Town of Newtown, CT 3 Primrose Street, Newtown, T 06470
9-13-11
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF
THE NEWTOWN PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
TOWN HALL SOUTH
SEPTEMBER 13, 2011
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Marks called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm
Commission Members present: Marks, Brookes, Yanni and Crick Owen
Commission Members not present: Yochun, DiNichola and Arczak
Staff present: Samuelson, Reggiano and Mangold
Also Present: Rob Sibley, Assistant Land Use Director
Public: Elias, Deickman, Deickman and Taylor
OLD BUSINESS
Rob Sibley addressed the Commission on open space maintenance, which should be properly funded. A lot of money has been set aside to purchase open space but none for maintenance. Conservation Commission has been taking care of natural resources, thereby becoming the reigning agency to control open space. Identification of open space land has begun. For five years they have asked for part time assistance with this. Recently it has become evident that the task is more than originally thought. Having the administrative work and labor under one town agency would be more cost effective. This is the first time he has addressed the Commission on this topic/ Every year the First Selectman has said that this is something P&R should be responsible for. If this is
something the Commission would like to consider he can supply budget details. If things stay as they are then P&R would still be asked to maintain open space.
Mr. Marks noted that the budget for signage and maintenance is $8,000. He has not seen many open space areas turned into passive recreation. They have been unable to convert open space into trail use, but this process needs to improve on the Conservation Commission end of it.
Ms. Brookes said that unless they get the funding they cannot consider it. The budget is already stretched. She considered it silly to purchase open space without consideration of maintenance costs.
The Commission will discuss the matter further and thanked Mr. Sibley for his time.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
Robert Elias, 11 Pebble Road, Rick and Rory Dyckman, Southbury, representing the Baby Ruth organization addressed the Commission regarding the condition of the Glander fields, which are still unplayable. He acknowledged budget difficulties and lack of manpower but asked if the fields could be better maintained. They have been waiting for three years for the new batting cage to be installed. If P&R could supply the gravel, they will take care of dugout repair.
They were also concerned about the installation of a new gate at Glander fields that would make it difficult for them to take supplies to the storage shed. They asked for a key allowing access, which would be no more than eight times a season.
Mr. Samuelson advised them that the police and Fire Marshall were concerned about speeding vehicles that pull in and park, blocking vehicular traffic causing a safety hazard if emergency vehicles need access to the EOC building.
Mr. Marks thought there is room for compromise. He agreed that they should be given a key to the gate. He suggested that screening could solve a lot of problems. He asked to be kept in the loop, adding that this should be resolved by next Spring.
OLD BUSINESS (Continued):
DOG PARK UPDATE:
They are planning the “Howloween” party for the Dog Park
They will be in the Labor Day parade in October
DIRECTORS’ REPORTS:
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF RECREATION REPORT:
Adult drop in soccer needs a higher fee associated at the BYA and participants do not want to pay the $200 fee. Other programs are not as expensive. She does not want to lose the program. The Commission decided to change it to $50, which is compatible with the other programs fees at the NYA.
The pool will be open October 3. Monday/Wednesday 7:15 – 9:30 – Tuesday/Thursday 6:15 – 7.15
The Fall program can now be found on line. The Bee will have it published this Friday.
Treadwell pool attendance was down over 3,000 visitors. Eichlers Cove had 473 boats launched and $600 was made on dry storage rental.
She will come back with pool pass numbers to justify what needs to be done.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PARKS –PARKS AND FIELDS REPORT
They are still recovering from Hurricane Irene. Clay from the ballfields at Watertown is still on the tracks.
All capital equipment has been purchased or bid on. They have a grader coming in from Kentucky. The dozer will be picked up on the way.
OLD BUSINESS (Continued):
The men from the Babe Ruth organization returned from visiting Watertown Field, which is unplayable. They would like to be assigned an alternative field. They said that if sod is brought in they will pay for and spread it as needed. Mr. Samuelson recommended they go look at our improvements when finished before spending money on those fields
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (CIP)
The Capital Improvement Plan ‘12/’13 thru ‘16/’17 PROJECTS 7 FUNDING SOURCES BY DEPARTMENT and PLANNED ADJUSTMENT TO THE CURRENT APPROVED CIP PLAN YEARLY TOTALS – TO BE APPLIED TO THE NEXT CIP PLAN (2013-14 TO 2016-17) was distributed and briefly discussed. The Commission will digest the contents and discuss it further at a tentative meeting scheduled for September 21, 2011, at which time they will have details of potential pocket parks.
School attendance is down
They will try and get total town numbers to see where this Commission stands.
Ms. Mangold has a booth at the Health and Safety Fair on September 24, 10 a.m. to 2.00 p.m.
She would like to promote information on the Dog Park to elevate the awareness of this project for budget time.
Mrs. Mangold will share Billie Cohen’s plans for a playground at the meeting scheduled for September 21 if time permits.
OTHER:
(m/s/c Yanni/Crick Owen) “Motion to adjourn”
Respectfully submitted by
Margaret Wilkin
Clerk
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