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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-05-21-REC-min.pdf TOWN OF LEXINGTON Il 1st MASSACHUSETTS RECREATION COMMITTEE un RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES May 21, 1997 Members Present: Sandra Shaw, Pam Varrin, Don Chisholm, Rick DeAngelis, Paul Keane Staff Present: Karen Simmons, Brian Gilbert, Jonathan Jalbert Guests: Eva Heney,Lexington Minuteman Larry Kohler AGENDA. 1 Meeting Minutes of February 26, 1997 were accepted. 2. Recreation and Open Space Plan There are concerns about how Recreation is incorporated into the report. Sandra handed out the Planning Board report in regards to this. Language and the ability to apply for grants are concerns. The new updated draft was just received today Karen will make sure that all members receive a copy by the end of the week. Brian met with Tom Sileo and reviewed possible ADA improvements at these sites and this was not included in the updated report. Brian suggested that another report of much smaller grandeur which could address open space plans to enable us to address the grant issue. There are also state level grants available which need to be researched. The Sileo document will be reviewed by next month's meeting. 3 Ballfield Light Committee Report The Committee has raised $90,000 out of the proposed $120,000 They met with Tom Lou regarding structural procedures last week. The soil condition is unfortunate. The preliminary plan is done and the next step will be to take the plan to the contractors to get the best price. The necessary equipment is already at the field. However, the poles are higher than the 40 ft. Maximum so an appeal has been filed with the Board of Appeals for a height of 70 ft. Maximum. The hearing is June 5 at 7.55 pm. Rick feels that there should be significant representation from the Recreation Committee at the hearing. The Board will make a decision that evening. Rick will have a booth at Discovery Day collecting donations, manned by Bobby Nasson and his brother The best case scenario would have the lights on by July 4 Karen feels that the Recreation Committee needs to decide on user fees and times. Karen also stated that there have been problems with the electric bill and is working with Boston Edison. A state of the art timing system which would cover all systems with access codes would cost ( approximately $7500. Karen will look up data on how much it costs per year for the light bill. The costs need to be divided among the groups. Overall the timer would be a cost effective measure and the Enterprise fund may invest to cover the cost and charge the users. We need to make sure the wiring is set up for a timing device in the future. Larry will pick up the Watch Keep System packet from Karen next week. Karen will make it a priority to include it in FY'98. There are some problems regarding the fence at Center#1 which leaves the outfield distance at Center#2 below the ASA minimum of 275 ft. According to Rick the distance is the same as last year, and he does not recall a compromise of 285 ft. last year Karen will set up a time for all parties to go out and look at the distance of the fence. Karen will make the final decision. 4 Brian's Update It has been a slow and difficult spring. The department is short a mower and the grass is getting longer on may fields. A drainage consultant will come in to look at the drainage system that Brian envisions for Worthen Road field. Paul Wentzell will stay on turf issues and not construction issues. The Rindge Tot Lot will be a summer project. Flyers were sent out as with the Garfield project and 2 designs were looked at. The final design bid has not yet been selected. The pool will be ready to open on June 7 The Tennis Court project will begin after school closes. The purchase order and contractor are ready Brian will also look at repairing the Clarke courts. There are some problems with the screens at the tennis courts. 5 Sand Volleyball Court-Update The project is on budget and the court is in. The posts need to be ordered to accommodate the 6" difference between the height for men and women. The Fitness Path needs to be relocated since the court goes through it. No signs will need to be moved. 6. Pine Meadows Update The course has a new mower The USGA is coming in the first week in June and again in September to do a greens evaluation at a cost of$1500. They will look at the condition of the course, maintenance procedures and program, evaluate the turf and layering, and the cultural aspects of the course. A large fir tree at the 9th hole was lost during the April storm and will be replaced by 7 smaller fine trees. The#5 car path was going to be done, but the bids are too high with the current spending freeze. In the next year we should budget to resurface the#1 cart path and on#8 pull up the asphalt on the fairway up toward the green. This year we haven't yet had the warm weather to get the greens growing. Karen spoke with John Allen about the soft spikes and the 10,000 soft spike donations to clubs who convert to soft spikes. Brian is concerned about converting immediately to soft spikes to help save the greens and suggested offering a discount for soft spikes for now Rick suggested an educational aspect of soft spikes and replacing ball marks would be better on the greens. The Recreation Committee likes the idea of encouraging the use of soft spikes until 1998 when they would consider them to be mandatory Brian and Karen will check with Bill Harrison on this issue to promote the care of the greens. Bill Harrison called Karen to request a pass system be developed for companies to sell in bulk with an expiration date at the end of the season. There have been a number of calls regarding the fact that junior lessons and clinics will not be happening this year Bill is making a flyer available for Discovery Day and the Recreation Department is also running a Junior Golf League. Karen recommended that the Next meeting be at Pine Meadows. The first sign is up and is looks very nice. The fairway markers should be installed completely by the end of the week. Overall everyone is pleased with Pine Meadows. 7 Karen's Update The pool is opening June 7 We are expanding the Tennis Program this summer and reviewing all programs. Jon is doing a great job with running the Sports for All program. We have been successful with collaborative programs with the COA including the Police Department youth diversion. 8. Discovery Day The volunteers are: Pam Varrin 2:00 - 4.00 pm Paul Keane 11.00 am- 2:00 pm Don Chisholm 10.00 am- 2:00 pm The Meeting was adjourned. l NEXT MEETING WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 1997 6.30 PM AT PINE MEADOWS