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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-01-12-REC-min Town of Lexington Recreation Committee Frederick DeAngelis, Chairman Tel: (781) 862-0500 x262 Richard Thuma, Vice Chairman Fax: (781) 861-2747 Wendy Rudner Sandra Shaw Howard Vogel RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING January 12, 2010 Town Office Building Room 207 Members Present: Rick DeAngelis (Chairman), Wendy Rudner, Sandra Shaw, Howard Vogel, and Dick Thuma (Vice Chairman) Others Present: Frank Holmes, Stantec Consulting The meeting of the Recreation Committee came to order at 7:02 PM. The following items were topics of discussion: 1. Citizens and Other Boards: No citizens or other boards were present. 2. Meeting Minutes from December 16, 2009: Wendy Rudner made, and Howard Vogel seconded a motion to approve the Meeting Minutes of The motion was approved (4 – 0). December 16, 2009, as written. There was no discussion. 3. Liaison Reports Wendy Rudner, Recreation Committee liaison to the Lincoln Park Sub Committee reported that the LPSC has not met recently, and there are no issues or meeting notes to present. The LPSC will resume monthly meetings in the spring. Sandra Shaw, Committee liaison to the Bicycle Advisory Committee, reported that the BAC had been very active of late. They have been meeting with Bill Hadley, Director of Public Works, and John Livsey, Town Engineer, to discuss ongoing bikeway issues. Ms. Shaw expressed her appreciation of the excellent report John Livsey had compiled on the Minuteman Bikeway Project. Dick Thuma asked if there were any projects or issues that would be coming before the Recreation Committee relative to the Minuteman Bikeway. Ms. Shaw responded that there was nothing in the near future that she was aware of. She noted that the Recreation Department is kept in the loop regarding possible problems and issues. 4. Center Field Drainage Project Karen Simmons explained to the Recreation Committee that Meg Buczynski and Mark Novak, Stantec Consulting, were unable to attend the Recreation Committee meeting this evening. Both had prior work commitments. She introduced Frank Holmes, also of Stantec Consulting, who was present 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420 to answer any questions that the Recreation Committee had regarding the Center Drainage Project proposal, a copy of which had been distributed to the committee in November. Mr. Holmes provided a brief summary of the study that Stantec had undertaken. Stantec Consulting had reviewed the initial Tutela Engineering Report, and conducted a site evaluation, did test bores on each of the fields, and evaluated the existing field and soil conditions. The Center Field Drainage Project proposal submitted by Stantec Consulting recommends that the existing top soil be amended by adding sand and regrading the fields 1.5%. The project also includes adding drainage structure basins to temporarily hold and disperse the water offsite. These drainage basins would use a gravity system. Mr. Holmes reported that Meg Buczynski has met with a contractor to obtain a proposal and cost estimate for doing a camera inspection of the existing drainage lines throughout the fields. This proposal and cost estimate will be provided to the Recreation Department once finalized. The cost of the camera inspection will be covered by existing project funds. Mr. Thuma expressed his concern regarding ADA compliance on the fields. Mr. Holmes reported that Meg Buczynski had reviewed Mr. Thuma’s concerns and the work needed in Phase One of the project to comply with ADA standards consists of constructing and/or regarding accessible walkways. The cost in Phase One would be approximately $25,000. The money is included in the 20% contingency funds. Mr. Thuma and Mr. DeAngelis commented that they would like to know, given the work proposed in all phases of the project, what is required by law to become ADA compliant? Mr. Holmes stated that Stantec Consulting would review the compliance issues once more and get back to the Recreation Committee with further recommendations, if needed. Sandra Shaw asked if a representative from Stantec Consulting would be present at both the January 14, 2010 Community Preservation Committee Public Hearing and Town Meeting to answer questions. Karen Simmons told the Recreation Committee that Mark Novak would represent Stantec Consulting on Thursday evening, and there would be a representative from Stantec at Town Meeting to respond to questions. Wendy Rudner asked Mr. Holmes if he had any answers to the warranty questions she has asked of Ms. Buczynski. Mr. Holmes indicated that one year is a typical warranty on field work, although much depends on the scope and cost. He also noted that the different types of drainage systems used (i.e., crushed stone, pipe, etc) are determined by cost and space constraints. Rick DeAngelis and Dick Thuma asked if there was an updated budget for the project, based upon monies required for ADA work. Karen Simmons responded that the Department is using the existing budget numbers for the CPC public hearing on January 14. Sandra Shaw told the Committee that it was too late to alter the budget numbers for the Community Preservation Committee hearing. Mr. Holmes noted again that the money needed to bring Phase One into ADA compliance