The regular meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission (“WPRC”) was held on Monday, May 8, 2006.  Present were:  Bob Uzenoff, Vice Chairman Nancy Babyak, Chairman David Juneau, Carl Bernstein and Carlos Mello.  Absent:  Marc Butlein and Pat Kane.  Staff present:  Dave Ungar.

 

1)      Call to order:  Chairman Juneau called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m. and read

from the Weston Code section 2-62.

2)      Approval of minutes of April 10, 2006:  Minutes of the April 10^th meeting were

approved with minor amendments.  Carl moved motion and Dave J. seconded.  All in favor 4-0-1.

3)      Public Forum:  none

a)      Review of action items:  Dave U. distributed standing resolutions that were       approved previously.  Commission will review for next month’s meeting.

 

Dave U. spoke with Drew Seath of Weston Soccer Club regarding   background checks.  Soccer, Little League and Aspetuck clubs all use a National form, with no fee.  Soccer applications are submitted back to Soccer club then sent out to Ct. Junior Soccer Club.  Soccer club is not allowed to review applications prior to sending to CJSC.  Background checks need to be approved before coaches are insured.  Sexually predators are highly checked through this process. Only way to get detailed background check is to have applicants finger printed for $25.00 or free if done through local police department.  Dave U. stated if Commission authorizes local check it will be noted on our registration form to be submitted for background checks.  Commission questioned if police dept. could do background checks without social security numbers on forms.  Dave U. will check with police dept. to get their input on these procedures on coaches and invite Police Chief Tony Land to next month’s meeting.

 

Dave J. contacted Joe Fitzpatrick regarding low level track lighting around the football field.  We have no engineer specs or bid documents.  Bob suggested seeing drawing of where lights will be prior to potentially going to a public hearing.  Dave U. and Carl will speak with Rob Martinotti of O&G on conduits underground around the track.  Cost would be roughly $10,000-$20,000.  Architecture rendering requires a spec.  Funds will need to be allocated for this.  There would need to be a public hearing and presented to BOE before going out to bid.

 

Dave U. spoke with Carl Charles regarding a written understanding between town and BOE regarding field maintenance policies.  Dave will report back at next month’s meeting.             

 

Dave U. reported on the year to date monthly expense report.  Operating     budget is in good shape.  As of date, 78% of budget has been expended.  High budget line item is pool heat which is well over budget.  Dave J. asked Dave U. to summarized expense report for each program.  Money is recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission to be kept and not returned at end of fiscal year.  All financial data is submitted to town accounting department.  Commission would like to closely monitor each program.  Marc will discuss enterprise fund with First Selectman.  Dave U. stated many programs are sub-contracted out.  Bisceglie pond and July 4th are two programs that are losses.  Dave J. would like to see a summary expense report done on a monthly basis.

b)      Low Level Lighting @ H.S. track:  see above

c)      Other unfinished business: none

a)      Administrative Committee:  none

b)      Aquatics Committee:  Carlos stated he will schedule meeting with Dan Clarke within next few weeks.

c)      Fields Committee:  Dave U. reported National Irrigation will begin on May 12^th to set up irrigation systems on MFP and BSP.   Irrigation will be done manually with 9000 ga. per day at MFP and automatically at BSP.  BSP water will be run from one well.  Separate meter for reading electric at BSP.  Watering is done on fields inside of fence areas.  Dave J. suggested next month’s Commission meeting to be held at BSP pavilion so Commissioners can look at playground upgrade areas and walk the fields.  Meeting scheduled at 7:00 p.m. on June 12^th.

d)      Programs Committee:  none

e)      Parks Committee:  none

Dave U. and Dave J. reported Conservation Commission has accepted our application request to increase irrigation from 9000 gal. per day to 18000 gal.  Dave U. brought supported documentation records from last year.   BSP was watered daily.  MFP was not watered daily because of lack of adequate approved irrigation supply.  Commission spoke of protecting town asset by keeping MFP well watered.  Next Conservation Commission meeting will be held on June 6^th.  Dave asked Commissioners for their support by attending this meeting as well as support from the public.  Dave U. stated that the state DEP and Health Dept. has jurisdiction over well water.  He reported he has monitoring reports from wells from three residences near MFP.  Conservation received two letters from neighbors with one requesting to continue the well monitoring.  Dave J. reminded Commissioners not to discuss this prior to next Conservation meeting.  Dave J. and Dave U. will work with First Selectman.       

b)      MSP & BSP irrigation schedule:  see above

c)      BSP baseball fields fundraising banners, Weston Little League:  Dave J. reported this issue was previously moved that banners will not be allowed at BSP for L.L. games without Parks & Recreation approval.  Commission discussed any organization putting up their own approved banners on school campus fields must take them down after each game.  Carlos reported on football budget, field usage, lights, equipment, uniforms and referees.  Discussion regarding P&R possibly reviewing individual organization’s financial statements. 

d)      Other new business:  Dave U. reported Fairfield County Bank has proposed to sponsor the fireworks for the July 4^th festival.  Their expectations will be sent in a letter to BOS as a gift to the town provided it is promoted by FCB on tickets and on sign advertisements.  Advertising request would be on three banners displayed prominently in the town center stating fireworks are “underwritten by Fairfield County Bank”.  Dave U. will ask permission from St. Francis and Norfield Churches for use of their parking lots.  Previous years’ revenue has averaged $14,000 annually with expenses averaging $20,000.  Designated parking areas will be at schools and on School Rd.  Carlos moved motion to give Dave U. authority to enter an agreement with Fairfield County Bank to accept their offer to underwrite the July 4^th fireworks for 2006.  Bob seconded motion.  All in favor 4-0.

 

Dave J. questioned following up on the natural and history signs status at MFP.  Nancy will speak to the Girl Scouts regarding the project and gathering information from the Albin family for this project.

7)      Correspondence:  none

8)      Announcements:  none

9)      Adjournment:  Dave J. moved motion to adjourn meeting at 9:35 p.m.

Respectively submitted,