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Home My WebLink About1998-02-18-REC-min.pdf TOWN OF LEXINGTON a� MASSACHUSETTS ` 3 � RECREATION COMMITTEE APItILIM .Z' RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES February 18, 1998 Members Present: Sandra Shaw, Pam Varrin, Don Chisholm, Rick DeAngelis, Paul Keane Staff Present: Karen Simmons, Jon Jalbert, Brian Gilbert Others Present: Citizens from the Worthen Road area; supporters of the Center lights; Eva Heney of the Lexington Minuteman AGENDA. 1 Citizens and other boards Lynne Wilson of the Lincoln Field Sub-committee presented a draft of a proposal by a local group home for a fundraiser on May 16 from 10.00 a.m. to noon. The"Pledge to Walk Around the Lincoln Park Fitness Path" would involve establishing corporate sponsorships, and citizen involvement to give money, in-kind donations, and to pledge to walk around the fitness course. The clients at the home would vote on how the money raised would be spent at the Fitness Path. Lynne is looking for Recreation Committee approval. She will also speak with Brian Gilbert for his input. The Recreation Committee voted to support this fundraiser 2. The meeting minutes from January 21, 1998 were approved. 3 Center Lights Karen Simmons sent a letter to property owners in the neighborhood surrounding the Center Fields inviting them to attend the meeting or to send a letter noting their concerns. Nell Walker of Baskin Road questioned who put in the original lights and whether or not the new lights have been shielded or if they have been aimed. Rick DeAngelis replied that the old lights have been fixed as part of the recent project and that the focus of the shine of the lights will be assesses from year to year Sandra stated that the Recreation Committee wants to hear people's concerns with the lights. Nick Santosuosso stated that the old softball lights were dangerous, but the new 2 lights are far superior Bill Brenchick said that he was amazed at how bright the lights were when he was driving down Lincoln Street to Worthen Road. Dick Perry requested that the lights be able to stay on until 10:30 p.m. with games starting at 7.30 p.m. For the August playoff games, they would request lights on until 11.00 p.m. in order to get in more games and allow for extra innings needed to break a tie. Rick said that in August double headers they would need lights until 1045, not 11.00 p.m. Dick said they could possibly turn off the lights earlier if a game ended sooner by calling into the computer system. Pam Varrin asked if it were possible to adjust the lights if they shine incorrectly and be moved to be corrected. Jim Alibrandi of Interstate Electric, stated you cannot move the fixtures and they have already replaced and fixed the old system. Larry Kohler feels we should do this for the youth of Lexington and urged the Recreation Committee to keep the lights on later to benefit the kids. Pam stated that we are also looking at the community as spectators. Peter Kelley stated that we have created a community gathering place of baseball, our own field of dreams. Pam referred to the letter complaining about the noise level from the games and from the carnival. Harvey Bines said he was concerned that the lights could go out before the teams had completed their games and people could get hurt. The lights are as asset and should be treated seriously, and there should be flexibility for the playoffs. Harold Laye invited the committee members to come down and watch a game. Sandra made a motion that the Recreation Committee recommend that the lights be turned off at 10:30 p.m. during the regular season, and at 1045 p.m. during August playoff games. The Recreation Committee voted to approve this motion and the recommendation will be presented to the Board of Selectmen. Jim Aust2tasked if this extension would be considered for the softball lights also and Karen said it would. Rick said that we will not abuse this system. Pam said that the new technology would enable us to program the lights and shut them off for rain, etc. Sandra, Karen and Rick will go before the Board of Selectmen to present the recommendation. 4 Town Meeting Assignment of Articles: #7- $80,00 supplemental request for the pool complex-Pay mn'eme j oi‘ CLS Pam said we should know why we are asking for tax levy funds when the pool is a fee- generating eegenerating facility Karen said that it is because the Enterprise Fund is depleted and we would have to defer the other two articles. The costs have almost double over the actual estimated report. #21- Pine Meadows equipment- Rick DeAngelis Brian suggested that Rick join Brian and John Allen when they look at equipment in about a week and a half. #2-Presentation of the Recreation Committee report- Sandra Shaw 3 #22- Sutherland Park-Don Chisholm 5 Citizen Article#46-Hennessy Field Sandra does not want the Town to turn all this land over to Conservation. She feels that we should try to divide the property with Conservation to keep our options open for the future. Brian will be hiring a firm to do an evaluation on the Hennessy Land. Karen wants to have a back up plan for a possible amendment to keep the option for development in the future depending on the needs of the community Don feels that this should not have to go to Town Meeting and wonders what the procedure is by law Karen will try to get clarification from Norm Cohen. Don suggested that we talk to Bob Bowyer about this issue and consider other options in addition to what past policy states. Sandra said that we as a committee agreed to keep this land for recreational purposes and we should try to keep it. There are no immediate plans to change the land into a field or parking lot. A soccer field is close to two acres and the parcel is ten acres. Rick said that Recreation has no intention of developing the Hennessy Field at this time and the land should remain with recreation. Karen suggested that the Recreation Committee write a letter to the Board of Selectmen asking for their support. Sandra along with Pam's assistance will write the letter to the Board of Selectmen. 6. Karen's Report Karen stated she would be getting fmal approval on the fee schedule on Monday evening at the Selectmen's meeting. She has started interviewing for summer positions and still needs an aquatics manager She has received a call from Aquatic Technology Control and they are concerned about pondweed growing in the reservoir. We need to treat the Old Res at a cost of$3,200 for the project, plus $1000—$1500 just to present this case to the Conservation Committee. Rick asked if these people could tell us what to expect so that we can anticipate the costs in the future. Brian said that we should be able to anticipate costs and get permits ahead of time to deal with these issues. Karen said she would stay on top of this. Rick asked if she would ever consider running a skating program at the Res. Karen replied that the season is too unpredictable with the weather Karen said that she would like to dedicate a Tee sign at Pine Meadows to Vicki Movsessian, a member of the Olympic Gold Medal Women's Ice Hockey Team. The Recreation Committee members agreed that it was a great idea. 7 Brian's Report Permanent soccer goals have been built and will be installed at Harrington#3 Brian and Karen will meet next week regarding Minuteman Tech. They are also investigating options for safety in the fall zone surrounding the high diving board. Parks is building six picnic tables according to ADA guidelines. Signs are being replaced at Kinneen and Garfield playgrounds and all the fields and baseball diamonds are being numbered. Brian is still working on proposal plans on Hennessy for Karen. Brian estimates that the tennis court repairs at Clarke will cost$9000 and the fence repair another $3000 4 At Pine Meadows the dredging has been completed, one well is 95% completed, and the electrical work is 60% completed. The remaining wells has not yet been started. With the dredging there is one foot depth of silt removed. Overall the course looks good. Projects competed since the fall include: straightening the backstop at Diamond, installing the fence at Center#4, rebuilding the softball field at Harrington, rebuilding both Lincoln#2 and Harrington#2, and installing drainage at Worthen Road field. Brian feels the committee should consider the gift policy because of the cost issues with projects such as Adams Field that will add costs to his budget. To keep this field in a quality state will cost a lot. Pam agreed with Brian and would like to see something presented to the Recreation Committee. Karen also agreed that we need to look at the operational costs the impact on the budget and whether or not we need to increase our field use fees. The meeting was adjourned at 9.45 p.m. NEXT MEETING MARCH 18, 1998 7.30 P.M. ROOM G-15