2002/04/11PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
A regular meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission was called to order at
7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 11, 2002 in room 7 at the Community Center, Berlin,
CT.
PRESENT:
Len Zielinski, Chairman, Ed Giana, Vic Salce, Robert Sylvester and Chuck
Warner.
ALSO PRESENT:
Debbie Dennis, Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation and Jonathan Zuk,
Greenskeeper for Timberlin Golf Course.
ABSENT:
Rick DeGroff and Jeff Cugno
AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS:
Jerry Berthiaume, representing Hospital for Special Care came before the
Commission to ask for a donation for 4 rounds of golf and 2 carts to
enhance a fund reiser for their sports event involving kids with physical
disabilities. Hospital for Special Care is in the process of developing a
handicapped training and sports facility at the former MIA school. Mr.
Bertiaume showed a video highlighting some of the activities. Mr. Salce
explained that the golf carts were under the jurisdiction of golf pro Lindsey
Hansen, who would have to make a cart donation decision if approval for
the golf donation was received from the Town Council. Mr. Salce then
moved to approve the request for a round of golf for 4, seconded by Mr.
Warner and voted unanimously.
Parks & Recreation Commission/Page 2
Timberlin's Men's Club USGA Toumament:
Jeff Gastyla, President of the Timberlin Golf Club, came before the
Commission to provide an illustration of the entrance sign at Timberlin
Park, that the organization would like to donate. The sign will be 60 x 80',
black granite mounted on aluminum posts. It will be rather simple and
feature a bas-relief, colored rendition of a red tail hawk, the proposed new
logo for Timberlin. Mr. Gastyla indicated that red tail hawks can be
continually seen circling the park and would be appropriate as Timberlin's
logo. The Men's Club had previously donated greens flags with the hawk
and will be seeking copyright/trademark protection for the red tail hawk
design. Once obtained, the Club is intending to provide a no cost limited
license to the Town for use on score cards, golf wear, etc. Cost of this
donation is approximately $4,400.
The Commission was happy to learn that the Town Council had approved
the USGA Tournament to be held on a weekday between 9/1 and
9/8~2003. The Commission had been in favor of this type tournament to
increase the exposure of Timberlin to the golfing public. Mr. Zuk noted
that Timberlin had been selected as one of the top three public courses by
Connecticut Golfer Magazine.
Mr. Robert Zipadelli came before the Commission with an artist's rendition
of a new sign that he wished to donate for Zipadelli Field. It would be
placed on top of the scoreboard and simply read "Sgt. Zipadelli Field". Mr.
Zipadelli felt that the scoreboard was an appropriate place for the sign. In
discussion that followed, it was agreed that with this new sign, there would
no longer be any need for a sign on the concession building. Likewise,
while the ground-mounted sign on the approach to the field was attractive,
there would be no need to replace it should it be damaged in the future.
Mr. Zipadelli would pay the $300.00 for the sign and it's installation.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Mr. Warner moved to approve the March minutes, seconded by Mr.
Sylvester and voted unanimously.
Parks & Recreation Commission/Page 3
PARKS & RECREATION:
The Pro Staff Baseball Camp scheduled for 4/15-4/18/2002, under the
direction of Messrs. Ted Swanson and Bill Baretta has been cancelled due
to lack of enrollment.
Mr. Steve Kelly is meeting with Anchor Engineering and the Berlin
Engineering Department on 4/16/02 for initial discussion regarding the
design of drainage projects at McGee, Willard and Dennehy Fields. This
project will be paid with State funds.
Debo Foods is the new concessionaire at Timberlin Park with a I year
contract. They have initiated the process to obtain a liquor license.
The Lion's Memorial Pool is facing a DEP issue, which will require costly
repairs to resolve before they can open. This could present a problem
with the hiring of lifeguards if the Lion's Club either delays a repair
decision or decides not to invest in the repair. Steve Kelly presented
alternative staffing plans to cover both eventualities
Berlin swimming pools are scheduled to open 6119/02 and the
Playgrounds on 6/20/02. Debbie Dennis indicated that the budget for pool
staff is the same as last year's amount. They may require creativity in
scheduling to provide the service to the townspeople. In addition, the
Swim Team Booster Club has asked Parks & Recreation to conduct their
practices at night instead of during the day to accommodate participants in
the program. After reviewing attendance sheets from last year, Parks &
Recreation is planning to change the practice time to Monday, Tuesday
and Friday 6 p.m.-8 p.m., and Wednesday and Thursday 8 a.m.- 9 a.m.
and 7 p.m.-8 p.m. The pool will open at 12 noon instead of I p.m. The
Commission expressed support for this innovation.
