2008-01-08PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
A regular meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission was called to order at 7:00
p.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2008 at the Commuriily ~~nt,~r,,$,erlin, CT.
]PRESENT:
Chairman Leonard Zielinski, Commissioners Donna-Bflvee, Rick DeGroff, Don
Dellaquilla, Chuck Warner, Director ofllarl~s._& _Recreation, Steve Kelly and
Superintendent of Timberlin Golf Course, Jonathan Zuk.
,ABSENT:
Commissioners John Solek and Rob Sylvester
.AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS:
None
.APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Commissioner Dellaquilla moved to approve the November minutes, seconded by
Commissioner Bovee. The motion carried unanimously.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Recommend and approval for the Berlin Little League and Berlin Babe Ruth League to
sell food for the 2008 baseball season.
Commissioner Bovee moved to add an item to the consent agenda (donation of 4 golf
passes for the BHS Softball fundraiser) seconded by Commissioner Warner. The motion
carried unanimously.
Commissioner Dellaquilla moved to approve the consent agenda, seconded by
Commissioner Bo0vee. The motion carried unanimously.
TIMBERLIN GOLF COURSE:
Pavilion Update
Mr. Zuk stated that the pavilion at Timberlin was approved at the Planning and Zoning
meeting tonight. This tent will have a permanent roof. Year round use is being
investigated.
PUBLIC GROUNDS:
Monthly Report
Mr. Kelly stated that a shallow ground water monitoring well has been installed at Paper
Goods Pond to monitor any impact of renovation of the Sherwood Tool buildings.
Mr. Kelly stated that the requested Capital Improvements were voted down in the bond
referendum. These included fencing, pesticide shed at Sage etc. These items have been
moved to the 2009 budget.
Parks & Recreation Commission Page/2
Economic Development has received a Grant to clean up the Bradley property. There
will be movement in the near future on this item.
The Town is in the process of acquiring additional property contiguous to the Patterson
Way (Cieniewicz) property, adding approximately 1-''/2 acres.
Mr. Dave Paradise, Public Grounds, as requested, has checked the Sage Park Pavilion
and has found a metal piece missing on the roof and also a 2x4 rotted piece of wood. He
is working on obtaining money from the State for fencing at Sage. The bid package for
the new Sage pump house is in progress. Mr. Paradise is also seeking additional money
for the irrigation system at the Sage auxiliary field.
Mr. Kelly noted that he has received $100,000 from the State to build a new equipment
storage building at Sage Park that would then permit conversion of the current concession
storage building to a meeting room.
A letter to Mayor Salina was received from the State regarding the dredging and
opportunities to expand Silver Lake State Park or convey it to the Town of Berlin for a
similar purpose. Target date was 2012.
Mr. Kelly informed the Commissioners that Mr. Paradise would have Turface available
in the spring for application to Sage I softball field which was not able to be completed
last year.
Money has been approved for block removal and burial at the Sierra Ranch property. He
is also asking the Town Council for funding for an architect for the BHS track
replacement project. Commissioner Dellaquilla raised concerns about the cost and need
for hiring an architect for the project. He felt that contractors should be selected to
provide recommendations on the project. Mr. Kelly explained that an architect is
required for the design, specs and preparation of the bid so that all contractors are bidding
from the same spec package.
PARKS & RECREATION:
Monthly Report
A design study is in the process for Percival Pool bathhouse. This project is in the 2009
budget as well as $115,000 for a Community Center architectural and engineering design.
No location has yet been identified for a new Community Center; however the Town is
looking for land.
Mr. Kelly informed the Commissioners that he sent out 178 survey letters to residents of
the Murray Heights neighbor to try to assess interest in reinstituting a summer
playground program in the area. He only received 5 responses, demonstrating extremely
low interest. Mr. Kelly will inform Mr., & Mrs. Frink, who requested the playground
program at Murray Heights, of the results.
.Parks & Recreation Commission Page/3
Mr. Kelly received a petition for more handicap parking spaces at the Community Center.
It was noted that the Community Center already meets the requirements for handicap
:parking. He indicated that the department did a random survey of the use of the existing
.handicapped parking spaces at the Community Center and found that the lack of use of
those spaces did not appear to justify adding additional spaces.
Mr. Kelly stated that he has reduced his request in his FY09 budget submittal for a
supervisor position and an administrative position reduced to only the supervisor
:position.
Hatchery Brook Conservation Area
'Town Council referred proposed recommendations for use of the Hatchery Brook
Conservation area for Parks and Recreation Commission comments. The suggested uses
,are:
+ Connecting an internal loop trail to the Metacomet Trail.
~ Usage for "primitive" camping.
• Usage for organic farming and haying.
Usage for community gardens.
'The first three items generated minimal discussion. The Commissioners expressed a
;great deal of concern with the community garden concept. They felt an extremely
detailed management plan should be generated by the Conservation Commission based
on inquires to Farmington on its' community garden program and the problems they
encounter. The issues raised were:
~~ Establishment of detailed usage ground rules.
~~ Preparation of the land, if any, at the beginning of each season
~~ Method of application for and allocation of plots to residents and non-residents.
~~ Layout of garden plots.
~~ Day to day administration of usage and ground rules.
~~ Continual monitoring for usage of hazardous chemicals.
~• Responsibility for end of season cleanup and winterizing of the land.
The Commissioners felt that the Public Grounds Department does not have the resources
and should not be asked to take on this additional responsibility as their heaviest
workload already is in the spring and fall.
Commissioner Bovee moved to approve the recommendations as long as these items are
self-sustaining, a detailed management plan is included and specific resources to operate
gardens are identified. Commissioner DeGroff seconded the motion and it carried
unanimously.
Commissioner Warner stated that this should be for Berlin residents only.
Parks & Recreation Commission Page/4
OLD BUSINESS:
None
NEW BUSINESS:
Park & Recreation Commission Meetings February 2008 to January 2009
Commissioner Bovee moved to approve the schedule for 2008-2009 meetings, seconded
by Commissioner Dellaquilla. The motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Dellaquilla moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 p.m., seconded by
Commissioner Bovee. The motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Marie Ralph, Recording Secretary