Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-01-05-REC-minFrederick DeAngelis, Chairman Lisah Rhodes, Vice Chairman Sandra Shaw Ruixi Yuan Jason Denoncourt Town of Lexington Recreation Committee Tel: (781) 698 -4800 Fax: (781) 862 -2747 Recreation Committee Minutes of Meeting January 5, 2017 A meeting of the Recreation Committee was held on Thursday, January 5, 2017 at 7:00pm at the Lexington Community Center, 39 Marrett Road, Lexington. Members Present: Rick DeAngelis, Jason Denoncourt, Lisah Rhodes, Sandra Shaw, and Ruixi Yuan Staff Present: Others Present: Karen Simmons, Director of Recreation and Community Programs, Sheila Butts, Community Center Director, Peter Coleman, Assistant Director of Recreation, Carl Valente, Town Manager Melissa Battite, Incoming Director of Recreation and Community Programs, Ellen Cameron (Lexington Council on Aging), Tom Shiple (Lexington United Soccer Club), and Carl Valente, Town Manager 1. Meeting Minutes from December 14, 2016 Lisah Rhodes moved and Sandra Shaw seconded approval of the Recreation Committee Minutes of December 14, 2016. The Recreation Committee voted 4 -0 to approve the minutes of December 14, 2016. 2. Citizens and Other Boards Tom Shiple, President of the Lexington United Soccer Club (LUSC), provided a brief update on the light project at Lincoln Park. To date, LUSC had raised $220,000 in funding for the project and the goal is to raise a total of $550,000. If the fundraising target is met this spring, then LUSC would like for the construction to be completed during the summer so the lights would be available to use during the fall season. Ellen Cameron, liaison to the Lexington Council on Aging, reported that things are well and she's looking forward to the upcoming winter programs. 3. Introduction to the new Director of the Recreation and Community Programs Department Carl Valente, Town Manager, introduced Melissa Battite as the new Director of Recreation and Community Programs to the Recreation Committee. Mr. Valente indicated that this was both a great and a sad time as he had only work with Karen Simmons as the director of the department during his time in Lexington. Mr. Valente provided the Committee with an overview of the extensive recruitment and interview process that had been completed. Between 45 -50 applications were received. There were ten initial screening interviews and three finalists were interviewed by two panels: one consisting of Town staff and one consisting of Town board and committee members. Mr. Valente thanked Lisah Rhodes and Sandra Shaw for serving on the board and committee member panel. After these interviews, Mr. Valente met individually with the three finalists, during which he said the cream rose to the top and he was very grateful that Ms. Battite accepted the position. Ms. Battite will officially begin working for the Town on January 31s` during which she will have a two -week orientation before Ms. Simmons' retirement. Melissa shared that prior to coming to Lexington, she had spent her entire professional career working for the Brookline Recreation Department and she served as the Assistant Recreation 2 Director for the past nine years. She is fortunate to be coming to Lexington and is looking to build upon what Ms. Simmons has established during her time as the Director. She is thrilled to be here and is looking forward to getting to know the community, the staff, and the Committee members. Members of the Recreation Committee then welcomed Ms. Battite. While it is bittersweet to see Ms. Simmons retire, they expressed that they are very much looking forward to working with Ms. Battite moving forward. Carl Valente concluded by saying that this was a stressful process for him given the style and qualities that Karen Simmons has brought to the position. He also stated that he met with members of the Recreation Committee and Department staff prior to the final interviews to discuss what qualities the next director should have. Mr. Valente was pleased that the Recreation Committee members share a common vision and he was impressed by the outstanding staff throughout every level of the department. 4. Recreation Report • Peter Coleman, Assistant Director of Recreation, reminded the Committee that the ski /snowboard programs at Nashoba Valley are beginning this week. There are 149 elementary students in the Thursday afternoon program and there are 189 middle and high school students in the Friday evening program. Mr. Coleman added that summer staff recruitment is underway. The application deadline for returning staff is January 6t'' and the application deadline for new applicants is March 1st • Tyler Radicioni, Recreation Supervisor, reported that the spring field permit application deadline is January 6t'' and it is his hope to have the spring field schedule completed by mid -to -late February. Mr. Radicioni added that the Youth Basketball Clinics, Smart Start Basketball, and Adaptive Basketball programs all begin on Saturday, January 7t''. There are 81 participants in the girls youth basketball clinics this winter. The in -town leagues began in early December. This season, there are eight teams in the 5th /6th grade league, eight teams in the 7t'' /8t'' grade league, and four teams in the high school league. • Sheila Butts, Community Center Director, reported that everything is going well at the Community Center. • Karen Simmons, Director of Recreation and Community Programs, provided the Committee with a capital improvement project update. The Marvin playground and Lincoln #3 turf replacement projects have been completed. The contract for the fence replacement project at the Center Recreation Complex and Muzzey Field has been awarded. The consultant Activitas will oversee the project and this project is scheduled to take place in the winter (weather permitting) and spring. The design phase of the Town Pool renovation project continues and Tom Scarlata from BH +A will be asked to attend Town Meeting to answer any technical questions that are asked. The reconstruction of the 4t'' green at Pine Meadows is scheduled to begin in mid - October. Rick DeAngelis, Chairman of the Recreation Committee, recommended that a meeting in the spring be spent touring the recreation facilities so Ms. Battite and members of the Committee can become more familiar with the recreation infrastructure. The next meeting of the Recreation Committee is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at 7:OOpm in Room 237 of the Lexington Community Center. The January 5, 2017 meeting of the Recreation Committee adjourned at 7: 40pm. Respectfully submitted, Peter Coleman Assistant Director of Recreation 39 MARRETT ROAD, LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02421