PRESENT: Chairperson-Susan Goldman, Shannon Craley, Paul Degener, Steve di Costanzo, Lee Morgan, Tushar Shah
STAFF: Rob Blick, Director; Val Zebrowski, Recording Secretary.
The meeting was called to order at 7:36 P.M.
The minutes from September 25, 2006 were reviewed and unanimously approved with a spelling correction.
PUBLIC COMMENT: LETTERS/CORRESPONDENCE: Mr. Blick had received public comment with regard to their being only 6 parking spaces available at the gate for the Dog Beach, and that this may not be enough. Of concern was expansion of use by non-resident and professional dog walkers, who sometimes walk multiple dogs at one time. Our plan is to keeping this new area low profile; focusing on current park users. During the off season the long walking distance and limited parking is a natural deterrent.
Mr. Blick had also received correspondence about lifeguards at Topstone Park, suggesting that even if no one is in the water, that lifeguards should be on the beach ready.
Mr. Blick asked the Commissioners to begin thinking about items for the Annual Report. Ms. Goldman asked Mr. Shah if he could assist with putting together this years Park and Recreation piece for the Annual Report.
DIRECTORS REPORT: There were no questions about the Directors Report.
FINANCE COMMITTEE/BUDGET: Work on the 2007-08 budget has begun. The Commissioners were asked to submit any ideas for items to be increased. After discussion, it was decided that the Program Development and Organizational/Personnel sub-committee’s would be best to initiate any increase ideas. An item unrelated to Finance, but discussed was the possibility of some of the Committee Reports being made seasonal, so that if there were no activity, they would be made part of the agenda on a quarterly or twice yearly basis.
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION COMMITTEE: Ms. Craley will join Ms. Goldman and Ms. Macchio on this sub-committee. There was a discussion with regard to intramural sports programs at JRMS.
TOPSTONE PARK ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE: Mr. Blick asked that improvements for Spring be looked at in terms of the budget, and to develop a strategy to get feedback from users. After the first year of any procedural changes made, the Commission would work on feedback from users.
ORGANIZATION/PERSONNEL: No updates.
ATHLETIC FIELDS COMMITTEE: The Blades and Goven presentation to the Board of Selectman on October 5th went well. First priorities include upgrading the JRMS field by way of artificial turf and lighting, installing a new field at RCC, (which will mean relocating the current tennis courts), improving drainage at RCC Fields 2 and 3, and lengthening Field 4. Secondary priorities are the expansion of Fields 2 and 3 at RCC.
The Selectmen will walk the proposed relocation site for the tennis courts that borders Gallows Hill Road. Three other possible sites are the onion field area, in front of the Town garage off of Great Oak Lane, or an area near to the portable classrooms at RES. There is a concern with parking and if the courts are utilized more during school or non-school hours. The BOE thinks this may be a problem at JBHS, which has 8 courts, and may be considered as an alternate location.
Feedback from the tennis players themselves will be an important factor in making a decision. Mr. di Costanzo will act as Tennis Liaison, and speak to anyone currently utilizing the courts. The Commission supports having the new courts located near the portable classroom area, as this would also mean accessibility to Park and Rec programs.
Cost of the primary priorities is just under $5 million, with all priorities totaling approximately $5,685,402. These costs include 25% contingencies, but are not final as they do not take into account economies of scale, or site preparation work for the new tennis courts. It is hoped that funding will be a shared public/private endeavor. Fundraising will play a large part. Finance options are limited, as the Falcon Pride project will be looking for similar funding opportunities.
RCC GROUNDS COMMITTEE: No updates.
WEBSITE: Ideas to improve the website included a testimonial page, putting more photographs on the website, and a feedback page as a form of quality assurance.
NEW BUSINESS: No new business.
Meeting adjourned at 9:23 P.M.
Submitted by vaz 10/30/2006
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