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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-05-19-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 Town of Lexington Recreation Committee Minutes of Meeting May 19th, 2026 A meeting of the Recreation Committee was held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 from 7:00 PM to 8:08 PM at the Lexington Community Center, 39 Marrett Road, and via remote participation. Attendance Members Present: Rick DeAngelis (Chair), Claire Sheth (Vice Chair), Renen Bassik, and Weiwei Li Members Absent: Sean Bridgeo, Carl Fantasia, and Andrea Jackson Staff Present: Peter Coleman and Christine Dean Liaisons Present: Doug Lucente (Select Board), Rod Cole (Capital Expenditures Committee), Mona Roy (School Committee), and Sanjay Padaki (Appropriation Committee) Public Present: Guy Jarvis A quorum was present. 2 39 MARRETT ROAD, LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02421 1. Public Comment No public comments were offered. 2. Maple Street Athletic Complex Project Update Peter Coleman provided an update regarding the Maple Street Athletic Complex Project. He explained that bids for the project were opened on April 16, 2026, and that the project came in over budget. Staff have since been working with Procurement and Town financial committees to determine a path forward. Staff recommended proceeding with the acceptance of the base bid submitted by Argus Construction, the same contractor that previously completed the Gallagher Tennis Courts and Farisa Basketball Courts reconstruction projects for the Town. Committee members expressed confidence in the contractor’s prior work quality and experience. Discussion focused primarily on the lighting portion of the project and how it would be funded. Members reviewed the proposal to proceed with the base construction work while seeking supplemental funding for the lighting components through the 2027 Annual Town Meeting process. The Committee discussed how conduit and related infrastructure would still be installed as part of the current project scope so that lighting could be completed later without major reconstruction. Additional discussion included:  The operational need to move the project forward despite the budget overage  Ensuring construction is sequenced appropriately if lighting funding is delayed  Potential use of contingency funds and supplemental appropriations  The importance of field lighting for cricket programming and evening field use Sanjay Padaki raised concerns regarding how the absence of lighting could impact evening cricket use at the facility. Claire Sheth noted that the Committee had already begun discussing alternative funding strategies, including grants, fundraising efforts, and community partnerships similar to prior privately funded lighting projects in Lexington. Motion: Claire Sheth made the following motion: “The Recreation Committee approves proceeding with accepting the base bid from Argus Construction for the Maple Street Athletic Complex Project, in accordance with the bid 3 39 MARRETT ROAD, LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02421 documents and scope of work, with the intent of requesting a supplemental appropriation at the 2027 Annual Town Meeting to complete the lighting work associated with this project." Rick DeAngelis seconded the motion. Vote: 4–0, approved. 3. LHS Building Project Update Peter Coleman provided an update on coordination efforts related to the Lexington High School construction project. Topics discussed included:  Relocation of storage trailers and containers currently within the construction zone  Timing of project mobilization beginning July 1, 2026  Relocation schedule for user group equipment and storage units  Construction sequencing for the Skate Park relocation project  Timeline for the temporary removal and reconstruction of the Skate Park and throwing cage Staff explained that all trailers and containers must be removed from the construction zone by June 22 to avoid delays to the school project. Additional discussion focused on:  The six-week anticipated interruption in Skate Park operations during reconstruction  Parking and circulation impacts near the playground and Skate Park area  Coordination with user groups and athletic organizations during construction No vote was taken. 4. Approval of March 3, 2026 Recreation Committee Minutes The Committee reviewed the March 3, 2026 Recreation Committee meeting minutes. Motion: Renen Bassik moved to approve the minutes from the March 3, 2026 Recreation Committee meeting. 4 39 MARRETT ROAD, LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02421 Claire Sheth seconded the motion. Vote: 4–0, approved. 5. Approval of April 15, 2026 Recreation Committee Minutes The Committee reviewed the April 15, 2026 Recreation Committee meeting minutes. During discussion, Renen Bassik suggested including additional detail in future minutes regarding informational discussions and project updates. Motion: Claire Sheth moved to approve the minutes from the April 15, 2026 Recreation Committee meeting. Rick DeAngelis seconded the motion. Vote: 4–0, approved. 6. Liaison Reports Weiwei Li reported that there had not been a recent meeting of the Lincoln Park Subcommittee and that no major updates were available at this time. Doug Lucente provided a Select Board and Town Meeting update. Discussion included:  Completion of the Annual Town Meeting  Adjustments made to the school budget  Anticipated budget challenges for FY27  Earlier coordination between Town boards and committees regarding future budget planning Committee members also discussed increasing competition for Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding, particularly due to growing housing and historic preservation needs alongside recreation capital projects. No vote was taken. 