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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-08-16-REC-min Town of Lexington Recreation Committee Frederick DeAngelis, Chairman Tel: (781) 698-4800 Christian Boutwell, Vice Chair Fax: (781) 861-2747 Carl Fantasia Lisa O’Brien Claire Sheth Renen Bassik Weiwei Li Recreation Committee Minutes of Meeting August 16, 2023 A meeting of the Recreation Committee was held on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 in person and via Zoom as a hybrid meeting at 6:30pm in Room 237 of the Lexington Community Center. Members Present: Rick DeAngelis, Christian Boutwell Renen Bassik, Weiwei Li, Lisa O’Brien, and Claire Sheth Members Not present: Carl Fantasia Staff Present: Melissa Battite, Director of Recreation and Community Programs, Peter Coleman, Assistant Director of Recreation, Christine Dean, Community Center Director, and Dave Pinsonneault, DPW Director Others Present: Dongling Chen (39 Parker Street, Lexington), Bill Huber (21 April Lane, Lexington), Joseph Lehar (33 Parker Street, Lexington), Kathleen Lenihan (School Committee liaison), Wendy Manz (3 Captain Parker Arms, Lexington), Eric Pearlman (47 Parker Street, Lexington), Jason Penniman (7 Parker Street, Lexington), Helena Petrasso (21 April Lane, Lexington), Richard Petrasso (39 Parker Street, Lexington), Longwei Su (29 Parker Street, Lexington), and Zuoling Wang (29 Parker Street, Lexington) 1. Public Comment Richard Petrasso, resident of 39 Parker Street, made a statement about the new practice boards at the Gallagher Courts. A copy of Mr. Petrasso’s position statement, which was signed by 18 supporters, is attached to the meeting minutes. Mr. Petrasso made two recommendations during his comments. First, he stated that two sound mitigating boards should be placed in the immediate vicinity of the new practice boards as in his opinion, the current design will be ineffective in mitigating sound. The second recommendation is to post signage on the practice boards which says “Tennis only, 9:30am to dusk” since the balls used in other sports (lacrosse, soccer, pickleball, field hockey), can make loud impulsive noises. Joseph Lehar, resident of 33 Parker Street, expressed his strong support for Mr. Petrasso’s letter as he believes the recommendations outlined in the statement are reasonable accommodations. Regarding the ongoing discussion about pickleball, Mr. Lehar is seeking ways to welcome pickleball in Lexington in a fashion that will not lead to endless lawsuits. Mr. Lehar noted that the Select Board is considering to lift noise by-laws to allow for pickleball. Mr. Lehar emphasized that the Parker Street neighborhood is eager to engage with the Committee on this issue. Eric Pearlman, resident of 47 Parker Street, indicated that while court reservations begin at 8:00am, people will often begin using the courts at 7:00am. Mr. Pearlman stated that there is a significant noise difference between a tennis ball and a lacrosse ball and he advised the Committee to think hard about what sports are allowed to use the practice boards. Jason Penniman, resident of 7 Parker 2 Street, and Longwei Su, resident of 29 Parker Street, both expressed their support for Mr. Petrasso’s statement. 2.Meeting Minutes st Renen Bassik moved to approve the minutes from the June 21 meeting and Lisa O’Brien seconded the motion. The Recreation Committee voted 5-0 to approve this motion. Rick th DeAngelis moved to approve the minutes from the July 19 meeting and Christian Boutwell seconded the motion. The Recreation Committee voted 5-0 to approve this motion. 3. Recreation Committee Email Correspondence Claire Sheth reported that emails were received about Bill H.3948, which is a proposed bill in the Massachusetts legislature that if passed, would ban the use of municipal funds for synthetic turf fields. The emails expressed opposition to the proposed bill. Ms. Sheth added that email from the Lexington Pickleball Club (LPC) had been received. LPC has seen its membership continue to grow, the monthly open houses have been successful, and LPC is working with Grace Chapel about potential use of its gym this fall. An email was received about access to Sutherland Park. Emails were also received from the Parker Street abutters concerning the noise dampening measures that will be taken at Gallagher and referenced the possibility of legal action being pursued if the new Gallagher Courts are lined for pickleball. 