Park and Recreation Commission -- Meeting June 11, 2014
Minutes of the Meeting
Commissioners in Attendance: A. Larson (Chair), R. O’Connor, K. Graham,
D. Romejko, B. Nowak, S. Wagner, R. Gregorian, D. VanHorn, A. Paterna
Also in Attendance: R. Favreau, Director of Parks & Recreation; John Caldwell, Parks Superintendent & C. Beaulieu, Boys Lacrosse Rep.
Review of Minutes of Meeting: May 14, 2014/Approved
Public Participation:
C. Beaulieau—Comments: SW Parks Dept did a great job getting fields ready for
the recent Lacrosse tournament at Rye St Park. Thank you to the Parks Dept!
72 teams on Sat. 8am to 8pm; 35 teams on Sun. 8am to 6pm. Numerous compliments on facility by visiting teams.
Special Reports:
Public hearing re: members of PARC corrected to 10 members instead of 9;
Report by Council Liaison, S. Wagner: explained the error w/ordinance and number of members—due to use of the older Ordinance language.
S. Wagner: Trails Day—Lawrence Rd Park… a ‘hidden gem’ –great trails, beautiful pond.
S. Wagner: added $165,000 to Parks & Rec Dept. budget —Special Needs/Events Staff Position, and Maintainer I Staff Position, and promotional opportunity for a current staff member to -turf specialist.
S. Wagner: STEAP Grant for fields—no announcement.
Open Space Task Force Report:
Jones Farm—approx. 20 acres (they will keep 2 acres)—sales agreement almost complete
King St. Property—still pending
Report -Parks & Recreation Director, Ray Favreau:
1. Pre-construction meeting with ARC, Skate Park Company—work begins next week;
2. Feedback from short surveys PARC-MP: 318 surveys collected; focus groups—
SWHS Athletic Dept: 45 coaches; TEMS Athletic Dept: 15 coaches;
3. Ayers Rd Softball Field: improvement/additions, gates, guardrail on Ayers rd/dugouts floors and drainage/cover over dugouts; outfield fence. Parks & Rec Dept along side BOE is working with parent group to complete plans for short & long term improvements.
4. Cricket Field –a practice field on Governor’s Hwy—is now in use by the SW Cricket Club
5. Visit ‘my town trails’ phone App….to view maps of town parks and trails;
6. Town Council: requiring PZC to consider a reversal to the 1999 approved conditions for field use (# games) and lighting (ending time)—the PZC will receive the application on June 24 and conduct a public hearing on 7/22;
7. PZC Open Mtg: 6/27/14 @ 8am – Council Chambers-re: town center plan of development;
8. Next Master Plan Sub-Comm mtg: Tues 6/24/14 @ 6.30pm—discuss long form survey; finalize workshop schedule
9. Master Plan Sub-Comm discussion: 4 workshops—4 focus groups: discussion to begin
workshops in Sept or Oct to avoid summer vacations and low resident turnout;
10. Upcoming Survey Collection Events/Dates:
SW-Summer Concert Series on Thursday evenings: 7-9pm
SW-Camp Family Day 7/09/14: 6:30-8:30pm Rotary Pavilion
SW-Senior Picnic 7/24/14: 11am to 1pm @ SWCC
Other Reports:
SW Walk and Wheel Ways—R. O’Connor: report on successful Bike Education Program at
Wrapping and Eli Terry Schools… Steve Wagner is one of the instructors in the program; pictures of the new program & bike trailer shared!
May 18 was the Community Bike Ride; Trails Day successfully held at Lawrence Rd Park, Sun. June 8.
SW FOOD Alliance Report—A. Paterna:
PARC appointed Al Larson and Katie Graham to act as representatives on the Permanent
Committee to study the development of the Priest Farm Property; VOTED-PASSED
SW Farmers Market report: 40 vendors; kids events; list of vendors provided;
Varney Farm: We are recruiting volunteers to work at the farm—ALL produce donated to
FoodShare—workdays are: Wed 9am to 12noon; Wed 1pm to 4pm; Sat 9am to 12noon;
Motion to Adjourn: at 10.14pm—Motion-Voted and PASSED!
Respectfully Submitted: A. Paterna
“Eating is an Agricultural Act” (Wendell Berry)
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