Town Of Redding
REDDING, CONNECTICUT 06875
Redding Park and Recreation – Meeting Minutes
Date: June 27, 2005
Town of Redding, Connecticut
PRESENT: Chairperson-Susan Goldman; Joe Dolan, Steve di Costanzo, Tushar Shah, Lee Morgan,
Tom Morrison
STAFF: Rob Blick, Director; Debbie Clark, Administrative Assistant.
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m.
Due to lack of quorum, there were no minutes from May.
The minutes from April 25th were unanimously approved.
PUBLIC COMMENT/LETTERS/CORRESPONDENCE:
· There have been many compliments about the improved conditions and cleanliness at Topstone Park. The residents are also very happy with the Concerts on the Green.
· Mr. Dolan had received comments about a few incidents where the umpires did not show up for softball. Mr. Blick explained that there had indeed been a problem; one involving an umpire having a bad reaction at the hospital and one regarding a broken down vehicle late in the day. Hopefully everything will be good from here on in.
· Mr. Dolan also was asked by residents about the closing hours at Topstone. They would like to see the park stay open later on the weekends. Mr. Blick explained the staffing issues. It is very difficult to get staff that wants to stay later on a Saturday evening.
DIRECTORS REPORT: There have been a few problems with children at the Concerts on the Green. Their ball games are a little rough and Mr. Blick is concerned about pegging games. He has made announcements but will emphasize to the parents to watch what their children are playing as some of the games are dangerous. He will insist that the pegging games be played further back away from the majority of the other children.
Many of the camps are full. Mini-camp enrollment is lower than usual but Mr. Blick expressed confidence in our new Director, Jen Pritchard and her Assistant, Amy Sugden. They will be implementing many new and exciting changes.
Park and Rec. ran some middle school activities after school in the spring; Ultimate Frisbee and Flag Football. They were taught by two of the middle school gym teachers and went very well. We will also be having the high school volleyball captains running a volleyball program this summer as mentors for middle schoolers in volleyball. It will be on Monday nights. Boys and girls in 7-12 grades are welcome. We are also hoping to find a time for any sort of high school group wishing to have a pickup night either for soccer or softball.
JBHS BUILDING COMMITTEE: No updates.
FINANCE COMMITTEE/BUDGET: Mr. Blick passed out the monthly financials. The finances are all looking good. Topstone Park’s revenue has already exceeded the budget numbers. Mr. Dolan shared a few suggestions on how the monthly financial summaries could be a little more user friendly. Mr. Morrison, who is new to this committee, will look over the report and share his thoughts.
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION COMMITTEE: Covered under Director’s Report.
TOPSTONE PARK ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE: The basketball court area has been upgraded by adding a new backboard and two new rims. The poles were to be reset by the highway department and should be done soon.
ORGANIZATION/PERSONNEL: Lee Morgan will now serve on this committee.
ATHLETIC FIELDS COMMITTEE: The last meeting was June 7th. Mr. Dolan gave a brief update of what was discussed. There is no further progress that has been made in the efforts to get more fields in town.
Mr. Dolan will walk through the two fields at Meadow Ridge with Mark Guss to see if the option of using that space can move forward. There is also still the possibility of turfing and putting up lights at JRMS.
Barlow still seems to be the best place to try to do something about fields.
RCC GROUNDS COMMITTEE: There could potentially be a problem with putting pesticides/herbicides on the new fields due to new regulations regarding elementary schools. We requested that Conservation approve a treatment of RES with an herbicide listed in our IPM so that we can reduce weeds at RES and seed in the fall. The approved chemical that can be used is not available by itself. It is combined with other chemicals that are not on the permissible herbicide list. The bottom line is that we need to find an herbicide to apply as soon as possible in order to keep with our field management plan.
WEBSITE: Mr. Shah again made the offer to help out with anything that Park and Rec. might need or want for the website. Mr. Blick will give him a call within the next two weeks.
NEW BUSINESS:
Newcomers Party: The Redding Neighbors and Newcomers made a request to be able to have a DJ at their yearly Lobster Fest at Topstone Park on July 23rd. Mr. Blick and the Commission agreed that as long as the music is not too loud, it would not be a problem.
IPM: (See Community Center Grounds Committee)
Recording Secretary: Debbie Clark
The Commission went into Executive Session at 9:35 p.m. to discuss Employee Compensation.
Out of Executive Session and adjournment at 9:55 p.m.
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