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Home My WebLink About2026-09-16-REC-min.pdfSRN 1775 Cv aS= 3� i APRIL 19' FXINGS A Frederick DeAngelis, Chairman Claire Sheth, Vice Chair Renen Bassik Sean Bridgeo Carl Fantasia Andrea Jackson Weiwei Li Town of Lexington Recreation Committee Town of Lexington Recreation Committee Minutes of Meeting September 16th, 2026 Tel: (781) 698-4800 Fax: (781) 861-2747 A meeting of the Recreation Committee was held on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, from 7:00 PM to 8:37 PM. The meeting was held at the Lexington Police Station, 1575 Massachusetts Avenue, with remote participation available. Attendance Members Present: Rick DeAngelis (Chair), Claire Sheth (Vice Chair), Sean Bridgeo, Andrea Jackson, and Weiwei Li Members Absent: Renen Bassik and Carl Fantasia Staff Present: Melissa Termine Battite, Nick Burke, Peter Coleman, Joel Custance, and Christine Dean Public Present: Andrea Donahue, Jamie Donahue, Doreen Karoll, Mona Roy, and William Yang A quorum was present. Introduction of DPW Superintendent of Public Grounds and Assistant Public Grounds Superintendent Peter Coleman introduced Joel Custance, Superintendent of Public Grounds, and Nick Burke, Assistant Superintendent of Public Grounds. 2 Custance provided an overview of his history with the Town, noting that he began with the Tree Department approximately 40 years ago before moving into the Public Grounds Division. Burke shared that he has worked for DPW for approximately 14 years and has worked closely with Recreation and Community Programs on field and facility operations. The Recreation Committee welcomed Custance and Burke to their new roles. Maple Street Park Signage/Name Melissa Termine Battite introduced a discussion regarding the future name of the new recreation facility being developed on Maple Street. With the facility anticipated to open in spring or early summer 2027, staff requested Committee feedback regarding whether the property should be identified as a park, complex, or another name Committee members discussed the relationship of the property to the existing Harrington facilities and whether the Harrington name should be incorporated. Members also discussed the use of "park" versus "complex," given the variety of recreational amenities planned for the site. Staff will conduct additional research regarding the history of the Harrington name and return to the Committee for further discussion. No vote was taken. Eagle Scout Proposal — Gallagher Tennis Court Benches William Yang, a Life Scout with Lexington Troop 10 and a Lexington High School varsity tennis player, presented his proposed Eagle Scout project to construct six wooden benches for the Gallagher Tennis Courts. Yang explained that the courts currently lack seating for players, coaches, and family members. The proposed benches would provide seating during changeovers and allow players to keep equipment and water bottles off the court surface. Six weather -resistant wooden benches are proposed for Courts 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, and 9. Committee members discussed the proposed materials, weather resistance, maintenance, placement, mobility, and installation schedule. DPW Public Grounds staff recommended coordinating material selection and finishing methods to maximize the useful life of the benches. Motion: Rick DeAngelis made the following motion: "The Recreation Committee moves to accept the proposal from William Yang to build six benches at the Gallagher Tennis Courts of the size and shape shown in the materials and that there will be coordination between Mr. Yang and the DPW Public Grounds Department on the selection of materials and other things related to that." 39 MARRETT ROAD, LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02421 3 Claire Sheth seconded the motion. The Recreation Committee voted 5-0 to approve the motion. Girl Scout Gold Award Project — Sports Equipment Jamie Donahue presented her Girl Scout Gold Award project focused on reducing waste, reusing athletic equipment, and helping reduce the cost of participating in sports. Donation bins were placed at several locations throughout Lexington to collect used sports equipment. More than 421 items were collected prior to the project's first distribution event at the Community Center. More than 130 people and families attended based on completed checkout forms, with additional attendees who did not complete the form. Donahue plans to hold a second distribution event at the Community Center in November. The project is intended to continue through partnerships with local organizations following completion of her Gold Award. The Committee thanked Donahue for her work. No vote was required. Recreation and Community Programs FY2028-FY2032 Capital Summary Peter Coleman presented the Recreation and Community Programs FY2028-FY2032 five-year capital plan, focusing on seven projects proposed for FY2028. The FY2028 requests include improvements at Pine Meadows Golf Club, a golf course feasibility plan, athletic field improvements at the Center #1 baseball field/Center #2 softball field/Lincoln Little League field, lighting at the Maple Street project, replacement of the Lincoln Park playground, supplemental funding request for the reconstruction of the Valley Courts, and repairs and improvements to the Town Pool Complex. The total FY2028 request is approximately $2.926 million, consisting of approximately $191,000 from Recreation Enterprise Fund retained earnings and $2.735 million in Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding. The Committee discussed the proposed projects and their funding sources. Staff noted that the Valley Courts figure shown in the capital summary includes funding previously appropriated, with the new FY2028 supplemental request totaling $380,000. The proposed Lincoln Park playground project would replace playground equipment and safety surfacing that have exceeded their useful lives. Staff anticipates holding two community 39 MARRETT ROAD, LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02421 4 meetings during the fall to gather feedback on potential designs, with a final design expected to be presented to the Recreation Committee in December. The Committee also discussed the importance of proposed Town Pool improvements. Staff identified repairs to the Garrity Pool and Dive Pool as a priority due to aging infrastructure and the importance of the facilities to overall aquatics operations. Future capital planning also includes separate