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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) 39 MARRETT ROAD • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02421 (office) 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