Athletic Fields Sub-Committee 6-27-2012 Minutes
Madden Room – South Windsor Town Hall
1. Call Meeting to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:42 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Gary Bazzano, Town Council
John Caldwell, Superintendent of Parks
Ray Favreau, Director of Parks & Recreation
Karen Isherwood, Volunteer Civil Engineer
Al Maximino, South Windsor Little League
Jim Ray, parent of youth athlete
Chris Wanner, South Windsor High School Athletic Director
Dana Weber, South Windsor Girls Lacrosse Club
Members Absent: Rogan Canty, student athlete
Matthew B. Galligan, Town Manager
Bob Goldman, South Windsor Soccer Club
David Hodge, South Windsor Panther Football
Eric Lajoie, South Windsor Boys Lacrosse Club
Mike Mundo, parent of youth athlete
Keith Yagaloff, Town Council
3. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting
Ms. Wanner made a motion to approve the March 26, 2012 minutes. Ms. Isherwood seconded the motion.
Mr. Maximino stated that on these minutes there is a statement by the Town Manager regarding the baseball field at Nevers Road Park being hardly used. Mr. Maximino felt that was an incorrect statement because the field is used a lot.
The Recording Secretary listened to the tape and updated the minutes as necessary. “Under utilized” has been used Instead of “hardly used” when talking about the baseball field at Nevers Road Park because of the fact that there are no lights there.
ITEM:
3. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting (Continued)
The March 26, 2012 minutes were approved, unanimously.
Mr. Favreau made a motion to approve the June 5, 2012 minutes. Mr. Maximino seconded the motion.
Ms. Isherwood felt that a statement regarding the residents was incorrect. The Recording Secretary changed the statement to read “Residents voiced their concerns and opposition of having expanded use on the field”. This statement pertained to the Stadium Field at the High School.
The June 5, 2012 minutes were approved, unanimously.
4. Public Participation
None
5. Items for Discussion:
a) Stakeholders positions on project
a. Board of Education
On June 26, 2012, members of the Athletic Field Sub-Committee met with the Board of Education for a second time. The general consensus of the Board members of the Board of Education was that the Committee should proceed with a synthetic field at the high school. Lighting on the Stadium Field would be held off and only conduits be installed. There were a few Board members that do not want anything done. A big concern of the Board was how these plans for fields would be paid for. The Board of Education requested that these plans not be included on the Community Referendum.
Mr. Bazzano reviewed the packet handed out at the Board of Education meeting, as shown in attached, Exhibit A and discussed below.
ITEM:
5. Items for Discussion (Continued):
a) Stakeholders positions on project
a. Board of Education (Continued)
Committee members reviewed the plan for the 11 acres, suggesting different scenarios such as the large field being synthetic and 2 smaller fields natural grass. Another scenario voiced was to put turf on the two smaller fields and use them for practice fields, but no games. Parking for this proposal includes 188 parking spaces. There were test pits done on the 11 acres and it is feasible for athletic fields to be constructed.
Mr. Bazzano stated that if baseball fields are wanted there is land available. He had suggested to Craig Zimmerman to create a committee that would establish a plan.
The maintenance of fields was discussed with the Board of Education with the main subject being grass versus turf, (part of Exhibit A).
The Committee reviewed the estimated cost of synthetic turf athletic fields as well as the lighting, as discussed with the Board of Education. The discussion consisted of 30 foot candles versus 50 foot candles with the Committee leaning toward 50 foot candles being used for the Stadium Field at the High School and the large field at the 11 acres site. The lights are guaranteed for 25 years, (part of Exhibit A).
The Committee then reviewed the estimated total cost range for athletic fields (as was shown to the Board of Education and is in Exhibit A).
Ms. Isherwood suggested that $50,000 be included in the budget which would take care of any drainage issues.
b. General Public (neighbors)
The letter received from neighbors adjacent to the High School field who are against the lights on the Stadium Field was included in the packet for the Board of Education (part of Exhibit A). Mr. Bazzano felt that the neighbors would not object to synthetic fields. There may be questions regarding the run off of water from the synthetic and how it would affect wells. Mr. Caldwell stated it would be more of an issue with grass because of the pesticides.
ITEM:
5. Items for Discussion (Continued):
b) Re-Prioritize the Plan with a balance of needs and stakeholders input
a. High School Stadium
b. 11 acres on Nevers Road
Committee members discussed in length the components they would like to see implemented in the plan that would be presented to the Town Council
e) Financing the project
a. Creative financing
1. 63-20 lease-purchase
2. design-build
Councilor Bazzano explained the different ways this project could be financed. It could go to referendum, budget for it in the budget, or lease to own which would need to be approved by the Council. Mr. Bazzano stated he would like to bring a proposal to the Council as soon as possible. Mr. Galligan could have a proposal that would show the cost to do this project. After this proposal is shown to Council, Mr. Bazzano explained he would like a resolution at the following Town Council meeting.
Mr. Caldwell voiced concern that financing through a 63-20 Corporation, the taxpayers may feel the Town is going around their back. Mr. Bazzano explained that a public hearing could be held. At this time the cost of doing a project is substantially cheaper and it is a good time to borrow funds.
Each Committee member voiced what they would like to see in the plan. A proposal will be discussed further at the next meeting.
5. Unfinished Business
None
ITEM:
6. New Business
None
7. Set Next Meeting Date
The next meeting was set for July 5, 2012 at 5:00 p.m.
8. Adjournment
At 7:20 p.m. Mr. Ray made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Weber seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid, Council Clerk
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