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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF
THE NEWTOWN PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
TOWN HALL SOUTH
JANUARY 14, 2014
These minutes are subject to approval by the Newtown Parks and Recreation Commission.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Marks called the meeting to order at 6:06 pm.
Commission Members present: Marks, Boritz, Crick Owen, Yanni Jr. and Brookes
Commission Members absent: Barczak and DiNicola
Staff present: Mangold, Samuelson and Reggiano
Staff absent: None
Public: Richard Dieckman, Gene Citrano, Rory Dieckman, JoAnn Sanches, Joe Augustine, Randy Dieckman, Marianne Brown, Barbara Toomey, Jim Swift, Ken Roche, Andy Via, Warren Spencer, Okan Akbas, Sandeep Kapur, Mary Kate Halmose, Christine Halmose, John Klages, Andrea Kase, Jerry Brissette, Pete Kohlsact and Kendra Bobowick from the Newtown Bee
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
Tabled
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
- Mary Kate Halmose of 10 Buttonball Drive, Sandy Hook asked the Commission to consider her request for a lending library at the parks for her Girl Scout Gold Award Project. She would like to set something up with the library or book clubs. This library would then be handed down through the years to other Girl Scout Troops. Commissioner Brookes asked that Mary Kate do research on what other Towns have done about different issues that might come up with this project. The Commission would like to see a plan for the project. Chairman Marks told Mary Kate that the Redding train station has one and she should contact them about who cares for it. They would like her to come back when she has a plan in place. The Commissioners agreed that this would be a great project for the parks. Mary Kate’s
Girl Scout Troop has volunteered numerous times for the Parks and Recreation Department.
CORRESPONDENCE
None
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
No Report
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
- Director Mangold reported that she has the resolution for the Treadwell tennis court replacement for $498,000.00. With the donation from Nike for the basketball renovation we can now do the entire tennis court replacement project.
- The letters for returning Eichler’s Cove slip holders have been sent out with a brief summary in regards to the survey that was taken last year. This summary included a brief history, the operating funds and money in the CIP. Director Mangold thanked Commissioner Brookes for her work in gathering the results of the survey.
- Assistant Director’s Samuelson and Reggiano have been working with Svigals + Partners on the rebuilding of Sandy Hook School. The company has reached out to Director Mangold with plans for fields at the school.
- Director Mangold and Assistant Director Reggiano had a conference call with Lou Bergholtz from Edgework Consulting on Thursday. They discussed recommendations to continue to improve day camp for this coming summer and a proposal to Mercy Corps for continued financial assistance.
Director Mangold is working on staff evaluations.
- Donna Benson is working on collecting a count of field users for the Fairfield Hills Authority.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PARKS – PARKS AND FIELD REPORT
- See attached report.
- Assistant Director Samuelson reported that all the basketball backboards and hoops have been replaced at Treadwell Park.
- The crew is working on the old maintenance garage at Treadwell, they are painting and putting up shelves so the building can be used for day camp this summer.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF RECREATION – RECREATION REPORT
- Assistant Director reported that the Torpedoes Swim Team had a Swim-a-Thon in memory of Daniel Barden. They raised over $2,000.00.
OLD BUSINESS
1. DOG PARK UPDATE
No Report
2. 2014/15 BUDGET
- The Commission reviewed the working draft. Chairman Marks explained that the Board of Finance said they will not approve any increase in the budget this year. The department has already cut numerous items from the Capital Budget. The Town is facing salary issues this year. Right now the contracted snow removal comes out of the Highways Storm account. Chairman Marks would like to see it come from the Contingency Account. Shoveling of the library by the department has stopped. First Selectman Llodra is considering having each firehouse plow and landscape/mow their own property.
- Finance Director, Robert Tait has a budget total of $2,244,056.00 for Parks and Recreation.
- The landscaping has to go out to bid this year. This may cause an increase in the budget.
- Minimum wage went up to $8.70 as of January 1, 2014.
- Funding for a gate at Eichler’s Cove has already been approved out of the Eichler’s Cove account. We can have gate installed this year if technology for the gate can also be installed. The Technology Department is down two employees as of now. The security guards for Eichler’s Cove cost $23,179 for last season. The Commission agreed that having the gate and the security guards for one season together would be acceptable until the process could be evaluated.
m/s/c: Crick Owen/ Brookes) “Motion to ratify the 2014/2015 Budget of $2,244,056.00.” The motion passed unanimously.
3. FAIRFIELD COUNTY CAPTAINS BASEBALL – Field Request
- Chairman Marks explained how the field assignment requests work. The Fairfield County Captains baseball organization is back again this year to request field time for the 2014 season. Chairman Marks explained that if the Captains meet all the requirements then they would be considered a sanctioned sports organization, if they did not meet all requirements they would then need a one year waiver.
- Three representative from the Captains (Randy Dieckman, Barbara Toomey and Marianne Brown) spoke on behalf of the Captains and three representatives from Babe Ruth Baseball (Ken Roche, Andy Via and Warren Spencer) were on hand to speak for their organization. Mr. Via told the Commission that Babe Ruth Baseball is not in support of the Fairfield County Captain organization being granted field time.
