HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-12-16-REC-minFrederick DeAngelis, Chairman
Lisah Rhodes, Vice Chairman
Sandra Shaw
Ruixi Yuan
Jason Denoncourt
Town of Lexington
Recreation Committee
Recreation Committee
Minutes of Meeting
December 16, 2015
Tel: (781) 698 -4800
Fax: (781) 862 -2747
A meeting of the Recreation Committee was held on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at the
Lexington Community Center, 39 Marrett Road, Lexington.
Members Present: Rick DeAngelis, Lisah Rhodes, Sandra Shaw, and Ruixi Yuan (arrived at
approximately 8:15 p.m.)
Members Absent: Jason Denoncourt
Staff Present:
Others Present:
Karen Simmons, Director of Recreation and Community Programs, Chris
Filadoro, DPW Superintendent of Public Grounds, and Peter Coleman, Assistant
Director of Recreation
Suzie Barry (Board of Selectmen liaison), John Clough (Lexington United Soccer
Club), Leigh -Ann and Jim Durant (31 Baskin Road), Jon Eddy (33 Baskin Road),
Alex Gentile, Stacey Hamilton (25 Robinson Road), Suzanne Lau (18 Phinney
Road), Rod McNeil (56 Baskin Road), Jean and Paul Parr (95 Lincoln Street), Jenn
Ray (6 Fulton Road), Chris Roy (20 Middleby Road), Tom Shiple (Lexington United
Soccer Club), Joanne Shorter (7 Bridge Street), Ann Stokes (64 Baskin Road),
Esteban Toro (35 Baskin Road), Henry Weaver (37 Baskin Road), Mark Weiss (1
Millbrook Road), and Curt Wu (21 Turning Mill Road)
1. Meeting Minutes from November 18«, 2015
Lisah Rhodes moved and Sandra Shaw seconded approval of the Recreation Committee Minutes
of November 18, 2015. The Recreation Committee voted 3 -0 to approve the minutes of
November 18, 2015.
2. Citizens and Other Boards None
3. Liaison Reports - None
4. Public Hearing on Lincoln Park Field Light Request
Tom Shiple, president of the Lexington United Soccer Club (LUSC), gave a presentation that
outlined the details of LUSC's proposal to install lights at Lincoln #2. Mr. Shiple indicated that
LUSC has approximately 1,500 children participate in its programs each fall and spring and the
ages of the participants range from Pre -K through high school students. The discussion about
installing lights at Lincoln began over three years ago when during the Fall 2012 season,
approximately 75% of LUSC's evening practices at Center #1/ #2 were cancelled due to rain or
wet field conditions, which had a significant impact on the programs. The proposal calls for the
installation of four light towers at Lincoln #2. The project would be privately funded and
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420 (mail)
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constructed and upon completion, the lights would be gifted to the Town for the benefit of the
community. Mr. Shiple indicated the need for this project for several reasons, which included
that youth sports are growing in Lexington, the demand for fields is highest on weeknight
evenings, a lighted field would allow for the field to be used until 8:30pm, lighting an existing
field is more cost - effective than developing a new athletic field, and a synthetic turf field can
better handle more intense use as compared to a grass field.
Mr. Shiple reviewed the milestones of the project to this point in time, which included meetings
with Town officials, consultants, the Recreation Committee, and three neighborhood meetings
with abutters of Lincoln Park. An aerial map of the concept design illustrated where the four
light poles in the proposal would be located. Mr. Shiple concluded his presentation by stating
that pending the approval of the Recreation Committee, the next step would be for this proposal
to be presented to the Board of Selectmen for their approval.
Residents in attendance at the meeting were then given the opportunity to ask questions and
express their thoughts and opinions about the proposed project. During this time, several
members of the audience stated that they supported the project as the lights would increase the
playability of the field, permanent lights would be a more cost - effective and less noisy option
than temporary lights, and this project would provide a great benefit to the community. One
supporter was Mark Weiss, who spoke on behalf of Temple Isaiah, stated that Temple Isaiah was
in favor of the project moving forward. Opponents of the project also had an opportunity to
express their concerns. Rod McNeil, resident of 56 Baskin Road, stated that a promise had been
made to Town Meeting when Lincoln Park was initially renovated back in 2003 that no lights
would be installed at the park and he thought that this issue should go to Town Meeting for its
approval. Mr. McNeil believed that this promise should be kept and as a result, was opposed to
this project. Other concerns that were mentioned by those in attendance included light spillage,
the ending time for when the lights would be turned off, and potential noise, trash, and security
issues that the lights would create. Mr. Shiple reviewed a slide that specified where the light
spillage would be and stated that while abutters would see the lights, similar to looking at a street
light, the lights would not be shining directly in neighborhood homes, which was appreciated by
the audience. Rick DeAngelis, Chairman of the Recreation Committee, stated the Board of
Selectmen has the ultimate authority to determine when the lights would go off each night. Mr.