5 39 MARRETT ROAD, LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02421 7. Recreation Committee Email Correspondence Renen Bassik summarized recent Recreation Committee email correspondence. Topics included:  Resident concerns regarding noise associated with the Adams Courts pickleball expansion project  Questions related to signage and park use rules at Sutherland Woods Playground  Notification regarding the upcoming Adams Courts ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for May 31, 2026 Staff noted that meetings and follow-up conversations with residents were planned. No vote was taken. 8. Recreation & Community Programs Report Peter Coleman and Christine Dean presented updates regarding departmental operations, programs, staffing, and capital projects. Highlights included: Committee & Staff Updates  Weiwei Li’s Recreation Committee term is expiring, and he has applied for reappointment  Melissa Battite received national recognition as one of 250 Public Service Champions by the National Academy of Public Administration  Recreation staff participated in several statewide and national professional conferences and presentations Capital Projects Staff provided updates on several ongoing and upcoming capital projects throughout the Recreation system. 6 39 MARRETT ROAD, LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02421 Lincoln Park Field #3 Peter Coleman reported that the kickoff meeting for the Lincoln Park Field #3 reconstruction project was scheduled for May 20, 2026. Mobilization for construction is expected to begin on June 8, 2026, approximately one week earlier than originally planned in order to ensure completion prior to the start of the fall high school sports season. Substantial completion is anticipated by August 14, 2026, with final completion targeted for August 21, 2026. Staff emphasized the importance of maintaining the accelerated timeline due to the temporary loss of fields associated with the Lexington High School construction project. The Committee also discussed the planned conversion of the current Lincoln Park softball field into a Little League baseball field as part of the broader field reconfiguration effort tied to the high school project. Center Recreation Playground Staff reported that construction of the new Center Recreation Playground is progressing well, with significant site activity already underway. Multiple playground features and structures have been installed, and the project remains on schedule for completion prior to the start of summer camp programming on June 29, 2026. Staff noted that a ribbon-cutting ceremony and formal opening announcement would be planned once construction nears completion. Skate Park Relocation Project Additional updates were provided regarding the skate park relocation project associated with the Lexington High School construction project. Construction mobilization is expected to begin July 1, 2026. The existing skate park will remain operational until approximately mid-September, after which demolition and reconstruction activities will begin. Staff anticipate an approximately six-week interruption in skate park availability before the new facility opens in late October 2026. Following completion of the skate park, the throwing cage relocation project will begin and is expected to continue through November 2026 in preparation for the 2027 spring athletic season. Athletic Field Renovations Staff reported that:  The Bowman Little League Field reopened in May following renovation work  Improvements at Harrington Fields remain ongoing, including conversion work that will result in two softball fields at the site  Irrigation upgrades are currently underway at Franklin and Lincoln Park 7 39 MARRETT ROAD, LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02421 Fitness Equipment Installation Christine Dean reported that the new outdoor fitness equipment for Lincoln Park has been ordered and is currently in transit. Installation will begin following completion of the Center Recreation Playground project, allowing the contractor to transition directly from one project to the next. Parks & Facilities Staff reported:  Restrooms and water fountains are now open for the season  Lexington Little League improvements at Lincoln Field have been completed  Tennis and pickleball memberships sold out for the season, though non-members may still reserve courts individually Committee members discussed ways to better communicate reservation options for tennis and pickleball courts, including possible signage and QR code integration. Aquatics & Programs Additional updates included:  Aquatics staff training and pool preparation for the summer season  Adaptive sports programming participation  Summer camp enrollment trends and operational adjustments  Strong participation in chess tournaments and specialty programming No vote was taken. 9. Next Meeting Date The Committee discussed holding the next Recreation Committee meeting on June 17, 2026. School Committee liaison Mona Roy noted a potential scheduling conflict for School Committee representatives. No formal vote was taken. 10. Adjournment 8 39 MARRETT ROAD, LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02421 Claire Sheth moved and Renen Bassik seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. The Recreation Committee voted 4–0 to approve the motion. The meeting adjourned at 8:08 PM. Summary of Motions # Description Moved By Seconded By Vote 1 Approve proceeding with acceptance of the Argus Construction base bid for the Maple Street Athletic Complex Project Claire Sheth Rick DeAngelis 4–0 2 Approve March 3, 2026 Recreation Committee meeting minutes Renen Bassik Claire Sheth 4–0 3 Approve April 15, 2026 Recreation Committee meeting minutes Claire Sheth Rick DeAngelis 4–0 4 Adjourn meeting Claire Sheth Renen Bassik 4–0 Attachments  May 19, 2026 Recreation Committee Agenda  Maple Street Athletic Complex Project Materials  Recreation & Community Programs Monthly Report  Recreation Committee Email Correspondence (Attachments on file.) Respectfully submitted, Melinda Spencer Administrative Manager