- The Captains are part of the AABC league. They are requesting time for two teams (One practice and one game slot for each = total of four time slots.) Both of these teams would be eligible for World Series play.
- Mr. Via questioned the 80% residency requirement and the age discrepancy of the players advertised against the application. 20 of 25 players are residents on the Captains. The Captains did demonstrate the requirement for open tryouts and requirement for residency. Mr. Via explained to the Commission that Babe Ruth now offers Extreme Baseball, which is a higher level of competition for their players. The Captains organization is about higher competition. They are coached by paid coaches and paid trainers. Babe Ruth does not offer that. They have parent participation; they cannot use paid coaches or trainers. This is one of the items that the Captains says makes them unique. Mr. Via feels the Captains should be under Babe Ruth Baseball. One other item the Captain’s offer is players of the same level play
against other players of the same level. Players are bigger and stronger then Babe Ruth players and they feel that creates a safety issue. Players are not comfortable throwing to players who are afraid to catch against the stronger players. The Captains’ feel they have more to offer the higher level of players. Players at that level where leaving Babe Ruth to go play in Brookfield and New York. If a Player wanted to play on Babe Ruth Baseball’s Extreme Team they would also have to join Babe Ruth Baseball.
- The umpires for the Captains are all certified Connecticut State Umpires. They have extensive training and an exam each year.
- Babe Ruth feels they have the same to offer through their newly formed Extreme Team. Babe Ruth does not pay for coaches or trainers but they have professional players donate time all year long for activities and training for their players.
- The Captain’s players are U14. Which are 7th, 8th, and 9th grades. They would like to field a team for the high school age players probably next year. The team will move up as the player’s age.
- Chairman Marks told Babe Ruth that there is a perception that Babe Ruth Baseball schedules the baseball fields for everyone. This is not the case, Parks and Recreation schedules the fields. It is solely up to the Commission who plays on the fields, not the individual organizations.
- The Commission reviewed each requirement for the Fairfield County Captains. Some were met and a couple where not so the Commission agreed that a waiver would have to be issued for one year for the Captains. If a waiver is not granted the Captains would have to play in Monroe or all games away.
- John Klages, President of the Captains hires the coaches. Parents are not involved in this process.
- The Commission made clear to the Captains that if they were granted a waiver that there should not be the amount of changes to the schedule like last year. Changes, if necessary, should be minimal.
- The request for a waiver for next year should be submitted by September.
(m/s/c: Marks/ Brookes) “Motion to approve a one year waiver for the Fairfield County Captains Baseball League.” After a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously with one abstention.
- The Commission granted the waiver for the Captains but all Commissioners wanted the issue of allocation discussed at a later meeting. Chairman Marks suggested that there be equitable time for each league of each field. (Middle School, High School and High Meadow)
- The supplies and equipment at each field should only be used by the organization that paid and provided them (speedy dry, rakes etc.).
4. COMMISSIONER’S OUT AND ABOUT
No reports
5. OTHER
- Commissioner Boritz reported that he now attends all trail meetings and has spoken to Scott Colman in regards to bike routes he presented to the Police Commission. Mr. Boritz also spoke with Paul Mangiafico, Police Commissioner, about his reaction to a bike route. Mr. Mangiafico then told Commissioner Boritz to speak/email with Chief Kehoe regarding the proposed bike routes. Commissioner Boritz received an email from Officer Bahamonde stating “I just do not see how any bike routes are possible in town without huge renovations to current road conditions.” His recommendation was to utilize and expand upon existing trail networks; for example trails on the Fairfield Hills property.
- There have been a lot of positive comments for the need of bike routes which might work well with the Draper sidewalk project.
- Commissioner Boritz will continue to work with the Trail Committee on this project and making Newtown a more bike friendly community.
NEW BUSINESS
1. JOSEPH AUGUSTINE – Men’s Senior Baseball League – Field Request
- Mr. Augustine told the Commission that his request is for a 100 % Newtown men’s baseball team. Chairman Marks told Mr. Augustine that he would be in touch next week with more questions. Chairman Marks also told Mr. Augustine that he did have a prospect for a field.
2. OTHER
(m/s/c: Yanni Jr. /Brookes) “Motion to adjourn.” The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting ended at 9:18pm.
Respectfully submitted by,
Donna Benson
Commission Clerk
MOTIONS OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF
THE NEWTOWN PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
TOWN HALL SOUTH
JANUARY 14, 2014
(m/s/c: Marks/ Brookes) “Motion to approve a one year waiver for the Fairfield County Captains Baseball League.” After a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously with one abstention.
(m/s/c: Crick Owen/ Brookes) “Motion to ratify the 2014/2015 Budget of $2,244,056.00.” The motion passed unanimously.
(m/s/c: Yanni Jr. /Brookes) “Motion to adjourn.” The motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted by,
Donna M. Benson
Clerk
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