TOWN OF EAST WINDSOR
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
July 14, 2008
Draft Document - Subject to Commission Approval
The regular meeting was called to order by Chairman Hayes at 7:00 p.m. in the Meeting Room of the East Windsor Town Hall, 11 Rye Street, Broad Brook, CT.
PRESENT: Chairman Hayes, Commissioners Szymanski and Waltiere; Park Director
Green, Groundsman Tetro, Selectman Simmons and Mary Lou Morell from
the Park Office.
ABSENT: Commissioner Simpkins.
GUESTS: None
ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM:
A quorum was established as three commission members were present.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
Patricia Tracy of 241 S. Water Street, East Windsor approached the Commission with a recommendation to install a bocce’ court in Town. She presented a history of the game/sport and sited its appeal to all ages. The standard court size is 9’ x 60’ played on stone dust or sand; grass is not recommended for a court surface. Mixed aged teams and be formed, a league could be established with competition play.
Courts could also be installed at the schools for playtime/recess activity and as a sport.
As school grounds are not under the jurisdiction of Parks and Recreation, this proposal must be brought to the Board of Education for their consideration.
Equipment could be purchased by the Parks and Recreation Department and then rented out.
The Commission will consider this new idea for town-wide recreation. Ms. Tracey suggested perhaps East Windsor Park or Volunteer Park would be suitable locations for a court.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
MOTION: To APPROVE the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of
May 12, 2008 as written.
Waltiere moved/Szymanski seconded/VOTE: In Favor: Unanimous.
Town of East Windsor
Parks & Recreation Commission 2
Regular Meeting – July 14, 2008
ADDED AGENDA ITEM:
Under New Business: Try-a-Sport Presentation
OLD BUSINESS:
a. BMX Skate Park
A fundraising event kickoff will take place on July 26, 2008 at the Golden Gavel parking lot on North Road, Broad Brook, Ct. The ARCO Co. will
present a promotional tour with equipment features, demonstrations and food vendors.
b. Dog Park
Proposal was approved by the Inlands/Wetlands Commission, and will be presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission on June 10, 2008 and with their approval will be presented to the Board of Selectmen on June 17, 2008.
NEW BUSINESS:
ADDED AGENDA ITEM: Try-a-Sport Presentation
Patricia Turmenne informed the Commission that she achieved her Gold Award for Girl Scouts on April 5, 2008 with the development of a Try-a-Sport program. This program, held at the East Windsor Middle School from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., targeted ages 2-7 to introduce them to the sports of softball, baseball, soccer, disc golf, tumbling, dance and yoga. Each child could sign up for a half-hour rotation at any three sports. Each discipline had at least one coach and helper with activities occurring in the cafeteria, gymnasium and outdoors. There were 54 sign ups with 29 participating and there were 24 volunteers. Ms. Turmenne conducted a survey of the program and shared the results with the Commission.
Ms. Turmenne is proposing that this program be an annual event through the Parks and Recreation Department. She is recommending that the program hours be expanded and additional sports added such as football, cheerleading, volleyball, track & field and tennis.
a. Financial Accounts Review
As of June 30, 2008 the Department returned to the Town from their budget
$1,107.38 in salary expense and $455.84 in operating expense.
Town of East Windsor
Parks & Recreation Commission 3
Regular Meeting – July 14, 2008
NEW BUSINESS/a) Financial Accounts Review (continued):
The major purchases in June were for bleachers for Abbe Road Soccer Field, four new bar-b-que grills and a new aerator for the reservoir at East Windsor Park.
b. 2008-2009 Budget Update
Director Green reported that the approved budget for 2008-2009 is $292,227 which is $6,484 more than the 2007-2008 Budget of $286,743.
Items removed for 2008-2009 were:
$15,000 for an addition of a part-time grounds personnel
$85,000 from CIP for a storage/office facility at East Windsor Park
$10,500 from CIP for equipment purchase
(this item is reported to be restored in 2010)
c. Dog Park – Fundraising Policy
Director Green informed the Commission of the need to establish a procedure within the Department for the administration, accounting, collection and dispensing of funds collected from the sponsors and fundraising efforts of the Dog Owner’s Park project. A line item will be established within the Parks and Recreation Department in the Treasurer’s Office.
MOTION: To ESTABLISH a line item for the purpose of administering, collecting, accounting and dispersing of funds collected on behalf of the East Windsor Dog Owners Park.
Waltiere moved/Szymanski seconded/VOTE: In Favor: Unanimous.
Groundsman Tetro suggested that a memo be sent to the Public Works Department to keep the proposed site area mowed, to control sumac, until site development commences.
