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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-07-19-REC-minFrederick DeAngelis, Chairman Lisah Rhodes, Vice Chairman Sandra Shaw Ruixi Yuan Jason Denoncourt Town of Lexington Recreation Committee Recreation Committee Minutes of Meeting of July 19, 2016 Tel: (781) 698 -4800 Fax: (781) 862 -2747 A meeting of the Recreation Committee was held on Tuesday, July 19, 2016 at 5:45pm at the Pine Meadows Golf Club, 255 Cedar Street, Lexington. Members Present: Jason Denoncourt, Lisah Rhodes, Sandra Shaw, and Ruixi Yuan Members Absent: Rick DeAngelis Staff Present: Karen Simmons, Director of Recreation and Community Programs, Sheila Butts, Community Center Director, Peter Coleman, Assistant Director of Recreation, and Laura Drew, Recreation intern Others Present: John Allen, Pine Meadows Golf Club Superintendent The Recreation Committee meeting officially began at 6:OOpm. The meeting acted on the following Items: 1. Citizens and Other Boards — None 2. Review golf course operations and the USGA Report • John Allen, Pine Meadows Golf Club Superintendent, is responsible for the day -to -day operations at the golf course and he reported to the Recreation Committee on the conditions at Pine Meadows, which are excellent. o Mr. Allen emphasized the wonderful relationship that New England Golf Corporation has with the Town of Lexington and this is evident by the condition of the golf course as well as the revenue it generates. New England Golf Corporation strives to provide a good product and fair pricing and the company has managed the day -to -day operations at Pine Meadows for the past 21 years. o The last fiscal year was a particularly strong one financially as revenue for FY2016 ended higher than projected. o The current drought that we are experiencing has increased the stress level on the course and Mr. Allen indicated that while the dry weather is great for business, the course could use a little more rain. o Mr. Allen explained that a considerable amount of work goes into the course each year as work is done on the traps, bunkers, and tee boxes as well as the hole locations being moved. o Mr. Allen explained that during the 21 years that New England Golf has partnered with the Town of Lexington, substantial improvements have been 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420 (mail) 39 MARRETT ROAD • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02421 (office) 2 made. A well was installed several years ago and this has proven to be very beneficial this summer and has enabled his staff to keep the playing conditions at the premium. In recent years, twenty -five new trees have been planted at the course at the recommendation of the USGA. Mr. Allen also discussed the capital improvement project that will be completed on the green of the 4t' hole later this year. Town Meeting approved funding for this project in the spring and the project will improve the health of the 4' green. Mr. Allen and Karen Simmons, Director of Recreation and Community Programs, will work closely with Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator, on this project given the proximity of this hole to the nearby wetland. The project is expected to begin in mid - October and be completed by the end of the year. o Mr. Allen indicated that the Town just began a new 4 year lease for golf carts and that new equipment is always appreciated. Pine Meadows is also partnering with the Recreation and Community Programs Department this week to offer our annual Minuteman Junior Golf program at the course. o Mr. Allen ended by saying that the customers are very satisfied with the condition of the course as staff have received many positive comments so far this season and customers keeping coming back to play more golf. • Karen Simmons, Director of Recreation and Community Programs, and Mr. Allen told the Committee that New England Golf Corporation and the Recreation and Community Programs Department will continue to follow the USGA recommendations, a copy of which was provided to Committee members at an earlier meeting and is attached. 3. Annual Pine Meadows Tour To conclude the meeting, John Allen led the members of the Recreation Committee on a tour of the golf course. The next meeting of the Recreation Committee is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at 7:OOpm in Room 237 of the Lexington Community Center. The July 19, 2016 meeting of the Recreation Committee adjourned at 7: OOpm. Respectfully submitted, Peter Coleman Assistant Director of Recreation The following documents /exhibits distributed at the meeting are attached: • USGA On -Site Visit Report at Pine Meadows — May 25, 2016 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420 (mail) 39 MARRETT ROAD • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02421 (office)