Park and Recreation Commission
Minutes of the Meeting
May 12th, 2010
Meeting called to order: 7:30pm.
Commissioners in Attendance: Andy Paterno, George Caye, Sharon Parlapiano, Rob O’Connor, Craig Zimmerman, Dave Romejko, Dan Razende, Al Larson, Ray Favreau
Also in Attendance: Mayor John Pelkey,
Approval of minutes: Motion to approve April minutes was seconded and accepted unanimously.
Public Input: None.
Council Liaison: Mayor John Pelkey: PARC looked over the Draft Ordinance; “Tobacco Ban in Public Parks”. Mayor Pelkey would like to know how the $100 fine was established and to make sure the amount is correct. Craig would like section D on Enforcement to extend to all coaches and officials of other Sports Organizations. A motion was made and seconded to approve the Ordinance after verification of the fine amount and adding the above change to section D. Motion was approved unanimously.
Open Space Task Force: George Caye has been unable to attend the last few meetings. A motion was made and seconded to have Dave Romejko be an alternate to OSTF and have Ray Favreau help with the walk through of potential Open Space Properties if George or Dave can’t make the times. Motion was voted on and passed unanimously. The task force is looking at the Niederwerfer Property directly across from the Wildlife Sanctuary. The property is currently owned by the Audubon Society. They are looking to sell the property. It is an ideal location with the house to have lectures and meeting for various groups in town.
Report of the Recreation Director:
Ellsworth Gym: Floor is being refinished this summer. Articles pertaining to Hugh Greer are coming. John would like to try and get an Eagle Scout to build a case at Ellsworth for all the articles collected.
VMP: Eagle Scout project will be starting this week to build planting beds at the entrance to the park.
Nevers Park: The vandals were caught that broke into the Rotary Pavilion and they are being asked to pay for the damage. Craig would like to see if NO Parking Signs could placed in the area of the new Batting Facility. Ray will talk to the new Chief in the next few weeks to see what could be accomplished.
Rye Street Park: There is clearing being done on the Barton Property. This area will be a preservation area for the relocated Tiger Beetles from the Movie Studio location.
Lawrence Road Park: The staging area for machinery for work on Lawrence Road will be the same location as the plans for a parking lot for the park. This will create a base for a working parking lot in the future.
Wapping Park: Peter Marteka of the Hartford Courant wrote a great article about the park.
Eli Terry Gym: Ray is working with Pat Hankard with replacing the gym floor at Eli Terry School. Two other school in town (PRS and Pleasant Valley) also have vinyl tile on concrete flooring in their gyms.
Government: A new law takes effect in the state July1, 2010 which will “prevent the use of organic and synthetic pesticides on school grounds K-8”. Ray is concerned that this is only the beginning and will eventually cover high schools and town properties. Craig would like local sports groups to get on board and stop new movement and try and reverse this new bill. We would need to as groups to contact our representatives in State Congress Bill Aman and Gary Lebeau. The Bill number is HB 5418, Integrated Pest Management. The CT Recreation & Parks Assoc. is regrouping to challenge the bill.
Craig has asked that PARC send a letter to the Town Council saying that we support the Recreation Department and that Town Council should not use the Recreation Department’s Special Revenue Fund to bring down the budget deficit by subsidizing administrative costs or capital projects.
SWW&WW: This Saturday there is a bike Rodeo at Orchard Hill School in support of Safe Routes to School. May is National Bike Month. May 23rd the SWW&WW will host a Family Bike Ride in town. The event will start at 2pm in front of the Wood Memorial Library. The ride will be a 5 miles and go over the Connecticut River and back to the Library. For those who want a longer ride they can go the length of Main Street to the old post office and back to the Library.
The group is getting $1000 from Rays of Hope for the purchase of bike racks. They will also be receiving money from the Junior Women’s Club (possibly $5000) at their meeting on May 18th, 2010. SWW&WW will have a short bike rides before all the Summer Concerts. LL Bean is helping with the event. Everyone who rides is eligible to enter for a drawing at the last concert for a new bike donated by LL Bean. The group is also beginning to look at ways to begin implementing their Master Plan.
PARC Master Plan:
Skate/Wheel Park: Need to wait until Town Council sets the budget to see what funding is available then look at a site for the park.
Dog Park: Tree Buffer around the fencing to the Bark Park on hold.
VMP Playground: Al is trying to get funding for a partial playground so it will be ready for the tenth anniversary of the reopening of VMP. He would also like to thank PARC for their donation to support the swim team. Through donations they have the funds to cover the first year of operation.
Craig would like PARC to go to a BOE meeting and ask about the status of the new field at the high school and if BOE wants support from PARC on future BOE fields the new field should be open to all sports groups. Andy formed a sub committee to look into this matter and will attend a BOE meeting and ask about the field
Meeting adjourned at 10:24 pm
Next Meeting: 7:30pm June 9th, 2010
Respectfully Submitted
George S. Caye
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