tourism committees, HDC, etc.) as well as to work
with the other towns to implement a uniform signage and amenities plan. The
Bicycle Advisory Committee is unanimously in favor of recommending the
appointment of a staff person to serve as Lexington's Bicycle Program
Coordinator.
Submitted • Peggy Enders • behalf • the Bicycle Advisory Committee
January 11 , 21 14
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MEMORANDUM
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The Town of Lexington will be upgrading to a new phone system. The
Recreation
Department phone numbers will change March 11, 2014.
Name Title Direct number 781 -862 -0500 exte
Recreation Office 781 - 698 -4800
84800
Karen Simmons Director 781 - 698 -4801
84801
Sheila Butts Asst. Director 781 - 698 -4802
84802
Peter Coleman Supervisor 781 - 698 -4803
84803
Melinda Corssino Ad in Asst 781 - 698 -4804
84804
Sandy Alexander Dept Clerk 781 -698 -4805
84805
Cherie Robinson Dept Clerk 781 - 698 -4806
84806
Cancellation line 781 - 698 -4810
84810
You can call the direct phone number or you can call 781 -862 -0500.
The extension for the
individual is the last 5 digits of their phone number.
Example: to reach the Recreation Office, call 781 -862 -0500 x84800.....
or..... 781 - 698 -4800