Park and Recreation Commission
Minutes of the Meeting
May 11th, 2011
Meeting called to order: 7:40pm.
Commissioners in Attendance: George Caye, Al Larson, Rob O’Connor, Dan Rezende, John Caldwell, Andy Paterna, Dave Romejko and Ray Favreau
Also in Attendance: Mayor John Pelkey
Approval of Minutes: Minutes for April meeting approved.
Public Input: None
Report of Council Liaison: John told PARC that there will be cuts in the Capitol Projects Budget and it may also include a cut in the funds we receive this year. The Town Council passed a Resolution on April 19th, supporting the Designation of a Greenway on the South Windsor portion of the Scantic River by the DEP. The Mayor issued a proclamation for National Bike Month at the May 2nd Town Council meeting. Mayor Pelkey and other members of the Town Council and our State Representative and Senator did an excellent presentation at the unveiling of the Craig Pepin Memorial at the South Windsor Little League Complex on April 30th.
OSTF: The group will be at the Major Donnelly Land Preserve on June 5th from 1-5 for the CT Trails Day Celebration. SWW&WW will also be at the event. This is part of the weekend CT Trails Day Celebration with over 190 events statewide.
Report of Rec. Director: Ray wanted all PARC members to know that the Bark Park is in litigation. Please be careful in speaking about the park to anyone. Any questions about the park from residents or the Yarios and Hills should be directed to the Town Attorneys.
- Ray has asked us to think about how we go forward with our budget if we get funding cuts in the future. He wants members to think about putting a percentage of our money into enhancing or improving existing parks fields and structures in South Windsor. A good example is all the down time of the existing TE tennis courts. By having a small percentage set aside each year will allow the town to keep existing areas and structures functional for residents to enjoy.
- Disc Golf: Ray will need to look at the deeds to the top five sites to see if they would allow passive/active use since we don’t really know what category disc golf falls under.
- Ray will be presenting the Little League covered batting cages to the Architectural Review Board next week. They will determine if the project needs to go before P&ZC or get the OK to proceed with the project.
- Indoor Batting Facility: Still looking for a settlement from the company. May need to sue them but would have to do this in Penn.
- South Windsor Chamber of Commerce wants to have a Memorial Tree dedication in honor of Jim Snow on Tuesday June 7th at 5pm. The site will be at the Rotary Pavilion or the Rotary Baseball Field.
- TENNIS COURTS: The town is working with Hinding Tennis Courts of West Haven to begin completion of the TE Courts. They are going to try a new product on two of the courts and on the other two courts use the regular technique. The new sealing is supposed to last ten years. The company is also going to do this technique on two courts at Wapping and reseal four others with the old technique. Ray is also working with an electrician to fix the lights at Wapping. Right now 7 out of 12 lamps do not work. Ray would like the group to report back to him on the use of the courts at Rye Street Park. The courts or starting to break down to the point of closing them and he needs to know if they should be repaired or change the use (lit basketball courts).
- Bobcat: Parks is purchasing a Bobcat 185 with a 72 inch Brushcat Rotary Cutter. The total cost is $28,000 with delivery in 30-40 days.
- DEP Lawn Equipment Exchange: Parks is getting 8 new pieces of equipment at a cost of $3,000 with an 80% reimbursement.
- Armed Forces Day is Saturday May 21st at Nevers Park.
- SW Community Foundation: Money they have for projects
- My Friend’s Place: $3,646.20
- Ropes Course: $2,873.48
- SWW&WW: $10,866.99 (For Bike Racks)
- Indoor Batting Facility: $33,614.05
CREC is still considering a Magnet School to be built in South Windsor. They are looking at property on the corner of Long Hill and Chapel Rd.
SWW&WW:
- The group is helping with the first in the state Bike/Walk to High School this Friday May 13th. The bike/walk will begin at St. Margaret Mary Church parking lot and end in the student parking lot. Refreshments will be served.
- SW Community Bike Ride: Sunday May 15th at the SWHS. Registration begins at noon and at one there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at Sand Hill Rd for the new bike lanes.
- The group will host the preconcert bike rides this summer at Evergreen Walk.
- CT Trail Days: June 5th from 1-4 at the Major Donnelly Land Preserve.
- The town received an Honorable Mention in their application to the League of American Bicyclists for a bike friendly town. The league will be sending information as to how to improve the town’s standing to the Bronze category.
- Strawberry Festival: SWW&WW will be providing valet bike service at the event. The site is still being determined. Go Green and ride your bike to this event.
Meeting adjourned at 9:35 pm
Next Meeting: 7:30pm June 8th, 2011
Respectfully Submitted
George S. Caye
| 