2003/10/09PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
A regular meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission was called to order at
7:00 p.m. on Thursday, 10/09/2003 in room 4 at the Community Center, Berlin,
CT.
PRESENT:
Chairman Len Zielinski, Commissioners Jeff Cugno, Rick Degroff, Bob Smith,
Rob Sylvester, Chuck Warner and Steve Kelly, Director of Parks & Recreation.
ABSENT:
Commissioner Ed Giana
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Commissioner Sylvester moved to approve the September minutes, seconded by
Commissioner Smith. The motion carried unanimously.
AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS:
Detective Tom Hodolitz came before the Commission on behalf of Police Chief
Paul Fitzgerald. Chief Fitzgerald would like to support a Skateboard Park for the
youth of the Town. Detective Hodolitz stated that a Skateboard Park would deter
the children from getting into trouble.
Detective Hodolitz visited a Skateboard Park in Willimantic, which is run by the
YMCA. The cost for this particular Skateboard Park was approximately $25,000.
Chairman Zielinski then passed out a wetland map of the Willard School area
indicating proposed footprint for a skateboard park immediately west of the
existing parking lot, extending to the boundary of the wetland area. This would
result in a facility of approximately the same size as what had been proposed to
the Council in the past. The Commissioners embraced this area at Willard
School.
Chairman Zielinski asked Mr. Kelly to talk to the Engineering Department to
initiate preliminary designs of a Skateboard Park. Chairman Zielinski will
communicate the Commission's intentions to the Board of Education.
Detective Hodolitz then discussed the Dare Car Show, which was held at the
Berlin Fair Grounds this year. Detective Hodolitz stated that Sage Park is a more
desirable place for the Car Show, however the proposal to lay artificial turf at
Sage Park next year may interfere with the Dare Car Show.
Chairman Zielinski stated that the Town probably would not have a definite
schedule for the artificial turf until January or February of 2004.
PARKS & RECREATION:
Winter Youth Basketball:
Mr. Kelly presented a Proposed Coaching and Player Policy. In this policy it
states that "Specific requests to assign players to teams for any reason will not
be approved".
Mr. Kelly stated that adjustments would be made if necessary to the policy etc. in
the best interest of the program.
Chairman Zielinski suggested handing out the policy at the time of sign up to
insure parents were aware of the what they were signing up for and to eliminate
issues arising at a later time.
Mr. Kelly would like the August minutes to reflect that a tree grant was received
in 2002.
Mr. Kelly received a request from Friends of Animal Control to hold a fundraiser
at the Community Center for the Animal control Shelter. They would like to sell
candles for the fundraiser. Commissioner Sylvester moved to approve the
request, seconded by Commissioner Warner. The motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Kelly was able to make a budget transfer to avoid cuts to the wrestling
program and BHS Basketball program.
Fall programs were held and did fairly well. The fall season, typically, is not very
strong.
The Lions Club agreement with Parks & Recreation for Berlin Resident use of the
pool will be $1,200. Fees will remain the same as last year.
The Town Council approved a refundable deposit for Sage Park concession
users to insure the facility is left in a condition suitable for the next user, as
discussed at the September meeting.
Budgets for 2004-2005 are due 11/21/2003.
Neither person who ran the 5th & 6th, 7th & 8th grade basketball program will be
returning. Mr. Kelly stated that he has advertised in many places for the position
and has had no luck finding a replacement. The position pays around $900.00
and the assistant would make around $13.00/hr. The program is held on
Saturdays from 9-1 p.m.
TIMBERLIN GOLF COURSE:
Jonathan Zuk's report was reviewed and discussed. Mr. Zuk received a
complimentary letter for his assistance with the US Mid Amateur Qualifier
Tournament held on 9~8~2003.
The No Smoking Policy has been instituted at the Timberlin Golf Course
Restaurant.
A multi-year contract for the Concessionaire has been requested and is expected
to be negotiated.
PUBLIC GROUNDS:
Mr. Paradis' report was reviewed and discussed. Mr. Paradise has checked with
hatcheries for Pickerel, to aid in the algae at Paper Goods Pond. DEP is not in
favor of pickerel for the Pond. Mr. Paradise is looking into carp. If funding is
received paper Goods pond will be chemically treated for the algae.
The pavilion at Timberlin has been removed. The pad will be done in about 2 or
3 weeks.
Mr. Paradise has put in silt at McGee Baseball Field and then he will sod.
Stonehedge landscaping has completed work at Sage Park, Scalise Field.
Mr. Paradise is working on drainage at the Worthington Ridge Park. He has
replaced a stockade fence at the park.
Mr. Paradise has done maintenance on the fields, (aerifying, seeding, fertilizing
and liming).
Commissioner Smith has received a complaint regarding the use and movement
of benches at Paper Goods Pond. Mr. Kelly will look into the situation.
Golf Course revenue for September 2002 was $97,500. Revenue for September
2003 was $93,200. Revenue is off 4%.
ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Warner moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m. seconded by
Commissioner Sylvester. The motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted.
Marie Ralph, Recording Secretary