HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-05-20-REC-min.pdf A Town of Lexington
`� ;'° Recreation Committee
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Sandra Shaw, Chairman Tel: (781) 862-0500 x262
Pamela Varrin,Vice Chairman Fax: (781) 863-2350
Frederick DeAngelis
Donald A. Chisholm 1
Paul Keane v,,C/-
RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES ,ot(
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May 20, 1998
Members Present: Sandra Shaw, Pam Varrin, Don Chisholm, Paul Keane
Staff Present: Karen Simmons, Jon Jalbert
AGENDA.
1 The minutes of April 22, 1998 were approved after corrections were made to the
second paragraph on page two, which should now read: "The Recreation Committee had
a brief discussion about the recent increase in demands made upon Recreation by LYS.
The Committee members are concerned about the tone and working relationship with the
representative of the new board."
2. Center ball fields#1 and#2
Karen Simmons reported that the new lighting system has been installed but there are still
some problems that need to be addressed. The problems are expected to continue until the
system is completely set in place. Paul Keane asked who is able to override the system
manually Karen said that she and Jon are able to override the system and that the
company has been very helpful with customer service. Steve Hatch has also assisted.
Steve has given a key to Dick Perry so that he can also do a manual override.
Pam stated that her son Matthew is having trouble getting into the Center field#4 (in his
wheelchair)because there is a telephone pole in the way She asked if the pole could be
removed and questioned whether or not the fence was extended out too far. Karen, Brian
and Paul will go over to the field and see what can be done. Pam also brought to the
committee's attention the fact that the water fountain at the track had sunk into the
ground creating a lip around it. Jon suggested that,based upon his experiences, Matthew
might have some input into the skateboard design in regards to ADA accessibility
Brian asked whether or not anyone knew what the aluminum poles on Center#1 were.
No one present had this information.
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02173
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3. Muzzey Field
The Town of Lexington Engineering Department has staked out the property line for the
survey Brian has met with the landscape architect and has requested spouts so that the
sprinklers come out at the right level. An issue that must be addressed is how the water
will be tapped. Tapping into the fire hydrants on Mass Ave. and at Muzzey might be the
best option. Brian said that he would suggest to Dick Thuma of LYS that he get his own
contractor to install the system. One problem that arises is the digging of trenches in
front of the Muzzey Condominium property and on Town property Brian requested that
a letter from the Recreation Committee be sent to Muzzey Condo residents informing
them of the project. Sandra said that once a letter including all of the details is drafted,
the Recreation Committee would revise the letter. Karen asked if the irrigation system at
Adams were working. Brian said that it had not been tested yet, but he will make sure it
is tested before it gets turned over to the town.
Paul stated that last Friday the girls' lacrosse team tore up Lincoln field. He called Karen
and spoke with Jon about the situation. Brian said that he has been having problems for
the past five years with the coaches and the Athletic Department. Karen said that she had
spoken with Brian McNally, and that if the fields continue to be torn up, the Athletic
Department would have to pay for damages in the future. Don suggested that either
Brian or Karen notify Brian McNally and the coaches when the fields are not available
because of rain. If the damage does continue,then it may have to come to a situation of
charging for damages. Pam stated that this relates to the field maintenance issues. A
field maintenance plan that gives structure and policy to users and to DPW is needed.
This might help out financially and even ease the workload that is increasing because of
the expectations of the users. Paul asked Brian if he would consider using the cemetery
crew to assist the turf crew for maintenance. Brian said it would depend upon finding a
window of opportunity That could possibly happen in the fall when things ease up.
Paul stated that a maintenance plan for the fields needs to be developed and held onto.
Otherwise both foresight and money would be lost in the long run. The plans need to
include all of the parties involved. Pam agrees that the committee needs to be more
productive on this issue. A clear sense of how the league proposals fit into the
committee's plan for field maintenance needs to be established. Sandra also believes that
a firmer field policy is needed.
Sandra asked what the next step should be. Don responded by saying that an inventory
should be taken of all the fields and their needs. Brian said that although it has been
done in the past, taking an inventory is not an easy task. A large number of variables
must be taken into consideration. Karen recommended bringing a flip chart to the next
meeting to outline all of the variables. Karen feels that the committee should look at all
of the policies regarding fields. She suggested that there be a baseline service fee. Other
expenses would be added for additional features. Pam listed some of the variables such
as irrigation, manpower,user demand,the revenues from out of town being restricted
because of numbers, fines, shared responsibility funding,high vs. low maintenance sites,
permanent vs. portable goals, scheduling and maintenance, the football field, and public
relations. The variables will be put on the agenda for the next meeting. Brian will get
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everyone a copy of the old report on field use. Everyone was instructed to look over the
report before the next meeting.
4 Pine Meadows
Pine Meadows has been doing very well this year,with an increase in rounds compared
to last year. The wells are in. Brian and Karen met with the USGA and are waiting for
their written report. The traps on the first hole have been rebuilt. The next Recreation
Committee meetings will be on June 17th at Town Hall and then on July 22"d at Pine
Meadows. Jon will coordinate the meeting on July 22""
5. Karen suggested that the committee look over the policy on watering the fields. The
committee needs to be consistent across the board. Pam stated that the"haves"and"have
nots"need to be kept in mind. This is a sensitive issue. Representatives from the
leagues could be invited once the committee has developed a policy and has put in their
own thoughts.
6. Clarke Tennis Courts
Brian stated that he expects that in three years the same problems on the courts will arise
once again. The cost of repairs so far is $5-6,000. This is only a patch job because of the
wet location and the lack of a real foundation.
7 Skateboard Park
The committee would like a representative of the Skateboard/Inline Park Committee to
come to the Recreation Committee meeting with updates. The committee agreed that an
informed presentation on a site would be fine as long as the reasons for the choice were
stated.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 p.m.
NEXT MEETING- WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 1998
7.30 P.M.
ROOM G-15