The regular meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission (“WPRC”) was held on Monday, December 11, 2006.  Present were:  Bob Uzenoff, Chairman Dave Juneau, Carlos Mello, Carl Bernstein and Pat Kane.  Absent:  Marc Butlein and Nancy Babyak.  Staff present:  Dave Ungar.  Public:  Jenna Jacobs-Dick, Samantha Parker and Melanie Mendelson.

 

1)      Call to order:  Chairman Juneau called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. and read from the Weston Code section 2-62.

2)      Approval of minutes of November 13, 2006:  Minutes of the November 13^th meeting were approved as amended, 4-0. 

3)      Public Forum:  Weston Park Project (WPP) Chairman Jenna Jacobs-Dick reported they have asked professional engineer and builder Cory Attra to assist as the project manager for the Bisceglie Park project.  Dave J. stated he is comfortable approving this project to the Selectmen provided Mr. Attra will oversee it in its entirety and WPP will stay within the budget of $200,000.  Bob would like to see a plan with a greater level of detail on the project before presenting it to the Selectmen.  BCI Burke Company LLC and Kompan, Inc. will provide the dimensions of the land.  Dave U. stated he along with the town engineer, John Conte will work with the WPP as representatives from the town.  Architect, Edward Parker will provide the drawings and Cory Attra will provide the engineer plans which will be presented to the WPRC for review and approval.  It is the WPRC’s understanding that the town would need to contribute $25,000 and another $25,000 would still need to be raised before the STEAP grant is awarded.  The STEAP grant award is good for one year.  Equipment needs to be ordered by Dec. 31^st and delivered by April 1^st to BSP.  WPP would like to break ground in the spring.  Commission stated they are comfortable presenting the project to the Selectmen as a gift to the town.  This will need to be on the Selectmen’s agenda for a January meeting.  Chairman Juneau moved that WPRC endorse the concept of the WPP plan for BSP so that the Town of Weston can accept their gift this month and allow the Town to order equipment for this project before a December 31^st price hike.  It is the WPRC stipulation that the WPP ultimately present them with the engineer’s certification that this project be done within the $200,000 budget and also that a detailed plan is available so the Town can move forward with the details of the project, such as moving the lifeguard shack, moving earth and the installation of fencing.  Pat seconded motion.  All in favor 5-0.

4)      Unfinished Business: 

a)      Review of action items:

06-01.    Dave U. spoke with Carmine Magnoli of the Eagle Scouts who is interested in the taking on the project of a natural history sign at MFP.  He is waiting to hear back from Carmine’s scout master.  Dave will take pictures of park signs at Trout Brook and Cherry Lane Park in Wilton as examples of signs to display the park history.

06-02.    Dave J. will call Town Historian Kathy Failla for information for the human history sign and locate report from Heady House minutes.  He will also speak with the Albins.

06-04.  Dave J. is waiting to hear back from Jerry Sargent who is looking into the                                                                   

                                    enterprise fund for town programs.

                       06-05.  Dave U. stated an organic field maintenance company looked at fields at MFP and took core samplings to be analyzed and will make a list what of we need.  Results can be used for current contractor on fields at MFP.  Fields will be totally top dressed in the spring.  Commission would like to hear input from users at the field schedule meeting and discussed possibly reducing field use hours for the spring programs.          

06-06.     Dave will take pictures of park signs at Trout Brook Valley and Cherry Lane   Park in Wilton as examples of history display signs for Eagle Scout project at MFP. 

b)      Weston Park Project:  see above

c)       Other unfinished business:  none

 

a)      Administrative Committee:  none

b)      Aquatics Committee:  Dave J. stated resident Mike Imber has contacted WPRC regarding a new town pool.

c)       Fields Committee:  none

d)      Programs Committee:  none

e)      Parks Committee:  none

a)      2007-08 Proposed Budget discussion:  Dave U. submitted the 2007-08 Proposed Budget to the Commission for review.  After approval from the Commission the budget will be submitted for review by the First Selectmen, Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance.  He stated the annual Town meeting will be held on April 4^th for budget review schedule.  The proposed cost of living increase is 3.5%.  He stated the total Proposed Operating budget request is to $367,206.00 which represents a 5.5% increase.  Dave discussed offset fees for recreation programs compared to the contractual programs and explained expenses that are generated under enterprise fund.  Dave explained changes on campus fields.  Steck’s Nursery’s contract will be ending next year and will be going out to bid again.  Quarterly ground water monitoring and well monitoring at MFP is off.  Additional line items are annual mulching at BSP and MFP, landscape edging at MFP and Drinking Water Quality Management Plan groundwater testing.  Commission discussed priorities for Capital Improvement Budget items.  Dave U. spoke with Town Administrator Tom Landry regarding BOE budget request which did not have M.S. field renovation or H.S. bleachers on their Capital Improvement budget.  Dave J. moved motion to approve the Operating Budget Request 2007-08, the Capital Improvement Budget as amended and the Capital Improvement Budget 10 year projection.  Carlos seconded motion.  All in favor 4-0.

b)      Set Meeting Dates for 2007 & Jan. 08:  Commission to meet second Monday of every month unless it falls on a holiday.  Next meeting will be January 8^th, 2007.

c)       Election of Officers: Carl nominated David Juneau as Chairman for third term and Nancy Babyak as Vice-Chairman for second term for 2007.  Carlos seconded motion.  All in favor 4-0.

d)      Other new business:  none

7)      Correspondence:  none.

8)      Announcements:  none

9)      Adjournment:  Carlos moved motion to adjourn meeting at 10:30 p.m.  Carl seconded motion.

 

Respectively submitted,

 

 

Gloria Sundlof

Adm. Asst.