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2022-01-13 2022-01-13 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting TOWN OF BERLIN Parks and Recreation Commission 230 Kensington Road • Berlin, CT 06037 Thursday, January 13, 2022 6:00 p.m. via Zoom ATTENDANCE: Commissioners Present: Donna Bovee - Chairwoman, Tony Butrimas, Don Dellaquila (left at 6:45 p.m.), Andrew Legnani, Dinesh Patel, Joe Pulcini, Greg Starr (joined at 6:20 p.m.) 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 6:05 p.m. 1. Audience of Citizens None. 2. Approval of Minutes December 9, 2021 Commissioner Butrimas moved to approve the December 9, 2021 meeting minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Dellaquila. Those voting in favor: Commissioner Bovee, Commissioner Butrimas, Commissioner Dellaquila, Commissioner Patel Vote being: 4-0-2. (MOTION CARRIED). Commissioners Legnani and Pulcini abstained, as they were not at the December 9, 2021 meeting. 3. Consent Agenda a. Request approval to add sentence, “All lights at tennis courts and basketball courts will be turned off for the season on the first Monday in November”, in Section II, A., b. in the Field/Facility Use Policy. Commissioner Butrimas moved to approve the addition of sentence, “All lights at tennis courts and basketball courts will be turned off for the season on the first Monday in November”, in Section II, A., b. in the Field/Facility Use Policy. Seconded by Commissioner Dellaquila. 1 2022-01-13 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Those voting in favor: Commissioner Bovee, Commissioner Butrimas, Commissioner Dellaquila, Commissioner Legnani, Commissioner Patel, Commissioner Pulcini Vote being: 6-0. (MOTION CARRIED). 4. Parks & Grounds a. Q&A with Doug Solek, Director of Facilities – Chairwoman Bovee requested that the Parks and Recreation Commission be involved from the planning phase and moving forward on any project that involves Berlin’s parks and/or fields. Doing so would inform the Commissioners throughout the process, allowing them to share information with the public and end users. She also suggested that a Special Meeting could be scheduled if there is ever something urgent that can’t wait until the next scheduled monthly Commission meeting. Director of Facilities Doug Solek stated that the original goal with the Scalise bathroom renovation was to complete demolition and renovation between the end of summer sport season and prior to the first home BHS football game. The low-bid contractor was prepared for the timeline but delays with some plumbing fixtures caused the project to run late. The restrooms were functional prior to the renovation project, but there were frequent equipment failures that had to be repaired. Delaying the bathroom renovation until after the end of fall sport season was not considered as an option due to the facilities being unheated. Pushing the project out to summer 2022 risked price increases. Director Solek apologized for the inconvenience caused by the delay. He agreed to communicate project details with the Commission for future endeavors, offering to attend commission meetings or provide site visits. Commissioner Butrimas commented that the Commission didn’t have the details of the Scalise bathroom project and updates along the way would have helped avoid the surprise of non-functioning bathrooms and portable sanitation at the Jamboree in September 2021. He also suggested that to prevent a similar situation in the future, such a tight timeline should be avoided if there is no immediate breakdown in equipment. Director Ochoa indicated that she informed the Commission of the original restroom renovation plan in the February 2021 meeting. Commissioner Dellaquila agreed that the restroom situation was an inconvenience for our teams, fans and visitors. He also requested periodic updates on any projects involving Parks and Recreation at Commission meetings. Director Solek noted that the lighting and scoreboard improvements at Sage Park are on the horizon and he will provide more details when available. Commissioner Starr joined at this point. 2 2022-01-13 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting b. Monthly Report – See attached. Superintendent Wood noted that Grounds maintains the walkway and service road at Timberlin, along with Town-owned cemeteries. Staff performed trimming and pruning at those locations. Commissioner Butrimas pointed out that there is a portable bathroom at Sage Pavilion - Superintendent Wood will again reach out to the vendor to inquire about pick-up. (There is also a unit outside of the Senior Center from a flu clinic, which was rented by another party.) Commissioner Butrimas also reported that the Eagle Scout project at Sage Pavilion turned out very nicely. c. Dog Park and Leash Ordinance Update – Director Ochoa stated that Town Council has approved the Meadow at Bicentennial Park to be designated as a leash free dog area for a 6-month period as of 2/1/22. The goal is to identify another long-term off- leash area during that time. Chairwoman Bovee noted that if Pistol Creek is being seriously considered as an option that the Parks and Recreation Commission needs to be involved, and its list of concerns (previously submitted to the Ordinance Committee) be considered. Superintendent Wood confirmed that Pistol Creek was being considered since it was the largest parcel of land owned by the Town that has a suitable area that is insulated from other users. d. Percival Soccer Field Update – Director Ochoa and Superintendent Wood had one working meeting and have another scheduled for week of January 17, 2022 to fine- tune