PRESENT: Chairperson-Susan Goldman, Paul Degener, Steve DiCostanza, Lee Morgan, Jarod Smith
STAFF: Rob Blick, Director; Val Zebrowski, Recording Secretary.
GUESTS: Alan and Beverly Tackman; Paul Stauffer, Falcon Pride
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M.
The minutes from August 28, 2006 were reviewed and unanimously approved with a spelling correction.
PUBLIC COMMENT: LETTERS/CORRESPONDENCE: Alan and Beverly Tackman gave a brief presentation to the Commission for the proposed dog beach at Topstone Park. Details included site preparation, fencing, waste management solutions, seating, dog accessories, signage and funding. The funding will depend largely on donations made through Park and Recreation, and once approvals from town departments are received, fundraising could begin by the beginning of October. Volunteers could be organized to begin cleanup by late October, and the fence installed before the ground freezes. The water at Topstone Park is tested periodically, but will be tested weekly to ensure that there is no increase in bacteria.
After discussion, the plan was approved by the Commission, and the issue will be re-visited in a year to check progress.
Paul Stauffer made a presentation to the Commission on behalf of Falcon Pride. Over the past five years, Falcon Pride has worked with students from Easton and Redding and their parents, Easton and Redding Park and Recreation Departments, along with RAFC and RFAC members and the First Selectman, to address a deficiency in playing fields in Redding. Current conditions do not meet current needs, and Falcon Pride proposes a project that would benefit citizens of Redding and Easton.
The plan entails turning the area adjacent to the new tennis courts at the north end of the JBHS campus into a park like setting, containing two artificial turf fields. The main field would contain seating and lights, with new facilities such as locker rooms, training rooms, athletic office, and locker areas for coaches and staff.
Falcon Pride will go before town agencies to get site plan approval over the next few months. It is also important to Falcon pride to keep the neighboring property owners informed and involved, and work with them to develop an acceptable solution to the field’s shortage.
DIRECTORS REPORT: There were no questions about the Directors Report.
FINANCE COMMITTEE/BUDGET: No updates.
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION COMMITTEE: No updates.
TOPSTONE PARK ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE: Dog Beach issue as discussed in Public Comment.
ORGANIZATION/PERSONNEL: No updates.
ATHLETIC FIELDS COMMITTEE: The next RAFC meeting is scheduled for October 3rd, and discussion will include the final presentation to the Board of Selectman on October 5th.
RCC GROUNDS COMMITTEE: No updates.
WEBSITE: No updates.
NEW BUSINESS:
Meeting adjourned at 8:35 P.M.
Submitted by vaz 9/28/2006
| 
