Athletic Fields Sub-Committee 6-6-2013 Minutes
Madden Room – South Windsor Town Hall
1. Call Meeting to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:41 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Gary Bazzano, Town Council
Ray Favreau, Director of Parks & Recreation
Bob Goldman, South Winsor Soccer Club
David Hodge, South Windsor Panther Football
Karen Isherwood, Volunteer Civil Engineer
Mike Mundo, parent of youth athlete
Chris Wanner, South Windsor High School Athletic Director
Dana Weber, South Windsor Girls Lacrosse Club
Keith Yagaloff, Town Council
Craig Zimmerman
Members Absent: Brogan Canty, student athlete
John Caldwell, Superintendent of Parks
Matthew B. Galligan, Town Manager (conference call)
Eric Lajoie, South Windsor Boys Lacrosse Club
Al Maximino, South Windsor Little League
Jim Ray, parent of youth athlete
Others Present: Cindy Beaulieu, Town Council
Kevin McCann, Town Council
Matthew Riley
Elaine Smith
Mary Sullivan
3. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting
Ms. Wanner made a motion to approve the March 20, 2013 minutes. Mr. Mundo seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
4. Public Participation
None
ITEM:
5. Items for Discussion
a) Finalized Plan
Deputy Mayor Bazzano reviewed the finalized plan, as shown in attached Exhibit A and made the following points:
• Sidewalks are being taken out of the plan because it is felt that the Town will accommodate that item in the future.
• The 188 parking spaces have been reduced.
• A water quality basin has been added into the plan.
• There will be approximately 800 feet of fencing added to the plan.
• Where parking was originally proposed is now proposed to be overflow parking/additional practice area.
• There will be a multipurpose field with lights which will be synthetic.
• There will be a practice field with no lights which will be synthetic.
• There will be a practice field which will be grass.
• Conduit will be run for the practice field with synthetic.
• The concession stand has been moved further away from the neighbors.
• The baseball diamond has been eliminated.
• The driveway will be gravel.
Ms. Isherwood informed the Committee that the handicap parking spaces will be paved as well as the internal walkway.
Ms. Wanner stated that Mr. Favreau and she will meet to organize the use of the fields.
Mr. Zimmerman felt that the neighbors should be told that these fields will be used 7 days per week and he also felt that all of the details involving the lights, sound system, etc. should be flushed out before this is brought to the Town Council.
Ms. Elaine Smith, a resident at Wyndemere Court voiced concern regarding the amount of use that is being proposed on these fields. Deputy Mayor Bazzano explained that there is still the same amount of fields that have been proposed from the beginning.
ITEM:
5. Items for Discussion
a) Finalized Plan (Continued)
Mr. Ray Favreau gave the Committee an update from the meeting with the neighbors. He explained that basically the neighbors do not want the fields where they are proposed. They also have concerns regarding the lights at Rotary Field which are being addressed.
b) Preliminary Pricing
Deputy Mayor Bazzano reviewed all costs associated with this project and stated that the final cost is estimated at $2,131,775 as shown in attached Exhibit B. Deputy Mayor Bazzano then reviewed options for financing, as shown in attached Exhibit C and Exhibit D.
Committee members discussed the preference of putting up a chained link fence in order to keep vehicles off of the fields. Also discussed was the ability to set up an area for individuals interested in playing cricket. It was felt that both items could be accommodated.
Residents of Wyndemere Court stated that their concerns are with the noise that will be created from these fields
Councillor Yagaloff stated that he likes the plan but would like to address concerns voiced by the neighbors. Councillor Yagaloff suggested that where the overflow parking/practice field is proposed, a fence be put up so this field would only be used for special occasions which would bring activity further away from the neighbors. Councillor Yagaloff also felt that if the Committee were to seek grant funds to be applied towards this project, this project may have a better chance of being done. If there are no grant funds available he suggested having a phased in plan.
Deputy Mayor Bazzano added that the Committee has tried to accommodate neighbors by moving the concession stand, adding fencing and having the lights not face towards the neighbors.
Mr. Weber stated that the creation of this project will save on funds because the other fields in Town will not need as much maintenance if they are not used as they presently are.
ITEM:
5. Items for Discussion
b) Preliminary Pricing (Continued)
Mr. Matthew Riley stated that he feels the maintenance costs are a relevant point which would save the Town money. He also felt that a 10 year amortization on the fields is proper, but not on the lights. Gating off the overflow parking would be a god idea that would help with the neighbors concerns.
Committee members discussed different options to get donations of either time, money or materials.
c) Steps to be taken for approval by the Town Council
Deputy Mayor Bazzano stated he would meet with Mr. Galligan to discuss the ability to get grants from the State for this project.
6. Unfinished Business
None
7. New Business
None
8. Set Net Meeting Date
The next meeting is scheduled for June 17, 2013 at 5:30 p.m. in the South Windsor Town Hall, Madden Room.
9. Adjournment
At 7:06 p.m. Councillor Yagaloff made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Mundo seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid, Council Clerk
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