RECEIVED DECEMBER 21, 2009 @ 11:59 P.M.
Michele R. Grande, Redding Town Clerk
2 pages
Redding Park and Recreation –Meeting Minutes
Date: December 14, 2009
Town of Redding, Connecticut
PRESENT: Chairperson- Paul Degener; Liz Sager; Meredith McClung; Lisa LeBlanc; Todd Bennett arrived after the meeting began.
STAFF: Rob Blick, Director
The meeting was called to order at 7:38 p.m.
The Minutes from November 16, 2009 were reviewed and unanimously approved.
DIRECTORS REPORT: The Commission discussed Mr. Blick’s monthly report, which he presented in the form of six highlights.
1. CL&P needs to replace cables at Topstone Park. The cables will be underground and the Park will be closed during the repairs.
2. Mr. Blick had a meeting with Dan Sullivan with regard to repaving the RES basketball blacktop and backboard hoops. Mr. Sullivan will coordinate fundraising to generate funds to pay for the project.
3. Mr. Blick spoke with Walter Czudak with regard to shared equipment at JBHS. Mr. Czudak advised that while some of the field maintenance items might be shared, the tractor could not.
4. Budget priority items, to be covered later in the meeting. Mr. Blick will submit initial budget numbers to the Selectmen on January 4, 2010.
5. More people are using the Meadow Ridge pool now that an additional night has been added to the schedule. Revenue increased from $6,000 to $9,000 since last year. Guidelines have been reviewed and re-communicated to participants with regard to lap-lane
usage.
6. The tree lighting was delayed 2 weeks in a row due to inclement weather.
TOPSTONE ENHANCEMENT: Mr. Degener asked for the Commissions input with regard to a response to 2 letters recently published in the Redding Pilot. The letters expressed concern over some misperceptions of paving in the Park and discussions on building either a playground or a pavilion. Mr. Bennett suggested focusing more on Topstone Park preservation rather than enhancement. Mr. Bennett and Ms. LeBlanc will develop a response to be discussed after the holidays at the next meeting.
SURVEY QUESTIONS UPDATE: 214 responses came back on 778 surveys. The survey shows that a pavilion at the Community Center fields is the most popular item among participants. The play area at Topstone was next in popularity, followed by a pavilion at Topstone and basketball courts at RES. Mr. Blick provided some pricing information and photographs of pavilions.
The lowest priced was $18,200 for a 20’ X 30’ unit delivered, and the cement pad including installation is $16,000. The Town Highway Department might be able to do the installation of the cement pad, but it must be coordinated with the pavilion construction. The possibility of a portable pavilion was also discussed and Mr. Blick agreed to look into purchasing one that Mr. Degener said was available at Cabella’s.
BUDGET DISCUSSION: Among the items set for budget consideration are minor improvements at Topstone (hydro-raking for $4,300), additional sand, replacing the paddleboat, new life jackets, total cost approximately $7,800; online registration implementation, training, installation, licensing fee, total cost approximately $4,800; part time field maintenance; tennis court crack repair, total repair cost approximately $9,000. The budget discussion also included review of expenses and revenue for Topstone Park.
LETTERS/CORRESPONDENCE: There were no letters or correspondence.
PUBLIC COMMENT: There was no public comment.
Ms. McClung reported that the Christ Church (Episcopal) Preschool play area equipment is available at no cost if it is picked up and taken it away whenever the Commission may want it. The Commission expressed some interest and asked Ms. McClung to coordinate contacting the church regarding interest and arrange for Mr. Blick to examine the equipment and get further information on the manufacturer.
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The next scheduled meeting will be a “special” meeting on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 9:21 p.m.
Submitted by vak
12/19/09
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