MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF
THE NEWTOWN PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
TOWN HALL SOUTH
JULY 9, 2013
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 6:04 pm.
Commission Members present: Marks, Boritz, Yanni Jr., Crick Owen, and Brookes,
Commission Members absent: DiNicola and Barczak
Staff present: Mangold and Reggiano
Staff absent: Samuelson
Public: Matt Memoli, Scott Coleman and Kendra Bobowick from the Newtown Bee
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
Tabled.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
None.
CORRESPONDENCE
- See below Outlaws Baseball Club – Field Request
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
- Chairman Marks shared the latest plan from Stantec for the Fairfield Hills Master Plan. The plan still is a work in progress, Director Mangold, Assistant Director Mangold and Chairman Marks will be speaking with Stantecs, Tom Hammerberg about some adjustments. The Community Center was placed next to the Newtown Youth Academy as a placeholder. There will be more to come on this topic. Assistant Director Reggiano asked for 4 pickleball courts and 4 bocce ball courts.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
- See reports below.
- The Victory Garden looks great- trees are being donated for the garden, the fence is beautiful.
- Assistant Director Samuelson and Director Mangold would like to award the playground bid. They are trying to value engine out pieces around the pavilion. This would make up the shortfall of funding. We are short about $57,000.00. The Board of Selectman and Board of Finance need to see that we have the funds in full for the project.
(m/s/c: Brookes/Yanni Jr.) “Motion to provide up to $60,000.00 as contingency funding from the Parks and Recreation Surcharge Account to complete the Dickinson Playground Project.” The motion passed unanimously.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PARKS – PARKS AND FIELD REPORT
- No report.
- Chairman Marks did comment on the progress of Oakview field and the new sidewalks at Treadwell Park.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF RECREATION – RECREATION REPORT
- Rooster Run – Thank you to Chairman Marks for his help at the event. There were over 500 runner/walkers this year. $6000.00 was raised for the Newtown Scholarship Fund and $630.00 will be donated to the Park Gift Fund for the new playground at Dickinson Park. Laura Nowaki matched the $630.00 donation and sent it to Boston.
- Day camp is going well and we are working hard to keep everyone on track. The numbers at camp this year are low. The kids that are in camp are having a lot of fun. We have had a lot of positive feedback about the camps this year.
- The children’s Summer Jam Concerts are a big hit.
- The younger kids went to Animal Kingdom pet store in Brewster. Dickinson camp went today and Treadwell will go Friday. This was a free event donated after 12/14/12. The kids loved it. Chairman Marks would like to see us get the word out better about the Day Camps. Some suggestions were a big banner and put a sign by the Maintenance Garage, use magnets for the side of the Parks and Recreation van and use email testimonials.
- First T Golf is a big hit at the Day Camps.
- A New Haven Tennis Open Pro will be coming to Dickinson Park this Wednesday. The tennis pro as well other volunteer tennis players will be on hand to give tennis lessons to the children at camp.
OLD BUSINESS
1. DOG PARK UPDATE/RULES
- There has been an offer from Mutt Mitts to donate a doggie poop station to Parks and Bark in memory of Olivia Engle which would also include free Mutt Mitts for life. The station will have a small plaque with Olivia’s name on it.
2. OUTLAW BASEBALL CLUB –FIELD USE REQUEST
- An email was received from Patrick Egan explaining that no one is available to be present at tonight’s meeting and that they will not be pursuing this request any further this season. They will in fact be pursuing the request again for next season.
3. NEWTOWN HIGH SCHOOL FALL BALL - FIELD REQUEST
- Matt Memoli – High School Baseball Coach –Mr. Memoli is requesting field time on the high school baseball field in the fall. His team would be made up of all junior and senior Newtown High School baseball players. He would enter this team in the New Haven League for local teams. He would have no more than 15 players as more then that would not be beneficial to the players. The season would run from the first week in September through the end of October. Chairman Marks asked Mr. Memoli to speak with Babe Ruth President, Adam Taylor to see if this age group is already being represented through Babe Ruth. Chairman Marks also explained to Mr. Memoli that the Commission requires that a new league hold open tryouts. Mr. Memoli told the Commission he would take that concern to High School Athletic Director, Gregg Simon to
see if it is feasible. The Commission would be happy to answer any questions Mr. Simon may have. Mr. Memoli explained that he would not be at the games as a coach. A former player would be the Coach. Mr. Memoli has to have an answer to the New Haven League by the third week of August. The issue was tabled until next month when Mr. Memoli has more answers for the Commission.
4. FAIRFIELD COUNTY CAPTAINS – FIELD REQUEST
- Chairman Marks told Assistant Director Samuelson, Director Mangold and Donna to handle the request.
