HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-10-20-REC-minMop
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° Town of Lexington
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O W Recreation Committee
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Frederick DeAngelis, Chairman Tel: (781) 862 -0500 x262
Richard Thuma, Vice Chairman Fax: (781) 861 -2747
Wendy Rudner
Sandra Shaw
Howard Vogel
Recreation Committee
Minutes of Meeting of October 20, 2010
A meeting of the Recreation Committee was held on Wednesday, October 20, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at the
Town Office Building, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, Room 207. A quorum of 4 was present.
Members Present:. Sandra Shaw, Howard Vogel, Dick Thuma and Rick DeAngelis, Chairman
Members Absent Wendy Rudner
Staff Present Karen Simmons, Director of Recreation, Dave Pinsonneault, Superintendent of
Public Grounds and Sheila Butts, Assistant Director of Recreation
Others Present Robert Berger, David Pronchick, and Bob O'Neill, Lexington High School
Women's Varsity Tennis Coach
The Recreation Committee meeting began at 7.09 p.m. The meeting acted on the following items:
1. Citizens and Other Boards
2. Minutes of September 15, 2010
Sandra Shaw made a motion, seconded by Rick DeAngelis, to approve the minutes of the
September 15, 2010 Recreation Committee Meeting as written. The motion was approved
by a vote of 3 — 0 --1 (Dick Thuma Abstaining).
3. Bob O'Neill — Tennis Pavilion
Bob O'Neill, LHS Women's Varsity Tennis Coach, accompanied by LHS parents Bob
Berger and David Pronchick, reviewed plans submitted at the September 15, 2010 Recreation
Committee meeting for a pavilion to be erected at the Gallagher Tennis Courts. The structure
will be similar to the one currently existing at the Town Pool. It will be approximately 30' by
20' set on pavers with landscaping. Once the materials are purchased the pavilion will be
constructed by students from Minuteman Technical High School. Karen Simmons told the
Recreation Committee that this is a win -win opportunity for Lexington High School and the
community. She also commented that the pavilion must be accessible and comply with the
Americans with Disabilities Act, An accessible path must be made from the pool parking lot
to the pavilion. Rick DeAngelis suggested that Ms. Simmons, Dave Pinsonneault and the
Building Commissioner should review and approve the plans and specifications prior to any
construction beginning. Mr. Thuma noted that it was important to have the structure placed
so that there is unobstructed visibility from the existing bleachers. Bob O'Neill agreed and
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE e LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420
noted that the plans call for the pavilion to be placed next to the existing bleachers. He also
agreed that although half of the necessary funds have been raised, no construction will begin
until private fundraising is complete.
Rick DeAngelis made the following motion, which was seconded by Howard Vogel:
The Recreation Committee approves construction of a Tennis Shade Pavilion as
presented on October 20, 2010 pending the following:
• Final design review and approval by Director of Recreation, Superintendent of Public
Grounds and Building Commissioner.
• Funding completed prior to start of construction.
• All appropriate permits required by the Town of Lexington Building Department are
obtained.
• Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act to the extent that the
regulations apply to the shade pavilion including access.
• Placement of bleachers and shade pavilion will not compromise the view of the
tennis courts from the bleachers.
The Recreation Committee approved the motion by a vote of 4 _ 00
4. Town Meeting Article Assignments
Karen Simmons reminded members of the Recreation Committee that there were three
Recreation Capital Articles to be presented at the 2011 Town Meeting. She asked for
volunteers from the committee to present the Capital Articles.
Howard Vogel will present the Town Pool Renovation Article (funding requested from
Recreation Enterprise Fund); Rick DeAngelis will present Phase Two of the Center Drainage
Project (funding requested from Community Preservation Act monies); and Wendy Rudner
will present the Park Improvement — Athletic Fields Article (funding requested from the Tax
Levy).
5. Busa Farm Report
Karen Simmons reviewed the evaluation criteria that will used by the Busa Land Use
Committee for the Recreation Committee's Busa Farm Proposal. Rick DeAngelis will be
presenting the proposal to the Busa Land Use Proposal Committee on November 4.
Recreation staff has put in a great deal of time developing the presentation with the back up
data.
