1989/05/11PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES -- MAY 1989
The May 11, 1989 meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission was called to
order at 7:05 P.M. by chairman George Wiecek. Those present were Vic Salce,
Steve Gentile, Bill Baccaro, Phil Maule, Steve Kelly, and Jim Petersen. Those
absent were Lois Szczepanik, Vin Biscoglio, Ed Giana, and Len Zielinski.
David Colburn, a Berlin resident, was present to request the Commission
consider a partial nine hole fee for those golfers who want to play a few
rounds of golf in the evening but don't have enough time for the full nine
holes. He also reported that he recently went to the course about 7:15 P.M.
and the cash register had already been cleared. He paid his $7.00 and was
not given a receipt. Another person came onto the course after him and he
doesn't think that person paid. Mr. Colburn also suggested the Commission
look into a pool pass reimbursement for members of the swim team as is done
in Rocky Hill.
A motion was made by blr. Salce, seconded by Mr. Gentile and voted unanimously
to approve the minutes of the April 27, 1989 meeting.
Mr. Wiecek has heard from Ann Dandrow regarding two bills pending. The first
is a bill for charging developers fees in lieu of open space provided such
fees are used to purchase open space land. The other bill would allow fees
to be charged based on the number of square feet in a development, to be
deposited in a fund to be used for storm and sanitary sewers, road paving,
and other infrastructure needs that would result from such development.
Mr. Wiecek informed the Commissioners that a dress code has been enacted at
Timberlin. It has been posted that proper attire must be worn on the course
which includes shirts with collars and shorts with hems. Commissioners were
in agreement that appropriate clothing should be required but there was
disagreement over the requirement of collars on shirts. Mr. Baccaro stated
that he opposes the dress code and thinks it should be rescinded.
Mr. Petersen reported that the community center project is at a standstill
because more lead paint abatement estimates are needed. The Hershey Track
and Field meet, originally scheduled for May 4, will take place on May 20.
The summer concert is planned at Sage Park on July 21 from 6:00 to 8:15 P.M.
Mr. Petersen received a request for use of a room at the community center
from a new organization which is in the process of applying for non-profit
status. This organization will collect articles such as buttons~ bottlecaps,
fabric, shredded paper, etc. from manufacturers to sell to art teachers,
parents of preschoolers, etc. The money collected would be used to cover
expenses, and the primary objective of the organization would be to prevent
these items from going to the environment, and at the same time providing
a resource for art teachers, etc. There are two other similar services in
operation in Worcester and Boston, Mass. The Commissioners suggested Mr.
Petersen call these other locations for more information and requested that
someone from the organization attend the June meeting.
Mr. Kelly reported that Hepatitis B vaccinations will be offered to lifeguards
and playground staff. No response has been received from contractors interested
in working on a reset button for the lights at the high school tennis and
basketball courts. No feasible location has been found for skateboarding-
The fishing derby held recently for the younger group had 130 registered and
about 100 had registered for the older age group. Mr. Baccaro suggested that
the Sage pond be restricted to fishing for children for a two week period
immediately after it has been stocked for the derbies. It was the consensus
of the Commission that this would be a good idea. Mr. Kelly is planning on
having a booth at the Yankee Peddler fair on June 24. Mr. Gentile will look
into having some New Britain Red Sox players appear at the booth. The YMCA
has requested the use of tennis courts at McGee School for tennis lessons
on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. They would have two sessions,
June 26 to July 19 and July 24 to August 16. The Town also will be offering
youth tennis lessons during the same time on Tuesdays and Thursdays and the
Commission felt, with the Y's use of the courts, it would limit access too
much for public use at a popular time. A motion was made by Mr. Baccaro,
seconded by Mr. Gentile and voted unanimously to deny the request because of
problems with scheduling and lack of facilities.
A motion was made by Mr. Gentile, seconded by Mr. Maule and voted unanimously
to approve the use of Percival Field on July 7-16, 1989 for the Babe Ruth
Districts tournament with the sale of food.
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES ~.fAY 1989
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A motion was made by Mr. Gentile~ seconded by Mr. Maule and voted unanimously
to approve the request of the Youth Soccer League to hold a soccer day camp
from August 7 to August ll, 1989 on the Sage soccer and football fields
from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 noon with the waiver of fees.
The Soccer League also requested use of Sage fields and concession building
from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. to bold a clinic on September 9, 1989 to coincide
with Soccer Sunday on September 10. If Sage is not available, they requested
use of McGee field. A motion was made by Mr. Gentile, seconded by Mr. Maule
and voted unanimously to allow the Soccer League use of any available facility
for the soccer clinic on September 9.
A motion was made by Mr. Gentile, seconded by Mr. Maule and voted unanimously
to approve the use of the concession to sell food by the Soccer League on
September 9, September 10 (raindate September 17).
A motion was made by Mr. Baccaro, seconded by Mr. Salce and voted unanimously
to approve the use of Timberlin picnic area by the Senior Timberlin Golfers
on Tuesday, August 159 with the waiver of fees.
A letter was received from a resident requesting that the area around the
Willard skating pond be cleaned up. The Executive Board will act on the
request.
Mr. Baccaro asked the status of custodial services at Timberlin clubhouse.
Mr. Wiecek reported that the Executive Board has taken action to have the Town
take over the services. The matter has now gone to the Finance Board.
At the last meeting use of Sage auxiliary field by softball players for practice
was brought up. Mr. Baccaro stated that this field is an all-purpose field
and the softball players need the field for practice before games. The matter
was discussed and decided that no action would be taken. The matter will also
be discussed with Mr. Hrubiec regarding maintenance.
A motion was made by Mr. Baccaro, seconded by Mr. Salce and voted unanimously
to request a budget transfer and funds to provide the maintenance staff at
Timberlin Park an additional staffer, Maintainer II, at a wage level of
$19,397.00. To make up part of this cost, we submit a figure of $8,540.00
by reducing two summer part time spots, the balance to be provided from
increased fees approved and in effect for the 1989 golf season. Fee increases
should provide an additional $45,000.00 plus, more than enough to cover the
above request. This request is submitted to assist in coping with a major
concern at the park, as it is in its 19th year, and the wear and tear on the
golf course is really beginning to show. The irrigatiom system also needs
major work because of age and obsolescence of parts, if we continue on our
present course, we face major expenditures in the immediate future.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Guite
Secretary