RECEIVED January 13, 2011 @ 8:30 A.M.
Michele R. Grande, Redding Town Clerk
2 pages
Filed, subject to approval
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
January 10, 2011
PRESENT: P. Degener, P. Darlington, J. Dorenbosch, G. Loery, M. McClung, G. Miyashiro
Also present: R. Blick
Chairman Degener called the January 10, 2011 meeting to order at 7:34 pm
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move that the minutes of the November 29, 2010 meeting be accepted as submitted. Dorenbosch, McClung. Approved. Unanimous.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Mr. Blick reviewed his December and January reports with the Commission. Programs are running well. The planning for the summer use of Topstone Park has begun. Ideas for additional programs or uses of the parks were discussed and encouraged. Mr. Degener added that plans are beginning for a day celebrating Edward Steichen who donated the Topstone property to the Town of Redding. Plans include a photography contest.
Online Registration is up and running. Since the Winter Brochure came out 28% of the registration was done “online”. Minor adjustments in the software continue. An updated version of the software will be available in March and will address some of the problems.
2011-2012 BUDGET
Mr. Degener, Mr. Miyashiro and Mr. Bennett met with Mr. Blick to review the proposed budget for 2011-2012. The summary sheet and backup material were reviewed. The proposed budget shows a small decline in both revenue and expenses. Highlights include:
1. Summer camp: due to decrease in available space because of school remediation changes for summer 2011 have been needed. The mini-camp will not be running. The Day Camp will include Kindergartners. Fewer sports camps will be offered. Tents are being rented for the Community Center site to provide shade for campers; this will be an additional expense.
2. Field Maintenance: the budget includes an increase in maintenance hours/costs for the maintenance tasks. Park & Rec is responsible for the weeding, trimming, infield grooming, maintenance of tennis courts, Community Garden and Topstone Park. Incremental budget eliminates overtime to maintain.
3. Topstone Park: a new position, a “head guard” or lifeguard supervisor, is being added. This position will allow the Park Directors to prepare for and work “after hours” community events and staff trainings, eliminating the need for overtime hours. Additionally, money is budgeted for tree maintenance and the repositioning of changing rooms.
4. Professional Development: professional development was cut in half in the current budget year. The proposed budget includes funds to bring professional development opportunities to an appropriate level for departments of this size.
Park and Recreation is scheduled for 12:45 pm on Friday, January 21, 2011, at the Selectmen’s Budget Workshop. Mr. Degener encouraged board members to attend the meeting.
TOPSTONE PRESERVATION AND PLANNING COMMITTEE
Mr. Degener reported that the Park and Recreation Commission will need to make a presentation to the Conservation Commission with their plans for Topstone. A date has not yet been set.
Plans for the relocation of a playscape to Topstone Park are moving forward. Mr. Degener’s goal is to have this work done in March. He is working with the Highway Superintendent for equipment for the moving of the playscape. He believes an additional 25 volunteers will be needed.
RAFC UPDATE
Mr. Dorenbosch reported the Zoning Commission has continued the Public Hearing on the proposed improvements to RCC Field #2. The Public Hearing is scheduled for January 12, 2011, but likely will be postponed due to expected inclement/snow/blizzard weather.
The Committee is re-examining the need for the larger size field, one that would accommodate football. The soccer group has withdrawn their promise of $100,000 toward the renovation of the field, fearing that their needs would not be accommodated if they were in competition for usage time with the football group. The football group is not currently interested in using the field; their current practice/game site in Easton serves their needs. The RAFC group is now discussing which direction to go. The change in field size to accommodate football created a need to move the field slightly, relocate the shed, do work on the entry/parking lot area, and increased the overall cost.
2011 PARK & REC PATRON SURVEY
The Commission discussed the need to do a field a survey. A subcommittee will be established and headed by Ms. Darlington. The content of the survey was discussed, along with the means to get the survey available to residents either by mail or online/internet. The Commission assured Mr. Blick that staff input will be requested as survey is written.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
This agenda item was tabled to the next meeting.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting is February 28, 2011.
ADJOURNMENT
The Chair adjourned the meeting at 9:36 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Maday, Recording Secretary
| 