6. USGA Report
Karen Simmons distributed the September 16, 2010 United States Golf Association (USGA)
Pine Meadows Golf Course Report. The results and recommendations presented in the
USGA Report will be discussed at the November Recreation Committee Meeting.
7. Parks Report
Dave Pinsonneault, Superintendent of Public Grounds reported the following:
• The Hastings Field project has begun. Fence work is in progress and the field
work should be completed before winter.
• Center Playfields:
o Underground water storage units will shift to the track side near the
shrubs in right field where there is a viable connection to existing
pipes.
o Pending the Selectmen's approval, the project should be put out to bid
over the winter. The time -line still needs to be determined.
0
o The funding request process will go forward for Phase Two (football
field)
• Old Reservoir Phase I- At a recent meeting with representatives of the
Department of Environmental Protection, Army Corp of Engineers,
Conservation and the Louis Berger Group, The EPA expressed their concern
about wetlands protection. They are not looking favorably at the plan,
although the current design does minimize disturbance of the existing area.
The Committee expressed their concerns, Rick DeAngelis suggesting that the
Louis Berger Group must find a solution to this. Dave Pinsonneault noted that
they would, but that this could delay the project and change the face of the
facility. Dick Thuma suggested that going forward the Town must be
proactive in maintaining detention basins, so that they do not become
wetlands in the eyes of environmental agencies.
• The Golf Course Stormwater Mitigation Project has gone out to bid. Timing
of the project will be determined once the bids have been received.
8. Recreation Report
• Karen Simmons reported that the Department staff continues to have a lot on
their plate. The current focus is developing the operating budget, FY2010
performance measurements, the Busa Farm Proposal, In -Town Basketball
League, and planning for winter, spring and summer programs.
• In January or February, the Recreation Department offices will move into
Estrabrook Hall during the renovation of the Town Office Building.
• On November 3 0, 2010 she will be presenting the Five Year Capital Plan to
the Capital Expenditures Committee. The meeting is scheduled to begin at
8 :30 a.m. Recreation Committee members are welcome to attend.
9. Other Reports
The next meeting of the Recreation Committee will take place on Tuesday,
November 16, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. The Committee will be notified of the meeting
location.
The October 20, 2010 meeting of the Recreation Committee adjourned at 8:31 p.m.
The following documents /exhibits used at the meeting are attached:
1. USGA Green Service Section- Turf Advisory Service Report
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila Butts
Assistant Director of Recreation
5 GOLF
5� Q
United States Golf Association
Northeast Region Green Section
1500 North Main Street
Palmer, MA 01069-1215
T (413) 283 -2237 F (413) 233 -7741
USGA-GREEN SECTION -
TURF A DVISORY
PINE MEADOWS GOLF COURSE
LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS
September 16', 201q
Present. Mr. John Aden, Jr., Vice President of operations, New England Golf Corporation
Mr. W illi - am Harrison, President, New England Golf Corporation
Mr. Jim Hastings, Superintendent
Ms. Karen Simmons, Recreation Director
Mr. Dave Pinsonneault, Superintendent of Public Grounds
Mr. Jaynes E. Skorulski, Senior Agronomist, USDA
FC
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1
Pine Meadows Golf Course
September 10, 2010
Page 2
l
This report is provided for the Turf Advisory Service (TAS)' visit conducted at Pine
Meadows Golf .course on September 1 5, 2010.
The 2010 season will long be remembered - in the Northeast' as be in 9 one of the more
difficult and stressful in many years. The season did not start out well with the winter
injury followed by record heat and humidity and very dry v�eather conditions in Jui and
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August. The winter damaged greens did recover after some time. It was good to see
that the creeping bentgrass that was established following the winter rY
in "u ' has
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performed well during the stressful summer season. The heat and humidity in July and
the drier weather conditions were more stressful to annual bluegrass in the greens,
collars and fairways. Problems with the, irrigation system also created a number of
management challenges in . this dry summer season.
The golf course performed relatively well through the difficult weather. There were
some isolated patches of dead turf in the fairways and some of the collar areas. Non -
irrigated roughs also suffered some injury that is to be expected. We used our time
together to tour the golf course and examine some of the weak and damaged areas.
