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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF
THE NEWTOWN PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
TOWN HALL SOUTH
FEBRUARY 8, 2011
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Marks called the meeting to order at 6:03pm.
Commission Members present: Marks, Crick Owen, Yochum, Brookes, DiNicola and Barczak
Commission Members absent: Yanni, Jr.,
Staff present: Mangold and Samuelson
Staff absent: Reggiano
Public: Kendra Bobowick from the Newtown Bee.
2. ACCEPTANCE OF THE MINUTES
Amendment to section 12, item should read “Co-Owners – unless they are married there can only be one owner of a boat on a boat registration.”
(m/s/c: DiNicola /Yochum) “Motion to accept the minutes from the January 11, 2011 meeting as amended.”
3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
4. CORRESPONDENCE
- Director Mangold received an email from Communications Director, Maureen Will thanking the staff for all the plowing and snow removal they have been doing at the Police Department and the Emergency Operations Center.
- An email from a resident thanking Parks and Recreation for having Dickinson Park ice rink lit up at night. Her family loves the skating.
5. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
6. DIRECTOR’S REPORT
- Director Mangold attended the last Trails Committee meeting. The meeting went well with all new members in place.
- Eichler’s Cove – 12 slips have been rented to date. Director Mangold reported that she has asked Donna Benson to start calling former slip holders, during the week of February 14th, who have not yet signed and submitted the rental agreements, to see if they intend to rent from Parks and Recreation again this year. Assistant Director Samuelson is looking into plans to build a canoe/kayak rack for Eichler’s Cove. There will be a charge to store the canoe/kayak. Director Mangold will contact Westport Parks and Recreations to see what they charge at Long Shore. The rentals will be limited to Newtown residents only.
- Mrs. Marchette has moved out of the house, Mr. Marchette refuses to leave. First Selectman Llodra and the Town’s attorney have started the eviction process.
- Director Mangold announced that Parks and Recreation is now a member of the Newtown Chamber of Commerce. First Selectman Llodra approved the $50.00 membership fee. The Department will now accept Newtown Bucks for registrations. Parks and Recreation has offered to allow out of town people who work in Newtown to be able to attend day camp at Dickinson Day Camp.
7. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PARKS REPORT
- Parks report was reviewed.
- Plowing, shoveling and snow removal has kept the crew very busy. Assistant Director Samuelson has discussed with the First Selectman the possibility of Parks and Recreation taking on the responsibility of shoveling the sidewalks at Fairfield Hills. He has explained that in order for that to happen the department would need more efficient snow removal equipment at a cost of about $20,000.00 and more manpower. The department cannot handle it at its current level of manpower. The Town currently contracts this service at a cost of $11,000.00.
- Assistant Director Samuelson reported that the crew is trying to remove some of the snow from the fields in order to prevent damage to the grass.
- Assistant Director Samuelson also reported that the stream project slated for Dickinson Park will be proceeding. James Belden, from Trout Unlimited, has received a $400,000.00 grant for the project. He was also awarded a $28,000.00 grant to bring the stream from Dickinson Park to the Liberty Fields.
8. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF RECREATION REPORT
- Assistant Director Reggiano is currently working on the Spring/Summer Preview.
OLD BUSINESS
9. COMMUNITY CENTER UPDATE
- Director Mangold, Assistant Director Reggiano, Peter D’Amico, Kathy Brophy and Keith Miller and Kyle Lyddy have met to go over the last few items that needed to be addressed in regard to the lease agreement with Newtown Youth Academy. The changes were agreed upon and have been sent to the attorneys for final approval.
- Mr. D’Amico is looking for a commitment. First Selectman Llodra would like the wing of the Newtown Youth Academy building in question to be assessed by the Town. Mr. D’Amico will also have the wing assessed. Director Mangold also asked that Public Building and Site be consulted. Other departments including building, fire and Planning and Zoning have been consulted.
10. DOG PARK UPDATE
- Dog Park meetings have been canceled due to the weather.
- Director Mangold has touched base with George Benson, from Land Use, to ask what Parks and Recreation can do to keep the Dog Pound and Dog Park projects moving forward together.
11. PLAN ELEMENTS FOR THE PLAN OF CONSERVATION
- Director Mangold handed out a Plan of Conservation dated 2002 that is currently available on the Newtown Website. The information in the packet needs to be updated and has asked the Commission members for their help in completing the sections on Future Plans as well as the goals and policies. The Commission agreed and will review the packet and be prepared to discuss these items at the March Commission meeting.
12. 2011/2012 BUDGET UPDATE
- Director Mangold and Chairman Marks appeared before the Board of Selectman with the Parks and Recreations budget. Everything went well and now the budget will proceed to the Board of Finance. First Selectman Llodra will let Director Mangold know if she is needed at the Board of Finance meeting. All members are welcome to attend the meeting but are not required to.
13. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (C.I.P.) UPDATE
14. OTHER
(m/s/c/: Crick Owen/Barczak) “Motion to amend the following motion from the November 10, 2009 meeting. “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.” The amended motion – “Motion to charge $400.00 per special event (defined as any event that requires additional services outside of the day to day maintenance of the staff) or 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.”
NEW BUSINESS
14. OTHER
(m/s/c: Barczak/DiNicola) “Motion to adjourn”. The meeting ended at 7:11 pm.
Respectfully submitted by,
Donna Benson
Clerk
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