MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF
THE NEWTOWN PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
TOWN HALL SOUTH
SEPTEMBER 9, 2009
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Marks called the meeting to order at 6:04 pm.
Commission Members present: Marks, Yochum and Yanni, Jr.
Commission Members absent: Barczak, DiNicola and Crick Owen
Staff present: Mangold, Samuelson and Reggiano
Staff absent: None
Public: Kendra Bobowick from the Newtown Bee.
2. ACCEPTANCE OF THE MINUTES
The minutes were tabled until the October meeting.
3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Ø John Reed from the Fairfield Hills Authority was present to support the new trail for Fairfield Hills. Dr. Reed is very excited about the potential for Fairfield Hills. He is also looking forward to Parks and Recreation working with the Fairfield Hills Authority in order to support mutually beneficial endeavors. Dr. Reed thanked Director Mangold and Assistant Director Samuelson for their work so far. On a second note he mentioned as a senior citizen that he would welcome a discussion about a shared facility (Community Center) at Fairfield Field Hills.
4. CORRESPONDENCE
Ø A memo was sent to the First Selectman, Joe Borst from Ed Rees, Chairman of the Commission on Aging regarding moving ahead on the Community Center with Parks and Recreation. They have decided to withdraw from the original proposal with Parks and Recreation and go back to their original request for a stand-alone building.
6. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Ø None.
7. DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Ø None.
8. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PARKS REPORT
Ø Parks and Fields report was reviewed.
9. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF RECREATION REPORT
Ø Pool party was a big success.
Ø People are very happy with the canopy at Treadwell Pool and would like another one over the grass area and take the money from surcharge.
Ø The special needs swim lessons over the summer were a success.
Ø Day Camp went well with very few complaints.
Ø 460 people have signed up for the Recreation Brochure.
Ø The Fall Brochure is out and classes will be starting soon.
Ø The Dog Days of Summer is scheduled for Saturday, September 12.
Ø Greg Simon, the High School Athletic Director, informed Assistant Director Reggiano that anyone using the school on Saturdays may be charged custodian overtime. Assistant Director Reggiano will investigate this more and get back to the Commission.
Ø Assistant Director brought up for discussion charging a surcharge for organizations that run camps on our fields. The Commission agreed that starting in the spring of 2010 the organization using the field would be charged a $20.00 per person surcharge fee.
Ø Color Guard has not heard if they can use the Middle School A gym – they may not have use of the gym because the floor was damaged last year by the Color Guard.
10. GARY SORGE – STANTEC – review Fairfield Hills Trail Plans and Dickinson Park Concept Plan
Ø Gary Sorge made a thorough presentation of the Trail at Fairfield Hills. The new trail will run the perimeter of the Fairfield Hills Campus as shown in the master plan. The finished trail will be 2.21 miles from one end to the other. Approximately 80 to 85% of the trail will be handicap accessible.
Ø The Parks and Recreation Commission will need to thoroughly examine the field development plans near Keating Farms Avenue to decide if it is worth utilizing existing trail/road or if reconfiguring the trail would be beneficial to creating more field space.
Ø The Commission members that were present were in support of the plan presented. Gary Sorge will present these plans at the Fairfield Hills Authority meeting on Wednesday, September 16, at 7:30 pm at Town HallSouth; members of the Commission were invited to attend.
Ø Dickinson Park Concept Plan - The plan presented would include reconstructed tennis and basketball courts, skateboard park addition, a new playground with a splash pad would be added, a concession stand, storage and restrooms would be added, reconstruction and realigning of the driveway to daylight stream project, replace chain link fence with a guard rail near outdoor performance area, replace pavilion with an addition of a stone picnic area and existing park path realignment. Existing parking of 169 would be reduced to 134.
Ø Changed to the plan presented would include the memorial area with flagpole would be relocated, possibly make the splash pad a little larger and moving it closer to the playground area. Missing on the plan was a piece of the existing new urban trail, which did not show on the aerial map. This will be added to the plan. Also added to the plan will be a buffer between the skate park and the splash pad. Reconfigure the hill by the tennis courts to eliminate mowing issues. Chairman Marks suggested that the completed plan with additions be mounded at available for presentations. Mr. Sorge will take care of this.
11. COMMUNITY CENTER UPDATE
Ø See correspondence above.
12. OTHER
Ø None.
NEW BUSINESS
1. OTHER
Ø None.
(m/s/c: Yochum/Yanni, Jr.) “Motion to adjourn.” The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted by
Donna Benson
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