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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-08-27-REC-min.pdf Town of Lexington Recreation Committee Frederick DeAngelis, Chairman Tel: (781) 698-4800 Claire Sheth, Vice Chair Fax: (781) 861-2747 Renen Bassik Sean Bridgeo Carl Fantasia Andrea Jackson Weiwei Li Recreation Committee Minutes of Meeting August 27, 2025 A meeting of the Recreation Committee was held on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 in person and via Zoom as a hybrid meeting at 7:00pm in Room 237 of the Lexington Community Center. Members Present: Rick DeAngelis, Claire Sheth, Renen Bassik, Sean Bridgeo, Andrea Jackson, Weiwei Li, and Carl Fantasia Staff Present: Melissa Battite, Director of Recreation and Community Programs Peter Coleman, Assistant Director of Recreation Christine Dean, Community Center Director Others Present: Doug Lucente (Select Board liaison), Sarah Carter (School Committee liaison), and several members of the public. 1. Public Comment No advance requests for public comment were received. Chair DeAngelis invited comments from those present. No members of the public elected to speak. 2. July 2025 Meeting Minutes Weiwei Li moved to approve the minutes from the July 16, 2025 meeting and Sean Bridgeo seconded the motion. Vote: 5-0, motion approved. 2 39 MARRETT ROAD, LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02421 3. Letter re: LHS Project The Committee reviewed a draft letter of support regarding the proposed land swap associated with the Lexington High School (LHS) Building Project. Members discussed ensuring the letter addressed the full Select Board, referenced the Recreation Committee as a whole, and included updated membership on the letterhead. Motion: Weiwei Li moved that the Recreation Committee approve sending the letter to the Select Board regarding the proposed land swap associated with the LHS School Building Project, as edited during the August 27, 2025 Recreation Committee meeting and with the addition of listing two new members in the Recreation Committee letterhead. Sean Bridgeo seconded. Vote: 7-0, motion approved. 4. Lexington Little League Donations Melissa Battite presented the request from Lexington Little League to donate foul poles already installed at the existing Little League field at Lincoln Park, and to express intent to contribute towards futur e dugout improvements. The Committee discussed the mechanics of acceptance, potential field configuration changes, and ensuring future donations align with broader capital planning. Motion: Renen Bassik moved that the Recreation Committee supports the donation of new foul poles by Lexington Little League for use at the existing Little League field at Lincoln Park. Andrea Jackson seconded. Vote: 6-0-1 (abstention from Sean Bridgeo as a member of the Little League Board). Motion approved. 5. Overview of SWOT Analysis Vice Chair Claire Sheth reported on progress toward a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis of the Committee’s role and effectiveness. To comply with Open Meeting Law, one -on-one member interviews have been paused. Instead, Sheth will compile stakeholder feedback from liaisons, past members, and town staff, and the Committee will add its own input during a retreat session in October. Members agreed a Doodle poll will be circulated to identify potential dates. 6. FY25 Recreation Committee Annual Report Melissa Battite presented a draft of the FY25 Annual Report, highlighting major capital projects. Committee members suggested adding more information on program participation to balance the capital focus. Motion: Rick DeAngelis moved that the Recreation Committee approve the Recreation Committee FY25 Annual Report as presented, with the addition of programmatic numbers from the Department’s annual report to be included by the Director of Recreation and Community Programs. Renen Bassik seconded. Vote: 7-0, motion approved. 3 39 MARRETT ROAD, LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02421 7. Draft FY27–FY31 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Peter Coleman provided an overview of the draft FY27 –FY31 CIP. The plan remains fluid given interdependencies with the LHS Building Project, potential field relocations, and other active FY26 projects. Highlights included: • Continued investment in golf course equipment and improvements through enterprise funds. • Shifting of outdoor pickleball court plans toward reconstruction of Adams Courts, moving the project to FY28. • Supplemental funding request for Valley Courts reconstruction (FY27). • Ongoing aquatics improvements and ADA enhancements. The finalized plan and project write-ups will be reviewed and voted on at the September meeting. 8. CPC Membership The Committee discussed its representation on the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) for the upcoming year. Motion: Claire Sheth moved that the Recreation Committee nominates Rick DeAngelis, with support from Andrea Jackson, to represent the Recreation Committee on the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) for the upcoming year. Andrea Jackson seconded. Vote: 7-0, motion approved. 9. Recreation & Community Programs Report Melissa Battite shared updates on active projects and operations: • Lincoln Field #2 will be open for permitting by early September, with a ribbon cutting planned for October. • Pine Meadows clubhouse construction is nearing completion, expected to be operational by fall. • Community engagement on the Center Recreation Complex playground and skate park project continues, with design concepts anticipated in October. • Planning is underway for the Community Center’s 10th Anniversary celebration on September 12. 10. Adjourn Claire Sheth moved and Weiwei Li seconded the motion to adjourn. Vote: 7-0, motion approved. The meeting adjourned at 8:46pm. Respectfully submitted, Melinda Spencer Administrative Manager 4 39 MARRETT ROAD, LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02421 Documents Distributed at Meeting: • Draft July 16, 2025 Meeting Minutes • Draft Letter to Select Board re: LHS Project Land Swap • Lexington Little League Donation Materials • Draft FY25 Recreation Committee Annual Report • Draft FY27–FY31 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Summary and Memo • Memo on Membership to the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) • Recreation & Community Programs Report – August 2025 • Recreation Committee Email Correspondence