was covered under the contingency funds built into the project budget. Mr. Thuma commented that his review of the project and budget do not include some significant items, which could negatively impact the cost of the project. Karen Simmons told the Recreation Committee that the Department was requesting $875,173 of Community Preservation Funds for Phase One of the Center Field Drainage Project. Howard Vogel asked when the camera inspection of the existing drainage pipes would be done, and how that work would be paid for. Karen Simmons reiterated that the money to fund the camera inspection will come from the current study funds. Mr. Thuma suggested that going forward $25,000 should be taken from the 20% contingency for Phase One and placed in the budget for ADA compliance work. Mr. DeAngelis expressed his concern with the timing of Phase One. He noted that the proposed work on Field 1 (Center #1 and #2) will impact two baseball/softball seasons. Mr. Holmes explained that after the reconstruction is completed and the seed planted it would take two full growing seasons for the grass to be strong enough to play on. October 15 is the latest date to plant seed on fields. Mr. DeAngelis requested that Stantec review the project timeline in the hopes of alleviating the impact of two seasons without the use of Center # 1 and Center #2. Members of the Recreation Committee were unanimous in their desire to not permit the Lions Club Carnival use of the Center Fields for its annual event. This issue has been raised previously by the Recreation Committee. Due to weather the Carnival was moved to the LHS parking lot in 2009. Members of the Recreation Committee noted that it was their understanding that this location was appropriate for the event, and that it would remain there in the future. Mr. Thuma reminded the Committee that they had previously indicated that if the Carnival was not moved off the Center fields permanently, the Recreation Committee would withdraw its support of the Center Field Drainage Project. December 17, 2008 Recreation Committee Minutes: “The third Capital Project is the Park o Improvements – Athletic Field renovations to address the drainage issues at the Center Complex….The Recreation Committee reviewed its previous decision not to proceed with this project unless the Annual Lions Club Carnival relocates. The Committee reiterated that a commitment by the Lions Club to relocate the Carnival is required prior to the start of Town Meeting.” August 20, 2008 Recreation Committee Minutes: “The FY2010 Park Improvements – Athletic o Fields request is for $200,000 to renovate the multi purpose field at the Center Recreation Complex…. Karen Simmons expressed her concern with making such a large investment if the Fourth of July Carnival is not relocated. The Recreation Committee agrees and would not recommend going forward with this request unless the carnival moves to a different location.” 5. Capital Articles Karen Simmons told the members of the Recreation Committee that there would be two articles presented at Town Meeting by the Recreation Committee: Phase One of the Town Pool Renovation ($25,000 from the Enterprise Fund) and $50,000 for Park Improvements at Hastings School Field. Town Meeting begins on March 22. Mr. DeAngelis and Mr. Vogel volunteered to do the presentations. 6. CPC Public Hearing Karen Simmons reported that the CPC Public Hearing is scheduled for Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. John Livsey, Town Engineer, is presenting both of the Recreation requests: Phase Two of the Old Reservoir Stormwater Management Project, and Phase One of the Center Field Drainage Project. 7. Parks Report Dave Pinsonneault was unable to attend the meeting. There is no Park Report this month. 8. Recreation Report Karen Simmons told the Recreation Committee that the Ski and Snowboard Programs at Nashoba Valley began on January 7. The numbers for both the Thursday afternoon and Friday evening Ski Programs are greatly increased. The In-Town Youth Basketball League began in November and the Youth Basketball Clinic Program th began January 9. Peter Coleman does an excellent job coordinating both of the programs. Ms. Simmons reported that she has met with Bob Kent regarding installation of the commemorative plaque for the Town Pool, renaming it the Irving H. Mabee Pool Complex. The plaque will be installed on the exterior of the building to the right of the main entrance. Tentatively, this will coincide with the opening of the facility on June 5, 2010. 9. New Business Sandra Shaw commented that the Board of Selectmen has yet to select members for the Busa Farm Land Use Committee. Ms. Shaw suggested that the Recreation Committee and Youth and Adult League representatives should get the message out about the need for additional field space in Lexington. She volunteered to work on an article or letter for the Minuteman and Colonial Times using the excellent field use statistics report Karen Simmons provided at an earlier public meeting on the Busa Property. 7 PM The next meeting of the Recreation Committee is scheduled for in Room 207 of the Town Office Building on Wednesday, February 17, 2010. Rick DeAngelis moved and Dick Thuma seconded adjournment of the meeting. The Recreation Committee voted 5 – 0 to adjourn the January 12, 2010 meeting of the Recreation Committee at 8:32 p.m.