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12-14-10
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF
THE NEWTOWN PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
TOWN HALL SOUTH
DECEMBER 14, 2010


1.  CALL TO ORDER

Vice Chairman Barczak called the meeting to order at 6:05 pm.
        
Commission Members present:  Marks, Yanni, Jr., Crick Owen, Yochum, Brookes and Barczak
Commission Members absent: DiNicola
Staff present:  Mangold, Samuelson and Reggiano
Staff absent:  None
Public:  Deborra Zukowski from the Fairfield Hills Master Plan Review Committee, Kendra Bobowick from the Newtown Bee

2.  ACCEPTANCE OF THE MINUTES

One amendment to the November meeting under Acceptance of the Minutes, 2nd motion to accept should read “September 14, 2010”
(m/s/c:  Yochum/Yanni, Jr.)  “Motion to accept the minutes from the November 9, 2010 meeting as amended.”

3.  PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

  • None.
4.  CORRESPONDENCE

  • E-mail from Mark LaMont from Monroe commenting on how happy they are that an Eichler’s Cove Marina slip will still be available to them and that there will still be people at the Cove instead of just security cameras.
  • Commissioner Brookes shared an email about a Board of Finance meeting tomorrow night for an additional $400,000.00 Special Appropriation for the demo of Litchfield Hall because of the additional asbestos found in the building that needs to be removed.
5.  CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

  • Chairman Marks reported that he and Director Mangold attended a meeting with First Selectman Llodra and Pete D’Amico from Newtown Youth Academy to discuss possible options for his building by the Parks and Recreation Department.
  • Chairman Marks has spoken to the Finance Director, Bob Tait, for clarification on the $1,000,000.00 for the schematic design for the Community Center. He would like to make sure that the demo money for Litchfield Hall is not part of the $1,000,000.00 earmarked for the design.
  • The new Skate Park ribbon cutting ceremony took place this past Saturday.
6.  DIRECTOR’S REPORT

  • Director Mangold spoke with a Lions Club member about requesting money from his family trust for the use of trail improvements for the amount of $5,000.00.  Director Mangold has sent a letter for this request.
  • Eichler’s Cove – The application for the Park Warden has been posted on the website, with interviews taking place in late winter. Two wardens will be hired. Gary Sorge from Stantec submitted a parking plan and concept plan for the Cove.  This will be reviewed with the Commission at a later date.  Director Mangold reported that she has been researching Security Companies for Eichler’s Cove and the one that she has narrowed it down to is on State Contract.  Director Mangold will pass this information on to the Commission at a later date.
7.  ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PARKS REPORT

  • Parks report was reviewed.
  • Things are quieting down for now and winter maintenance will begin.  Including building the skate rink at Dickinson Park.  
  • The pool cover is on.
  • The pole padding has been moved from the fields at Treadwell to the poles closest to the hill for sledding.
  • Treadwell and Tilson fields are still in use.
  • Things are quiet down at Eichler’s Cove for now, the police and fire departments are waiting to use the house for training.  As of today the house is still occupied.  The vacate date is December 15, 2010.
  • The Maintenance Garage roof is complete.  One window in the front of the building has a crack in it. The contractor has been quick to address any issues.
  • Almost ready to go out to bid for the heating system for the Maintenance Garage.
8.  ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF RECREATION REPORT

  • Winter Preview is out and registration has begun.
  • This past Saturday was Breakfast with Santa – about 125 children attended.  They raised $50.00 for the Camp Scholarship Fund and $287.00 from photos with Santa taken by Kim Jaeckel Photography.
  • All job applications are on line, including one for Eichler’s Cove Park Warden
  • Assistant Director Reggiano and Director Mangold attended at meeting with Janet Robinson, Gino Faiella, Michele Hiscovich, Color Guard and Newtown Youth Basketball to discuss the use of the Reed School and the A gym at the Middle School for basketball and the Color Guard.  It was decided that the Reed School Cafetorium will be used for Color Guard and the A gym will be used for Newtown Youth Basketball. It was also explained that Color Guard is in fact a school activity this time of the year.
  • We are awaiting word from the High School on when Parks and Recreation will have access to the pool for Torpedoes and possible open swim.
  • Assistant Director Reggiano will be working with Elise Gellis from Continuing Education on sharing programs instead of duplicating programs.

