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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-03-28-REC-min MOkv, .775 /, -6 4 Town of Lexington r4t kJ'. te n, Recreation Committee "6 r "3 10011 APRIL 19" -VINO-- Frederick DeAngelis, Chairman Tel: (781) 862-0500 x 262 Howard Vogel, Vice Chairman Fax: (781) 862-2747 Wendy Rudner Sandra Shaw Lisah Rhodes Recreation Committee Minutes of Meeting of March 28, 2012 A meeting of the Recreation Committee was held on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. in Room 201 (Recreation Department Office) of the Town Office Building Members Present: Rick DeAngelis, Lisah Rhodes, Wendy Rudner, Sandra Shaw and Howard Vogel Staff Present: Karen Simmons, Director of Recreation, Peter Coleman, Supervisor of Recreation, Sheila Butts, Assistant Director, and Chris Filadoro, DPW Superintendent of Public Grounds Others Present: Nick Santosuosso The Recreation Committee meeting began at 6:00 p.m. The meeting acted on the following items: 1. Citizens and Other Boards—None Present 2. Meeting Minutes from February 15,2012 Wendy Rudner noted that in the February 15, 2012 minutes that the name Kris Burton, a member of the Lincoln Park Sub-committee, was spelled incorrectly. The February minutes will be revised to change "Chris" Burton to "Kris" Burton. Lisah Rhodes moved and Howard Vogel seconded acceptance of the Recreation Committee minutes of February 15, 2012 as amended. The motion was approved by a vote of 5—0. 3. Nick Santosuosso—Discuss Pine Meadows Karen Simmons, Director of Recreation, introduced Nick Santosuosso. Mr. Santosuosso explained to the Recreation Committee that 19 years ago he had purchased a tee marker at Pine Meadows in remembrance of his son who had passed away in 1993. At the time he claims that he paid $450.00 for the sign, and was under the impression that this would be a one time cost. During the course of the last two years he has been contacted by Bill Harrison,who told him that the golf course tee markers sponsorship program was renewable every five years and wanted to know if he would like to renew his tee sign. Mr. Santosuosso told the Recreation Committee that he had a strong objection to repaying for the sign, as he has had it for 19 years and only within the last two years has he been asked to renew his "sponsorship". Mr. Santosuosso told the Committee that he wants a fair adjustment. If he were asked to repair or replace the post that might be palatable, but he does not want to pay for the sign again. He requested that the Recreation Committee discuss this issue and possibly make an exception for him. Rick DeAngelis told the Recreation Committee that he would recuse himself from and vote, as Mr. Santosuosso is a close friend. Mr. Vogel also recused himself from any Committee vote of the issue. Sandra Shaw asked if any time frame was in place for sponsorship of tee markers when Mr. Santosuosso purchased his tee marker. Mr. Vogel asked when the tee marker sponsorship went into place. Ms. Simmons replied that this system went into place in 1996 or 1997 and was valid for a 5 year period. 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE• LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02420 Karen Simmons, Director of Recreation told the Committee that the renewal was discussed with the committee in June, 2000, as is indicated in the Recreation Committee meeting minutes of June 21, 2000. Prior to this 1996 or 1997,the golf course had no tee markers. It was determined that we would wait until the capital improvements were completed at the course before the tee signs were updated and individuals were asked to renew their sponsorship. The basic premise of the sponsorship was to provide nominal revenue for upkeep of the tee signs and to replace them as changes were made to the course and as they weathered. Ms. Simmons further explained to the Committee that Bill Harrison, President of New England Golf Corporation, was amenable to charging Mr. Santosuosso only for the actual cost of the new granite slab marker, which is $360.00, rather than the total fee of$425.00. Ms. Rudner asked how many of the nine tee markers are still available for sponsorship. Ms. Simmons indicated that she was not certain, but thought that 3 are still available. Mr. DeAngelis noted that the Recreation Department and New England Golf Corporation were selling a sponsorship of a tee sign good for 5 years. Mr. Santosuosso believed his payment 19 years ago was all that should be required and it should be for a life. Mr. Santosuosso told the Recreation Committee that he would pay the $360.00 to replace the top of the 8th tee marker. Mr. Santosuosso also stated that if in 5 years the Town wanted additional money, he may relocate the marker to his house. After a spirited discussion, Mr. DeAngelis asked what the proposal and recommendation is. Karen Simmons, Director of Recreation, recommended that Mr. Santosuosso be asked to pay $360.00 to replace the top of the 8th hole tee marker if he would like to renew his sponsorship for a 5 year period. Sandra Shaw moved the recommendation. Lisah Rhodes seconded the motion. The Recreation Committee voted 2-1-2 to approve the recommendation of the Director of Recreation. 4. Article 30 Karen Simmons, Director of Recreation,told the Recreation Committee that Article 30 had been indefinitely postponed at the March 26, 2012 session of Town Meeting. 5. Lincoln Park Sub-committee(LPSC) Karen Simmons, Director of Recreation, reviewed the draft charge for the Lincoln Park Sub-committee (draft policy attached). Ms. Simmons, Lisah Rhodes and Wendy Rudner who have met several times since the January 2012 Recreation Committee meeting write this draft reviewed the rationale for its content with the recreation Committee. Mr. Vogel asked what the"actual charge"of the Lincoln Park Sub-committee is. He suggested that this information should be placed in the first paragraph of the updated charge. The Recreation Committee agreed with this suggestion. Lisah Rhodes moved acceptance of the Lincoln Park Sub-committee charge as amended. Sandra Shaw seconded the motion. The Recreation Committee voted 4—0 to accept the Recreation Committee charge for the Lincoln Park Sub-committee, as amended. 