1988/11/10PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES -- NOVEMBER 1988
The November 10, 1988 meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission was
called to order at 7:00 P.M. by chairman George Wiecek. Those present were
Lois Szczepanik, Len Zielinski, Ed Giana, Vic Salce, Bill Baccaro, Steve
Kelly, and Jim Petersen. Those not present were Vin Biscoglio and Steve
Gentile,both with excused absences, and Phil Maule.
Ted Swanson was present at the request of the Commission to discuss players
from out of town participating in the Berlin Babe Ruth league. He explained
that Berlin usually has 60 youths participating and that only 57 qualified
to play in the league this past season. Since Plainville does not have a
league of their own and there were nine people interested in playing in the
Berlin league, it was decided to take three players from Plainville to fill
the remaining three slots. (This is allowed through the Babe Ruth By-Laws.)
Mr. Swanson emphasized that no qualified Berlin youths were excluded because
of the Plainville players. Mrs. Szczepanik said she has heard concerns
among parents that too much pressure is being placed on the players picked
for thewant all-staro teams by coaches to continue to play even when the players
don'tmto continue playing after the regular season. Mr. Swanson stated that
both Babe Ruth and Little League provides a regular season for all youths
to play at their own level and both leagues also offer an all-star season
for the better players. He was unaware of any pressure being put on players
to play on the all-star teams but would look into it.
A motion was made by Mr. Salce, seconded by Mr. Giana and voted unanimously
to accept the minutes of the October 13, 1988 meeting.
Mr. Wiecek briefly discussed the 1989-90 Public Grounds and Timberlin Golf
Course budgets. Both budgets will remain the same as this past year except
for a request for one additional person in both departments. Mr. Kelly and
Mr. Petersen reviewed the Recreation Services budget and answered questions
from Commissioners. Midget Football requested an increase of $1,O00.00;
Mr. Kelly put in for a $500.00 increase. A motion was made by Mr. Zielinski,
seconded by Mr. Salce and voted unanimously to support Mr. Kelly's recommen-
dation to add $500.00 to the Midget Football budget and to request a
represemtative from Midget Football attend a Commission meeting to discuss
their budget. A motion was made by Mr. Zielinski, seconded by Mrs. Szczepanik
and voted unanimously to support the budget as propos.~d for Recreation
Services.
Mr. Wiecek reported that the new surface has been put down on the Timberlin
tennis courts. Also, the irrigation system is being installed and final
grading done at Percival Field in preparation for the turf to be put down
next week.
Mr. Salce brought up the subject of ice skating and the pond on Norton Road.
Mr. Baccaro stated that the pond is overgrown and not much water is in it.
Mr. Salce said now is the time to get it fixed up and to get the lights up.
Mr. Wiecek read a letter from the Mayor regarding ice skating and the
procedure used to check ice conditions at the ponds. Mr. Wiecek requested
tabling the subject until he can meet with the Mayor and Ted Hrubiec and
he will come back to the next Commission meeting with a resolution.
Mr. Petersen reported that the Haunted House, wh.~ch involved about 40 people,
was very successful. Mr. Salce complimented Mr. Petersen on the great job
with the Haunted House. Powder Puff Football went very well and the middle
school dances were well attended. Thirty-one coaches were recently certified
for fall sports after attending the coaches' training classes given by Mr.
Petersen. A meeting was recently held with the Executive Board regarding
the community center. By request of Mayor Peters, OSHA will inspect the
community center building on Wednesday, November 23, 1988, at 8:30 A.M.
Mr. Kelly reported that a number of capita] items in the budget have been
approved by the Finance Board. The recent pumpkin decorating contest went
very well and bad the largest participation to date. The Mayor has requested
that s letter be sent from the Commission t~o or~ganizstions using the con-
cession at Sage Park asking for their help in keeping it clean and informing
the Commission of any problems. Mr. Zielinski asked about a phone jack
outside of the concession building for emergencies. Mr. Kelly will speak
to Dick Russell and work out something for emergency phone use.
The Mayor received a letter in which the State inspector recommended a
separate filtration system be installed for the wading pool at the Demote,
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES -- NOVEMBER 1988
Page 2
Dinda, Bittner Pool in East Berlin. Mr. Hrubiec will be putting this into
his capital projects for next year.
A letter from Corporation Counsel regarding liability exposure for use of
town facilities and participation in town sponsored programs was discussed.
Mr. Wiecek requested that Mr. Kelly have a written proposal prepared for the
next meeting.
Mr. Wiecek invited Commission members to attend a meeting on Thursday,
November 17, 1988 at 6:00 P.M. at the Town Hall regarding "Freedom of
Information".
Mr. Zielinski asked about having Jim D'Errico attend a Commission meeting
sometime to discuss and clarify some matters.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Guite
Secretary