Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-05-20-REC-min`O VS MOg op 1775 �c �- oW A 3 z a0 APRIL 19 � Frederick DeAngelis, Chairman Richard Thuma, Vice Chairman Wendy Rudner Sandra Shaw Howard Vogel RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING May 20, 2009 Town of Lexington Recreation Committee Town Office Building — Room 111 7:00 P.M. Tel: (781) 862 - 0500 x262 Fax: (781) 861 -2747 Members Present: Rick DeAngelis, Dick Thuma, Wendy Rudner, Sandra Shaw, and Howard Vogel Staff Present: Karen Simmons, Dave Pinsonneault and Sheila Butts AGENDA 1. Citizens and other Boards None Present 2. Meeting Minutes from April 1, April 14 and May 4, 2009 Dick Thuma moved to accept as written the Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes of April 1, April 14 and May 4, 2009. Wendy Rudner seconded the motion. The Recreation Committee voted 4 0 to accept as written the Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes of April 1, April 14 and May 4, 2009. 3. Review of Town Meeting Articles Karen Simmons reported that all of the Town Meeting articles submitted by and for the Recreation Department had been approved. She expressed her gratitude to Carl Valente, Rob Addelson and all of the Recreation Committee members involved in discussing, debating and presenting the Articles. She also recognized the Community Preservation Committee and is grateful for all of their support. Rick DeAngelis seconded this, offering "kudos" to Karen Simmons, Dick Thuma, Sandra Shaw and Dave Pinsonneault for their continued great efforts on behalf of the Recreation Department and Committee. He further commented that these efforts are not unnoticed. Karen Simmons and Dave Pinsonneault will meet in the near future to develop a time line for each of the approved projects. 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420 4. Lincoln Park Benches The Board of Selectmen has asked for the support of the Recreation Committee regarding the placement of new benches at Lincoln Park. Karen Simmons distributed information including a GIS map showing the proposed locations. The three sites are based on Dave Pinsonneault's recommendations. Dick Thuma asked if the benches and the bench locations were in compliance with ADA guidelines, noting that the bench height and installation must be in compliance with ADA statute. Karen Simmons told the Committee that all of the benches would be located on paths running through the park. Wendy Rudner asked how the benches would be secured. Dave Pinsonneault explained that the benches are mounted in cement. Rick DeAngelis inquired as to the need for benches in other Recreation areas, and what the cost of purchasing a bench is. Dave Pinsonneault explained that the teak benches seen throughout Lexington Center cost approximately $1,500 and include a mounted plaque. Parks and Recreation currently installs recycled plastic benches in parks and the cost is about $900 each, including installation. The benches at Lincoln Park are higher due to the type of bench and design. Rick DeAngelis moved to approve the placement of benches, as shown on the aerial plan and subject to bench design and location being in compliance with the ADA. Dick Thuma seconded the motion. The Recreation Committee voted 4 0 to approve the placement of benches, as shown on the aerial plan, and subject to bench design and location being in compliance with the ADA. 5. Discovery Day Karen Simmons reminded the Recreation Committee that Discovery Day in Lexington is scheduled for Saturday, May 23. She circulated a sign up sheet to members of the Committee interested in volunteering at the Recreation table. 6. Recreation Report Karen Simmons told the Committee that Dick Thuma had asked to briefly discuss a budget outline that he was working on. Mr. Thuma distributed the information, and explained that he had put together the information, including expenses and income by program category so that in the future the Recreation Committee could compare the numbers to the retained earnings. Rick DeAngelis suggested that the information was not and should not be considered an "over the shoulder" look at the financial workings of the Recreation Department. Dick Thuma replied that the document he submitted to the Recreation Committee was not judgmental; rather, it was an effort to show what does and does not contribute to the stability of the Enterprise Fund. Karen Simmons has met with Town Manager Carl Valente to get his recommendation on the next step. Mr. Valente suggested that a meeting be scheduled with two members of the Recreation Committee, Rob Addelson, Karen Simmons and himself to discuss the next steps to move forward financially. Rick DeAngelis and Dick Thuma, as chair and vice chair of the Recreation Committee, will attend. Karen Simmons reported that the Pool and Reservoir would open on Saturday, May 30. She told the committee that the Department of PublicWorks does a wonderful job of maintaining the Pool and the Old Res, and singled out Ron Russo of the Parks Department who has been 2 the key maintenance employee at the Town Pool for many years. By opening day all four pools with be in compliance with the Virginia Graham Baker Pool and Spa Act. This was an unfunded mandate that cost over $3,000. The pool inspection by the Health Department will take place on Wednesday, May 27 at 10:00 a.m. Karen Simmons told the Recreation Committee that registration numbers in some programs are down as compared to last summer. However, Lexington registrations are better than many comparable communities that are seeing a decrease of 25% to 40 %. Dick Thuma inquired as to the numbers at Pine Meadows. Karen Simmons told the Committee that on May 1 the number of rounds was up by 13% from May 1 st 2008. Karen Simmons also reported that there are two projects scheduled to begin at Pine Meadows after July 1: • The seventh hole bunker project • Reconstruction of the eighth green The U.S.G.A. and New England Golf Association recommended both projects. The reconstruction of the Center Basketball Courts is almost completed; however, there is a problem with the paint on the courts. The contractor is scheduled to fix the courts the week of June 1, and Karen Simmons told the committee that she and Dave Pinsonneault are meeting with the Town Engineer and the project architect to discuss the problems. Dick Thuma indicated that he was unsure if the weather conditions would have had a negative effect on the court surface and agrees that some independent testing should be performed. Dave Pinsonneault will also speak with Kevin Cafferty, Highway Department, about the issue. 7. Parks Report Dave Pinsonneault reported to the Recreation Committee that the Town has been ordered to remove some of the vegetation ( +2" in diameter) along the earthen dam at the Old Reservoir between Marrett Road and the Bridge School. The Town Engineer does not agree with the assessment and is working with the State to reach consensus before work begins. Dick Thuma suggested that some notification should be made to the general public — perhaps in the Minuteman Newspaper — to avoid some calls from concerned residents. Dave Pinsonneault noted that the Board of Selectmen and the Town's Tree Committee are aware of the mandated project. Further project updates are as follows: • The Bridge School fields project is nearing completion. • The dugout shade structures and benches have been ordered for Bridge and Bowman. • The Bowman Field repairs will begin after the public schools release for the summer. • The field at Garfield is completed and looks very good. • James McLaughlin has repaired the dugouts at the Center # 1 Field. Rick DeAngelis told Dave Pinsonneault that he had two young men who have volunteered to work on the Center # 1 field when needed. He asked if this would be allowable. Dave Pinsonneault said this was fine. • When the finalized plan for the Old Reservoir project is completed Dave will meet with the Recreation Committee to review it. The draft of the DEP grant document is being completed by the Louis Berger Group, who will then submit it to the State. • A meeting is scheduled for next week with Stantec to discuss the continued drainage study at the Center fields. Sandra Shaw asked if and when boulders would be placed along Lincoln Street to prohibit cars from parking up on the grass for Little League games. Dave Pinsonneault explained that he is waiting for the slurry wall project required by DEP to be completed, after which he will have boulders put in place along Lincoln Street. 8. New Business The next meeting of the Recreation Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in Room G15 of the Town Office Building. The July Recreation Committee meeting will begin at 5:45 p.m. on July 15 th . This is the annual meeting held at the Pine Meadows Golf Club. Rick DeAngelis moved to adjourn the meeting. Dick Thuma seconded. The May Recreation Committee Meeting was adjourned at 7:48 p.m.