2021-09-092021-09-09 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting
TOWN OF BERLIN
Parks and Recreation Commission
230 Kensington Road • Berlin, CT 06037 / Zoom
Thursday, September 9, 2021
6:00 p.m.
ATTENDANCE:
Commissioners Present: Donna Bovee - Chairwoman, Tony Butrimas, Don Dellaquila, Dinesh
Patel, Joe Pulcini (arrived 6:08 p.m.), Greg Starr
Commissioners Absent: Andrew Legnani
Staff Present:
Jen Ochoa, Director of Community, Recreation and Park Services
Debbie Dennis, Superintendent of Recreation
Steve Wood, Grounds Superintendent
Chairwoman Bovee called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
1. Audience of Citizens
None.
2. Approval of Minutes August 12, 2021
Commissioner Butrimas moved to approve the August 12, 2021 meeting minutes.
Seconded by Commissioner Dellaquila.
Those voting in favor: Commissioner Bovee, Commissioner Butrimas, Commissioner
Dellaquila, Commissioner Starr
Vote being (4-0-1). MOTION CARRIED (Commissioner Patel abstained, as he was not
at the August 12, 2021 meeting.)
3. Consent Agenda
None.
4. Parks & Grounds
a. Monthly Report — see attached
The group discussed recent social media comments about issues at the Micacci
memorial at Deming Park and Friendship Place. Unfortunately, residents did not
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2021-09-09 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting
report the problems they witnessed to the Town, rather they posted to social media.
Once Grounds staff was aware, the problems were investigated and addressed.
Members discussed posting signs at Town parks with a phone number for residents to
call to report any issues.
Commissioner Pulcini joined at this point.
b. Revision of Policy on Naming Memorials, etc.
i. BHS Basketball Courts renaming update — Director Ochoa does not
believe that the Cop family has presented to the Board of Education yet.
ii. McGee Baseball Field renaming update
The Commission will consider proposed revisions to the Policy on Naming
Memorials. Commissioners discussed adding a clause that the person proposed to
name the park after should be someone with good moral character, instituting a
waiting period prior to approval in case the public wants to weigh in on the proposed
naming, whether Parks & Recreation Commission should / can investigate naming
candidates and having the Town / Corporation Counsel review any proposed
revisions prior to presenting to Town Council.
c. Percival Soccer Field Update — $194,000 of the grant has not been appropriated.
Director Ochoa and Superintendent Wood will review project needs to go out to bid
for a new architect and work to get $194,000 added to the project budget.
d. Sage Park Restrooms Update - Director Ochoa reported that the restroom
renovation that was originally scheduled to be completed on 9/12/21 has been
significantly delayed due to unavailability of fixtures and doors. The new target
completion date is end of October 2021. The delay is a problem for busy Sage Park
during fall season. Porta -potties are on site to serve as temporary restrooms. The
restroom delay along with a refrigeration problem that negatively impacted fund
raising concessions on Friday 9/3/21, Saturday 9/4/21 and Sunday 9/5/21 were not
timely communicated to Director Ochoa or the Commissioners. Commission
members request improved communication/coordination from Facilities to Parks &
Recreation regarding active projects.
e. State of CT Grant Update — No updates, still waiting for State feedback.
5. Parks and Recreation
a. Monthly Report — see attached.
b. Community/Senior Center Update — Chairwoman Bovee reported that the
Community Senior Center Advisory Committee met on September 2, 2021. Advisory
Committee members are: herself (Vice Chair of the Advisory Committee), Brenden
Luddy (Chair of the Advisory Committee), Mike Urrunaga, Dave Cyr, Tim Grady,
Barbara Gombotz. The next meeting is scheduled for September 27, 2021, but an
extended meeting schedule has not yet been established.
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2021-09-09 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting
6. Adjournment
Commissioner Starr moved to adjourn at 7:07 p.m.
Seconded by Commissioner Butrimas.
Those voting in favor: Commissioner Bovee, Commissioner Butrimas, Commissioner
Dellaquila, Commissioner Pulcini, Commissioner Patel, Commissioner Starr
Vote being (6-0). MOTION CARRIED
Submitted by,
Dana Borges
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2021-09-09 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting
Parks and Grounds August report
News
o Willard
o Playground paved, repainted and new basketball hoops
o New concrete stairs and walkways
o Back to school
o Top dressed playgrounds with new safety surfacing
o Mulch fronts of school's
o Installed new solar pump at the community garden with battery backup
Daily
o
Mowing
o
Ballfields
o
Pools
o
flowers
Weekly
o Garbage
o Paint athletic fields
Miscellaneous
o Clean and service equipment
o Started back to school preparation
o Broke down pools
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2021-09-09 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting
Parks and Recreation monthly report for September
We are fully re -opening the Community Center on Tuesday, September 7. That will
include the exercise room and activity room. We ask that everyone in the building
wear a mask.
2. Fall program registration is now under way. Most programs will start mid-September.
Inputted information into RecTrac/WebTrac and on the Town website. Currently
offering dog obedience classes, in-person and virtual classes through Personal
Euphoria and Painting w/Peggy classes. We will offer dance classes this fall also, just
waiting for a schedule from the instructor.
I will contact the Board of Education about possible gym use this winter. I will wait
until I have a decision from them to decide about youth basketball and other winter
programs. We will follow whatever guidelines the Board of Education, CCHD,
CIRC, CDC and/or the State have in place as far as mask wearing and any other
guidelines they may implement.
4. Working on October special events, Scarecrow event and Halloween. We will hold a
drive through Trunk or Treat event again and virtual Pumpkin Decorating contest.
Working with Chris Edge and businesses on Farmington Ave to get more
participation for the Scarecrow event.
5. Continue to book rooms for groups at the Community Center for the fall and winter.
Many of the groups are happy to be able to meet in person again and will follow the
guidelines we have in place.
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