Park and Recreation Commission
Minutes of the Meeting
Sept. 10, 2014
Meeting called to order: 7:35 pm.
Commissioners in Attendance: Rob O’Connor, George Caye, Dave Romejko, Andy Paterna, Dick Gregorian, Gary Bazzano, Dan Van Horn, Katie Graham
Also in Attendance: Ryan Kane, John Caldwell, Craig Zimmerman, Matt Riley and Stephan Wagner
Approval of Minutes: July Minutes Approved with one change removing the words 8th grade form the formation of the TE Baseball Team. Gary Bazzano abstained from the vote.
Public Input: Gary brought an article in the reminder news about how sports help kids in all aspects of life and education.
Special Reports: None
Report of Council Liaison: P&Z rejected the application from the Town Council to change the times the lights are shut off at the Little League Complex. Sidewalks will be installed on the south north side of Ayers Road along the Morrison Propertyacross from the High School entrance along the private property line up to the drive to the Little League complex.
The Town Council is moving forward with applying for a STEAP grant for an EOC Center instead of a STEAP grant for the fields at Nevers Park. Craig asked that PARC should send a letter to the Town Council stating what our opinion is on the fields. He thinks a sign should be placed in the area stating future Nevers Field Area or something stating that new fields will be built in the area in the future and not surprising people when they actually are installed. Gary Bazzano would like something stating that we feel the fields are still needed and a new Turf Field at the SWHS doesn’t solve the need for more field space in town.
OSTF: Talked about a new Solar Farm being installed in town. One site is the field to the South of the Sledding Hill on Barber Hill Rd.
Ed Richards from Glastonbury walked the Priest Farm and identified some interesting trees; one of which is a Large Stewartia Tree. He thinks it may be one of the biggest in the state. The Parks Dept. will begin clearing the area and identifying some of the trees on the property. The town is also looking into a grant for the Farm and House to be used for an educational center.
Discussion of the possibility of using a portion of the Barton Property for the Wapping Fair.
Report of the B of E Liaison: The Softball Field: AD thinks the cost will be about a $100,000 to realign. They are trying to get this as a Capitol Projects Item. PARC also has switched some of our monies for this project to be used for extra items after the field is moved.
Stadium Field: The thought now is this will be done in the summer of 2015. Still no definite cost for the project which will be done along with the outer track being repaired. The track had repairs done this summer. Craig also noted that the Town Council and the B of E voted 9-0 in favor of the project.
Report of Parks and Rec. Director: The Department has hired Cheryl Gerber as the new Special needs/Special Events Supervisor. The Parks Dept. is in the process of hiring a new person as a maintainer.
John has been in talks with the CREC School. They are using the fields more than originally planned and the town has not been able to use the fields for any events to date.
He has been working on the OH Soccer Fields. 100 yards of top soil has been spread over the area and they are now watering and over seeding to try and eliminate the weeds. A full size baseball field is in place at the old Orchard Hill ball field.
Nevers Park: Parks Division has been clearing space on the sides of the inner trail to widen the trails. They are also clearing around the grills by Rotary Pavilion to try and get a grassy area for picnics.
Lawrence Road Park: An Eagle Scout is looking for a project to make a picnic area by the parking lot.
PARC Master Plan To date 529 surveys completed. We need to come up with an agenda for our first Public Workshop on Oct. 8th. The workshop will begin after we conduct a short meeting for PARC. Ryan will try and get the TE or SWHS cafeteria for the workshops.
Craig asked that we get an opinion from the Town Attorney on what open space areas we are looking at are available for recreation active or passive. Also find what open space areas are off limits for recreational use. Need to look at ways to get the public involved and show up for the workshops. We may ask all the sports groups to send two or three representatives to each workshop.
Master Plan Subcommittee: Next meeting is Sept 23. At 6:30 for anyone who want to attend.
SWWWW: Preconcert rides were a success. The 4th Grade Bike Education Program is starting this fall with three schools. Wapping, Orchard Hill and PRS will be done in the next two months. The group is always looking for volunteers to help in the program.
The group will try and meet with CL&P representatives to discuss the crosstown trial which will be using the power lines through South Windsor.
Town Center: The P&Z approved the changes to the Town Center area. The State has the sidewalk plan for the Town Center and will be looking at changes to the area in the future.
SW Food Alliance: Summer Market will end Oct. 18th. They have 50 vendors signed up for the Winter Market which starts November 8th.
The Varney Farm has harvested 10,800 pds of produce for the food pantry. They are looking for volunteers to help with the harvesting. Times are Wednesdays 9-12 and 1-4 and Saturdays from 1-4. The farm is located off Pleasant Valley Rd.
Other Business: Craig asked a question as to how will PARC prove the need for whatever projects (Fields, Indoor gyms, Pool etc.) arise from the workshops as worthy or necessary. Dan brought up a point that we need to show that these things will improve the quality of life for South Windsor residents.
Meeting Adjourned at 9:02 pm
Next Meeting: 7:30pm October 8th, 2014
Respectfully Submitted
George S. Caye
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