MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF
THE NEWTOWN PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
TOWN HALL SOUTH
MAY 17, 2011
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Marks called the meeting to order at 6:04pm.
Commission Members present: Marks, Crick Owen, Yochum, Brookes, DiNicola, Yanni, Jr.
Commission Members absent: Barczak
Staff present: Mangold and Reggiano
Staff absent: Samuelson
Public: None
2. ACCEPTANCE OF THE MINUTES
Amendments: Commission Members absent: DiNicola & Yanni, Jr.
Under Old Business- Newtown Youth Academy Update name should read Peter D’Amico.
(m/s/c: Yochum/Brookes) “Motion to accept the minutes from the April 12, 2011 meeting as amended.”
3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION None.
4. CORRESPONDENCE None.
5. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT None.
6. DIRECTOR’S REPORT
- Dickinson Park Softball field renovation is behind due to the weather. The goal date of May 21 is not going to happen.
- The Maintenance Garage – the inside has been painted. Scott and Dennis from the Tech. Department have been notified to start the interior wiring.
- The shade structure is being installed at Treadwell Pool.
- Eichler’s Cove Marina - 74 of the 76 slips have been rented. The Commission asked how many of the renters are Newtown residents? There will be more parking since the house has been taken down. The security company should be checking in with dispatch when they arrive. All going well so far.
- Director Mangold and Donna Culbert, Health Director, attended a symposium for the Connecticut Department of Public Health.
7. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PARKS REPORT
8. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF RECREATION REPORT
- 3 Park Wardens have been hired so far for Eichler’s Cove. One more is still needed.
- Zach Gauvin was hired as the Waterfront Director. He is experienced in this position. All head guards and senior guard will report directly to him. There will be a meeting next week.
- Assistant Director Reggiano received a request from Newtown Youth and Family Services for a free week of camp for their fundraiser. She in turn requested a free week of camp and received a free week from our science, track, volleyball, 2 basketball, Kidsfit and various other camps.
- Summer enrollment is starting to pickup.
- This coming weekend the Garden Club will be holding their Nature Walk at Orchard Hill that was postponed from last week because of the weather. The Boys and Girls Scouts will also be removing invasive weeds this weekend at Orchard Hill.
- The Rooster Run will be held this Saturday. So far 125 people have registered. That number will increase by the time the race begins. The race starts at 8:30 am. There will be a banner about the race going up over Queen Street tomorrow.
OLD BUSINESS
9. DOG PARK UPDATE
- Strutt Your Mutt will be held this Saturday after the Rooster Run at Fairfield Hills. The Animal Concerns Group at the High School will be helping out with the event. There are 12 vendors who have paid $100 to participate in the event. There will be a demonstration by Baro and the Police Canine Unit, sheep herding, and a jump rope demonstration. Jeff Tolson will be the Pack Leader. Mt Pleasant Hospital for Animals and Canine Advocates bought t-shirts for people and dogs.
- The Commission reviewed the site plan for the dog park. The Plan will be going before Planning and Zoning on May 19th. George Benson will be presenting the plan. To date $14,350.00 has been raised for the park. Chairman Marks suggested that Assistant Director Reggiano look into what happened to the old fencing that was at Glander Field. Maybe this fencing can be reused.
10. PLAN OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT/MISSION STATEMENTS
- Director Mangold will forward any mission statements that she has received to all Commission members.
- The discussion was tabled.
11. 2011/2012 BUDGET UPDATE
- The referendum vote is today May 17. After the budget failed the first time Parks and Recreation had to cut $20,000.00 out of our lifeguard account. It was decided that to accommodate the budget cut pool/beach hours would be cut. From Memorial Day until June 26th the hours will be 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm. June 27th until Labor Day the pool/beach will close at 7:00pm.
12. NEWTOWN YOUTH ACADEMY UPDATE
- Ms Reggiano met with Kathy Brophy and Kyle Liddy of NYA to go over 2012 schedule. Tennis was approved. She reports that they have been working very well together. There is one conflict now with tennis because of the classes that were canceled in the winter and they are trying to get in all the makeup’s. The makeups will be held at Dickinson Park to complete the lessons.
13. VICTORY GARDEN
- Victory Garden – A lot of town departments/employees have rows as well as area residents. The Parks crew did an amazing job on the garden. Mr. Pessin reported that the fencing needs to be raised. Director Mangold has taken a row for Parks and Recreation. A couple of the Commissioners were very excited and will be helping with the row. All the food grown in the garden will go to support local food pantries. After some research it was discovered that the present site of the Victory Garden is also the site of an original Victory Garden during World War II.
15. OTHER
NEW BUSINESS
15. BORNE LEARNING TRAIL
- June 8th is the Newtown Day of Caring with the United Way. Boehringer Engleheim employees will be coming to Newtown to create a Borne Learning Trail at Dickinson Park. They will create learning stations along the trail. They will be buying, installing and maintaining the permanent stations. Director Mangold has instructed the United Way to set up a call before they dig inspection. Newtown Saving Bank has a group also that will be spreading mulch at Treadwell Park and the Victory Garden walkways if they have time.
16. POINT OF ROCKS TRAIL
- Director Mangold reported that the Trails Committee is having a difficult time getting the Point of Rocks trail approved. There are 4 residents that are complaining about privacy issues with the trail. The Trail Committee and the Conservation Department have again walked the trail. The Trail Committee is in agreement that they want the trail to go through as a shared use trail. The next Conservation Commission meeting is May 24th at 7:00pm at the Municipal Center; if any Commissioners are able to attend this meeting Director Mangold would appreciate the support. The residents want it to go through as a pedestrian only trail. Rob Sibley, from Land Use, has put in a work order for a split rail fence to be installed to show the boundaries of the trail.
17. OTHER
- Rob Sibley from Land Use informed Director Mangold that there is a new property (Olmstead) that has been transferred to the town and it is waterfront property that has been used by neighborhood residents as a beach, boat launch and has a pavilion. Director Mangold, John Moore, Parks Operation Supervisor and First Selectwoman Llodra will drive out to see it tomorrow. Director Mangold will report back at the next meeting.
(m/s/c: Yanni Jr.,/Yochum) “Motion to adjourn”. The meeting was adjourned at 7:16pm.
Respectfully submitted by,
Donna Benson
Clerk
MOTIONS OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF
THE NEWTOWN PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
TOWN HALL SOUTH
MAY 17, 2011
Amendments: Commission Members absent: DiNicola & Yanni, Jr. and Under Old Business- Newtown Youth Academy Update name should read Peter D’Amico.
(m/s/c: Yochum/Brookes) “Motion to accept the minutes from the April 12, 2011 meeting as amended.”
(m/s/c: Yanni Jr.,/Yochum) “Motion to adjourn”.
Respectfully submitted by,
Donna M. Benson
Clerk
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