Ms. Dennis presented proposed staffing rosters for various summer pool
and playground positions. The Commissioners reviewed and discussed
the proposed staffing with one area being questioned, the use of non-
Berlin residents. Mr. Sylvester made a point of the need for increased
lifeguard vigilance and assertiveness. Mr. Salce stated that the jobs
should be spread around so that all kids have a chance to work. The
Commissioners were satisfied with the proposed plan of action.
Parks & Recreation Commission/Page 4
Construction at Paper Goods Pond has started.
The utility costs for school rentals have been abolished; however this
appears to be offset by the cost of custodians, which has risen.
Steve Kelly has applied for an America the Beautiful Grant. This provides
for the initial funding to provide trees for later purchase by residents. The
cash generated by the sales to residents would then be recycled back into
the program to purchase more trees.
Metro Swim Shop would like permission to sell swim suits and other items
at Percival Pool on 6/25/02. Mr. Warner moved to approve the request,
seconded by Mr. Giana and voted unanimously.
The Swim Team Booster Club would like to sell food at their events. Mr.
Sylvester moved to approve the request, seconded by Mr. Giana and
voted unanimously.
Al Pelligrinelli requested permission for use of playing fields behind BHS
to host his football camp from 7129-8/1102 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Mr.
Pelligrinelli will pay full fees. Mr. Sylvester stated that this clinic starts the
Football program and keeps it successful over the years. Mr. Salce feels
that the fees are minimal for a profit-making venture, however, the fees
have been set for this year and will be looked at next year. Mr. Sylvester
moved to approve the request, seconded by Mr. Warner and voted
unanimously.
The DARE organization requested authorization to sell food and souvenir
items at their August Car Show in Sage Park. Mr. Warner moved to
approve the request, seconded by Mr. Salce and voted unanimously.
Mr. Jim Mahoney, Director of Economic Development will host a Broker's
Breakfast Tournament at Timberlin Golf Course on 6/5/02. Mr. Mahoney
is requesting a waiver of green fees for attending brokers wishing to play.
Mr. Sylvester moved to approve the waiver, seconded by Mr. Salce and
voted unanimously.
The St. Paul's Social Action committee is sponsoring a Bingo Fundraiser
on April 19th to benefit Kathryn Anderson, an 18-year-old who suffers from
Reflex Sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) triggered by an auto accident when
she was 14. They requested a donation to be used as a raffle prize that
evening.
Parks & Recreation Commission/Page 5
Mr. Warner moved to approve the 4 rounds of golf, seconded by Mr.
Giana and voted unanimously.
At this time, Mr. Sylvester recommended that the Town Council accept the
donation of the Sgt. Zipadelli sign at Sage Park, seconded by Mr. Warner
and voted unanimously. In addition the Commission recommended
acceptance of the donation of signs by Berlin Babe Ruth acknowledging
The Medicine Centre and the Coca Cola Company, who donated the
scoreboards at Percival and Zipadelli. These would be mounted below
the scoreboards. Mr. Sylvester motioned to recommend that the Council
accept the donated sign at Sage Park, seconded by Mr. Warner and voted
unanimously.
The YMCA would like to use the field at Griswold School on Saturdays
and is requesting a waiver of fees. Mr. Giana moved to approve the
waiver of fees, seconded by Mr. Warner and voted unanimously. Mr.
Salce stated that the Town Manager should look into a discount from the
Y for Berlin children.
PUBLIC GROUNDS:
The report was reviewed and discussed.
TIMBERLIN GOLF COURSE:
The report was reviewed and discussed. The bids for the addition to the
Maintenance building are in the $100,000 range. A lot of work will be
done in house. Because of the change in scope of the project, it will go
out for re-bid on 4/23/02.
The Community Center Policies and Procedures were reviewed at this
time along with the rates for rental of the Community Center. Mr. Salce
moved to approve the rates only, seconded by Mr. Sylvester and
voted unanimously. The Commission will reread and modify the details of
the policies and procedures.
The marketing of the golf course was discussed. This year the budget
does not contain funding for ESPN radio advertising. Cost is a factor
($495.00). Mr. Zielinski suggested sending letters to down state
businesses and offer a limited number of $5.00 discount coupons. Mr.
Warner moved to approve the coupon, seconded by Mr. Sylvester and
voted unanimously. However after discussion, the Commission feels
strongly that Mr. Zuk should attempt to gather the funds for ESPN radio
Parks & Recreation Commission/Page 6
advertising, which was quite successful last year. With the onset of the
season, the Commission indicated that quick reaction was important.
Mr. Warner suggested that it might be appropriate that the Medicine
Centre be formally thanked for their donation of the scoreboard at
Percival.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mr. Warner moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 p.m. seconded by Mr.
Salce and voted unanimously.
Respectfully Submiff__.ed,
Marie Ralph, Recording Secretary