the RFP for hiring an architect. Another set of documents will be required to hire a contractor, and Fall 2022 is the target date to start construction. Director Ochoa also noted that Economic Development Coordinator Jim Mahoney appropriated $15,000 to construct a walking path to connect the Berlin Town Hall Complex (by Berlin Police Department) to the back side of Percival Soccer field. e. State of CT Grant Update – Working on getting legal sign off with DEEP – progress is slowed due to State of Connecticut staff work-at-home schedule. It was noted that the artificial turf at Biscoglio Field will likely be delayed with a spring / June 2023 construction plan. (June 2022 will not be an option due to the delay with the State grant and performing work any earlier than spring 2023 would displace Track for its entire season.) Commissioner Dellaquila left at this point. f. Field Users Meeting – Director Ochoa stated that field users are typically invited to the January or February Commission meeting. While any resident / group member is welcome to attend any Commission meeting for any reason, Director Ochoa feels that email communication with the field users has been successful and designating the February 2022 meeting for Field Users may not be necessary. It was noted that Berlin Little League elected a new Vice President (George Satalino) who is acting on behalf of the recently resigned President Bill Petit, and John Paul Demko was elected as Youth Football President. All users might be invited to attend in person (or via zoom) when there is an update to State funding and a preliminary timeline for the Biscoglio field renovation. 5. Parks and Recreation a. Monthly Report (See attached) Youth basketball has had some COVID positives and close-contacts. Finding a part-time recreation assistant has been a challenge. None of the five candidates identified by Superintendent Dennis and Director Ochoa 3 2022-01-13 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting worked out. (Three never responded for an interview, one was holding out for a full- time position, and the other already accepted a full-time position.) b. Community/Senior Center Update – Advisory Committee members and staff visited the Rocky Hill Community / Senior Center. The facility is smaller than Berlin’s proposed facility and is attached to Town Hall and the public Library. It has a child care facility, a gymnasium (which existed prior to construction of the Community Center), a fitness room, dance room and meeting rooms. Chairwoman Bovee noted that a visit to the Meriden YMCA was scheduled for Friday, January 14, 2022. i. Discuss questions to ask Meriden YMCA at next meeting - Concerns include:  Finances – How would YMCA propose to fund a facility in Berlin? According to the Waterbury and Cheshire YMCAs, they make money thru child care. Berlin YMCA already provides child care and summer camp in town, and that income already supports the YMCA programs / facilities in Berlin, New Britain and Meriden.  How would YMCA accommodate the needs of Berlin residents?  Would YMCA charge residents to use facilities / meeting rooms? (Chairwoman Bovee noted that some of the newer municipal Community / Senior Centers charge modest membership / usage fees for use of pools, meeting rooms, etc.)  Would Berlin lease / gift the land to YMCA? YMCA is being investigated as an option to save taxpayers the cost of building and running a facility. It was noted that Meriden YMCA Director John Benigni will be at the February 3, 2022 meeting of the Community/Senior Center Advisory Committee and Chairwoman Bovee strongly encouraged residents to attend and ask questions. The group thanked Commissioner Patel for his participation and volunteerism, as his term expires in January 2022. 6. Adjournment Commissioner Legnani moved to adjourn at 7:20 p.m. Seconded by Commissioner Starr. Vote being: 7-0. (MOTION CARRIED). Submitted by, Dana Borges 4 2022-01-13 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Parks and Grounds November report News: o First snow storm of the year o Finished fall cleanups o Serviced and winterized equipment for the year o Sway-Fun repaired Friendship Place Daily o Ice check Town buildings o Mowing o Leaves Weekly o Garbage Miscellaneous o Continued to build tables and benches o Pruned walers path Timberlin to Chamberlin Highway o Cleaned Courtyards o Pruned fence line Dennison Cemetery o Wood Fiber EB 5 2022-01-13 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Parks and Recreation monthly report for January 1. Winter classes are running. Classes include dog obedience, dance, Painting w/Peggy and classes through Personal Euphoria. 2. We had a Covid issue with youth basketball before Christmas break. One child tested positive so we worked with the CCHD and Board of Education to identify and notify both teams and implement the school policy for close contact. Both teams had their next practice cancelled and they were not allowed to scrimmage on December 18. 3. Contacted last year’s aquatic staff and Summer Fun to see who is returning and will begin advertising for summer positions soon. Most that have already responded are returning. 4. Will soon start to work on summer programs. Modeling and Fashion Camp is already booked and we will offer Skyhawks and tennis lessons again this year. 5. Waiting for letter from fish hatchery to book dates for fish deliveries in April. Looking at April 22 and 29 for deliveries with derbies on April 23 and 30. 6. Community Center remains open with Town policy that people who are vaccinated are not required to wear masks and those who are unvaccinated must wear a mask. 6