5. JAMIE DUNCAN – SKATE PARK MURAL
- Tabled. Ms. Duncan was not present. Director Mangold did tell the Commission that Ms. Duncan has been working with American Ramp Company on this project. American Ramp Company did suggest that Ms. Duncan have help with the mixing of the paint because of the fumes. The Commission discussed the issue of bringing unwanted graffiti to the Skate Park. Commissioner Yanni Jr. had sent each Commissioner an article on this subject. Graffiti at the park has not been a real issue as of late.
6. VOTE ON FUNDING FOR HIGH SCHOOL LIGHTING PROJECT
- Sean Dunn from Newtown Youth Football and Cheer has again requested temporary lighting for Hawley football field or the Middle School. The lighting project at the high school will be done by early fall. The Commission needs confirmation from Assistant Director Samuelson on the project timing.
(m/s/c Brookes/Crick Owen) “Motion to authorize up to $250,000.00 for the lights for the High School Lighting Project from the Parks and Recreation Surcharge Account.” The motion passed unanimously.
7. EICHLER’S COVE MARINA SURVEY RESULTS
- Commissioner Brookes shared with the Commission some of the results from the surveys that were sent out in January 2013. The question, “If Newtown Parks and Recreation were to expand at Eichler’s Cove what is most important to you?” The three top answers were parking (81%), bathrooms (69 %) and access road (44%). Ice, vending machines, changing room and bathrooms would all be housed in one building. The Commission asked how much money is in the Eichler’s Cove account and Director Mangold told them she is working on getting that from finance. Eichler’s Cove is a self sustaining facility. It pays for wardens, garbage, and the security service for the marina. The marina is fully rented this year. The driveway is in the CIP. Some of the work for the driveway is going to be
done in-house. The parking lot cannot be done until the concession is complete because the septic would have to go under the parking lot. Stantec has already done the design for this. Chairman Marks suggest putting in writing the actions that are being taken to address some of the small items on the list. The Commission needs Assistant Director Samuelson’s input for the letter. This item will again be on next month’s agenda. Having water available on the dock was another response. Again Assistant Director Samuelson would have to comment on that and what it would involve. Electricity on the dock was another request. The issues of the State Sales Tax that is now collected and the limited parking pass for non-resident could be explained in the end of season letter.
8. OTHER
- Scott Coleman, from the Trails Committee gave an update on the status of the Trail at Fairfield Hills. Mr. Coleman stated that he has had trouble reaching Rob Sibley from the Land Use Agency. He also reported that the Pole Bridge Land Swap is moving along very slowly. Joe Hovious from the Conservation Commission has been attending the Trails Committee meetings regularly. Mr. Coleman proposed two possible bike routes to the Commission. They would be on existing properties/roads so he would like approval to move forward with a bike route around Dickinson Park which would be a 2 mile loop with not a lot of hills. The second route would be just over 4 miles around the Treadwell Park area. He would like to mark the route with signs and some paint. The Commission reviewed the routes and gave Mr. Coleman
two items to address. One being part of the trail runs on Elm Drive the Commission would like him to show the proposed route to the Borough Warden, Jim Gaston Sr. and the second item was to see if Nettletown Road is a private road. Chairman Marks told Mr. Coleman the Fairfield Hills Trail is going to be revisited and that Stantec is working on the project.
(m/s/c: Brookes/Yanni Jr.) “The Commission will issue a provisional approval for the Bike Path Project subject to police, highway, and the Borough approvals.” The motion passed unanimously.
(m/s/c: Crick Owen/Yanni Jr.) “Motion to ratify up to $500,000.00 for the replacement of the Treadwell Turf Field from the Parks and Recreation Surcharge Account.” The motion passed unanimously.
- Make plans for the fall facility tour at August Commission meeting . It was suggested that all three selectman be invited on the tour. Director Mangold will check with First Selectman Llodra to see what her schedule looks like. They would like to do the tour mid to late August to mid-September.
NEW BUSINESS
1. COMMISSIONER’S OUT AND ABOUT
- Commissioner Brookes reported that she was at Dickinson Park for a Park tour. There was a small notice on the Patch that the tour was taking place. She was disappointed with the turn out. Commissioner Brookes then stayed for the free family concert that evening. Commissioner Boritz took his granddaughter to the beach at Eichler’s Cove – they had a great time and the lifeguards were fabulous. She also attended one of our horse camps.
2. OTHER
(m/s/c: Yanni Jr./Brookes) “Motion to adjourn.” The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting ended at 8:03 pm.
Respectfully submitted by,
Donna Benson
Clerk
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