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Home My WebLink About1998-03-18-REC-min.pdf e .7. TOWN OF LEXINGTON _1��7�A MASSACHUSETTS ‘,11.[C IAV RECREATION COMMITTEE RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING March 18, 1998 Members Present: Sandra Shaw, Pam Varrin, Don Chisholm, Rick DeAngelis, Paul Keane Staff: Karen Simmons, Jon Jalbert, Brian Gilbert Others Present: Bob McConnell, Lexington Little League AGENDA. 1 Karen amended the agenda to include a presentation from Bob McConnell. 2. The meeting minutes of February 18, 1998 were accepted with the following corrections: on page 2"Jim Austin" should be"Osten", Don Chisholm, not Paul Keane, will preset icle#7 3 Lexington Little League Bob McConnell, representing Little League, presented a request to install an irrigation system at Fitzgerald Little League Field(Center#4). Little League volunteered to pay for the installation plus the water bill. Bob presented the estimated costs from Oasis Lawn Sprinkler of Waltham. The league is looking to make this a tournament field and eventually wants to improve all little league fields, one at a time. Brian Gilbert will assist with and coordinate the project. The group also is requesting that a water bubbler be installed and connected to this system. Brian will look into the costs and Bob will present it to the Little League board to see if they would fund it. Bob will do a firm proposal on the water bubbler, including ADA specifications. Another item to be included in the firmer proposal would be locking wooden boxes for storing rakes, hoses, bases, etc. New England construction would donate their time to build the 2.5 x 5-ft. boxes. The Recreation committee voted to approve the Little League proposal to put in an irrigation system at Center#4 pending approval of the funding by Little League. The committee also approved the installation of the water bubbler and an equipment box at both Fitzgerald and Garfield fields. The Recreation Committee also approved that the 2 wooden boxes be installed at Fitzgerald Field and at Garfield. These two fields will be test sites. Karen stated that this would be a great cooperative project with Little League. Don asked if the fence at the Lincoln Little League field was a dead proposal. Bob said they are planning to put a proposal together later in April. Brian feels that if any fence goes up it must be a temporary fence since other groups use the outfield. Sandra stated that the Recreation Committee is looking for representatives from the youth groups to attend Town Meeting to support Recreation and answer question about the many projects. Also, youth groups should continue to work together to allow as much access to fields as possible. Bob suggested the creation of a Youth Organization Council to join together to form a strong lobby for youth sports. He has already spoken to representatives from lacrosse, hockey, and softball groups. The Recreation Committee feels that this is a great idea. Jon Jalbert volunteered to be the representative from the Recreation Department. Karen is working with a developer near Marvin Park. Linkage could be a possibility for solving the needs and issues for athletic fields. This might be a way to go. Some sites for possible development include the Hartwell Avenue dumpsite, DPW, and Met State. 4 Cross Country Skiing at Pine Meadows Sandra reported that Harvey Bingham had requested that the gate to Pine Meadows be opened for cross-country skiers. Karen feels that the gate should be kept closed in the winter for many reasons. There are two parking spots available for those who would like to ski. Sandra feels that Harvey deserves a response. The Recreation committee agrees that the gate should-lse-keptkocketwhen the course is closed. Karen will respond,--listing— reasons why and thanking him for his input. 5 Warrant Articles Karen Simmons handed out the information on warrants that Don will need. The Sutherland playground is on the reduction list and Karen feels that this $25,000 amount will be cut. The additional amount for the pool reconstruction is on Article 7 and we are requesting the amount be taken out of free cash. Karen is asking for$50,000 out of the Enterprise Fund, instead of$100,000, to defer$50,000 until next year and next year when she will ask for $150,000 Don is concerned about Article#7 since we are asking for funds for a facility that generates fees. Karen said that the Enterprise Fund has been depleted and we are asking for money from free cash. We have to preserve our assets such as the golf course. Don asked if Frank Fields is going to be involved in presenting Article#7 Karen said that Frank feels that Recreation has the expertise to present the article and if his technical expertise is needed, he will help. However, Frank is soon retiring and might not be available. Karen has all the data if Don needs it and should be in touch later this week prior to Monday's Town Meeting. 3 6 Hennessy Field Karen presented a report from W.E. Kuriger Associates regarding Hennessy Field. Don requested some references and credibility of the environmentalist who did this report in Lexington and surrounding areas to go along with this report. Karen asked Pam to write a letter to go along with the report when it is mailed out. Brian said that the Hennessy fight is no longer a fact fight but an emotional one and opinions have been formed. Sandra said that Recreation has not responded and feels that the Minuteman should let us respond in a letter. Karen recommended that the report packet with a cover sheet be handed out to all Town Meeting members. Pam volunteered to write a cover letter The committee feels that a letter should be written as a position paper pulling out the highlights of the report. The entire report will be available for review Karen and Pam will work together on this and send it out in a week or so before April lst Field availability and field usage should be stressed in the cover letter. Rick DeAngelis suggested that Karen get the youth league presidents together to present their views and ask for their support in contacting their Town Meeting members. Karen will invite league board members to an open dialog to discuss Hennessy Field on March 31st at 7.30 p.m. It will be a posted open meeting. 7 Pine Meadows The second well is in and pumping at 55 gallons per minute. The first well is pumping at a rate of 35 gallons per minute. To reach 75,000 gallons per day we would need 50 gallons per minute so we seems to have plenty of water. Right now it's only clean up action. The pond has been dredged and has more storage capacity The management is still working with engineering to ensure a good cleanup. Cart paths at tees 6 and-7 and the#8 green have been completed. Parks is pruning trees and removing a pine tree at the 5th tee. Opening day will be March 20th, weather permitting, or on the following Sunday Bill will post a sign to apologize for the appearance of the construction area. Karen suggested a twilight program for families going out on the first four holes at 7.00 p.m. This could generate more revenue and would be a way of getting families out on the course. 8. Hot Shots Karen reported that the Hot Shots program sponsored by Minuteman Tobacco Education, DARE, and the Recreation Department has begun. About half of the schools have given us support allowing us to participate during the physical education classes. The remainder of the schools will allow us to offer the program either before or after school. Unfortunately, this does not reach all of the children. Paul Keane announced that he had submitted his resignation form the Recreation Committee effective June 30, 1998, and thanked everyone for their support. 4 The meeting was adjourned at 1000 p.m. NEXT MEETING WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1998 ROOM 111