Parks and Recreation Minutes

Parks and Recreation Minutes - July 9, 2007

REGULAR MEETING

MONDAY, JULY 9, 2007

BISCEGLIE SCRIBNER PARK

"Amended Minutes"

The regular meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission ("WPRC") was held on Monday, July 9, 2007. Present were: Chairman Dave Juneau, Carl Bernstein, Bob Uzenoff and Nancy Babyak. Absent: Marc Butlein, Pat Kane and Carlos Mello. Public: Jon Russell, Skip Goldberg, Jack Goldberg, John Clevenger, Michael DeMattio, Gayle Weinstein and David Muller. Staff present: Dave Ungar and Gloria Sundlof.

1) Call to order: Chairman Juneau called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m.

2) Tour Weston Park Project playground and pond: A tour of the renovated Bisceglie Scribner pond and playground was taken which was then followed by Chairman Juneau calling the meeting to order at the pavilion at 7:26 p.m. and read from the Weston Code section 2-62.

3) Approval of minutes of June 11, 2007: Minutes of the June 11^{th meeting were approved}

with a minor amendment 4-0.

4) Public Forum: Skip Goldberg, President of the Weston Little League distributed the Bisceglie Scribner field dugouts construction plan for fields #2 and #3. Mr. Goldberg stated if the Commission approves the proposal it will then be presented to the Selectmen as a gift to the town. Weston Little League uses BSP fields with one of the three fields presently having dugouts. Mr. Goldberg feels this fills a great need for the town. W.L.L. has raised money through donations from families and through fundraisers. The proposal is for two dugouts on each field constructed of wood and identical as to the size, shape and color of the existing dugouts on field #1. The specifications of this proposal will be 30x7x9 dugouts, high at the peak, permanent benches and a concrete slab floor. Additionally it will include a 6’ storage locker and 120v electrical service to the storage locker. The estimated cost of this donation is $70,000.00 which includes the two dugouts per field, electrical, one storage unit per pair of dugouts and perimeter fencing around the six dugouts. L.L. plays at the BSP fields during the spring, summer and fall seasons. Mr. Goldberg stated that dugouts are a safety issue. He reported the summer season is hard for the children to play without a dugout for health reasons. Lightning is also a concern being on open fields with no cover for shelter. The fencing would be to separate the spectators from the coaches, players and umpires. He feels that Weston residents will be proud of the dugouts. Mr. Goldberg stated W.L.L. would like to help fund maintenance on fields in the future. They may not have the ability to do so if L.L. needed to raise additional funds for stone dugouts. Weston resident and landscape contractor Mike DeMattio stated the duration of the

wood dugouts would be roughly twenty years but possibly longer with better quality materials. The Commission stated they would like dugouts with the identical shape, color and roof along with the same poured slabs and permanent mounted benches. The L.L. registration has been higher in the past few years, $145.00 for the National league and $110.00 for younger children to help raise monies for this potential gift to the town. L.L. stated control valves were placed under the present dugouts and will need to be moved at a cost of $2600.00. Mr. Goldberg stated this fee is not built into L.L. but is a P&R obligation. Mr. DeMattio stated he spoke with Conservation planner Fred Anderson. Mike DeMattio stated the location of the dugouts on the hillside will be an issue. Carl asked if L.L. will have to go back to the Conservation Commission. John Clevenger stated he spoke with Fred Anderson who said everything looks fine and if the Commission agrees on the stone dugouts a notice would need to be put in the newspaper for a few weeks. He reported the appearance from the road will look at the interior and only one dugout will show the back side. Nancy asked if L.L. requires concrete. Dave J. stated the Commission needs to focus on the design element of the new dugouts. Bob reported he will ask Dave Coprio and Joe Fitzpatrick to review the BSP dugout construction plan proposal prior to finalization. Bob will submit this to Commissioners not present. Bob advised Mr. Goldberg of the policy of a gift presented to the town. W.L.L. would need to submit a letter to the town. A gift over $50,000 donated to the town would require approval through the BOF. Dave J. reminded the Commission these dugouts will be permanent structures for a long time in town. The Commission will do a survey at next month’s meeting. Dave J. stated he would like to review this with all the Commissioners and will have a decision at the next Commission meeting.

