2014-05-08
TOWN OF BERLIN
Parks and Recreation Commission
230 Kensington Road • Berlin, CT 06037
Thursday, May 8, 2014
7:00 p.m.
Community Center Break Room
Minutes
ATTENDANCE
:
Present:
Commissioners
Len Zielinski-Chairman Charles Warner Robert Sylvester Steve Hinchliffe
Staff
Jim Capodience – Director of Community, Recreation and Park Services
Debbie Dennis - Superintendent of Recreation
Art Volz - Superintendent of Public Grounds
Jon Zuk – Golf Course Manager
Jerry Salvio – Timberlin Golf
Marc Bayram – Golf Pro
Absent:
Commissioners Donna Bovee, Fred Jortner Jr., Don Dellaquila
AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS
Cary Dobkin, 1309 Berlin Turnpike, Non-resident owner of real estate and business in Berlin,
inquired about the purchasing of a Timberlin resident season pass for employees and members of
fraternal/social organizations.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Sylvester made a motion to approve the April 13, 2014 meeting minutes, seconded
by Commissioner Hinchliffe. The motion passed unanimously.
CONSENT AGENDA
a. Request from Raising Berlin to sell refreshments at the summer outdoor family movie night,
sponsored in conjunction with Berlin Parks & Recreation, at Zipadelli Field, Saturday, June
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21, with a rain date of Sunday, June 22.
Commissioner Hinchliffe made a motion to accept the consent agenda, motion was seconded by
Commissioner Sylvester. The motion passed unanimously.
PUBLICGROUNDS
a. Monthly Report
Playground inspection is on going
Bollards have been installed around the new propane tank at Sage Park to prevent
damage.
Wind screens at Sage and McGee baseball fields have been installed.
Mulch has been added to Friendship Place, the front of McGee school and the front of the
town hall.
A group of hikers from the GeoCache group (approx 30 to 40) policed the trails at the end
of Summitwood Dr. They brought bags of trash, tires, vehicle parts vehicles and out to
the cul de sac for pickup and disposal by Public Grounds.
A granite pillar protecting the Civil War Monument in East Berlin was damaged by a
snow plow and has been replaced.
Mowing of grass has started
Grooming of ball fields is now being done daily.
b.Art Volz presented a sketch of proposed additional fencing interior at Scalise Field for review
and discussion by the Commission. It was intended to reduce effort required to prepare for
events on the field. No changes were recommended.
c.Budget passed with Labor Services for Pool and Cemeteries being reduced by $6,500 and
capital funding for planned replacement of Scalise Field being reduced by $150,000 and
eliminated. At this point, the turf will have to be financed through borrowing when needed.
PARKS AND RECREATION
a. Monthly Report
Budget passed, which included 3 additional positions.
3 New Programs are being initiated:
- Fairy Tale Camp for 4-7 yr olds
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- 2 Basketball Drop In nights summer and fall for 2 grade – 9 grades
- Sky Hawk Soccer Camp (4-7, 7-10)
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East Berlin Pool opens June 18
Percival Pool opens June 23rd
Commissioner Hinchliffe questioned if the soccer camp had been coordinated with Berlin Youth
Soccer.
Deb Dennis pointed out that pool opening was dictated by manpower availability and that
Percival would remain open one week longer than East Berlin at season end.
b. Commission discussed the proposed of a grant request to the Community Foundation of
Greater New Britain for new Community Center exercise equipment. Deb Dennis indicated
that the amount requested was approximately $20,000. She will have more concrete amounts
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when the request is made to Council on May 20. She also indicated that it was difficult to
develop specifications for the equipment because of the variety of makes and quality on the
market. She was intending to obtain higher quality equipment which would withstand the
high levels of usage.
TIMBERLIN GOLF COURSE
a.Discussion of request by Golf Pro Marc Bayram for free golf for non-professional pro shop
staff. Mr. Bayram presented a proposal which would create two special $300 unlimited
season passes for employees that worked at least 15 hours per week most of the season and
criteria that would provide a free round of golf, at limited times for other employees, based on
each 10 hour increment worked. Payments for the CIP and carts would be required.
Commissioner Warner made a motion to table this item for a special meeting until more
Commission members were present to discuss, seconded by commissioner Sylvester. The
motion passed unanimously.
b. Policies:
residence qualification guidelines
fraternal organization guidelines
taxpaying businesses owned by non-residence
residence qualification guidelines
definition of family for “additional household” qualification
Refunds for season passes for medical and other reasons (J Motyka request) – Refund
policy should reflect that the buyer has 72 hours to change their minds but will be charged
a 10% restocking fee and will be deducted any playing time.
No final action taken. To be discussed at special meeting with more Commission members
present.
c. Procedures for annual Golf Pro evaluation as identified in contracts – To be discussed at
special meeting with more Commission members present.
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The Commission discussed having the special meeting on Thursday, May 15 to resolve issues as
quickly as possible. Members not present would be queried as to their availability.
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d. Donation request-Berlin High Jazz Band-event, June 7, silent Auction.
Commissioner Warner made a motion to donate a round of golf for 2 and a cart, seconded by
Commissioner Sylvester. The motion passed unanimously.
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e. Donation request-Southington Walk for Life event, May 22.
Commissioner Sylvester made a motion to donate a round of golf for 4 and a cart, motion was
seconded by Commissioner Warner. The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Commissioner Warner to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 PM, seconded by
Commissioner Hinchliffe. The motion was unanimously approved.
Kim Lanci
Recording Secretary