Recommendations were provided for the recovery of those areas. We also discussed_
the use of winter covers and other methods tot to protect the grass from c
tr p 9 old
temperature injury and ice. Recommendations were provided for soil manag ement
programs, #8 green, tree work, irrigation, weed management and a -number of other
practices that will be presented in this report.
Winter Id ry
It was good to see that the greens that were damaged in the winter season were fully
recovered and. performed well this summer. I commend the staff for their hard work in
reestablishing turf and then maintaining the plants through the difficult summer. We
discussed covering strategies and other fall practices to improve the turfs' ability y to
survive the winter season. The use of impermeable 'covers is generally an effective
means to prevent the plants from becoming hydrated. Solid covers used alone
however, do not provide protection from colder temperatures ( <0° F) that can also kill
annual bluegrass. The impermeable cover will be utilized on a trial basis over #5 green
this winter. install a permeable cover beneath the solid cover or use the foam material
to create some air space that should help insulate the turf from rapid temperature
fluctuations that can occur in winter_ Permeable covers are available from GreenJacket
and other companies. A less expensive permeable agriculture cover can also be used
below the impermeable cover: The use of a permeable cover also will be helpful as you
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transition. the greens in the spring season. I generally recommend removing the
impermeable covers usually in early -mid March A rule of thumb is to wait until
temperatures below the covers reach 4 °--45° P on a consistent basis erature not temperature p
Pine Meadows golf course
Sept -ember 16, 2010
Page 3
spikes) as this is the point when the annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass will begin
to break dormancy. The impermeable cover would be removed while the permeable
fabric would be left over the surface to protect the turf from frosts, wind desiccation, etc,
until the turf has an opportunity to harden off or acclimate to the exposed environment.
I would utilize the permeable covers from that point onward until the turf has hardened
off or even until the threat of a severe freeze passes.
Permeable covers will be utilized on both the 3rd, 4th and 8th greens. Eventually, those
greens too are all good candidates for impermeable covers due to surface drainage
concerns. Drywells will be installed in the low pockets on those greens in an effort to
keep water off of the greens' surface in the winter months. The permeable and
impermeable covers should be installed in late fall. (late November- -early December)
before any major snowfall occurs and or a deep frost sets in the ground. Allowin g the
turf some exposure to below freezing temperatures in late November and early
December will improve the turfs' ability to tolerate colder temperatures later in winter.
The impermeable cover needs to be installed over the entire green complex on the Stn
hole to prevent surface water from flowing under the cover and onto the surface.
Consideration might also be given to placing hay bales along the upper side of the 8th
green to prevent water from sheeting over its surface. The hay bales should be secured
to the ground with stakes.
There are shade concerns that continue to impact several greens, leaving them more
vulnerable to winter freeze injury. The dense shade patterns were witnessed during our
tour of the golf course and those patterns will only worsen as we approach the winter
season. The dense fail shade over the greens reduces the turfs' ability to produce the
carbohydrates that it requires to protect itself from cold winter temperatures. The
shaded conditions also favor weaker annual bluegrass. The following
recommendations were made:
!Morning shade was apparent on
the 2 green during our visit. A
Norway spruce tree' located
behind the green should be
removed to allow more sun to
reach the green. A poor quality
willow tree located behind the
green should also be removed
as it is becoming hazardous.
Remove the large Norway
spruce tree from the right
side of #3 green to
eliminate dense afternoon
shade over the green's
surface.
Pine Meadows Golf course
September 16, 2010..
Page 4
0 Tree work is required along the back and hack left side of #4 green to allow more
sun to ' reach the green's surface during the late fall, winter and spring seasons. l
recommend selectively removing all of the white pine trees growing along the back
of the green (those that are shading the turf) as well as thinning some of the
deciduous trees - from the woodland area to allow more sun to reach the The
tree work involves the stand of trees along th Ieft side of the 5th hole.
Extensive tree work is required along the left and back left sides of the 5th green and
approach. That work involves removing or at least topping white pine trees growing
at that location. The white pine trees are causing dense shade over most of the
green's surface throughout the morning hours and that shade pattern is extended
longer throughout the day in the winter season.
