Athletic Fields Sub-Committee 3-26-2012 Minutes
Madden Room – South Windsor Town Hall
1. Call Meeting to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:03 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Matthew B. Galligan, Town Manager
Ray Favreau, Director of Parks & Recreation
John Caldwell, Superintendent of Parks
Gary Bazzano, Town Council
Mike Mundo
Bob Goldman
David Hodge
Karen Isherwood, Civil Engineer
Jim Ray
Dana Weber
Brogan Canty
Matt Riley
Others Present: Kevin Foley, Liberty Landscapes
Dr. Kate Carter, Superintendent of Schools
3. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting
The Minutes of February 13, 2012 were approved, unanimously.
4. Items for Discussion
a. Update on the Stadium Field
Mr. Galligan explained that one of the problems that we have with this field is there is not enough room and it would be a very costly to put turf there and try to widen the field. It was discussed if there would be any type of turf there the first thing that would need to be done is to go to Planning & Zoning Commission to get lights there first. If there is not going to be lights there it would not make sense to turf the field since there would not be extended use on it.
ITEM:
4. Items for Discussion (continued)
b. Update on 11 acres on Nevers Road
Mr. Galligan explained that around Windermere Court there is property that the Town owned. There is a baseball field on the property and there was supposed to be another baseball field. There is fence around the baseball field and it has been irrigated. Little League was supposed to put lights up but that never happened. This is a good field that is under utilized because there are no lights there. If there were lights put in there may not be a need for another baseball field. If there was something built on the 11 acres, the school could use it as well as the Town. There may be an opportunity to do a turf field on a field on the 11 acres. There could also be a softball field constructed in this area. The 11 acres could be used for practice fields. The Committee would have to
decide if the 11 acres would be used for anything and should consider what the best use would be.
c. Update on meeting with Astro Turf
A meeting was held with Astro Turf.
d. PFIC Corporation
There is a company called PFIC Corporation out of Los Angeles, California and they do infrastructure work at municipal bond rates. If the Town Council wanted to get creative, the Town would not go out to referendum. The Town would take the 11 acres which the Town owns; lease it to the company for one dollar. The company would do a gmax price and take the Town’s specifications and do the work. The price would be at a bond rate and then lease it back to the company. After 15-30 years, whatever the Town decided on, all the improvements become the Town’s again. This would be a Council decision. PFIC does build stadiums. The only thing they get is the developer’s fee.
e. Zoning approval for lights at the Stadium Field
Mr. Bazzano stated he feels that if the lights on the Stadium Field were approved, the Committee should then try to get the synthetic for the field. The lights would not have to be installed right a way. The Committee has to decide if they would like Mr. Galligan to try to get approval for lights at the Stadium Field. Ms. Isherwood could work on a plan for that field.
ITEM:
4. e. (Continued)
Mr. Galligan explained that he would have to go before the Planning & Zoning Commission to get approval and the Town Council would have to do an 8-24 referral from the Council. A plan should be established first.
Mr. Bazzano felt that the permits would be the most important part. Dr. Carter stated that she believes the Town and the Board of Education should work together on this issue and also on a schedule for use of fields. When a plan is complete it should be brought to the Board of Education for their review. Mr. Galligan felt the lights should be considered first. A layout should be drafted and then could be considered. Mr. Bazzano suggested that Karen, Matt and John could work together on lighting and a plan.
Mr. Caldwell stated that he feels lights should be erected at the Stadium Field.
Answering questions from the Committee, Mr. Galligan explained that he could not go to the Council to request another baseball field on the 11 acres when there is a field that is there and is under utilized. The Committee needs to find out if Little League plans on putting lights in on the baseball field there. Mr. Bazzano stated that they have an approval for lights on the field.
Mr. Goldman stated that soccer would like to be a part of using a synthetic field because it extends the use of the field. If there are lights there it would extend use daily.
d. Update on 11 acres on Nevers Road (continued)
Mr. Caldwell explained that he is going to bring Howard Slater out to look at the 11 acres this week. Would like to draft a site plan and discuss issues with the Engineering Department, decide how the area would be broken into different fields. There is a lot of room over there but it would also be necessary to develop a parking lot. Mr. Galligan stated that if the 11 acres is going to be used, the lease on that property can be cancelled. Irrigation for various fields was discussed.
ITEM:
4. d. (Continued)
Mr. Bazzano stated that the Committee should think about putting a group together for fund raising. Mr. Mundo stated that he discussed with families in Town about funding for fields/lights and the Town would give naming rights. Mr. Bazzano explained that there is a policy that does not allow naming rights on school properties, but that 11 acres is Town property. Mr. Galligan explained that it could be done but it is a Council decision. A lot of Town’s are doing this. Committee members discussed fund raising that could occur to help with the costs of the creation of additional fields as well as lighting of a field.
Committee members discussed turf versus grass. Also discussed was the various locations a turf field could be located.
Concept plans should be established for the 11 acres. Karen Isherwood, John Caldwell and Kevin Foley can work on that.
Mr. Bazzano stated he would talk to the Chairperson of the Board of Education to see if the Board would like to meet with the Athletic Fields Sub-Committee to discuss the Stadium Field.
5. Unfinished Business
None
6. New Business
None
7. Set Next Meeting Date
None
ITEM:
8. Adjournment
At 6:06 p.m. the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Council Clerk
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