2020-03-12 2020-03-12 Parks &Recreation Commission Meeting
TOWN OF BERLIN
Parks and Recreation Commission
230 Kensington Road • Berlin, CT 06037
Thursday, March 12, 2020
7:00 p.m.
Berlin Community Center
ATTENDANCE:
Commissioners Present: Donna Bovee—Chairwoman, Don Dellaquila, Steve Hinchliffe, Dinesh
Patel
Commissioners Absent: Andrew Legnani, Joe Pulcini
Staff Present:
Jen Ochoa, Director of Community, Recreation and Park Services
Steve Wood, Superintendent of Public Grounds
Chairwoman Bovee called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. �
1. Audience of Citizens
a. Debra Tubbs, 48 Paterson Way—Ms. Tubbs runs the Rock and Roll ice cream truck and
asks for permission to sell ice cream at Berlin's various parks, pools and camp programs
during the 2020 summer season. She would also like to sell ice cream at the Timberlin Park
50�'Anniversary celebration(currently scheduled for July 2020). Director Ochoa stated
that the process of Ms. Tubbs selling ice cream at the parks,pools arid camp programs last
year worked�vell.
2. Approval of Minutes - February 13, 2020
Commissioner Dellaquila moved to accept the February 13, 2020 meeting minutes.
Seconded by Commissioner Patel.
Those voting in favor: Chairwoman Bovee, Commissioner Dellaquila, Commissioner
Hinchliffe, Commissioner Patel
Vote being 4-0. (MOTION CARRIED)
3. Consent Agenda
a. Request acceptance of a $50 donation from the Berlin VFW, $50 donation from Berlin
Polish Political Club and a $200 clonation from the Kiwanis Club of Berlin towards the
Parks and Recreation Youth Fishing Derbies to be held on Saturday,April 18 and
Apri125, 2020 at Sage Park Pond from 8:OOAM to 10:00AM.
b. Request by Debra Tubbs for permission to sell ice cream, snacks and beverages from
her ice cream truck at Percival Pool,Demoi-e, Dinda, Bittner Jr. Memorial Pool, Pistol
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2020-03-12 Pa�ks &Recreation Commission Meeting
Creek, Sage Park,Little People's Playground and The Friendship Place at Willard
School for 2020.
c. Request by Saint Paul School to have field usa�e fees, not to exceed an amount of$630
waived for the school soccer team practices at Percival Field for a number of dates in
April, May and June.
d. Request approval for Berlin Youth Football and Cheerleading to sell food and
beverages at their home football games at Scalise Field, Sage Park for the 2020 season.
Commissioner Dellaquila moved to accept Consent Agenda items a, c and d.
Seconded by Commissioner Patel.
Those voting in favor: Chairwoman Bovee, Commissioner Dellaquila, Commissioner
Hinchliffe, Commissioner Patel
Vote being 4-0. (MOTION CARRIED)
Commissioner Dellaquila moved to accept Consent Agenda item b as presented.
Seconded by Commissioner Patel.
The Commissioners noted that Ms. Tubbs would like to add the Timberlin's SOth Anniversary
celebration as a permitted location.
Commissioner Dellaquila moved to accept Consent Agenda b amended to include Timberlin
Park's SOth Anniversary celebration.
Seconded by Commissioner Patel.
Those voting in favor: Chairwoman Bovee, Commissioner Dellaquila, Commissioner
Hinchliffe, Commissioner Patel
Vote being 4-0. (MOTION CARRIED)
4. Parks & Grouncls
a. Monthly Report (see attached)
b. Budget Update—Director Ochoa met with potential design firms for the Sage 1 softball
field. Council is scheduled to consider a motion to transfer funds to pay for Sage 1 field
design on March 17, 2020.
c. Banners—Chairwoman Bovee is in process of drafting a policy for review and discussion.
d. Field Walkthrough—To date, only one member of the Playing Fields Committee
(Cotmcilor Urrunaga) responded to Director Ochoa's invitation. She will likely schedule a
walkthrough in agreement�vith Councilor Urrunaga's availability (a Wednesday or
Thursday), and is willing to schedule a second walkthrough for other Councilors/
Commissioners at a firture date.