Shiple and Kevin Stetson, consultant with Sanborn Head, also informed the meeting that this
project would have no impact on the landfill cap. After an extended period of time and once all
members of the audience who wanted to speak had the opportunity to do so, the Recreation
Committee ended the public hearing portion of the meeting.
The members of the Recreation Committee then engaged in a conversation on this topic. The
Committee expressed its appreciation to Tom Shiple for the informative presentation as well as
the members of the audience for their active participation in the discussion. Lisah Rhodes stated
that the proposal was ready to move forward to the Selectmen. Sandra Shaw explained that she
would be happy to approve this proposal because Lexington currently does not have enough
athletic fields and the lights would give the community additional playing time on this field. Rick
DeAngelis shared the same sentiments as his colleagues. He also recommended that some
additional trees could be planted to help alleviate some of the potential noise that people living on
Baskin Road. Based on the feedback received during the public meeting, the Recreation
Committee believed that Lincoln Park would be a great location for this project and that the
Board of Selectmen should vote on this matter. The Committee was also in favor of the turnoff
time for the lights being 8:30pm with one light pole and the parking lot lights remaining on until
8:45pm to allow participants and their families to return to their vehicles safely.
Rick DeAngelis, Chairman of the Recreation Committee made the following motion: The
Recreation Committee supports the installation of lights at Lincoln #2 with a turnoff time of
8 :30pm with one light pole and the parking lot light remaining on until 8:45pm. Lisah Rhodes
seconded the motion. The Recreation Committee voted 3 -0 to approve.
5. Recreation 5 -Year Capital Plan
Karen Simmons, Director of Recreation and Community Programs, provided an update on the
FY2017- FY2021, 5 -Year Recreation Capital Plan. The FY2017 capital improvement projects are
moving forward as the Community Preservation Committee has approved the requested projects.
Lisah Rhodes will make the presentations at Town Meeting and Rick DeAngelis will serve as the
back -up.
6. Recreation & Community Programs Report
Karen Simmons, Director of Recreation and Community Programs, reported that two bid
openings are scheduled for Friday, December 1 8th: The Marvin Park and Sutherland Park
Basketball Court Reconstruction Project and the Turf Replacement Project at Lincoln #3. The
Pine Meadows Golf Club closed for the season on Sunday, December 13t. Peter Coleman,
Assistant Director of Recreation, reported that the winter program registration opened on
Tuesday, December 151. The staff made it annual budget presentation to the Board of Selectmen
on Friday, December 4h. The In -Town Basketball League has begun and the youth basketball
clinics will begin in early January. The Thursday afternoon and Friday evening ski/snowboard
programs at Nashoba Valley are scheduled to begin the first week in January. The deadline to
submit spring field requests is Friday, January 8th. Recruitment for summer staff is underway and
the application deadline for returning staff is Friday, January 8th and the deadline for new
applicants is Friday, March 11 `h. Mr. Coleman provided a brief update on the status of the
renovation projects at the Clarke Middle School and Diamond Middle School and the impact they
may have on the athletic fields at those locations. Members of the Committee were concerned to
hear that the Recreation and Community Programs Department staff was not included and
involved in discussions more during the planning process of these projects. This is an item that
the Recreation Committee requested to receive monthly updates going forward.
7. Parks Report
Chris Filadoro, DPW Superintendent of Public Grounds, provided the Parks Report. DPW staff
have worked to level -off the access ramp at the Old Reservoir this week. The field crew has been
working on brush cutting and completing sod cutouts at Center #1. There is a tree down at the
Center playground and tree work is scheduled to begin next week. The issue of trash at Lincoln
Park was discussed and Mr. Filadoro reported that staff remove trash from Lincoln Park at least
once per day on weekdays. The issues with the Worthen Road practice field are still in the
process of being resolved.
The next meeting of the Recreation Committee is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, January
20, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in Room 237 of the Lexington Community Center.
The December 16, 2015 meeting of the Recreation Committee adjourned at 8:47 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Peter Coleman
Assistant Director of Recreation
The following documents /exhibits distributed at the meeting are attached:
Proposal for Lights at Lincoln Field #2 presentation slides