4. Review Proposed Ad Hoc Land Acquisition Working Group Policy Wendy Manz, resident of 3 Captain Parker Arms and representative from the Housing Partnership Board, presented a draft of the Ad Hoc Land Acquisition Working Group Policy Recommendation to the Committee. A copy of the draft recommendation, with suggested edits from the Conservation Commission’s Land Acquisition Subcommittee, is attached to the meeting minutes. Ms. Manz explained that Conservation has been well-organized and acted very rapidly when new parcels of land become available in town. The purpose of the proposed Ad Hoc Land Acquisition Working Group is to work collectively with representatives from Conservation, Housing, Lexington Public Schools, and Recreation when reviewing the possible acquisition of a property and then make a recommendation to the Select Board. It is believed that this will be a fairer approach regarding potential acquisitions and uses. Ms. Manz stated that the policy recommendation has been reviewed by Conservation and she is looking for suggestions and recommendations from the Committee before this document goes before the Select Board in September. Rick DeAngelis, Chair of the Recreation Committee, thought that the policy is a great idea as it provides a focus on this topic. Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to provide input, feedback, and suggested edits. One suggestion was for the policy to state a member/designee from each Committee (does not need to be the chair). Including a definition of the scope of the group was also mentioned. Renen Bassik asked when it is necessary to form a working group and thought it would be beneficial for the policy to be as specific and positive as possible. Christian Boutwell, Vice Chair of the Recreation Committee, thanked the Housing Partnership for including Recreation in the conversation and asked who will chair this ad hoc group. Ms. Manz said that is still to be determined and also stated that the group may not include a Select Board member. The ad hoc group will have the authority to make recommendations and then the Select Board will make the final decision. Members of the Committee expressed their excitement for moving forward with this collaborative effort. Melissa Battite, Director of Recreation and Community Programs, added that there is often internal competition and conflict for the same land among Town departments, boards, and committees. Having a bigger picture approach will be beneficial for all parties involved. Ms. Manz concluded by saying that she will send the revised version to the Committee before it is presented to the Select Board in September. 39 MARRETT ROAD, LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02421 3 5. FY25-FY29 Capital Summary Statement A draft of the Committee’s FY25-FY29 Capital Summary Statement is attached to the meeting minutes. Christian Boutwell reminded members that this will be the third year that the Committee will have a preface to its 5-Year Capital Plan. This statement serves as a local reminder that the Committee follows a guided process based on fundamental principles when developing its capital plan each year. It is important to note that most capital expenses proposed by the Committee are to maintain level-service (versus new additions or enhancements) and maintain current standards to meet Lexington’s expectations. The statement acknowledges that the new Lexington High School project is the major driver in the near and mid-term. Mr. Boutwell noted that the placeholders will get filled in as the plan comes together and in previous years, the Committee has approved the capital summary statement pending the placeholders are taken care of. Members of the Committee had the opportunity to give feedback and make comments about the information in the statement. Lisa O’Brien said that this statement has been an amazing addition to the capital planning process. Rick DeAngelis added that the statement is a great vehicle to understand what the Committee’s needs are and is a template that can be modified any year based on the needs. Renen Bassik stated that the operational capacity at the athletic fields is currently being exceeded and this overutilization of the fields is unsustainable. Melissa Battite noted that while the new lights at Lincoln #1 and Lincoln #3 will add more hours of play, it will not reduce the field deficit to zero. Mr. Boutwell reiterated that the capital requests ask for the bare minimum and are to maintain the current Recreation infrastructure. The statement serves to answer the question “why are you doing this?” The Committee spent some time discussing the Lexington Public Schools central administration building (“old Harrington”). Melissa Battite informed the Committee that a meeting with Town Manager Jim Malloy, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Julie Hackett, DPW, DPF, and Recreation th staff is scheduled for Thursday, August 17 to discuss this topic. Ms. Battite noted that DPF has money for the demolition of this building in the current 5 year capital requests. Kathleen Lenihan, School Committee liaison, indicated that the School Committee is interested in keeping this land as School property. This would require a land swap at the Center Recreation Complex and until a land swap is finalized, the