Redding Park and Recreation – Meeting Minutes
Date: March 27, 2006
Town of Redding, Connecticut
PRESENT: Chairperson-Susan Goldman, Tushar Shah, Lee Morgan, Jarod Smith, Donna Marie Macchio, Paul Degener, Ed Miller, Steve DiCostanza
STAFF: Rob Blick, Director; Val Zebrowski, Recording Secretary.
The meeting was called to order at 7:37 P.M.
The minutes from February 13, 2006 were reviewed and unanimously approved as amended with the clarification under “New Business Budget Update” that the $120,000 was in the Selectman’s Contingency and has not changed from last year (other than the $15,000 transferred from Park and Rec), and that there was approximately $60,000 used for pay raises last year.
PUBLIC COMMENT/LETTERS/CORRESPONDENCE:
• Mr. Degener reported that Peg O’Donnell has some ideas with regard to the High School Basketball Program, and will be invited to speak with the Commission at a later date.
• Mr. Blick spoke with Karen Brown about offering lifesaving training to the staff at Topstone Park next year. Lee Morgan said she would contact Karen about keeping her eye open for AED that can be obtained, specifically for use at Topstone Park.
• Mr. Blick noted that last month correspondence was received with regard to incidents at Meadow Ridge during use of their pool by Redding residents. Several incidents have occurred regarding inappropriate use of their facility and Mr. Blick received a call from a resident concerned about our policy regarding use of the bathrooms with parents with “not so young children of the opposite sex”. Mr. Blick feels that these issues have been adequately addressed and resolved.
DIRECTORS REPORT: Mr. Blick summarized his report which contains lots of topics as spring programming is about to start. The brochure is at the printer. The website was approved today by Tina Miller, although the message board portion still needs to be worked on, and the website will also have information concerning special events such as concerts and movies. It was decided that Commissioners telephone numbers will also be made part of the website.
FINANCE COMMITTEE/BUDGET: The final vote on the Town Budget is scheduled for May 2nd. The final version has cut the request for a new truck. Mr. Blick stated that he will be utilizing the truck currently used by Facilities Coordinator Willy Roman, on a more regular basis. Requested money for adjustment to full time positions has been transferred to the selectmen’s contingency fund.
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION COMMITTEE: Mrs. Macchio will now be working with Mrs. Goldman on this sub committee.
TOPSTONE PARK ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE: Mr. Blick stated that he has been in contact with Diane Neves, and that volunteers from H.O.P.E will be assisting with special events such as the flashlight hike at Topstone, as well as spring cleanup and painting.
ORGANIZATION/PERSONNEL: Ed Miller will join Lee Morgan on this sub committee.
ATHLETIC FIELDS COMMITTEE: Six to eight RFQ/RFP applications have been received by the Selectmen and the Chairman of the RAFC. A special meeting of the RAFC was to have been scheduled to review these applications, but as of this meeting none had. The next regular RAFC meeting is scheduled for April 4th.
RCC GROUNDS COMMITTEE: Mr. Blick is completing purchase orders for landscaping work to be done for the spring. There may not be money available this year to organically manage the fields at RES. Fields are scheduled to open between April 7th and April 10th. The warm dry weather that has been experienced as of late has resulted in fields that look good for safe use without causing damage. Indoor space became available for soccer and lacrosse on March 13th. The groups seemed to have used less of this time assigned than in the past.
NEW BUSINESS:
Porto-Johns: A check was received from the Boys and Girls Club bringing them current. There may be consideration to make Porto-johns part of maintenance costs in the budget, and this will be addressed as part of the next budget discussions.
Policy Changes: This issue requires further discussion and Mr. Miller asked that it be tabled to a further meeting. The Commission agreed to table the topic.
Attendance: Mr. Blick will obtain a copy of the Charter as requested by Mrs. Goldman. Guidelines are needed, and Mr. Blick will also email reminders of meetings as well as meeting materials to Commissioners.
Additional field requests: Mr. Blick has received two requests for field use by a private resident and the Aspetuck Wildcats Football Association. After discussion by the Commission it was decided that the request by the private resident would be denied, based on insurance and availability issues. Use on a regularly scheduled basis is difficult to accommodate. The Wildcats requested one large field for use in August, 5 days a week for practices. The use of fields at JBHS for August will not be decided until June, but splitting the time between JBHS 2 days/week and JRMS 3 days/week is possible. If the use is spread out, this cuts down on intensity of use. The Wildcats use a stationary equipment trailer, so unless a secondary trailer is utilized for the proposed split, it may not be possible.
Mr. Degener noted that part of the Georgetown Development Plan is to have a fitness facility and a pool. He suggested that Park and Recreation be involved in dialog with Mr. Soler for the fitness center portion. Rent will likely be charged for user groups, but it is expected to be nominal, and user groups will respond positively. This will help to alleviate current strains on already heavy utilization of facilities and space.
Meeting adjourned at 8:55 P.M.
Submitted by vaz 4/3/2006
| 
