2008-09-11
PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
A regular meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission was called to order at 7:00
p.m. on Thursday, September 11, 2008 at the Community Center, Berlin, CT.
PRESENT:
Chairman Leonard Zielinski, Commissioners Don Dellaquilla, John Solek, Rob
Sylvester, Chuck Warner, Director of Parks & Recreation, Steve Kelly, Superintendent of
Timberlin, Jonathan Zuk and Golf Pro, Jeff Coderre.
ABSENT:
Commissioners Donna Bovee and Rick DeGroff
AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS:
Mrs. Tomusiak, 1670 Kensington Road, stated that Jim Mahoney and Art Simonian had
met with owners from 5 of the properties abutting the Sierra Ranch on June 19, 2008 to
discuss proposed parking.
Eleven property owners had been invited to a meeting at which Mr. Mahoney gave an
overview of the Town’s open space acquisition and improvement efforts including the
discussion of the philosophy of including parking for citizen access lots in all new open
space areas. Mr. Mahoney had stated at that meeting that it his understanding that the
parking lot would be posted dawn to dusk, but would not have a gate that would be
locked at night.
Mrs. Tomusiak expressed concerns:
?
Parking lot too close to the houses
?
Youth and others would be attracted to use the lot for unintended purposes especially
at night.
?
Police patrols would not be adequate to prevent misuse.
?
Small children in the area might be hit by cars or harassed by strangers.
?
Buffering the adjacent properties with landscaping and fencing.
?
Driving sight lines as someone is exiting the property.
Michael Spring from Troup #24 came before the Commission to discuss his Eagle Project
at Pistol Creek. Mr. Spring stated that he planned to identify certain cart paths as walking
trails, clean up the paths, cutting back the overgrown debris, and mark the distance with
signs. Mr. Spring will coordinate his efforts with Dave Paradise, Public Grounds. This
project would be completed by October 2, 2008 and it would be handicap accessible.
Jeff Arute, 750 Berdale Ave came before the Commission to discuss keeping the golf
rates for seniors as low as possible in consideration for some seniors who were having a
hard time paying for their golf. Mr. Arute also asked if there could be a lower rate for the
Parks & Recreation Commission Page/2
carts for seniors. Mr. Arute felt that the lower rate would increase play. Mr. Arute also
asked if there could be a reduction in rates for people with disabilities.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Commissioner Solek moved to approve the minutes as amended, seconded by
Commissioner Warner. The motion carried unanimously.
TIMBERLIN GOLF COURSE:
Rates and policies updates -
Mr. Zuk reviewed the 2009 proposed rates with the
Commission. Most of the golf and cart rates proposed would increase by 50 cents to $2.
Resident season pass rates proposed would increase approximately $5 per category. The
subcommittee recommending the changes indicated that increases were kept to a
minimum due to the economy. Mr. Zuk also presented tables comparing Timberlin’s
proposed rates to rates for golf and carts at comparable public courses.
After discussion, Commissioner Warner moved to approve the rates as proposed with a
reduction of the non-resident senior 18 hole weekday rate by $1, seconded by
Commissioner Sylvester. The motion carried unanimously. It was also noted that the
rates would be evaluated on a yearly basis.
Mr. Zuk stated that he had a request for waiver of fees and cart fees for the Broker’s
Breakfast. Commissioner Warner moved to approve the waiver of fees, seconded by
Commissioner Solek.
The Commissioners discussed this request and identified that the waiver of fees for the
carts would have an impact on Mr. Coderre revenue per his contract.
Commissioners Warner and Solek withdrew their motion and second. Commissioner
Warner then made a motion to waive the fees with the Town donating their portion (75%)
of the cart fees, seconded by Commissioner Solek. The motion carried unanimously.
Mission statement -
Commissioner Warner moved to adopt the Mission Statement as
proposed seconded by Commissioner Sylvester. The motion carried unanimously.
Pavilion update -
Mr. Zuk stated that the concrete pad was completed along with the
ADA ramp. The stairs had to torn out for the second time to be compliant with ADA
requirement. Town personnel were in the process of anchoring the support structure to
the base. Once that was complete, railings would be installed. Mr. Coderre indicated
that he has been able to book 5 new 100 person events due to the new tent.
