MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF
THE NEWTOWN PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
TOWN HALL SOUTH
NOVEMBER 27, 2012
These minutes are subject to approval by the Newtown Parks and Recreation Commission.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Marks called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
Commission Members present: Marks, Boritz, Yanni Jr., DiNicola, and Brookes
Commission Members absent: Barczak, and Crick Owen
Staff present: Mangold, Samuelson and Reggiano
Staff absent: None
Public: None
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
Tabled
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
None
CORRESPONDENCE
Tabled
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
- Chairman Marks reported that he and Director Mangold attended a Board of Finance meeting last night about the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and that there were many questions about the Parks and Recreation projects by the new members. Chairman Marks feels that they are eager to get the Town debt down to 9% quickly. As of now all our projects are still in the Plan. The Board did approve the CIP and are now recommending it to the Legislative Council.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
- Director Mangold explained to the Commissioners that additional money is needed to cover the cost for the two benches that were purchased for Jack’s Grove and for Sue Gardner. She requested $813.71 from the Park Gift Fund.
(m/s/c: DiNicola/Brookes) “Motion to take an additional $813.71 from the Park Gift Fund for the balance due for the two benches.” Motion passed unanimously.
- Director Mangold asked the Commission to make a motion to cover an outstanding bill. This would be Parks and Recreation’s portion of the temporary lighting for Newtown Youth Football and Cheer for this past Fall season (2012). The Commission discussed this in the past but a motion was never made.
(m/s/c: Brookes/Yanni Jr.) “Motion to approve the previously allocated money up to $2000.00 for temporary lighting for Newtown Youth Football and Cheer for the Fall 2012 season.” Motion passed unanimously.
- A small discussion took place on offering Veteran’s Discounts for pool and beach passes. The Commission already approves free passes to volunteer ambulance and volunteer firefighters along with seniors. A discount will be discussed for Veteran’s in the future but not for this coming season.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PARKS – PARKS AND FIELD REPORT
Tabled
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF RECREATION REPORT
- Assistant Director Reggiano reported that she and Director Mangold will be attending a Pickleball demonstration and that she will let the Commission members know when that will be held if they would like to attend.
OLD BUSINESS
1. DOG PARK UPDATE
- Assistant Director Reggiano will be at the Edmond Town Hall with members of the Friends of Park and Bark selling homemade doggie stockings and ornaments, etc. at the Craft Fair being held there this Sunday, December 2nd from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm.
2. EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT – JONATHAN VAUGHAN
Tabled
3. 2012/14 BUDGET
- Director Mangold reviewed all line item adjustments made to the budget.
- The Day Camp Account is now only for Day Camp which now includes a skateboard instructor and Water Safety Instructors/Aides are now in a Waterfront Account. In the Waterfront Account, Director Mangold reinstated the hours cut from Eichler’s Cove Beach last year.
- The Recreation Supplies account has an increase of $350.00 to cover the cost of supplies for the new Pickleball program at Newtown Youth Academy.
- The Signs Account was increased by $1,000.00 to cover the cost of project signs. Like the sign required by First Selectman Llodra at Oakview field.
- The General Maintenance and the Grounds Maintenance accounts both have a 5% increase due to increases in products, paints and fertilizers.
- The Trails Account saw a $1000.00 increase due to doggie bags that we need to purchase. Parks and Recreation also supports the Open Space Program but would like to see the money come from the Town Assigned Fund Balance and not from the Parks and Recreation Budget.
- Under Contractual – Board of Education Maintenance - Lawn Maintenance Contract now also includes Fairfield Hills. The portable toilets do not have to be rebid now since they are now on State Contact. There is nothing that has to be rebid this year.
- Under Capital Infrastructure the following three items are being requested; Treadwell Sidewalk Installation Phase 2, Treadwell Paver Plaza and Tennis Court Retaining Wall, and Irrigation Central Phase 1.
- Under Equipment the following items are being requested; Toro 5910 Lease Payment, 1 Replacement Utility Vehicle, Small Walk Behind Aerator, Replacement 52” Z-Mower, a Field Sod Stripper and Cut Off Saw/Weed Eaters/Backpack Blowers.
- The Clean Diesel Grant from the EPA for a new vehicle was for only 25% reimbursement. Assistant Director Samuelson is still waiting for information on a grant for Utility Vehicles.
- First Selectman Llodra asked for a same service budget. This budget addresses items deferred for years. Director Mangold, Assistant Directors Samuelson and Reggiano will be able to make reductions if necessary. Commissioner Brookes recommended to Director Mangold that when she goes before the different Boards that she impress on them that this Commission took to heart the last two years to be respectful of the realities of the budget and that a zero percent increase again would mean a reduction in services.
(m/s/c: Boritz/Brookes) “Move the budget as presented.” Motion passed unanimously.
4. FIELD USE AGREEMENT review
Tabled
NEW BUSINESS
1. VOTE ON 2013 COMMISSION MEETING DATES
(m/s/c: Boritz/Yanni Jr.) “Motion to approve the 2013 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting dates as presented.” Motion passed unanimously.
2. SET 2013 SUMMER FEES
- The 2013 Summer Fees were presented to the Commission. We will once again be promoting that if you’re a non-resident working in Newtown your child will be able to attend Treadwell or Dickinson Day Camp for a rate of $165.00 per week. There is an adjustment in Treadwell pool and Eichler’s Cove beach passes this year. There has not been an increase in these fees since 2009. Senior swim passes are still free to residents. There is also an adjustment in the rental rate for the Treadwell and Dickinson Pavilion. There has been no increase in this rate since 2002. We will also be renting out the pavilion at Fairfield Hills and the Eichler’s Cove Picnic area this year. Boat launch, kayak, and marina slip rentals had no increase to their fee this year.
- Assistant Director Reggiano asked Assistant Director Samuelson to let her know what the closing dates will be for both the boat launch and the marina.
(m/s/c: Brookes/DiNicola) “Motion to accept the fees presented for the 2013 season.” Motion passed unanimously.
(m/s/c: Yanni Jr. /Brookes) “Motion to adjourn.” Motion passed unanimously. The meeting ended at 6:56 pm.
Respectfully submitted by,
Donna Benson
Clerk
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