olchester Parks and Recreation Commission
August 3, 2009
RecPlex
SiteWalk at 6:30 p.m.
Regular Meeting immediately following
Members Present: Chairman S. O’Leary, J. Barr, N. Kaplan, E. Kundahl, C. Williams, C. Ferrante,
A. Spranzo, M. Kennedy, L. Dimock, L. Stephenson (7:53 p.m.)
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Jay Cohen, Park and Rec Director, Paula McDowell
1. Call to Order: Chairman O’Leary called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
2. Site Walk: Members toured the RecPlex. Most all areas were in use during this time. Upon completion of the site walk members returned to the pavilion for discussion.
(A. Spranzo left at this time.)
No work has begun on R7. Chairman O’Leary will contact Tom Carey to question when soccer will begin the improvements to the field. There are up to 8 inch drops in the play area of R8 creating a hazard. There are variations in the grass heights due to the fact that there has been a lot of rain and mowing can not be kept up with due to shortage in staff. A new mower is also needed.
J. Cohen asked about the possibility of turning the field on the town green in to an all grass surface. The drainage there is poor and can vary rarely be used as is. Work is going forward on the Cody Camp field. C. Ferrante suggested the possibility of being able to change the use of fields now that there will be an additional field. The facilities committee will discuss this further.
(L. Stephenson arrived at this time.)
3. Citizen’s Comments: None
4. Acceptance of the June 1, 2009 Regular Meeting Minutes: E. Kundahl motioned to approve the minutes of the June 1, 2009 meeting, seconded by N. Kaplan . All members present voted in favor with L. Stephenson abstaining. MOTION CARRIED.
5. Reading of Correspondence: None
6. Committee Reports:
Facilities: C. Ferrante and J. Cohen have spoken with Steve Ashe who said that soccer is still planning on going ahead with the R7 renovations. E. Kundahl said that seeding does not have to be done until September so there is plenty of time still.
• Finance/Administration: The Program Fund Monthly Cash Flow and Balance for Fiscal Year 2008-2009 was reviewed. J. Cohen said that additional money still needs to be raised to pay for the Park and Rec Supervisor position. If cost for programs is raised less people will register. Financial aid applicants have increased but have not dramatically affected the profit of the camp.
(C. Ferrante left at this time.)
• Programs: The commission agreed to go with a donated tree again this year. The ornament will be of the Comstock Bridge.
• Skate Park: E. Kundahl motioned to remove Skate Park from the agenda with reasoning that no one from the group attends the meetings, seconded by N. Kaplan. All members present voted in favor. MOTION CARRIED.
• BOS Liaison: None
• Dog Park: J. Cohen reported that the dog park committee received a donation of $20,000. They have been approved by the Board of Selectmen and can now fundraise. Ideally they would like work to begin in the fall but it will ultimately depend on the money they are able to raise.
7. Discussion and Possible Action of Closing and Upgrade of R8 for Summer 2010:
(Paula McDowell arrived to participate in this discussion.)
Someone from lacrosse is willing to donate money towards the work to be done on the football field. Football has decided to wait until next year to close the field. The delay will allow for further planning on what needs to be done and how to plan around the closing of the field. If lacrosse knows ahead of time they can not schedule any home games for June allowing the field to close a couple weeks earlier. Football is concerned over the lost of concession stand profits.
N. Kaplan suggested something be sent out notifying all those affected of the plan and asking if there are any additional obstacles they see.
8. Discussion of Environmental Review of Department Policies and Procedures: J. Cohen would like to see a subcommittee to work on an Environmental Report Card. Members will review the website and information pertaining to the report card and discuss further at the strategic plan meeting.
9. Discussion of Strategic Plan Meeting Date: The meeting will be around October. The date still needs to be determined.
10. Discussion of Senior Center Task Force Representative: A representative from the Park and Rec Commission is needed to serve on this task force. J. Barr volunteered to fill the position.
11. Director’s Report: Irrigation systems were repaired. Trick or Trunk will be held in place of the event with the State Police. Walk to School was a big success. One will be held in the fall that will include JJIS and BA. An architect for the track will be hired soon. Site work has begun on the Cody Camp Field. N. Kaplan motioned to approve the Director’s Report as presented, seconded by M. Kennedy. All members present voted in favor. MOTION CARRIED.
12. Recreation Supervisor’s Report (Quarterly): No report was given.
13. General Comments: L. Dimock questioned why the Subway sign is down from the concession stand. Is it still being run as Subway? The contract was awarded based on it being run as a Subway. J. Cohen will check in to the matter further.
14. Adjournment: E. Kundahl motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by L. Stephenson. All members present voted in favor. MOTION CARRIED. Chairman O’Leary adjourned the meeting at 8:39 p.m.
Dawn LePage, Clerk
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