MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF
THE NEWTOWN PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
TOWN HALL SOUTH
NOVEMBER 10, 2009
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Marks called the meeting to order at 6:03 pm.
Commission Members present: Marks, Barczak, Yanni, Jr. and Crick Owen
Commission Members absent: DiNicola and Yochum
Staff present: Mangold, Samuelson and Reggiano
Staff absent: None
Public: Jan Brookes and Sue Thompson.
2. ACCEPTANCE OF THE MINUTES
(m/s/c: Barczak/Crick Owen.) “Motion to approve the minutes from August 10, 2009 meeting.”
The approval of the October 13, 2009 minutes has been tabled.
3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Ø None.
4. CORRESPONDENCE
Ø Email from Sean Dunn from Newtown Youth Football and Cheer about the status of the towns intention to acquire the white house next to Hawley School. Assistant Director Samuelson will respond to Newtown Youth Football and Cheer as well as Babe Ruth and Lacrosse with the Commissions response that the purchase of this additional property is something Parks and Recreation is in support of, but not a financial priority for us to fund. He will also give them information about items (bringing a water line from the street to the fields) that have been explored in the past to try and improve Taylor field.
6. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Ø Parks and Recreation has gone before the Board of Selectman twice for the C.I.P. The Board of Selectman has restored the $3,000,000 to the Community Center Budget. The Board of Finance has not requested any information as of yet.
Ø Chairman Marks handed out binders that he made up with all the information to date about the Community Center project to each member. He asked that each member review the information. These binders were also handed out to the Board of Selectman and the Board of Finance.
Ø The contract has been awarded to demolish Litchfield Hall and the Yale building as well.
Ø Director Mangold has instructed Steve Whitaker of O & G to continue with the schematic design for the Community Center.
7. DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Ø Director Mangold met with members of the Trail Committee on October 31st to layout the 1600-foot extension of the Rail Trail. The secretary of the Committee is a railroad buff and would like to see the former railroad preserved along the way.
Ø Test boring from Dickinson Park was not favorable for a skate park in the location that was designated. Another location at Dickinson Park has been tested and test boring was also performed at Fairfield Hills, these results have not yet been received. If Parks and Recreation would like to use Fairfield Hills for a skate park they would have to go back to the Fairfield Hills Authority for permission since the time has elapsed that was granted by the Authority.
8. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PARKS REPORT
Ø Parks and Fields report was reviewed (see attached report).
Ø The courtyard planting at Treadwell Park in front of the pool building looks great. The large white pine tree near the gate has been removed and will be replaced by a Blue Spruce before the winter sets in.
Ø Orchard Hill – there has been a problem with vandalism on the Frisbee golf course and there has been a discussion about moving the course.
Ø Fairfield Hills field scoreboard installation stated today.
Ø The softball field at the middle school is moving along nicely. Final laser grading of the field has been completed, sod has been installed and the infield clay area and seeding will take place in the next week or so.
Ø Dickinson Park – Bids will soon go out for the demo/preconstruction work will be done in the fall on the tennis courts.
9. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF RECREATION REPORT
Ø Two Halloween parties were held in October. The party for 8 year olds and under went very well. 103 bags of candy were donated for the houses on Main Street. The party for the older kids at the Teen Center went very well also.
Ø The Winter Preview is complete and on line – registration begins December 1st.
Ø The Turkey Shoot will be held this Saturday.
Ø The first Dog Park meeting went well with about 21 people in attendance. No chairman or secretary was selected. The location of the park was discussed. Assistant Director Reggiano would like to have the members of the committee visit the site at Fairfield Hills. At the next meeting they will work on a brochure, which will include information about the need for a Dog Park. Director Mangold and Assistant Director Reggiano are awaiting guidance from the Town’s Attorney on what the structure of the committee should be.
Ø Director Mangold and Assistant Director Reggiano will attend the Connecticut Parks & Recreation Association Conference later this month.
10. SET 2010 MEETING DATES & TIMES
(M/S/C: Yanni Jr./Barczak) “Motion to hold the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 6:00pm)
11. DISCUSS/SET FEE – DICKINSON PARK OPEN AREA FOR EVENTS
Ø Tabled.
12. TOURNAMENT SURCHARGES/FEE
Ø Assistant Director Samuelson suggested a flat fee per tournament with the money going into the surcharge account.
(m/s/c: Crick Owen/Yanni Jr.) “ Motion to charge $400.00 per tournament, with out of town teams, with the funds going into the surcharge account. Teams would be allowed a request through the Commission to seek a waiver for special circumstances.”
Ø Assistant Director Samuelson will notify all the sports organizations.
13. REVIEW ROUGH DRAFT OF THE 2010/2011 BUDGET
Ø Budget worksheets where handed out to all members and reviewed. Changes were made to the budget.
Ø Waterfront Director position would oversee both Treadwell and Eichler’s lifeguards.
Ø The infrastructure list and the equipment requests were also reviewed. Items where removed from the infrastructure list.
Ø Director Mangold and Assistant Director Samuelson will work on the changes. The budget, equipment requests and infrastructure list will be brought back to the Commission in December to be voted on.
Ø The Commission agreed that the Surcharge Account should be allowed to grow to cover the cost (approx. $450,000.00) of replacing the turf at Treadwell field before spending on other items. The replacement will not take place for a few years.
Ø The Town is now responsible for the plowing of all the road and parking lots at Fairfield Field Hills. There has been no increase in the budget for this. Parks and Recreation will not be responsible for the sidewalks. Assistant Director Samuelson has advised Maria DeMarco, property manager for Fairfield Hills, that she might have to budget for specialized snow removal equipment next year.
14. OTHER
Ø There is one open seat on the Parks and Recreation Commission. This is a new addition to the Commission through a revised Town Charter. No political party affiliation is necessary. Director Mangold will check with the Town Clerk to see how this process will proceed.
Ø Assistant Director Samuelson has a meeting next Tuesday with O & G to go over remediation work on the Maintenance Building.
NEW BUSINESS
1. OTHER
Ø None.
(m/s/c: Yanni, Jr/Barczak.) “Motion to adjourn.” The meeting was adjourned at 8:36 pm.
Respectfully submitted by
Donna Benson
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