Remove two white pine trees from the back of ##S green to allow more sun to reach
the turf there. Several spruce and pine trees located between the 9 th and 5 th
fairways may also be shading the green during the winter months. Those too should
be removed as deemed necessary.
Remove One white pine tree from , the right side of #9 green as it creates dense
shade over the right half of the green in the morning hours. A second white pine
tree should also be removed from that location in the future.
Winter injury. is a weather dependent phenomenon. The ' best that we can do at this
point is to try to grow the grasses that have the most tolerance to cold temperature and
ice (i.e. the creeping bentgrass) and create conditions that are less likely to lead to that
injury (i.e. improve surface drainage and correct poor growing environments). The use
of the winter protection covers will in most years improve the tun=s' survival in the winter
season. However, even the covering systems will not provide sufficient protection
should already weak annual bluegrass be exposed to lethal temperatures or multiple
freeze /thaw cycles.
Soil. Management
We examined the soil profiles in the 1 st , 2n 5 th and 9 th greens. The thatch mat in the
greens seems to be increasing. This is hard to understand as the greens are being
core cultivated in both the spring and late summer seasons and are receiving more
topdressing than ever before. We need to monitor that thatch layer, which at this p Dint
is- not having any negative effect on the greens. However, if it continues to grow then
more aggressive forms of core cultivation will be needed_ This would include core
cultivating with larger hollow tines and or completing the practice at a higher corm
g
frequency. The light topdressing done during the season may need to be intensified
further. We will examine the sail profiles closely next spring to help determine what
cultivation practices will be most effective moving forward.
Y,
Pine Meadows Golf Course
September 16, 2010
Page 5
General Maintenance
Increase the fertilizer applications on the sand tees on the 9th hole. It would also be a
good idea to have a soil test taken to determine pal of those sands, it may be
necessary to lime the tees to increase the ply up to a 6 - 0.5 level. Apply approximately
.4 -.5 lb. of nitrogen per 1 ,000 sq. ft. monthly on the sand tees with the exception of July
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and August when those rates might be cutback slightly due to the warmer weather and
concerns with disease.
Irrigation coverage is also a concern on the upper and lower tees on the 9th hole.
Monitor the sprinkler head coverage and adjust the nozzles - or relocates sprinkler � p heads
to correct the deficiencies that became apparent in this dry season. We also discussed
the need to add irrigation to the middle tee box on the 8th hole.
The 61h and 7t. tees are probably he weakest on the course. due to the environment onment in
which they are located_ Remove more of the pitch pine trees located on the right side of
#6 tee to allow more sun to reach the back half of that tee. The 7th tee is growing in a
densely shaded environment and any work that can be done along the right side of the
tee to allow more sun to reach the playing surface will benefit the turf. I realize the trees
are an important screen from the 6th hole and that tree removal work has to be done
with care.
NI n R Trim
The front tee on the 8 hole is very unlevel. Fortunately, there is a deep soil mix on the
y p
tee, which .makes it possible to level the surface and even increase the tee's size. The
tee is a good candidate for renovation and should be a priority. Use a short -cut
Kentucky bluegrass to re -grass the tee after it has been leveled.
General Maintenance
The area adjacent to ##9 tee is in poor condition as a result of poor irrigation, traffic and
trees. I recommend removing an oak from the left front side of. the tee. The r
t ee
overhangs the walk -on area and is likely competing with the turf.there for water and
nutrients (root competition). Adding a curb along the cart p ath at that location would
help to keep carts from traveling over this heavily used area. The sprinkler head
adjustments discussed earlier will also be helpful. Root prune between the tee box and
the wooded area to eliminate any root competition there.
Fine Meadows Golf Course
September 16, 2010
Page 0
FAIRWAYS
Trees
Dense shade impacts the 5th fairway. White pine trees rowin along the left side of e
g g g h
hole should be thinned to allow more sun to * reach the left half of the fairway. I
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recommend removing all of the white pine trees around a mature oak tree. The oak tree
is a good specimen tree that should be brought into view. Thin pitch pine trees from the
right side of the 0 th hole to allow more sun to reach the high traffic area in the right
g ht
rough (beyond the cart path). The sun will improve turf vigor and will also help o dry
ry
this area out more quickly.
