Redding Park and Recreation – Meeting Minutes
Date: September 28, 2005
Town of Redding, Connecticut
PRESENT: Chairperson-Susan Goldman; Tushar Shah, Lee Morgan, Jarod Smith, Joe Dolan, Paul Degener.
STAFF: Rob Blick, Director; Debbie Clark, Administrative Assistant.
RESIDENT: Andrea Ozack
The meeting was called to order at 7:56 p.m.
The minutes from August 8, 2005 were unanimously approved.
PUBLIC COMMENT/LETTERS/CORRESPONDENCE:
· Ms. Goldman received a phone call from a resident who was upset because her daughter could not take a class that she was not age appropriate for. Our policies were reiterated to her. She also expressed concern because she feels that the Brownies are not getting enough RCC. Mr. Blick explained to the Commission how space is allocated.
· Mr. Blick received a letter from a resident who had some complaints about Topstone Park. He felt that the cleanliness of the water was not up to par and that perhaps the lifeguards could use some of their spare time to scoop the seaweed out. Mr. Blick agreed that the lifeguards could certainly do that. They also felt that the toddler area seemed smaller and that the bathrooms were dirty. Mr. Blick will try and make the toddler area a little bigger next year. On the other hand, we have received mostly positive comments about the bathrooms compared to other years and about Topstone in general.
· A complaint was also received by Mr. Blick in regard to the outside movie that was shown one summer Sunday evening after the concert on the green. One of the neighbors felt that it was too loud and hoped that there would not be another one there. Mr. Blick told her he would share her concerns with the Commission. The Commission was in favor of still doing one there a year and perhaps one in another location, such as the bowl area at RES.
· Mr. Blick also received a call from a resident representing the Baseball Booster Club. They are willing to donate money so as to get batting cages for the JBHS gym. However, Mr. Blick is unclear if a cooperative program could be offered through Park and Rec.
· DIRECTORS REPORT: There were no questions.
JBHS BUILDING COMMITTEE: No updates.
FINANCE COMMITTEE/BUDGET: The report was not ready.
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION COMMITTEE: Park and Rec. started a High School Basketball program. So far there are 8 enrolled in it. Mr. Shah suggested we send a letter out to all of last years 8th grade league participants. There was also discussion about whether we should start putting a spot on our forms for e-mail information. Mr. Dolan also brought up the bad condition of the basketball courts at RES. There was discussion about whether or not Park and Rec. should take a more active roll in the upkeep of the RES basketball courts.
TOPSTONE PARK ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE: Discussed under Public Comments.
ORGANIZATION/PERSONNEL: No updates.
ATHLETIC FIELDS COMMITTEE: There was discussion at the last Fields Committee meeting about the bad condition of the Region 9 fields. There does not seem to be any forward motion on the options that have been presented over the years – such as the Couch Hill Property, Meadow Ridge, lighting and turfing at JRMS, etc. The Selectmen have asked to have quantified choices but have not yet agreed to pay for a feasibility study by a professional landscape design architect. There will be a meeting arranged by Don Takacs for September 29th between the Board of Selectman and Region 9. The purpose of the meeting is to find a way for the town to have greater access to the JBHS fields, whether it is by turfing, expanding the number of fields, or completing the fields that have not been finished. All options need to be explored.
Mr. Dolan feels that Mr. Blick may be asked for his opinion and advice being as he does all the scheduling.
RCC GROUNDS COMMITTEE: Aeration, seeding, and fertilization are being done this week.
WEBSITE: Mr. Shah and Mr. Blick met and came up with a model for the website. Mr. Blick then met with Tina Miller and Sue Kulowiec to discuss making some changes on the Park and Rec. pages. Most of the changes will be possible. However, Ms. Miller requested that photographs be used, not clip art or graphics.
NEW BUSINESS:
Softball – There is concern about over consumption of alcohol at the end of the games this season. It was suggested that next year the police should take a drive thru when the teams are there. Mr. Blick will ask that everyone be out by 9:00 p.m. Mr. Blick will also ask for copies of licenses as well as qualifications for eligibility for non-residents in order for anyone to be put on the rosters.
Movie Night Location – Discussed under Public Comments.
Indoor Space Issues – Park and Recreation, the seniors, as well as Girls Scouts and Brownies all have expanding programs. The 3:00 time slot right after school is the prime time that groups would like to use the space. Mr. Blick feels that a mechanism needs to be created to have a discussion so that space is allotted in a fair way. There needs to be an arbitrator to make a final decision. Mr. Blick and Ms. Goldman will discuss this further.
BDE Sport’s Turf has not made the necessary repairs to the irrigation box and a certified letter will be sent reiterating that we will fix it ourselves and deduct the cost if we have not heard from him in writing by October 5th.
Meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
Recording Secretary: Debbie Clark
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