MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF
THE NEWTOWN PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
TOWN HALL SOUTH
JULY 12, 2011
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Marks called the meeting to order at 6:00pm.
Commission Members present: Marks, Yochum, Brookes, Yanni, Jr., Crick Owen and Barczak
Commission Members absent: DiNicola
Staff present: Samuelson
Staff absent: Mangold and Reggiano
Public: Autumn and Maya Samuelson
2. ACCEPTANCE OF THE MINUTES
(m/s/c: Brookes/Yochum) “Motion to accept the minutes from May 17, 2011.”
(m/s/c: Yochum/Brookes) “Motion to accept the minutes from June 14, 2011.”
3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
4. CORRESPONDENCE
5. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
6. DIRECTOR’S REPORT
7. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PARKS REPORT
- See report.
- New fencing contractor touching up fencing.
- $60,000.00 was saved in Contractual Services account due to rebidding the lawn service contract.
- Blue and Gold Stadium repairs are being completed.
- Assistant Director Samuelson, Gregg Simon, High School Athletic Director, and Sean Dunn are working to schedule the Blue and Gold Field for game use only for Newtown Youth Football. Football would like use of it every night. The Commission discussed the possibility of Blue and Gold for weekend games and Taylor Field for weeknight practices. Football is requesting funds for lights again this year.
- Renovations on Watertown Baseball Field will begin next fall.
- Oakview renovations will begin this winter and finish in the spring.
- Assistant Director Samuelson has had the water fountain at Liberty Fields removed. The water at this field has had quality issues in the past. During the last inspection there were 18 items that did not meet the state standards for drinking water. These items would cost approximately $30,000.00 to remedy. At some point in the future the city water line will extend to Dickinson Park and then would be available for Liberty use.
- SAC Field – Assistant Director Samuelson, Director Mangold, First Selectman Llodra, George Lockwood and Mike McCarthy have met to discuss the usage of this field. Right now Babe Ruth Baseball uses the field. Parks and Recreation has no control over the field or its usage. The field is not playable by Parks and Recreation standards. First Selectman Llodra decided that Parks and Recreation will continue to mow the field, but that would be the only thing they will do.
- Northeast Generation/First Light will be putting into place in the near future a government mandated management plan. This will force the Town to pay a fee for beachfront property and property used for the docks. There will be a permit and a fee for this use. Assistant Director Samuelson suggests that anything that needs to be done at Eichler’s Cove be completed before the mandate is put in place.
- Commissioner Brookes asked if the float from Dickinson, which was stolen, has been found. It has not. She thought it would be nice to have a swim destination at Eichler’s Cove. She reported that the facility seems to be running very well.
- The concrete walkway at Treadwell Park is complete and looks great.
- Assistant Director Samuelson reported that there are 2 or 3 possibilities for the purchase of a used bulldozer; he is awaiting word from the Finance Director on how to proceed since this is not a brand new piece of equipment.
8. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF RECREATION REPORT
OLD BUSINESS
9. DOG PARK UPDATE
10. UPDATE OF NEWTOWN PLAND OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT/MISSION STATEMENT
11. SCHEDULE FACILITES TOUR
- Tentative date is Wednesday, August 17th from 1:00 – 6:00 pm.
15. OTHER
- Commissioner Brookes reported that she has harvested 1 zucchini from the Parks and Recreation row at the Liberty Garden.
NEW BUSINESS
16. CIP
- 2011/2012 CIP is set to be bonded.
- 2012/2013 CIP need to be cut by $500,000.00. The Board of Education has been asked to look at their projects. Parks and Recreation has been asked to do the same.
The Treadwell Infrastructure – The tennis and basketball courts will be replaced in 2012/2013. The $350,000.00 in the CIP is not enough for this project.
The Sprayground project at Dickinson Park – during the renovations at Dickinson Park deep hole and perk tests were performed all around the park and they failed. The ground water is too high. This would create a huge challenge in order to put in a septic system. It is also costly. Approvals would have to go through the state with the issue of a Class A Trout Stream.
The Commission agreed that the sprayground, bathhouse and concession stand should all be done together. This project could be moved to the 2016/2017 CIP, which is the next planning year.
Funspace replacement should stay in year 2012-2013. A reduction for this project is possible. We need a more accurate estimate for this project.
- All members were asked to come to the August meeting with their ideas for the 2016/2017 CIP.
17. OTHER
- Dee Davis would like to fill the opening on the Trails Committee.
(m/s/c: Yanni Jr./Barczak) “Motion to approve Dee Davis to fill opening on the Trails Committee.”
(m/s/c: Yanni Jr./Yochum) “Motion to adjourn”.
Respectfully submitted by,
Donna Benson
Clerk
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