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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-12-20-REC-minOVS moi? 1775 ti0 APRIL 19' S FX INC111 Frederick DeAngelis, Chairman Lisah Rhodes, Vice Chairman Sandra Shaw Ruixi Yuan Jason Denoncourt Town of Lexington Recreation Committee Recreation Committee Tel: (781) 698-4800 Fax: (781) 862-2747 Minutes of Meeting December 20, 2017 A meeting of the Recreation Committee was held on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at 7:00pm in Room 237 of the Lexington Community Center, 39 Marrett Road, Lexington. Members Present: Rick DeAngelis, Jason Denoncourt, Lisah Rhodes, Sandra Shaw, and Ruixi Yuan Staff Present: Melissa Battite, Director of Recreation and Community Programs, Peter Coleman, Assistant Director of Recreation, and Christine Dean, Community Center Director Others Present: Doug Lucente (Board of Selectmen liaison) and Joe Seidel (Lexington United Soccer Club) 1. Meeting Minutes from November 15, 2017 Ruixi Yuan moved and Jason Denoncourt seconded approval of the Recreation Committee Minutes of November 15, 2017. The Recreation Committee voted 4-0 to approve the minutes of November 15, 2017. 2. Capital s Year Plan The Recreation Committee had an extensive, in-depth conversation about two proposed FY2019 capital improvement projects. These projects are the athletic facility lighting project at the Center Recreation Complex (project 4278) and the Center Track and Field reconstruction project (project 4732). The request for the athletic facility lighting project is $975,000 in Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding and would include lighting upgrades at the Center 41 Baseball Field, Center 42 Softball Field, Gallagher Tennis Courts, Center Basketball Courts, and the Irving H. Mabee Town Pool Complex. The request for the Center Track and Field reconstruction project is $3,340,000 ($2,829,000 in CPA funding) calls for the reconstruction of the track, installation of a new natural grass/synthetic turf hybrid athletic field, installation of a new lighting system, and the installation of new bleachers. Both of these projects have been listed on the Recreation 5 -Year Capital Plan for more than five years. The main points of discussion were how the scope of these projects would be impacted if the proposed funding sources were not approved and what impact a new/renovated Lexington High School (LHS) could have on the Center Recreation Complex in the future. Melissa Battite, Director of Recreation and Community Programs, reported that the Board of Selectmen (BOS), Capital Expenditures Committee (CEC), and Community Preservation Committee (CPC) expressed support for both projects, but would not 2 approve that they move forward until it can be determined that the new LHS will not be located at the Center Recreation Complex. Ms. Battite shared that the conversation about a new LHS has only begun just recently. A joint meeting with the Board of Selectmen and School Committee will be held on Thursday, January 4, 2018 to discuss the Center Recreation Complex and members of the Recreation Committee were strongly encouraged to attend in addition to having two members participate. Rick DeAngelis and Sandra Shaw agreed to represent the Recreation Committee.. Ms. Battite added that if the Recreation capital improvement projects are put on hold for the next 3-5 years, it will have a tremendous impact on the entire community. After providing this overview, the Committee members expressed their thoughts on both projects, starting with project 4278. Rick DeAngelis, Chairman of the Recreation Committee, started by stating that he is a huge believer in recreation assets and that they are as valuable as the schools and other resources within the Town. He added that the lights at Center 41 and Center 42 need to be addressed with at least some short-term repairs. Ms. Battite reported that 34 percent of the bulbs at these fields is currently out and non -operational. Additionally, there is evidence of burning within the panel where the software is located and the software company is no longer in business, so the entire system is in need of an upgrade. Lisah Rhodes, Vice Chairman of the Recreation Committee, stated that in addition to Center 41 and Center 42, the Gallagher Tennis Courts and Center Basketball Courts are always being used and the safety of these participants is paramount. Members of the Committee debated whether any elements of the athletic facility lighting project could be deferred or if the original scope should remain intact. The Committee then discussed project 4732. Ms. Battite indicated that if the track is not replaced, the current track will be removed and a gravel track will be installed in its place. The project calls for replacing the current track with an 8 -lane track since it would be more beneficial for the Town. The Center Track/Field is one of the most heavily used facilities in Lexington as the Recreation and Community Programs Department, Lexington Public Schools, Lexington United Soccer Club (LUSO), Special Olympics, and Lexington Lions Club, as well as walkers, joggers, and runners, all utilize this site throughout the course of the year. The conversation concluded with the Committee discussing the prioritization of the projects. Rick DeAngelis stated that his preference was to proceed with both projects as proposed, including the full, original scope and funding in FY2019. However, if the CEC and CPC deem it difficult to fund both projects in their entirety, the Recreation Committee would recommend moving forward with the lighting upgrades at Center 41 and Center 42 and the reconstruction of the Center Track in FY2019. The remaining components of both projects (lighting upgrades at the Gallagher Tennis Courts, Center Basketball Courts, and Town Pool Complex, and the installation of the hybrid athletic field, new lighting system, and new bleachers at the Center Track/Field) could be deferred to a later date. No vote was taken as this was only a recommendation by the Recreation Committee on how to proceed, if necessary. 3. Reports 39 MARRETT ROAD, LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02421 • Recreation & Community Center Programs Report — Melissa Battite, Peter Coleman, Assistant Director of Recreation, and Christine Dean, Community Center Director, provided the Committee with their monthly updates. The December 2017 Recreation and Community Programs Report is included as an attachment to the minutes. • Parks Report — None The next meeting of the Recreation Committee is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, January 17th, 2018 at 7:00pm in Room 237 of the Lexington Community Center. The December 20, 2017 meeting of the Recreation Committee adjourned at 8: 49pm. Respectfully submitted, Peter Coleman Assistant Director of Recreation The following documents/exhibits distributed at the meeting are attached: • December 2017 Recreation & Community Programs Report 39 MARRETT ROAD, LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02421