Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting
Date: Tuesday October 6, 2009
Time: 4:00PM
Town Hall Meeting Room
Minutes
Present Board Members: Vice Chairperson, Tim Csere; John Wright, Daniel Roy, Mark Vickery. Also present Director, Ruth Plummer; Program Coordinator, Shawn Mullen; Town Manager, Jeff O’Keefe.
Call To Order: Tim Csere called to order the October 6, 2009 Regular Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
Approval of the minutes of the September 1, 2009 regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board: John Wright motioned to approve the minutes of the September 1, 2009 Regular Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Tim Csere seconded the motion. All approved (4-0).
Audience of Citizens: An EHHS Political Science class was in attendance.
Communications
- Letter from Ruth Plummer to Jeff O’Keefe to revisit the Fireman’s Grounds with Connecticut DEP.
Jeff O’Keefe said that the State is not willing to sell the land to the town but is considering entering into a stewardship with the town. Jeff asked the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to provide him with a list of their ideas for potential uses for the property. He said it could be a good site for athletic fields such as a baseball field. Ruth pointed out that there was another opportunity to be discussed later on the agenda that was more appropriate for fields. Ruth Plummer reported that she could not see the State being in support of this type of use. Mark Vickery agreed. Discussion about usage and ownership based on residency took place. Ruth Plummer concluded that the department and the board has always been in support of such uses as, community gardens, picnic and party rentals, fishing,
camping and other activities in keeping with other State Park activities.
- Letter from Ruth Plummer to Chatham Baseball
The letter was discussed and everyone has a copy.
Director’s Report
- Ruth Plummer reported that she had ordered walleye fingerlings through the DEP. Approximately 7600 fingerlings will be delivered at the end of October.
Ruth reported that Scott Minnick, the board’s liaison to the Town Council for 4 years was running for a different board in the November elections and would no long be our Liaison. Ruth added that Scott had been a great supporter of the board and department, he attended many meetings we appreciated his hard work. Ruth will draft a letter of appreciation to Scott from all.
The board was informed of a situation at Loos Pond where a boulder had been dropped into the outlet of the pond. The person had been identified. A wetland enforcement agent worked with the person and the boulder should be removed shortly.
- Shawn Mullen gave a report on the status of Fall and Winter Programs. Everyone has a copy.
Unfinished Business
This has been tabled until the next meeting. Jeff O’Keefe told the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board that he wanted them to start thinking about things like a municipal golf course, a football field, and a recreation facility with swimming pools. When asked what the 5 year plan was, Ruth Plummer advised Mr. O’Keefe, that the board was a bit overwhelmed by the Santa Clarita comprehensive master plan he had shared with them. The board had asked Ruth to come up with an update of the department’s 5 year plan. This was going to be a bit more work as the original document was lost in a computer crash.
- Middle Haddam Boat Launch
Ruth Plummer reported that in her research she found an A2 Survey conducted by a abutting property owner that delineates a clear boundary of the town owned land and this property. She also has a copy of a judgment on file in the Town Clerk’s office that proves the town owned property now known as the Middle Haddam Boat Launch is approximately 33’ wide from that west boundary. A discussion around parking issues was brought up again. Jeff O’Keefe answered that considering the width, there was potential for parking and river access on the town’s land. At this point Ruth did not see the need to proceed on another survey. The property boundaries are clearly marked on this survey. Ruth Plummer and Keith Hayden will proceed with this.
New Business
- Departmental restructuring
In preparing for the 2010-2011 budget Ruth Plummer is looking at the part time seasonal staff’s duties in an effort to better meet seasonal responsibilities.
- Potential property adjacent to Middle School Athletic Complex
There is a piece of property adjacent to the Middle School Athletic Complex (formerly referred to as the DeBarge Property) that the Board of Education is looking into for possible additional athletic facilities. Ruth spoke about great potential this property has for additional athletic fields particularly much needed baseball fields. She requested that if the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board still supported the purchase ( as they had two years ago) that we act on it. Tim Csere motioned for the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to draft a letter in support of the Board of Education’s recommendation. John Wright seconded the motion. All approved (4-0).
- Sears Park 100th Anniversary planning
Ruth Plummer is exploring options on how we want to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Sears Park. Ruth Plummer and Rich Norkun had discussed making a recommendation to Town Council that sticker fees be waived, with the exception of boats, for the centennial year. The objective is the entice residents who may not have visited Sears Park in the recent past to do so again. Revenue generated from stickers sales goes into general fund and does not off set expenses.
Other Concerns
None
Committee Reports
Jeff O’Keefe inquired as where the needs assessment was for this idea. Ruth Plummer reported that there was not one due to lack of funding and support in the past.
Adjournment
John Wright motioned to adjourn the October 6, 2009 Regular Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Daniel Roy seconded the motion. All approved (4-0).
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