2009-10-08
PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
Minutes of October 8, 2009
A regular meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairman Len
Zielinski at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, 2009 at the Community Center, Berlin, CT.
ATTENDANCE:
Present: Chairman Len Zielinski, Commissioners, Don Dellaquila, Steve Hinchliffe, Charles
Warner, Robert Sylvester, and Steve Kelly- Director of Parks & Recreation.
Absent: Donna Bovee, and John Solek. Guests: Boy Scouts from Troop 24, Berlin were present
to observe the meeting as part of earning one of their merit badges.
AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS:
Chairman Zielinski announced guest speakers were present with a request. Bruce Trevethan and
Charles Colaresi, representing the Berlin Veterans Commission, requesting to have the land at
Paper goods Pond named Marine Memorial Park. The current Marine Memorial is located at the
corner of Grove St. and Main St. in the triangle. The monument was donated to the Town in the
late 50’s by the Marine Corp League which is now in New Britain. The monument has been
struck by a vehicle at least twice and has taken big chips out of it. It is in a precarious spot in
that triangle and receives little notice. They are in the process of purchasing a new monument
which is similar to the one at the East Berlin pool for veterans that had died in Viet Nam. It is
going to be black granite, 48 inches, on the front etched in the flag-raising of Mt. Suribachi at
Iwo Jima. On the top, in gold leaf, “Semper Fi”. It would be located near the flagpole. They are
going to relocate the monument on Grove St. and Main St. with the help of Public Ground crews.
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They would like to have this complete by November 10 (the Marine Corps birthday) so there
can be a dedication of the monument and the park at the same time. The land was originally
donated to the Town by the son of the owner of Sherwood Tool. As there appears to by no
official current name for the piece of land, the Veterans Commission wants making its request.
Commissioner Sylvester asked if the land would be disturbed with the current construction going
on there, possibly being disturbed or have to move it again and Mr. Colaresi confirmed that it
would not be affected. Mr. Paradise is going to install pavers to facilitate maintenance. It will
be lit at night like a flagpole similar to the one in East Berlin. Commissioner Sylvester wanted
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confirmation that Dave Paradise is okay with the November 10 deadline. Commissioner
Zielinski said it is basically an install. He entertained a motion to take the recommendation to
Council, and they will need to accept the donation of the monument and accept the naming of the
park. Commissioner Sylvester made a motion, seconded by Charles Warner, to accept the
donation and the name of the park as Marine Memorial Park. The motion passed unanimously.
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MINUTES:
Commissioner Dellaquila made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Hinchliffe, to accept the
minutes of the September 10, 2009 meeting as amended. The motion was unanimously
approved.
TIMBERLIN GOLF COURSE:
Zielinski reported that there were some computer problems making it difficult for golf
registration, but a new router was installed to correct the problem.
PUBLIC GROUNDS:
The monthly report submitted by Dave Paradise was reviewed by Director Steve Kelly. The
speakers have been installed at Scalise Field in Sage Park. Chairman Zielinski informed the
Commissioners that due to the size and weight of the speakers, the Town spent an additional
$2,000 for brackets to install them not including labor and a bucket truck. These are supposed to
be water proof, not just weather resistant.
Veterans Memorial Park construction will be going out to bid this fall, to begin in the spring.
There is going to be a meeting with Joe Aresimowicz and other town officials to regarding
potential availability of an existing pre-fab steel building that may enable the project to remain
within budget. The funding is available and the location in Sage Park is currently the biggest
question.
Anchors for all the soccer goals have been purchased and installed at all the fields.
The Council approved the handicap accessible picnic tables that Eagle Scout candidate Chicker
proposed, and once they are built, they will be installed where needed.
The Public Grounds crew is still mowing all areas of town and pruning as time permits.
Minor graffiti was sprayed on the High School track. Jim Horbal, Deputy Director of Public
Works is contacting the manufacturer for proper handling of the repair.
Two seams at Scalise Field turf need to be repaired. The manufacturer has been notified to come
in and repair it. Commissioner Dellaquila asked if the coaches (and others that use the field) had
been notified not to use the field because he is concerned about the liability if someone gets hurt
while on the field. Director Kelly indicated that the seam is around the 20 yard sideline and not
in a location which was considered hazardous. He did not think there was any danger of injuries,
but he will call the coach and call the Midget Football Coach to inform them of the potential
safety hazard.
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PARKS & RECREATION:
Director, Steve Kelly received a request for a waiver of a room rental for one night ($25) in the
Community Center. The group’s name is College Funding Strategies, and they expect 25 adults
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for a seminar about financial aid to be held on November 4. Kathy Pedemonti who lives in
Berlin, told Mr. Kelly they are thinking of charging a $5 attendance fee, but aren’t sure yet.
Chairman Zielinski commented that if they are charging a fee, then the Commission should be
entitled to obtain its fee. Commissioner Warner made a motion, seconded by Commissioner
Dellaquila, to waive the one night rental fee. The motion was carried five in favor, one opposed.
The Berlin Basketball Association submitted their financial report to Director Kelly (requested
by the Commission) and had been previously approved to release the funds ($500) upon
receiving the report.
The Berlin Youth Wrestling Association submitted their financial statement and requested a
donation for the year. Since all of the association donations have been cut in half for this fiscal
year, the Commissioners will authorize releasing $500 this year. Commissioner Dellaquila made
a motion, seconded by Commissioner Warner, to release $500 to the Berlin Wrestling
Association. The motion was unanimously approved.
Director Kelly received a letter from the Berlin Lions Club expressing an interest in holding a
fishing derby for the visually impaired to be held at Sage Park. The Commission will be notified
at a later date for final plans.
OLD BUSINESS:
Chairman Zielinski mentioned that he would like to wait for Commissioner Bovee to be present
before he has a discussion on the request from Manes and Motion (Beverly Jones, key
supporter). There are 24 towns involved, 201 participants, 11% are minority, 2/3’s are children
and a waiting list of 30, and to participate in the program, the participant has to contribute 50%
and the rest is raised by donation. Chairman Zielinski will wait on the discussion because the
Commission has been expressed concerns on dealing with out-of-town donation requests this
fiscal year.
Chairman Zielinski asked the Scouts from Troop 24, who were in attendance to satisfy
Citizenship Merit Badge requirements, if they had any questions they would like to ask the
Commissioners, or had any comments about the meeting that they are observing. Some would
like to see more soccer fields. Some are active skateboarders in town. Chairman Zielinski said
that has been an unresolved issue to date.
Chairman Zielinski announced that Marie Ralph has officially retired as Secretary of the
Commission and has “passed the baton” on to Lecia Paonessa. Her work and time was truly
appreciated.
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ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Commissioner Dellaquila, seconded by Commissioner Warner to adjourn
the meeting at 7:30 PM. The motion was unanimously approved.
Lecia Paonessa
Recording Secretary for the meeting
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