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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-04-20-REC-min`G US moo? O 1775 hC n a -> a 3 z � V APRIL 1r �fXING'T�� Frederick DeAngelis, Chairman Richard Thuma, Vice Chairman Wendy Rudner Sandra Shaw Howard Vogel Tel: (781) 862 -0500 x262 Fax: (781) 861 -2747 Recreation Committee Minutes of Meeting of April 20, 2011 A meeting of the Recreation Committee was held on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.. in Estabrook Hall of the Cary Hall Building, 1605 Massachusetts Avenue. A quorum of 3 was present. Members Present: Sandra Shaw, Rick DeAngelis, Chairman, and Wendy Rudner Members Absent: Howard Vogel and Richard Thuma Staff Present: Karen Simmons, Director of Recreation, and Sheila Butts Others Present: Marilyn Campbell, Council on Aging Liaison The Recreation Committee meeting began at 7:04 p.m. The meeting acted on the following items: 1. Citizens and Other Boards - none 2. Minutes of March 30, 2011 Wendy Rudner moved and Rick DeAngelis seconded acceptance of the March 30, 2011 Recreation Committee Meeting as written. The motion was approved by a vote of 3— 0 3. Liaison Reports • Karen Simmons welcomed Marilyn Campbell to the meeting. Ms. Campbell is serving as the Council on Aging liaison to the Recreation Committee, Ms. Campbell told the Committee that she was coming to the Recreation Committee meetings to educate not only the Council on Aging, but also herself about concerns and needs of the Recreation Committee and Recreation Department, and to bring information to and from the committees. • Wendy Rudner, Recreation Committee liaison to the Lincoln Park Subcommittee reported that the first LPSC meeting is scheduled for the week of April 25. • Sandra Shaw, Recreation Committee liaison to the Bikeway Advisory Committee, reported that the "Friends of the Bikeway" subcommittee has incorporated as a non - profit 501 C3. The "Friends" will again sponsor a bike donation booth at Discovery Day on May 28. The group also coordinates volunteers for the yearly bikeway clean -up. Town of Lexington Recreation Committee 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420 4. Town Meeting Articles Karen Simmons thanked the Recreation Committee and other boards & committees for their efforts in assuring passage of the three Capital Articles presented to Town Meeting, Ms. Simmons also acknowledged John Livsey, Town Engineer and Dave Pinsonneault, Operations Manager of DPW for all of their hard work. • The Town Pool Renovation was approved for the requested $165,000. The Facilities Department will work with Recreation to facilitate this phase of the renovation. Facilities is also assisting with the water heater and ventilation replacements currently in progress. Phase Two of the Center Drainage Project was approved for CPA funding. This phase includes work on the High School Football field and JV Baseball field. Karen Simmons informed the Recreation Committee that she had recently been approached by Charles Lamb of the Appropriations Committee, about the possibility of installing infill synthetic turf on the football and JV baseball fields. The $911,000 CPA funds appropriated are to address the drainage. CPA funds can not be used to install infill synthetic turf as the law is currently written, but the money can be used for drainage work. Ms. Simmons is concerned about public perception for wanting to change the project at the last minute and wants the record to note that this idea was brought to Recreation after Town Meeting. The cost to put infill synthetic turf inside the fence covering the baseball and football field is estimated at just over $3,000,000. All discussions are preliminary. The Recreation Committee is interested in receiving more information. Park Improvement — Franklin field renovation was approved for $50,000 5. Busa Farm Update • Karen Simmons informed the committee that the Board of Selectmen have not set a timetable for further discussion of the Busa Land. Rick DeAngelis reported that he had been approached by Selectman George Burnell after a recent meeting. Mr. Burnell expressed his concern that the Recreation Committee had not done enough to advocate for including a field on the Busa property. Mr. DeAngelis said that he had disagreed with Mr. Burnell and had listed all of the reasons. Ms. Shaw noted that there have been weekly letters in the Minuteman and that the youth groups have continued their letter writing campaign to the Board of Selectmen. The Recreation Committee discussed how best to go forward in promoting the much needed field. 6. Parks Report — Dave Pinsonneault was not present. • Karen Simmons reported that she had attended the first round of interviews for the position of Superintendent of Public Grounds. Three candidates were recommended to go on to the second round. Dave Pinsonneault formerly held this position. He is now the Director of Operations for the Department of Public Works. • A pre- construction meeting was held on April 20 for the Pine Meadows Drainage Project. The five -week project will begin after October 1, 2011. • The Center Bathroom project is almost finished. The Facilities Department has managed the project, and will coordinate the cleaning and maintenance of the building. 7. Recreation Report • Karen Simmons informed the Recreation Committee that the Aquatics Manager position was filled by Robert O'Brien. All hiring for summer aquatics is completed. • Staffing for non- aquatics summer positions is almost completed. Job applications continue to be submitted. • Pine Meadows Golf Club opened on March 30, 2011. The course looks good, but rounds played are down due to the unsettled weather of the past month. Last fall a new cover was purchased for the 51h green at the course, The cover significantly reduced any winter ice damage to the green. The Town may purchase additional greens covers in the future. • The Irving H. Mabee Pool Complex and the Old Reservoir will open on Saturday June 4, 2011. • Phase One of the Center Drainage project will begin in mid - August after the completion of the Blue Sox season. All late summer and fall users of Center 1 and Center 2 have been notified that the fields will not be permitted in the fall and early spring. The accepted bid for the project will allow for sod to be used on the fields. • The Tennis Pavilion project brought forth in 2010 to the Recreation Committee by Bob O'Neill, LHS Girls Varsity Tennis Coach, is moving forward. Mr. O'Neill has raised almost $6,000 for the construction of a tennis pavilion outside of the Gallagher Tennis Courts at the Center Recreation Complex. The construction — once all permitting is obtained — will be built by students at the Minuteman Regional Technical High School. This is a public /private partnership. • No final decision has been reached as to the location of the Fourth of July Carnival. It will either be held on the Center fields or in the High School Parking lot on Worthen Road. 8. Other Reports • The next meeting of the Recreation Committee will take place on Wednesday, May 18 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in the Recreation Department Office in Estabrook Hall, The April 20, 2011 meeting of the Recreation Committee adjourned at 8:06 p.m. The following documents /exhibits used at the meeting are attached: none Respectfully submitted, Sheila Butts 3