FY 10 preliminary CIP candidates -
Mr. Zuk identified several new candidate projects
for CIP that would have a significant impact on Timberlin:
Parks & Recreatioin Commission Page/3
1.Complete overhaul of upstairs and downstairs bathrooms to provide a quality image
consistent with the course.
2. Paint the exterior of the clubhouse as there appears there is little probability of a new
one being built.
3. Remove the starters shack and modify the pro shop to provide access and visibility to
allow ticket sales and starting control to be done from within.
Eagle Project -
At this time, the Commission discussed the Eagle Project for Michael
Spring. Commissioner Sylvester moved to send it to the Town Council, seconded by
Commissioner Dellaquilla. The motion carried unanimously.
The Commissioners discussed the Sierra Ranch Project. Chairman Zielinski moved to
approve a 10-space parking lot with a screen and interior gate to prevent entry into the
park, seconded by Commissioner Sylvester. Commissioner Warner raised the question of
who would unlock the gate.
The motion carried 3-0-1 with Commissioner Dellaquilla abstaining.
PUBLIC GROUNDS:
Monthly Report
The track at BHS is completed.
Mr. Kelly stated that funding for the East Berlin Pool fencing is on the Town Council
th
agenda for Tuesday the 16.
Mr. Kelly stated that Mr. Paradise has been out for 4 weeks and that Art Volz was
covering the department in his absence.
Mr. Kelly stated that there have been a number of meetings regarding Pistol Creek.
Currently, Public Grounds is securing the area and mowing adjacent to the cart paths and
entries. There have been requests for a bike race and a horse and carriage event on the
grounds. The Berlin Police have been using it for dog training.
The Town has received requests to designate the town center park on Farmington Ave &
Massirio Drive as Berlin Veterans Memorial Park. After discussion, Commissioner
Warner moved to name the new town park Berlin Veteran Memorial Park, seconded by
Commissioner Dellaquilla. The motion carried unanimously.
The parking lots have been constructed at the Scheer and Summitwood properties. Next
step will be the installation of barriers and gates to limit access beyond the lots.
Mr. Kelly stated that the Boy Scouts have marked the trails all over town.
Parks & Recreation Commission Page/4
FY 10 preliminary CIP candidates
- Kelly indicated that preliminary CIP items for
Public Grounds would be equipment and trail fencing.
PARKS & RECREATION:
Monthly Report
Mr. Kelly stated that the tennis courts and basketball courts are in poor shape. However,
because of uncertainty regarding the future of BHS, the Town Council appears reluctant
to fund repairs for these locations.
The financial statements for Babe Ruth, Basketball and Midget Football were reviewed.
After discussion, Commissioner Warner moved to have the town release money to these
organizations, seconded by Commissioner Dellaquilla. The motion carried unanimously.
The BK-YMCA is looking for a waiver of fees for their fall outdoor programs at
Griswold. Commissioner Dellaquilla moved to approve the waiver, seconded by
Commissioner Solek. The motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Kelly stated that Troup #44 of the Boy Scouts would like to camp out at Timberlin.
Commissioner Dellaquilla moved to approve the request, seconded by Commissioner
Sylvester. The motion carried unanimously.
CFC of Rocky Hill would like to hold a weekend premier girl’s soccer tournament over
Columbus Day weekend. They would like to use Zippadelli Field and the Sage auxiliary
field along with Sage 2. Commissioner Warner expressed concern with possible
scheduling with fall baseball. Chairman Zielinski moved to approve the request subject
to no conflict of schedules with fall baseball, seconded by Commissioner Dellaquilla.
The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Solek moved to approve the sale of food at the soccer tournament,
seconded by Commissioner Dellaquilla. The motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Kelly reviewed the summer program statistics with the Commission. He note some
programs increased in registration while others decreased. All in all, the programs went
well.
OLD BUSINESS:
None
NEW BUSINESS:
None
Parks & Recreation Commission Page/5
ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Dellaquilla moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:20 p.m., seconded by
Commissioner Sylvester. The motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Marie Ralph, Recording Secretary