2019-05-09 PLAYING FIELD COMMITTEE MEETING
Thursday, May 9,2019
Berlin Community Center
6:15PM
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Brenden Luddy called the meeting to order at 6:15PM.
Members present were: Chairman Councilor Brenden Luddy
Councilor Charles Paonessa
Members absent were: Councilor Peter Rosso
Also Present: Jennifer Ochoa, Director of Community, Recreation&Parks Services
Don Dellaquila, Parks and Recreation Commission Vice Chairman
Steve Hinchliffe, Parks and Recreation Commission member
B. NEW BUSINESS
a. Scalise Field Update
Director Ochoa reported that Bid 2019-13 for the Scalise Artificial Turf Field Replacement was
awarded to Field Turf USA, Inc.for$974,396 which includes a$50,000 contingency.The Town is
finalizing the contract and hope to have that signed off by next week.The plan is still to begin
construction on June 6, 2019.
Chairman Luddy asked if there was any other work planned to be done around Scalise Field.
Director Ochoa informed the Committee that the Town went out to bid for some work on the
bleachers to make them ADA compliant by adding handrails,etc.The bid opening is scheduled
for Monday, May 13th
b. Field Conditions
Director Ochoa gave an overview on the conditions of the field. Between the rain in November
2018 and April 2019,the fields are extremely wet and soft.She has started keeping track of what
days the fields are closed. Director Ochoa shared some pictures of some of the fields in bad
shape due to both rain and overuse.She discussed how she has received complaints both that
the Town is not closing fields enough and that the Town is closing them too much.When it is
decided to close a field,the field is walked by someone from the Parks and Grounds Department
and the Town also reaches out to surrounding towns to gather insight on what their plan is.
Commissioner Dellaquila made a suggestion to Director Ochoa about creating a write up for the
Town website stating the condition of fields,the process to close them,etc.Commissioner
Hinchliffe commented that Berlin Youth Soccer is struggling to schedule all their games and
practices in due to the field closures, but that he understands why the Town is closing fields. It
was also discussed what a great job the Parks and Grounds Department is doing maintaining the
fields this spring.
c. Soccer Field Research Update
Director Ochoa reported that herself,Steve Wood (Parks and Grounds Foreman)and Jim
Mahoney(Economic Development)met to discuss land options for future soccer fields.Some of
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the properties already had plans drawn up and those were reviewed. Irrigation options were also
discussed for each property. Director Ochoa and Mr.Wood also had a meeting with a
representative from Kaestle Boos to discuss the costs associated with creating brand new fields
on a piece of land.The estimated cost per square foot was higher than was anticipated. After
these two meetings Director Ochoa and Mr.Wood decided to create a 10-year field maintenance
plan.A report that would look at every single field in town,the improvements it could use and
what those improvements may cost.
Councilor Paonessa made a suggestion that the Committee look into possibly reaching out to an
owner of a plot of land and discuss an option of creating fields and then leasing them to the
Town.The Committee as a whole is going to look into this option.
C. ADJOURNMENT
Councilor Paonessa motioned to adjourn at 6:42 PM. Chairman Luddy seconded.
Motion carried (2-0).
Submitted,
Jennifer Ochoa
Director of Community, Recreation& Park Services and Clerk of this Meeting
RECEIVED FOR RECORD
BERLIN TOWN C .ERK
2019 MAY 14 PM 4: 27
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