5) Unfinished Business:

a) Review of action items:

07-18. Dave U., Dave J. and Carl met with rep from L.L. to locate a storage area for their supplies near the concession stand.

07- 19. Dave U. sent L.L. a letter regarding items being left outside at BSP. Dave

reported he will send an attachment to the Commission and L.L. stating what items is allowed to be left outside.

07- 20. Dave U. reported on calling other towns to see how their camp enrollments

has been this summer. Wilton had good numbers with day camps but specific

camps were canceled. Darien and Redding also has low camp registrations.

This could all be due to children’s ages for certain camps and the fact that there are many different options available during the summer.

07- 22. Dave J. followed up with a letter to Mark Berkowitz recognizing the success of the H.S. sports teams.

b) Soccer Club Shed @ MFP: Dave U. stated he is in contact with Phil Shaner of Weston Soccer Club and awaiting a proposal on the shed renovation at MFP.

c) Weston Little League dugout proposal update: see above

d) Other unfinished business: none

6) Reports of standing committees and resulting motions:

a) Administrative Committee: Dave U. reported he will attend the NRPA conference in September.

b) Aquatics Committee: Dave J. stated he will meet with Chairman of BOE Ellen Uzenoff regarding the pool boiler issue and will be discussed with the Superintendent before her

leave of absence. The Commission took a tour of the newly renovated Bisceglie Scribner Park and reported it looks great. The pond has been open since June 23 with no closings to date. The Westport/Weston Health District checks the water weekly. The pond lifeguards are fully certified. Dave J. would like to view a program and aquatic report showing a trend from past 4 – 5 years along with an attendance pond report showing daily drop-ins, permit holders and guests.

c) Fields Committee: Dave U. has re-worked the specifications for the next bid on fields. He reported it will be reviewed thoroughly and sent out via email to all the Commissioners. Nancy commented on how pleasant the grounds workers staff are from Stecks’ Nursery. Dave U. stated the fields will continue to be treated. Bob inquired about the field between the M.S. and the H.S. He stated at the Selectmen’s meeting they recommended to keep the communication open. A temporary parking lot was built near the field between the M.S. and H.S. during the H.S. roof construction. Dave U. reported on the conditions of the soccer fields at MFP. Stated the second turf field is taking some of the play off of field #1 at MFP.

d) Programs Committee: Dave U. reported that the camps are going well. Football camp registration was low initially but has since improved with a full registration. Jr. Eagle Day Camp, Soaring Eagle Day Camp and All American Sports Camp registrations has all filled. Dave J. stated he would like to see an ongoing registration chart of camps and aquatics programs.

e) Parks Committee: none

7) New Business:

a) 4th of July Celebration recap: Dave U. reported on the rain cancellation of Wednesday, July 4th which was the first ever in Weston. The fireworks were held on the rain date, Thursday, July 5th. The Westport Community Band was present but did not play due to the forecast. The Straight Note Chasers band was not in attendance. Dave U. reported Chris McLoughlin’s son shared his stereo system for all to enjoy. Bob suggested submitting a letter to the editor of recognition for his thoughtfulness. Dave U. will send a finance report to Commissioners on the final recap.

b) Other new business: Carl reported the Weston Sports Council will meet next week. He spoke with Michael Carter on stands and lights at the football field. Carl stated he will try to attend the meeting to speak. Michael stated these will be agenda items.

8) Correspondence: none

9) Announcements: Carl has recently been appointed the Chairman of the DTC in town. All

congratulations to him. Commission discussed next month’s meeting will be help at MFP on

8/13. Dave U. reported there will be two plugs put in the pavilion at MFP.

10) Adjournment: Carl moved to adjourn meeting at 9:50 p.m. Nancy seconded motion. All

favor 4-0.

Respectively submitted,

Gloria Sundlof

Administrator Assistant