The regular meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission (“WPRC”) was held on Monday, February 13, 2006.  Present were:  Pat Kane, Marc Butlein, Vice Chairman Nancy Babyak, Chairman Dave Juneau, Carl Bernstein and Carlos Mello.  Absent:  Bob Uzenoff.  Staff present:  Dave Ungar, Lynn Stevens and Bill Shaeffer.  Public present:  Carl Charles, Brian McMahon, Melanie Mendelson, Jenna Jacobs-Dick and Paul Scheufele. 

 

1)      Call to order:  Chairman Juneau called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. and read from the Weston Code section 2-62.

2)      Approval of minutes of January 9, 2006:  Minutes of the January 9^th meeting were approved with minor amendments.  Marc moved motion and Nancy seconded.  All in favor, 5-0.  Minutes of the February 2^nd meeting were approved unanimously.  All in favor, 6-0.

3)      Public Forum:  Weston resident, Jenna Jacobs-Dick reported how pleased she was with input from the special meeting.  She gave update on latest developments with some pledges coming through from town residents.        

a)      Review of action items:  Dave U. reported he was not able to locate a pool air quality monitor.  Dave stated exhaust fan running causes temperature on deck to vary greatly.  Heating system controlled by BOE.  Dave J. recommended Pat work with Lynn to come up with a solution. 

Dave J. spoke with Carlos regarding signs on fields.  No signs will be kept up after club sports.  Signs will be taken down after each game.  Carlos will report back if any further update.

Dave U. and Dave J. spoke with press regarding special meeting for future park projects.

Dave U. reported he will speak to Dave Murphy regarding getting on BOS agenda.  He distributed well monitoring reports.  Conservation Planner, Fred Anderson agreed that irrigation in 2005 had no impact on neighbors’ wells.

Dave U. reported 750 season passes were sold to Weston residents for Compo Beach.

Marc spoke with First Selectman regarding money for H.S. bleachers.  First Selectman suggested that this item should be placed on our capital budget.

b)      Proposed 2006-07 Operating Budget:  Finance board hearing is tonight.

c)       February 2^nd Special meeting:  Carl and Mark praised Dave J. on doing a terrific job on holding the special meeting for the future park projects.  Weston Forum praise Commission for holding this meeting.  Commission discussed setting up a pool committee to gather information from various towns and find feasible means to support this project.  Possibly charging family membership fee with annual fee.  Another option discussed would be to pay bond up front with a lesser amount for the season fee.  Dave J. stated Commission may need another public forum to see if there is a demand for outdoor pool.  May need to speak with First Selectman regarding developing open land at other spaces in town.  Ad-hoc committee of Carl and Mark will call New Canaan and Monroe for information on outdoor pools and facilities and report back next month.

d)      Fourth of July status:  Dave U. and Fire Marshall, Fred Moore toured campus in search of location for July 4^th fire works.  Spoke with Police Chief, Tony Land regarding accommodations for parking.  Dave reported Revson field can not be used for vehicle parking but may be feasible for shooting fireworks.  Rear and front of M.S. can be used for parking in addition to Intermediate School, H.S. and School Road. Also shuttle buses can be used for additional parking at St. Francis Church and Norfield Church.  Ridgefield Bank expressed interest in sponsoring fireworks display with an estimated cost of $12,000-$13,000.  Entrance fees would be charged per person ages 3 and up.  Dave J. stated we need to inquire on gift acceptance polices for town sponsored events.  Carlos will speak to Joe Fitzpatrick regarding turning Middle School field from north and south to east and west.  Dave J. or Mark will speak to First Selectman on gift acceptance donation to cover fireworks fee.

e)      Review of Reports of Program Director and Aquatic Director:  Aquatic Director, Lynn Stevens presented her aquatic report for fall/winter 2005-06.  Commission reviewed and questioned aquatic report with questions of having enough publicity in newspaper and on website.  Dave J. asked about water temperature for swim programs versus swim team temperatures.  Dave U. stated that wing of the building has always been off balance and was not designed correctly with regulating temperatures.  Regulated air temperatures may increase our pool program numbers.  BOE is responsible for maintenance of building.  Dave J. suggested Carlos, Pat and Marc speak with Joe Fitzpatrick regarding regulating pool air quality and getting on next agenda to discuss this.  Dave J. would like to ask Lynn to come back to follow up on this issue.

Program Director, Bill Shaeffer discussed his program report with various programs and enrollments.  Fall/winter programs are very successful with the addition of the use of the new Intermediate School gym.  Commission questioned coaching policies, training programs for parent volunteers and background checks.  Bill stated he is present at all games with department assistance.  Commission requested background checks on volunteers.  Dave U. will speak with town detective and get a model from Little League and AYF for our background checks.  Bill stated other leagues have committees but Parks & Recreation Dept. is run only through the staff and volunteers.  Dave U. complimented Lynn and Bill on running successful programs.  Dave J. stated Commission would like to meet any unmet demands of growing numbers for all town programs. 

f)        Other unfinished business:  none

a)      Administrative Committee:  none

b)      Aquatics Committee:  none

c)       Fields Committee:  Carl reported on low level lighting on stadium field.  Estimated cost will be $10,000 - $15,000.  Carl will speak to Rob Thompson regarding construction for lights on turf field and report back at next month’s meeting.  

d)      Programs Committee:  see above

e)      Parks Committee:  none

a)      Summer camp fee structure for contracted sports camps by HS coaches:  Athletic Director, Carl Charles asked Commission for approval to reduce percentages from 20%.  Dave J. read Resolution to Commission which would allow Weston High School coaches to run sports camps through the Parks and Recreation Dept. The Town of Weston will receive 12.5% of the income from the program registration fees.  Non-Weston High School coaches will remain at 20% of registration fees to Town of Weston effective February 13^th, 2006.  Commission agreed to monitor how numbers go and will re-visit this in one year.  Marc moved motion and Carl seconded.  All in favor, 6-0.     

b)      Other new business:  none

7)      Correspondence:  Dave U. received letter from Weston resident, Patricia Cone and expressed her interest in an outdoor public pool in town.

8)      Announcements:  Commission is very pleased to welcome Carlos Mello as a new Parks and Recreation Commissioner.

9)      Adjournment:  Marc moved motion to adjourn meeting at 10:20 p.m.  Carl seconded motion.

 

      Respectively submitted,