projects for resurfacing the Center Track and replacing the synthetic turf field inside of the Center Track. Staff explained that the projects have been separated due to differing anticipated useful lives and funding eligibility. Motion: Rick DeAngelis made the following motion: "The Recreation Committee approves the Recreation and Community Programs FY2028-FY2032 Capital Summary." Sean Bridgeo seconded the motion. The Recreation Committee voted 5-0 to approve the motion. FY2026 Annual Report The Committee reviewed the Recreation Committee's FY2026 Annual Report. Members had no additional edits to the draft. The Committee also discussed coordinating a group photograph for inclusion with the Annual Report. Motion: Rick DeAngelis made the following motion: "The Recreation Committee approves the Recreation Committee's FY2026 Annual Report and submits it as written." Claire Sheth seconded the motion. The Recreation Committee voted 5-0 to approve the motion. Public Comment No public comments were received. 39 MARRETT ROAD, LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02421 5 Lexington High School Building Project The Committee discussed the Lexington High School Building Project following the recent groundbreaking ceremony. Melissa Termine Battite reported that the Skate Park is currently offline and is anticipated to reopen in its new location by the end of October. Once the Skate Park work is completed, parking spaces currently unavailable in the Park Drive area are expected to reopen. Nick Burke raised a concern regarding DPW access to the athletic fields during construction. Public Grounds staff are currently required to access the baseball and softball fields through the playground area with maintenance vehicles and equipment. Staff will coordinate with the appropriate departments regarding improved maintenance access as construction progresses. Approval of August 19, 2026 Meeting Minutes Sean Bridgeo moved to approve the minutes from the August 19, 2026 Recreation Committee meeting. Weiwei Li seconded the motion. The Recreation Committee voted 5-0 to approve the motion. Liaison Reports and Committee Emails The Committee discussed ongoing concerns regarding pickleball activity at Adams Park, particularly early -morning play and associated noise impacts on nearby residents. Staff reported that permitted court use begins at 8:00 AM; however, individuals may access the courts without permits during general park hours. Staff previously sent communication to tennis and pickleball members reminding users of permitted hours, appropriate court use, and restrictions on private and semi -private lessons. The Committee discussed installing clearer signage identifying appropriate hours of use at the courts. Members agreed that signage would help eliminate confusion regarding allowable hours and provide clear information for both members and walk-on users. Staff will explore signage and additional community outreach regarding appropriate court use. 39 MARRETT ROAD, LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02421 6 Recreation and Community Programs Report Melissa Termine Battite reported that the Center Playground ribbon cutting ceremony was held on September 3, with approximately 200 attendees throughout the event. Battite also provided an update regarding the proposal to name the Center #1 Baseball Field in honor of Rick DeAngelis. The proposal is anticipated to be presented to the Select Board for further discussion and consideration. Committee membership terms were also discussed. Members were reminded to be aware of upcoming term expirations and reappointment timelines. The utility box artwork at Lincoln Park has been completed. Staff reported positive feedback regarding the artwork and its representation of the broader uses of Lincoln Park. Staff also discussed an increase in community concerns regarding e -bikes at recreation facilities, including Center Recreation Complex, Lincoln Park, and the Center Track. The Lexington Police Department is addressing these concerns through education and additional patrols. Peter Coleman reported that fall recreation programming is underway. Flag football has approximately 225 participants and department staff are compiling FY2026 performance measurements and finalizing the Department's Annual Report. The Town Pool closed for the season on August 30. DPW has begun winterizing the facility, with the process anticipated to be completed by mid-October. Lincoln Park Field #3 opened for fall sports on August 24. Staff reported positive feedback regarding the field's playability. Christine Dean provided an update on Community Center capital improvements. The slate roof replacement project is ongoing, while the flooring replacement project is progressing ahead of schedule. New flooring is being installed throughout common areas and hallways. Staff have continued to accommodate fall programming while the construction projects are underway. The Committee also discussed anticipated impacts of the Lexington High School Building Project on high school baseball and softball field availability. Sean Bridgeo raised concerns regarding the timing of converting the existing Lincoln Park softball field to a Little League field while high school teams are temporarily displaced. Staff noted that previous planning anticipated varsity and junior varsity teams sharing available fields during the construction period. The Committee requested additional information from the Lexington High School Athletic Department regarding anticipated spring field usage and transportation needs. 39 MARRETT ROAD, LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02421 7 Adjournment Rick DeAngelis moved to adjourn the meeting. Sean Bridgeo seconded the motion. The Recreation Committee voted 5-0 to approve the motion. The meeting adjourned at 8:37 PM. Summary of Motions Motion Accept the proposal from William Yang to build six benches at the Gallagher Tennis Courts, with coordination between Mr. Yang and DPW Public Grounds regarding materials and related matters Approve the Recreation and Community Programs FY2028-FY2032 Capital Summary Approve the Recreation Committee's FY2026 Annual Report and submit it as written Approve the August 19, 2026 Recreation Committee meeting minutes Adjourn the meeting Moved By Rick DeAngelis Rick DeAngelis Rick DeAngelis Sean Bridgeo Rick DeAngelis 39 MARRETT ROAD, LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02421 Seconded Vote By Claire Sheth 5-0 Sean Bridgeo 5-0 Claire Sheth 5-0 Weiwei Li 5-0 Sean Bridgeo 5-0