General Maintenance
The remnants of the dry and hot
summer weather remain with the
damaged turf on the 2 nd hole,
Core aerating the surfaces and
seeding the damaged areas will
stimulate new growth and
recovery in those areas.
Pine Meadows Golf Course
September 16, 2010
Page 7
Goosegrass continues to be a problem in the 5th and 8th fairways. A split application of
granular Dimension herbicide was made to the fairways in hopes . of managing the
g g
goosegrass. Unfortunately, the application was only moderately successful. I agree
with Mr. Allen in that the fairways with the goosegrass should be treated with a
sprayable formulation of Dimension in the split application. The first application of
Dimension would be applied in early May followed by a second application one month
later. Andersons Golf Products Goosegrass /Crabgrass control utilizes a combination of
Betasan and Ronstar herbicides to manage both crabgrass and goosegrass. Ronstar
continues to be the most effective preernergent product against goosegrass. consider
`
th th
an initial application of Dimension in the 5 and 8 fairways in the spring followed by an
application of the Andersons product in late May.
Animals are feeding on white grubs in tees, fairways and rough areas. Those areas
where there is some surface damage from the animal activity are being treated with
Proxol insecticide to control the white grubs and prevent any future feeding damage.
The fertilizer Milorganite can also be applied to areas where animals are seeking the
white grubs to deter the feeding and associated damage. The Milorganite will probably
be most effective in deterring the feeding activity of skunks, raccoons and other
mammals. Apply Merit, Arena or Acelepryn to the fairways, tees and primary rough
areas next season.
Drava „ge
Drainage continues to be a concern in lower portions of the V fairway and the right side
of #2 fairway. The dry summer season has reduced those concerns but only for a
temporary basin A long -range plan to address these drainage concerns should remain
a priority. Addressing the poor drainage will leave these fairways in a more playable
condition and will allow for cart use even during more wet weather.
_ J
Sand Bunkers
Ms. Simmons pointed out a concern with drainage in the greenside bunker on the S
hole. The drain line in the low lying bunker drains into the pond. It is likely that the
drainage will become ineffective if water levels in the pond are above normal. In the
future, the sand bunker can be drained under the cart path and taken to the.ditch where
the elevation is lower. This will allow the drain to be installed at a deeper depth and
should also keep the drain functioning even when water levels in the pond are high.
Flo.- 8 C-3rP_P_n
We reexamined the contours of the 8 th green. It was interesting fo hear that the g rades
of - - -the -- green: were - -- determined with -- a--lase and -that the surface did provide the - ._
surface drainage that was specified in the design. It appears however that there are
Pine Meadows Golf Course
September 10, 2010
Page 8
several low pockets on the green. one of the pockets is on the upper tier and the other
near the right center of the green. The lack of or minimal surface drainage through the
center of the green allows water to pocket there in the winter months. The evidence of
the pockets was more clear with winter injury that occurred this season.. Ideally, the
surface grade of this green would be more straightforward with the upper tier draining
off the back right side of the green and the lower tier draining to the front right side of
the green. At this point, most of the water seems to be funneled off the center and to
the front of the green through a lower area. I am concerned that the limited surface
drainage will increase the potential for future winter injury. There is no easy fix at this
point. correcting the surface drainage would require the sod to be lifted from the front
and back tiers of the green while the grade changes are made. A project of this type
should. strongly be considered -in the future if additional winter injury occurs in those
lower lying areas.
-� � _ ,
Do not hesitate to contact the office if there are any questions regarding this report or
should any questions arise as we enter the fall season. I hope I can return to the golf
course later this fall to reexamine shade patterns over .the 4th green and others. At that
point, we also discuss some more of the specifics with the installation of covers and
other winter management techniques. Best wishes for the fall and winter seasons and I
look forward to continuing to work with 'the Town of Lexington -and New England Golf
Corporation to make Dine Meadows Golf course the best it can he..
Sincerely,
J Es : jc
cc: Mr. John Allen, Jr_, Vice President of operations, New England Golf Corp.
Mr. William Harrison, President, New England Golf corporation
Ms. Karen Simmons, Recreation Director
Mr. Dave Pinsonneault, Superintendent of Public Grounds