Park and Recreation Commission
Minutes
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Approved
The Park and Recreation Commission came to order at 7:00 PM on the first floor of the Arlington Senior Center on Tuesday, December 12, 2006.
Members in attendance included: Leslie Mayer, Nancy Campbell, Joe Carabello and Donald Vitters. Also in attendance was Director of Recreation Joseph Connelly.
Members of the public included: Chuck Carney, Justine Block, Andrew Leonard and David Warner.
Bishop School PTA
Mr. Carney reviewed the Bishop School proposal to improve their playground with the Commission. Mr. Carney explained that their group was comprised of parents who want to actively participate in the playground renovation process. Mr. Carney highlighted the two objectives of the group, which were to rebuild the existing playground and keep it maintained thereafter. Mr. Carney reviewed the two play areas, showing the Commissioners the “Tire Playground” and “Red Playground”. Ms. Block also highlighted a patch of land they would like use to connect the two play areas.
The three concerns of the group were safety, quality of play experience and the message being sent to the children. The Commission discussed the current play equipment. Mr. Vitter’s indicated that the “Red Playground” was initially constructed by parent volunteers. Mr. Carabello asked if there were any funds left in the school rebuild. Ms. Block indicated that there were not. The Commission and Mr. Carney discussed who owned the property. Mr. Vitter’s indicated that the Commission has requested funds for recreational facilities on school property in the past. Mr. Carabello indicated that he believed that Bishop Playground should be placed in the capital plan. Mr. Carabello asked Mr. Connelly to have Leonard Design perform a feasibility study on the play area.
Ms. Mayer indicated the potential problem for shared control and policy making procedures outlining that the school department would be the policy making body and not the Park Commissioners.
The Commission discussed adding Bishop into their capital plan but could not commit to the year of the request.
Mr. Carabello talked about joint funding with either private fundraising or the school department. Mr. Carney indicated his group would be conducting fundraising to move the project forward.
The Commission discussed connecting the two playgrounds with a triangle shaped portion of open land. Ms. Campbell asked if this area was in the field of play for the softball field. Mr. Connelly responded he did not believe so. The Commission was supportive of the use of this piece of land.
Mr. Connelly will contact Mr. Leonard to set-up a meeting with the parents group.
Approval of Minutes
The Commission reviewed the minutes of November 14, 2006. Ms. Mayer motioned to approve the minutes amended the minutes, Ms. Campbell seconded the motion, minutes approved 3-0-1 with Mr. Carabello abstaining.
Final Approval Buzzell Field Design
Mr. Warner of Larson Associates reviewed the final design for Buzzell Field and reviewed notes from the November Public Hearing. Mr. Larson highlighted the access point for construction through the Town owned spaces adjacent to Cutter Mill. Mr. Warner indicated the issues with using Summer Street as an access point. Mr. Warner indicated that a majority of the heavy removal was clay material, soil amendments, and paving material. Mr. Warner indicated that the number one priority was surface grading. Mr. Warner indicated that the project would connect the pathways from the field to Russell Place.
Mr. Warner reviewed the application to the MWRA for dropping the manhole covers and the plans for the irrigation system and backflow preventer.
Mr. Warner reviewed the time-line with the Commission.
January – Central Register
February – Bids Due and Review
March – Award Contract
April – June – Schedule of Values and Paperwork
Late June – Construction
Mr. Connelly and Mr. Warner reviewed potential plans for the renovated Buzzell Memorial. Mr. Warner reviewed his conversations with the Buzzell Family.
The Commission asked that the basketball court be colored consistent with the Peirce Field Courts.
The Commission reviewed the estimated budget with Mr. Warner. Mr. Warner indicated that the estimates were on budget and included three add alternates. Mr. Vitters suggested breaking up the fencing add alternate into two separate items. Mr. Connelly and the Commission discussed adding appropriate deducts to the bid package. The Commission reviewed these options with Mr. Warner but nothing was decided upon.
Mr. Vitters motioned to approved the final design as presented with the amendment to the drawings as indicated by Ms. Mayer, seconded by Ms. Mayer and approved 4-0.
Bishop and Menotomy Review
Mr. Leonard quickly reviewed the Bishop Field Project, stating that the project is out to Bid. Mr. Leonard stated the only change was an option to have the outfield ready for school use in the fall of 2007 if possible.
Mr. Leonard reviewed the Menotomy Rocks park project and a few questions he had with the Commission.
Mr. Leonard stated that a flow test of the well and water quality test of the well water was in the project scope but he is recommending having it done prior to bidding so that the information is available for the contractors. The Commission agreed that this made sense. Mr. Leonard will get Mr. Connelly the appropriate information.
Mr. Leonard reviewed the water bar concerns of the Conservation Commission. Mr. Leonard explained the plan was to mound up the bar and use ½ inch of crushed stone in the swale.
Mr. Leonard indicated that conducting a study to determine the need of an aerator was not economical at this point. He recommended going forward with the four chamber aerators as originally planned. Mr. Leonard indicated that this would not damage the pond and would help with the phosphorus.
Mr. Leonard stated that the Town would be making 140’ of granite curbing available for the project and that 25% of the stone was accessible in the park. Mr. Leonard and the Commission discussed how to describe the type of stone to use.
Mr. Leonard discussed the Cumming’s wall repair and the front gate issues. Mr. Leonard recommends a wooden gate with pedestrian access. The Commission discussed the gate issue. Mr. Connelly and Ms. Campbell stated they liked the openness feeling without a gate but understood the reason for a gate. Ms. Mayer and Mr. Vitters agreed a gate was necessary. Mr. Leonard will submit drawings for review.
Mr. Leonard indicated the plan was to bid in early February. Mr. Vitters asked if there was a determination yet on the tree removal near the path at the back field. Mr. Leonard indicated that no decision has been made by the Conservation Commission at this point.
Mr. Leonard asked to be on the Commission January agenda to review Final Design.
Multi-Year Capital Plan Review
Mr. Connelly reviewed the meeting with the Capital Committee and the need to adjust the Commission’s requests to reflect a $300,00-$500,000 yearly allocation. The Commission discussed the capital priorities. The Commission suggested moving Hibbert to FY2017 and moving Bishop to FY2012 for the estimated amount of $260,000. Mr. Vitters motioned to approve the amended capital plan, seconded by Ms. Campbell and approved 4-0.
Rink Update
Mr. Connelly reviewed the rink capital study with the Commissioners. The Commission discussed the state of the rink and the terms of the current lease agreement.
Recreation Update
Mr. Connelly stated that Bill Gore has resigned from the Recreation Supervisor position for a position at the Hayden Center in Lexington. Mr. Connelly stated that Bill would be sorely missed and that he would be tough to replace. Mr. Connelly explained that there would be a chance to say good bye and good luck to Bill on Friday, December 15th at 2:45-4:45 PM.
Committee Updates
Open Space
Ms. Mayer stated that the company VHB was selected to help the town update the open space plan. Ms. Mayer indicated that Vision 2020 would use the same questions in the census insert as in 2000 to receive some comparative data. Mr. Connelly and Ms. Mayer would be meeting to discuss the recreation updates.
Other
Mr. Carabello announced that he would not be seeking another term on the Park Commission. The Commissioners thanked Mr. Carabello for his sixteen years of service. Mr. Carabello will stay on until a replacement is found.
Ms. Mayer motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ms. Campbell and approved 4-0.
Meeting adjourned at 10:20 PM
Respectively Submitted by:
Joseph Connelly
Director of Recreation
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