Park and Recreation Commission
Minutes of the Meeting
November 9th, 2011
Meeting called to order: 7:45pm.
Commissioners in Attendance: Al Larson, Rob O’Connor, Dan Rezende, Andy Paterna, George Caye, John Caldwell and Ray Favreau
Also in Attendance: Mayor John Pelkey, Steve Callahan, Brendan Callahan, Paul Fieri
Approval of Minutes: October Minutes Approved.
Public Input: Brendan Callahan and Paul Fieri spoke to the members about the conditions of the town softball fields. They would like to see the dugouts moved on all the fields so they are on different sides and not adjacent to each other. They are thinking of separating from SWLL and forming their own association. They think too much money is going to improving the baseball fields and not the softball fields. Brendan stated that the SWLL Executive Board has 21 people on the board and only one representing softball. They had 121 girls participating in the program in 2010. John Caldwell suggested that softball get the Parks Dept. their schedule as soon as possible so they can prepare the fields before games.
Steve Callahan, representing the South Windsor Challenger Division of Little League, spoke of the problems with the handicap accessibility with the Ayers Road Softball Field. A visiting mother with a son in a wheelchair had a hard time getting her son up to the field from the handicap parking area. Ray informed him of the SWHS having to make the area handicap accessible for ADA compliance. This will be done for the 2012 season. He would also like to see a handicap rubberized field built in town for the Challenger Team and Little League to use. Ray told him that we have that in our 10 year Master Plan. Andy suggested that handicap toilets be placed at the Little League Complex.
Report of Council Liaison: Mayor Pelkey gave us his final update as Mayor. Al presented him with a Shirt from PARC and we all thanked him for his time with the committee. He informed us that he had the plywood and insulation delivered for the batting facility and received it at no cost. He is working on getting heating installed and is still looking to get a C/O this year. A second door is going to be installed on the east side of the building. John is also going to work on the Hugh Greer Display to be set up behind the stage at Ellsworth School
OSTF: The committee along with SWALPAC is having a property owners meeting on Tuesday November 15th from 6-8 in Town Hall Council Chambers. 180 invites were sent out to potential land owners. The informational meeting will be on Property Preservation and Estate Planning Issues Facing the Farmer and Large Land Owner.
Report of Parks & Rec. Director:
- Community Center: The handicap ramp is in the process of being reconstructed.
- Town Parks: John said all the town parks walking trials are closed due to many broken trees and hanging branches (widow makers)as a result of storm Alfred, 10/29/11. This will take some time to clear along with the massive street clean up from the storm. All sports fields are open. Mayor Pelkey estimates it will cost the town around $5 Million to clean up the town.
- Rye Street Park: The Lacrosse group has submitted plans and obtained the permits to begin construction of the Lacrosse Wall. They plan to stripe the wall for lacrosse, soccer, and tennis.
- PARC Meetings: Ray asked if the group would like to change the starting times of the meetings. Maybe start earlier in the winter months (Nov. to March). We will talk about this at our next meeting because it would need to be a by-law change for PARC.
- High School All Purpose Field: Still having major drainage issues. Looking at different alternatives short of redoing the whole field.
SWW&WW: No Meeting this month due to storm.
PARC 10 Year Master Plan: Ray presented the plan with last month’s changes. Some other changes were made along with changing the years of the plan to reflect 2011-12 being the current year. Ray will finish this to present to Capitol Projects Committee if they meet, otherwise it will go directly to the Town Council through the Town Manager.
Dan Rezende wanted us to know that the State Competition for the Special Olympics Bowling will be this weekend November 19th in East Haven.
Meeting adjourned at 10:20 pm
Next Meeting: 7:30pm December 14th, 2011
Respectfully Submitted
George S. Caye
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