MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF
THE NEWTOWN PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
TOWN HALL SOUTH
AUGUST 10, 2009
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Marks called the meeting to order at 6:10 pm.
Commission Members present: Marks, Barczak, DiNicola and Crick Owen
Commission Members absent: Yochum and Yanni, Jr.
Staff present: Mangold and Samuelson
Staff absent: Reggiano
Public: None
2. ACCEPTANCE OF THE MINUTES
(m/s/c: DiNicola/Barczak.) “Motion to accept the minutes of the July 13, 2009 meeting as presented.”
3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Ø None.
4. CORRESPONDENCE
Ø Mike Cummings from the Newtown High School Band wrote to thank Parks and Recreation for all their help and support.
Ø Bob Geckle from the Fairfield Hills Authority sent a thank you email for the work that has been done on the green at Fairfield Hills.
Ø Sean Dunn from Newtown Youth Football wrote to thank Assistant Director Samuelson and his crew for their hard work at Taylor Field and to let them know that everything is going well.
5. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Ø Tennis has worked out issues at Newtown Youth Academy. Fairfield County Tennis might work with NYA on their own next year.
6. DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Ø Director Mangold, Assistant Director Samuelson and Rob Sibley from Land Use met at Dickinson Park to discuss the possibility of putting the skate park at Dickinson Park. Rob Sibley said that putting the skate park at Dickinson would require a department sign off. Director Mangold has requested that Mr. Sibley put in writing what would need to be completed in order to put the skate park in this location.
Ø ARC skateboard ramp demonstration went very well. Director Mangold took the opportunity to ask some of the skaters how they would feel about having the skate park at Dickinson Park. They were excited by that prospect. Donate to Skate has raised approximately $18,000.00 toward the skate park. Director Mangold informed the Commission that ARC would be able to design a skate park. Assistant Director Samuelson thought that ARC equipment is on the state contract. Director Mangold would like to move ahead on this location.
Ø Assistant Director Samuelson gathered an estimated cost of putting a 10,000 – 12,000 sq foot concrete pad down for the skate park at about $50,000.00. If this projects goes ahead this year the concrete would need to be poured before the end of December. The concrete should go out to bid. The ramps and fencing would also need to be purchased.
(m/s/c: Barczak/Crick Owen) “Motion to authorized Director Mangold to commission the design work for the skate park and to authorize up to $2,500.00 for the cost of the design work if necessary.”
Ø Mark Ingram for Charter Communications would like to film the next summer concert at Dickinson Park. The band has agreed to be filmed. The Commission agreed to this.
7. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PARKS REPORT
Ø See attached parks report and assessment of crew’s responsibilities. A current project list was also handed out to all members. Chairman Marks asked Assistant director Samuelson that the project list be updated every three months.
Ø The field use meeting went extremely well – there was a lot of cooperation between the sports organizations. The girl’s lacrosse (a premier team) has requested the use of a field on Sunday mornings. No one else uses the field at that time so it would work as far as scheduling the time. A surcharge fee would have to be collected. Greg Simon from the high school handed in a schedule for using Treadwell field, they will be using the field all fall, as the backfields at the high school will not be usable.
Ø Robert Fritzinger has started working for the department and has been a welcomed addition. Unfortunately the crew will be down an employee for 6 – 8 months because of shoulder surgery.
(m/s/c: DiNicola/Barczak) “Motion to approve up to $3,500.00 from surcharge account for 6 portable light towers for a 12 – 13 week period at the Middle School for Newtown Youth Football – Newtown Youth Football will be paying the balance.”
Ø The dock extension that was received for the Eichler’s Cove has a hinge in the wrong spot. In order to return the extension we would have to pay the return freight and also the freight to get it back. Assistant Director Samuelson will have it repaired at Barzettie’s. The lighting is complete and is functioning very well. The road sign for Eichler’s Cove will be a state zoning issue that will take time to resolve. Chairman Marks asked that this be added to the project list.
8. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF RECREATION REPORT
Ø None.
9. COMMUNITY CENTER – update
Ø August 24th is the next Board of Selectman meeting at which experts will address the Community Center.
Ø See Demolition of Litchfield.
10. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN – CIP - review
Ø At the August 3rd Board of Selectman meeting the main focus was the Community Center and the renovations at Dickinson Park.
Ø Lights for high school backfield project might not happen.
Ø Tennis courts at Dickinson rebuilding –Director Mangold and Assistant Director Samuelson will meet with Gary Sorge to discuss project and to finalize bid specs.
11. DICKINSON CONCEPTUAL PLAN/SKATEBOARD PARK
Ø Skateboard Park – see Directors report.
12. PLAN OF ACTION FOR THE DEMOLITION OF LITCHFIELD AND POSSIBLE YALE BUILDING
Ø Litchfield Hall demolition and design phase of the Community Center are approved items in the CIP.
Ø Task order #4 with O & G– Demolition of Litchfield Hall – the price was being negotiated and has been agreed upon. First Selectman Borst is working on getting approval for the Board of Selectman to have O & G put project out to bid. The First Selectman will have to sign off on this. O & G is being recommended by First Selectman Borst and Bob Mitchell to oversee the project.
Ø If the demolition of Yale House is necessary it will be done during the construction phase of the Community Center.
13. ON GOING CAPITAL PROJECTS
Ø Maintenance Garage – O & G will have the bid documents available in 2 – 3 weeks. This project could still happen before winter. Assistant Director Samuelson is unsure if the building will have to be vacated while the remediation takes place. There is a chance that an incline roof might not need to be repaired.
Next meeting will be Tuesday, September 8, 2009.
(m/s/c: Barczak/DiNicola) “Motion to adjourn.” The meeting was adjourned 7:20 pm.
Respectfully submitted by
Donna M. Benson
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