MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF
THE NEWTOWN PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
TOWN HALL SOUTH
DECEMBER 9, 2008
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Marks called the meeting to order at 6:11 pm.
Commission Members present: Marks, Barczak and Yochum
Commission Members absent: DiNicola, Eigen and Steimle
Staff present: Mangold, Reggiano and Samuelson
Staff absent: None
2. ACCEPTANCE OF THE MINUTES
The minutes of the regular meeting held November 12, 2008 were tabled because the Commission did not have a quorum.
3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Ø None.
4. CORRESPONDENCE
Ø None.
6. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Fairfield Hills Report
Ø Still struggling with Bridgeport Hall.
Ø Greenwich Hall work is delayed until spring.
7. DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Ø Director Mangold and Assistant Director Samuelson met with Bob Tait, Finance Director and David Grogins, Town Attorney, about the bid for Tilson Field. Director Mangold recommended Prograss. Both Mr. Tait and Mr. Grogins reviewed the bid. They found everything to be in order. Mr. Tait will award the bid tomorrow (12/10/08).
Ø Director Mangold presented the Commission the new car permits that will be used this summer. She also showed them the new key tags that will replace the pool passes that were used in the past. This will be an approximate savings of $300.00 from last year.
Ø Director Mangold, Assistant Director Samuelson, Chairman Marks, Dr. Janet Robinson, Schools Superintendent; Gino Faiella, Buildings and Grounds Supervisor; Stacey Laaksonen and Joe McEnaney from Babe Ruth Softball met to discuss the safety issue at the Newtown Middle School softball field. The issue is that the first base line is about 3 feet from the parking lot and this creates a safety issue when the girls have to run into the parking lot for the ball. A solution was discussed and agreed upon but further information is needed from the Fire Marshall and the Highway Department, Assistant Director Samuelson will follow up on these issues. He will
also get pricing for fencing to run along side the first base line. They also discussed improvements at the Reed School (fencing around the field) and benches. Taylor Field was also discussed.
Ø Director Mangold has been in contact with Russell Bartley (who is working on the town hall roof) about the roof at the Maintenance building. He has identified roofing contractors that have worked with O & G and they will meet with TRC Environmental. He will then report back to Director Mangold.
Ø Director Mangold and Assistant Director Reggiano attended the CRPA Conference. The Commission agreed to leave money for the conferences in the budget.
Ø Director Mangold told the Commission that she is examining a move to Edmond Town Hall if for some reason the Community Center does not proceed. First Selectman Borst told Director Mangold to speak with Jay Gill of The Town Hall Board of Managers to discuss this possibility. Scott Sharlow from the Technology Department said that the technology is not as advanced as it is in the building Parks and Recreation Department is in now. The Kendo building might also be a possibility. Mr. Gill suggested that Director Mangold attend their meeting next month (it is the same night as the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting).
Ø Director Mangold and Chairman Marks attended a Public Building and Site Committee meeting about the Community Center. Parks and Recreation is still waiting for direction from O & G. The Senior Center did send a representative to the meeting. Jeff Cugno of O & G will have to assemble all the groups to work with the architect. The architect needs a price to proceed. Mr. Cugno has a schedule that he is presently working with. Chairman Marks will send an email to Mr. Cugno to see what the next step is.
8. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PARKS REPORT
Ø See attached report.
Ø The ice skating rink is being set up at Dickinson Park.
Ø LRM will begin the Urban Trail after the holidays.
9. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF RECREATION REPORT
Ø Breakfast with Santa a big success. There were 200 – 250 kids that attended the event. The event included build a bear and Kids in the Kitchen cookie decorating. Santa and Mrs. Claus handed out small stuffed reindeer. Thank you to the Girl Scouts that volunteered as well as Cory Mangold and Jake Moore for their help.
Ø At the Conference she attended a class on special needs. She will now be offering special needs swim lessons. She will hold a meeting in the spring with all the lifeguards to go over what will be needed and to introduce them to Director Mangold.
Ø Assistant Director Reggiano requested that the canopy for Treadwell Pool be purchased from surcharge money so that it can be purchased in time for the upcoming swim season.
Ø The winter brochure is now on line. The printed brochure will be out next week. She explained that there is a website called “Cities Go Green”. For a fee we can post the brochure on line and it resembles a book on line. If we cut the brochure down to 4 pages and put the book on line it may be less expensive then printing our full brochure.
10. 2009 MEETING SCHEDULE
Ø Tabled until January meeting. The Commission did not have a quorum.
11. 2009 SUMMER FEES - UPDATE
Ø Tabled until January meeting. The Commission did not have a quorum.
12. TILSON TURF FIELD - UPDATE
Ø See Director’s Report above.
13. 2009/2010 BUDGET – UPDATE/REVIEW
Ø An updated budget was handed out and reviewed by the Commission. Director Mangold will update the changes and email to all members. The Commission wants to get copies of the budget to the First Selectman and the Board of Selectman early for their review.
(m/s/c: Barczak/Yochum) The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted by
Donna Benson
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