OLD BUSINESS

9.  COMMUNITY CENTER UPDATE

  • The new drawing for a Community Center at Newtown Youth Academy has not changed all that much.  The notable change is that it will include two full size basketball courts instead of one on the previous drawing.  Some small changes were made to the second floor.  Lack of storage was a concern.  Director Mangold has stated that this project is very preliminary.  No decision has been made to use the Youth Academy as a Community Center at this point.  Director Mangold will email drawings to all Commission members.
  • First Selectman Llodra has asked that Parks and Recreation talk with Mr. D’Amico about the programming for the Youth Academy. Attorney Groggins will be working on the financial end (lease, cost, purchase price and hours outstanding).  The possible price of this joint venture is approximately $10,000.000.00 - $12,000,000.00.
10.  DOG PARK UPDATE

  • Total funds raised for the Dog Park to date are $11,828.  This includes a $1,000.00 donation from the Urso family.
  • At tomorrow night’s meeting the Committee will discuss their plans for next year fund raising activities.  
  • The Legislative Council has accepted the property from the State for the dog park and the dog pound.
11.  FAIRFIELD HILLS OPEN SPACE AND REACREATIONS SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATE

  • Deborra Zukowski from the Fairfield Hills Master Plan Review Committee asked the Parks and Recreation Commission /Department to submit its concerns, inventory and requests for the future as well as Town comparisons of facilities/fields to the Committee.  Assistant Director Samuelson submitted his part of the report and Director Mangold and Assistant Director Reggiano will submit their part of the report by the end of the week.  Ms. Zukowski has to submit her status report on December 20th.  She will send Director Mangold a copy of what she will submit for her review before she passes it along to the full Master Plan Review Committee.  Chairman Marks will distribute background information on to the rest of the Commission.
12.  2011/2012 BUDGET UPDATE

  • The Commission reviewed and discussed at length the Capital Infrastructure and Capital Items that will be submitted to the Finance Director.  First Selectman Llodra requested that Director Mangold submit the top two items that are really needed by the department. The Commission agreed to the following items; an additional Park Maintainer and the sidewalk installation at Treadwell Park, as this is a safety issue.
  • The following items will remain on the Capital Items list; Toro 5910, 5 Series Bulldozer with 6 way blade (used), 300 Gallon Turf Spray Rig and replace Graco 5500 painter.  Items listed on the Capital Infrastructure list; Fairfield Hills Shop Equipment, Field Renovation to Peewee #1, Band Shell Structure.  Other items remain on both list as well as explanations for each item.
(m/c/s: Yanni Jr., /Yochum) “Motion to submit the budget at $1,845,407.00”




13.  OTHER
  
  • Trail Committee – Paula Burton gave the Committee a presentation on the importance of trails.  Director Mangold reported that Inland/Wetlands has voted that the Point O Rocks trail is non-regulated.  Most trails are non-regulated, which streamlines the process for new trail projects.  New trails will not have to go to Inland/Wetlands for approval unless the trail will have a direct change to wetlands or water course area.  The Committee will just have to go before Land Use and Parks and Recreation for approval.
NEW BUSINESS

14.   TRAIL COMMITTEE – REAPPOINTMENTS AND NOMINATIONS

  • Director Mangold asked that this be tabled until the January meeting.
15.  VOTE ON 2001 MEETING DATES

(m/s/c: Brookes/Crick Owen)  “Motion to accept the schedule of 2011 Meeting Dates as presented.”


(m/s/c: Barczak/Yanni Jr.)  “Motion to adjourn”.  Meeting adjourned at 8:08 pm.

Respectfully submitted by,
Donna Benson
Clerk