land at the Center will be lost temporarily or permanently. Ms. Lenihan added that the “old Harrington” property is complicated. The vote will have to be under the jurisdiction of the School Committee because once the School Committee gives up land, it is gone forever. Mr. Boutwell understands the desire to not give up land and this one example illustrates the multi-factoral shell game and its many moving parts that is in play. Ms. Lenihan expressed the School Committee’s desire to meet the needs of students and the Lexington community and that nothing can happen until the Select Board and School Committee discuss this further, which highlights the importance of making a decision on this matter. No vote was taken and the FY25-FY29 Capital Summary Statement will be reviewed during the Committee meeting in September. 6. 5-Year Capital Plan – FY25-FY29 Discussion A copy of the FY2025-FY2029 Capital Improvement Plan Memo is attached to the meeting minutes. Melissa Battite reviewed the memo and capital budget summary sheets included with the memo. For the Pine Meadows clubhouse renovation (ID # Rec-24-1), the project may shift to the DPF budget in the construction year. This has been the case with other building projects, such as the Center Restrooms renovation project, since DPF manages the construction and the Finance Department will make the decision on this. The Harrington project (ID # Rec-CPA-2) may be moved up to FY26, depending on the status of the LPS central administration building. Ms. Battite noted that there are no field renovation projects scheduled beginning in FY27 due to the new Lexington High School project. Rick DeAngelis suggested creating a working group to 39 MARRETT ROAD, LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02421 4 explore other field options, collaborations, and leases once the fields at the Center Recreation Complex go offline and he mentioned the athletic fields at Minuteman High School specifically. A new introduction in the plan calls for a reconstruction of the Valley Courts in FY25 (ID # Rec- CPA-3). These courts were last resurfaced in 2021 and the asphalt is failing. The explanation for this is as asphalt becomes “greener” and is made with more environmentally-friendly materials it has proven to be not as durable. This proposal calls for the installation of post-tension concrete courts at Valley. While there is some additional space available at Valley, the environmental factors and lack of parking at this site will also need to be taken into consideration. The site amenities project (ID # Rec-CPA-3) is being delayed as ARPA funding has been used to purchase shade structures, shelters, bike racks, and park benches in recent years. There is an inclusion for the construction of new pickleball-only courts (ID # Rec-CPA-5). Regarding the fitness stations at Lincoln Park (ID # Rec-CPA-6), Finance will determine if funds from the Public Trust for Land, which has a balance of approximately $800,000-$900,000, can be used for this purpose. Lisa O’Brien, liaison to the Community Preservation Committee (CPC), notified the Committee that the available CPA funds for FY25 will be approximately $8,000,000, which is half of what was available in FY24. This means that all requests put forward will require detailed, thorough justifications. The Lincoln Park Master Plan is scheduled to be presented this fall and will be used in the development of future 5-year capital plans. Progress is being made on completing the various ADA improvement projects. Ms. Battite said that a Town-wide ADA audit in FY25 is in the works. Work will continue on the capital plan in the coming weeks and the Committee will take its vote on the proposed Recreation FY2025-FY2029 5-Year Capital Plan at its September meeting. 7. Recreation & Community Programs Report The August Recreation & Community Programs Report is attached to the meeting minutes. Before the meeting concluded, it was decided that the September Recreation Committee will be a working session focused on two topics: the FY25-FY29 5-Year Capital Plan and discussing, deliberating, and voting on which lining(s) to move forward with at the new Gallagher Courts. The next meeting of the Recreation Committee is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, th September 20 at 6:30pm. th The August 16, 2023 meeting of the Recreation Committee adjourned at 8:51pm. Respectfully submitted, Peter Coleman Assistant Director of Recreation The following documents distributed at the meeting are attached:  Email from Richard Petrasso, dated August 16, 2023  Draft of Ad Hoc Land Acquisition Working Group Policy Recommendation  Draft of Recreation Committee FY2025-FY2029 Capital Summary Statement  FY2025-FY2029 Capital Improvement Plan Memo  August 2023 Recreation & Community Programs Report 39 MARRETT ROAD, LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02421