Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-06-17-REC-min lOvs MOBp�'Y pQ IT]5 G x Town of Lexington Recreation Committee ,s b APPIL19 S FX INC, Frederick DeAngelis, Chairman Tel: (781) 698-4800 Lisah Rhodes, Vice Chair Fax: (781) 861-2747 Lisa O'Brien Ruixi(Ray) Yuan Francesca Pfrommer Recreation Committee Minutes of Meeting June 17, 2020 A virtual meeting of the Recreation Committee was held on Wednesday,June 17,2020 at 6:30pm through the Zoom platform. Members Present: Rick DeAngelis,Lisah Rhodes,Lisa O'Brien,Francesca Pfrommer, and Ruixi Yuan Staff Present: Peter Coleman,Assistant Director of Recreation, Christine Dean, Community Center Director,Thomas Romano,Community Center Youth and Family Program Coordinator Others Present: Meredith Applegate (42 Reed Street, Lexington), Suzie Barry(Select Board liaison), Tim Clackson (14 Winthrop Road, Lexington), Eileen Jay(School Committee liaison), and Ellen Cameron(Council on Aging liaison) 1. Meeting Minutes from June 2,2020 Francesca Pfrommer moved and Ruixi Yuan seconded the approval of the Committee Minutes of May 20th. The Recreation Committee voted 4-0 to approve the June 2 minutes. 2. Public Comment—None 3. Liaison Reports Ellen Cameron, liaison to the Council on Aging,reported that things are going well with Senior Services and many virtual classes are being offered and filling. Francesca Pfrommer inquired about the senior population and their vulnerability to feel isolated right now. Ellen discussed the phone check-ins, Meals on Wheels, mask delivery,resource guides,newsletters, and postcards for assistance that the Human Services Department is providing. Eileen Jay, liaison to the School Committee,reported that return to school in the fall presents many unknowns. Discussions suggest different scenarios,including a hybrid in-person and remote model; 1 week of in-person instruction and 1 week off, and 2 days in-person and 2 days remote per week. 4. Committee Email Protocols Lisa O'Brien presented a draft of protocols for the new Committee email account. Francesca suggested changing the word "feedback"to acknowledge other types of inquiries, and to change "shortly"to "a few days." Suzie Barry mentioned that the Select Board account has a way to send a text message when an email arrives. She also suggested removing the next meeting date and instead directing people to the Public Meetings calendar. She added the idea of including a link to sign up for the Recreation e-newsletter. Eileen Jay explained that the emails to the School Committee goes to all members,but then there is one designated Clerk who responds. She did caution against setting up an automated response and suggested instead, to respond personally with a message that that says something to the effect of"we will look into this and get back to you." Ellen Cameron inquired if there was a place to write and leave a comment as opposed to email. Christine Dean responded that there is a comment box at the Community Center that 2 could be dual purpose for Recreation Committee inquiries. After discussion,the group agreed to make some changes to the proposed protocol and revisit next meeting. The inbox will be monitored in the meantime. 5. Graduating Seniors Celebration Request Resident Brenda Favazzo requested via email to hang 3 banners on the fence behind home plate at Center I to honor the graduating LHS baseball players. They will be removed after the drive thru graduation ceremony on Monday, June 29. Rick DeAngelis moved to ratify the request, Francesca Pfrommer seconded the motion. The Recreation Committee voted 5-0 to approve the request. Resident Andrew McGovern requested via email to hold an overnight campout at Lexington's Center Track in July or August. The request was for an estimated 10 participants from the LHS Track and Field Team. Rick DeAngelis questioned if there is anything in the field policy that restricts food or beverages to be consumed on the track. He went on to add that the Town Manager and the Select Board would need to be consulted on such a request. He also shared concerns about tent stakes being driven into the brand new synthetic turf field. Ellen Cameron brought up the concern of the current pandemic and suggested that the Health Department would need to approve such an activity. Peter Coleman shared with the group that the Town Manager's Office is not currently permitting any special use requests on Town property until further notice. Rick DeAngelis stated that the Committee was not prepared to vote on this request until additional information is available. Peter suggested delaying a decision for the time being,but staying in touch with Mr. McGovern as more information becomes available. 6. Phased Reopening Discussion and Updates Peter Coleman presented the June 16'draft of the Path to RECovery—Restoration of Services. A copy of the plan is attached to the meeting minutes. Mr. Coleman explained that as group sizes and phases change, the Path to RECovery will continue to be updated and revised. He reviewed the current status for tennis opening. He then shared the plans to reopen playgrounds in Lexington. On June 15, the Lexington Board of Health voted to approve reopening of playgrounds,pending approval of signage by the Health Director. The Board acknowledged that the opening would be with the understanding that no additional cleaning measures would be taken and that personal responsibility on the part of users would be necessary. Rick DeAngelis made a motion to support opening playgrounds to the public in Phase B as shown provided participants follow the guidelines provided. Lisa O'Brien seconded the motion. In her capacity as liaison to the School Committee, Eileen Jay asked if there was any conversation at the Board of Health meeting regarding social distancing and the difficulty for young children to follow the guidelines imposed. Christine Dean,who attended the BOH meeting, stated that most of the conversation was around individual responsibility on the part of the users and their parents. Rick DeAngelis moved to vote. At this time in the meeting, two members had left: Lisa O'Brien and Ruixi Yuan. The Recreation Committee voted 2—I to approve this motion. Peter Coleman reviewed the Department's plans to reopen field permitting and use,beginning with Lincoln Park the week of June 22nd and the Center Complex the week of June 29th. The remainder of the fields will be considered for reopening after the July 4th holiday. 7. Recreation, Community Programs, &Parks Report Peter Coleman, Assistant Director of Recreation, and Christine Dean, Community Center Director,reviewed the June 17'Recreation and Community Programs Report. A copy of the report is attached with the meeting minutes. The next virtual meeting of the Recreation Committee is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, July Vat 6:30pm through the Zoom platform. 39 MARRETT ROAD,LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02421 3 The June I r, 2020 meeting of the Recreation Committee adjourned at 8:00pm. Respectfully submitted, Christine A. Dean Community Center Director The following documents distributed at the meeting are attached: • June 17"Recreation & Community Programs Report • Path to RECovery—Restoration of Services (draft— 6.16.20) 39 MARRETT ROAD,LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02421