The Commission also discussed the impact of coronavirus on Berlin's programs.
o Winter programs have been canceled for two weeks (March 16, 2020—March 29,
2020) and the situation will be re-evaluated at that time.
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2020-03-12 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting
o The Community Center is open, but meeting room reservations have been canceled
from March 16, 2020—March 29, 2020. The exercise room will be closed on
March 16 and Tuesday, March 17, 2020 for a thorough cleaning. It will reopen for
residents on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 and will be cleaned each day.
o As the dates for the Fishing Derby and Easter Candy Hunt approach, Director
, Ochoa will determine whether to cancel.
o Director Ochoa will consult CIAC, Berlin High School, Town Manager
Jayawickrema and Corporation Counsel to determine any possible closure of fields
reserved for spring sports. Superintendent Wood noted that Grounds plans to
continue to mow and fertilize the fields.
5. Parks and Recreation
a. Monthly Report (see attached) Director Ochoa noted that if more Water Safety Instructors
do not apply with the Town, summer swim lessons will be impacted.
b. Community/Senior Center Update—A design firm has been chosen, but the contract
hasn't yet been signed. The consultant has already met with Senior Center Director poyle
and staff. A meeting will be set up with Director Ochoa and Superintendent Dennis.
c. Timberlin SOth Anniversary Update—About$13,000 in donation commitments have been
secured. (Total costs for the event are estimated around $20,000 - $22,000.)
6. Adjournment
Commissioner Dellaquila moved to adjourn at 7:27 p.m.
Seconded by Commissioner Patel.
Those voting in favor: Chairwoman Bovee, Commissioner Dellaquila, Commissioner
Hinchliffe, Commissioner Patel
Vote being 4-0. (MOTION CARRIED)
Submitted by
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Dana Borges
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2020-03-12 PaYks & Recreation Comnzission Meeting
Parks and Grounds February Report
Dailv
o Check schools and town properties for ice
Weeklv
o Empty garbage and recycle cans
Miscellaneous Jobs
o Servicing of equipment and trailers
o Rebuilding of benches and tables
o Installed irrigation in greenhouse
o Started spring clean-ups at parks
o Put up tennis nets
o Removed and installed new guardrail at Community Garden
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2020-03-12 PaYks&Recreation Commission Meeting
Parks & Recreation March monthlv report
1. Interviews, for summer positions, will be completed at some point during March. There are
positions available for the pools and Summer Fun program. We have received 8 applications
for lifeguards, 4 for pool attendants and 10 for Summer Fun supervisors. Only one of the
lifeguard applicants also has WSI. I will advertise again for Lifeguards with WSI certification
to try and get more applications. If we don't get more WSI's we will have to cut back on
lessons.
2. The Easter Candy Hunt is scheduled for Saturday, Apri14 starting at 1 p.m. Weather and field
conditions will determine if the event will be held at Sage Park auxiliary field or inside the A
gym at BHS. In case of a snowstorm, it will be held on Saturday, April 11. The Town is
monitoring the coronavirus and as the date gets closer, may have us cancel this event. We will
continue to monitor any recommendations from the Health District and the Town, for this event
and all programs.
3. Fishing Derbies will be held April 18 and 25 at Sage Park Pond from 8-10 a.m. each Saturday.
4. Skyhawks, LEGOS's and Modeling and Fashion camp have already been advertised for
summer camps and have received several registrations already. People can also register on-line
only now until May, through our WebTrac program.
5. All field trips for the summer program are set-up, received prices back from the bus company.
Those fees will not need to be increased this year but will probably be increased next year.
Combined with Town increases, fees will be $100 per week, $90 for any four-day �veeks.
6. Spring program registration is scheduled to begin Monday, March 16 for residents and
Monday, March 23 for non-residents.
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