Director Green reported that the fencing expense is $22,500 and that $30,000
needs to be raised to support this project. Notice will be sent to all registered dog owners in town to solicit contributions. Sponsorships will be solicited and Director Green has received notice that a memorial contribution will to be forthcoming.
Town of East Windsor
Parks & Recreation Commission 4
Regular Meeting – July 14, 2008
NEW BUSINESS (continued):
d. Park Director’s Report
Director Green reported that summer programs are up and running and Camp is on its second week. The theme for the first week of camp was Tropical Treasure Island week and there were 35 participants ages 6 – 10 and 10 participants ages 4 – 5. The Camp Director also started this week.
The CIT program for ages 13-15 is well received. Three participated the first week with three additional joining the second week. The program trains for the transition into camp counselors at age 16.
Director Green is looking into starting a lifeguard training class at the Reservoir. Two new guards were hired this year; one with experience and the other a high school student on his first year of guarding.
Director Green reported that two program were cancelled due to lack of enrollment; Cressotti Baseball Camp and Mad Science program.
Director Green stated there has been a significant increase in requests for financial assistance for campers this year. She is working with Human Services who determines the need and then tries to arrange scholarships and/or payment plans for the families. Next year she would like to set up a Camper Scholarship fund through direct donations and by adding to program registration forms a line for a contribution to the scholarship fund.
Director Green informed the Commission of a player incident with the Men’s Softball League which resulted in the player’s ejection from the game and a one-game suspension penalty. Director Green has received requests from several teams regarding the maintenance at home plate which dips due the players grinding their cleats into the clay. Groundsman Tetro has filled in the area with additional clay but will look into a rubberized mat to prevent this condition from continuing.
Director Green reported on the First Annual Karen Drake Softball Reunion event held at East Windsor Park on June 2, 2008. Ms. Drake also sent a Thank-you card for the use of the park. This could be an annual or biennial event in the future.
As a result of the successful Kid’s Dog Show event, a $100 contribution to the East Windsor Police Department K-9 Unit was made.
Director Green informed the Commission of an article in this week’s Reminder News regarding the Boundless Playground proposed at Pierce Memorial Park
Town of East Windsor
Parks & Recreation Commission 5
Regular Meeting – July 14, 2008
NEW BUSINESS/d) Park Director’s Report (continued):
in the Windsorville section of town. East Windsor has received a $25,000 grant from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving for this project. East Windsor was one of six towns receiving grants. She will be required to attend classes for instruction on design, implementation, community involvement and fundraising for this project. She will be holding a community event to solicit input from the community for the design of the playground.
e. Groundsman’s Report
Groundsman Tetro reported he is mowing, mowing and mowing.
Groundsman Tetro is concerned with unauthorized swimming after hours and asked that the Commission address this with the Police Department. He would like to see a consistent Police presence at East Windsor Park by driving through when they are in the area. Park gates are open until 10:00 p.m. through the softball league season.
Groundsman Tetro reported that the well pump is shorting out in the well that is located our by Reservoir Avenue. He will have the electrician investigate this situation.
Leagues/Abbe Road Soccer Complex/Broad Brook Pond Park/Pierce Memorial Park (Windsorville)/Prospect Hill Park (Warehouse Point)/ Warehouse Point (Osborn Field) Park:
No discussion this evening.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Director Green reported that she received a Thank-you card from Bob Cotieux of the Rotary Club for Groundsman Tetro’s participation with his mower in the annual Touch-a-Truck event.
MISCELLANEOUS:
Director Green stated that she is investigating the purchase of a scoreboard for the Abbe Road Soccer Complex. She currently is in favor of an East Longmeadow company who would access our needs, install the product and provide maintenance and service. Cost is estimated at $10,000.
Town of East Windsor
Parks & Recreation Commission 6
Regular Meeting – July 14, 2008
MISCELLANEOUS (continued):
She would like to approach the East Windsor Soccer Club and that Industrial League teams for contributions. They could contribute snack bar sales and/or hold fundraisers for this specific expense.
Commissioner Szymanski suggested contacting the Pepsi Company who in the past has made donations of scoreboards to organizations.
Additional upgrades at Abbe Road are the addition of bleachers on the practice (smaller) field and repairs/adjustments to the irrigation system.
Groundsman Tetro informed Director Green that Little League has completed their season but food remains in the refrigerator and freezer. Contact Little League to complete their clean up of the snack bar so that these appliances can be turned off.
APPROVAL OF BILLS:
The bills were reviewed and signed by Commissioners Szymanski and Waltiere.
ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION: To ADJOURN this meeting at 8:14 p.m.
Waltiere moved/Szymanski seconded/VOTE: In Favor:
Unanimous
Respectfully submitted, __________________________________
Mary Lou Morell
Recording Secretary
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