6. Busa Farm Update Karen Simmons, Director of Recreation reported to the Recreation Committee that on March 19, 2012 the Board of selectmen had voted 3 —2 for the Busa farm property to be used as a community farm, and for affordable housing. She further indicated that it was time for the Recreation Committee and department to move on and look at other possible options in the community for much needed field space. Sandra Shaw said that she and Betsy Weiss had been approached by Ben Aronson of the Minuteman Newspaper, to write a commentary on the Busa Farm property and final decision. Ms. Shaw told the Committee that she declined the request, wishing for the"dust to settle" before commenting further. 7. Recreation's 5-Year Capital Plan Karen Simmons, Director of Recreation, reviewed the five projects included in the Recreation Department 5-Year Capital Plan. Howard Vogel will present the articles. Lisah Rhodes will be the 2 back-up, in the event that Mr. Vogel is unable to attend. The anticipated dates for Town Meeting to discuss the Recreation Capital requests are April 4. Ms. Simmons indicated that occasionally Town Meeting will vote to change the funding source for Recreation Capital projects from the Tax Levy to the Enterprise Fund. She asked if the Recreation Committee would take a position to comment if this were to occur. Mr. Vogel made the following motion: The Recreation Committee does not support any change in funding sources in Article 11,sections B, C or D. Sandra Shaw moved the motion. Lisah Rhodes seconded. The Recreation Committee voted 4-0 to approve this motion. 8. Recreation Report Karen Simmons, Director of Recreation, reported the following: • Review of the FY2011 Field numbers o Tier 1 (Lexington Recreation and Public Schools) 27,319 hours o Tier 2 (95% Youth and Lexington Residents) 17,309 hours o Tier 3 (minimum 60% Lexington residents and/or youth) 1,316 hours o Tier 4 (less than 60% Lexington residents) 2,063 hours o Tier 5 (camps, clinics, tournaments) 603 hours • Email from Liz Weiss, Lexington resident, regarding what she considers to be possible health risks to users of the infill synthetic fields at Lincoln Park. Karen Simmons advised the Health Department about this complaint and requested that they also review the complaint. Dave Pinsonneault contacted Field Turf for their opinion. Ms. Simmons also contacted Meg Buczynski, Stantec,for her opinion. Ms. Buczynski suggested that the fiber breakdown is normal wear and tear on the field. The fields have been used for 9 years. The industry standard is 8 years. In 2009 the Town did lead testing on the field, as a result of a different complaint. No lead was found in the turf or infill. 9. Parks Reports Chris Filadoro, Superintendent of Public Grounds, reported the following: • The final walk through of the Phase 1 portion of the Center project is scheduled for March 29. The estimated date for reopening the fields is the first week in May. • The Parks Department will be working with Minuteman Technical High School to dig the area for the tennis pavilion footings. • The grass fields opened on Monday, March 26. • The Lexington Little League Board has recommended that the league pay to have all Little League fields laser-graded. Ms. Rudner asked if the Recreation Committee, Department or the Department of Public Works will send a thank you letter to Lexington Little League. Mr. Filadoro will take care of this. • The culvert project at Pine Meadows is substantially complete. The irrigation is almost finished. Final paving of the walkways will take place this spring. The next meeting of the Recreation Committee will take place on Wednesday, April 18 at 7:00 p.m. in Room G 15of the Town Office Building. The March 28, 2012 meeting of the Recreation Committee adjourned at 7:16 p.m. The following documents/exhibits distributed or discussed at the meeting are attached: 1. Sponsor a Tee Sign advertisement at Pine Meadows 2. Lincoln Park Sub-Committee Charge Draft Respectfully Submitted, Sheila Butts 3 fct sifoN 11--11-III 11.e, Goli ?'w Vfeela",itutt 1,244 IV6 1111 . 4 . Par . 4 ' ( alipt Sponsor a tee sign 'at Pine Meadows Golf Chu ) for a five year perood $425. Hoes 5 through 9 are availlab (E,.. For additional information contact Bill Harrison 781-326-5717 newenglandgolf@corncast.net Lincoln Park Sub-Committee Committee Charge Members: 7-9 Appointed by: Recreation Committee Length of term: 3 years Appointments made: June 30 Meeting times: Monthly and other times, as needed-7, 61:nd p (2) escription: Lincoln Park is a 39.8 acre comprehensive, recreational facility comprised of athletic fields,walking/jogging paths, fitness stations,tot lot,meadows and open space.-41e Lincoln Park Sub-Committee/feports to the Recreation Committee and are responsible for the oversight and advocacy of the facilities at Lincoln Park, encompassing passive and active recreation. In pursuit of these duties and responsibilities the sub-committee shall: O Submit meeting minutes to the Recreation Committee. O Report to Recreation Committee 2X/year, including an annual,joint Recreation/Lincoln Park Sub-Committee meeting at the park each May. O Present all projects and financial transactions to the Recreation Committee for approval. Membership: Members should have an interest in recreation and open space. The committee will be comprised of equal representation of active and passive recreation, an abutter, and a representative from Hayden Recreation Centre. Prior to serving as a member of this committee, appointees are required to: 1. Acknowledge receipt of the Summary of the Conflict of Interest Statute. Further,to continue to serve on the Sub-Committee,the members must acknowledge annually receipt of the Summary of the Conflict of Interest Statute. Said summary will be provided by and acknowledged to the Town Clerk • 2. Provide evidence to the Town Clerk that the appointee has completed the on-line training requirement required by the Conflict of Interest statute. •