Minutes
Commission members: P Degener, Chair; S. Palmer, C. Hunter, J. Board, K. Jones, V. Alward
Staff: R. Blick
Mr. Degener called the meeting on February 23, 2015 to order at 7:33 pm.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move that the minutes of the November 10, 2014 meeting be accepted as submitted. Board, Palmer. Approved. Unanimous.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Mr. Blick provided monthly reports for December, January and February. He highlighted the most recent information:
- Technology Center: Plans are underway to provide a Maker Space with the use of the computers donated to the Boys & Girls Club which are housed in the Heritage Center portion of the Community Center. Programs will include Robotics and Arduino. First Selectman Pemberton is working on getting a 3-D printer for the program. Programs will be available for youth and adults.
- Eagle Project: This project is moving forward with installation. The scout is providing boxes along two Topstone trails with interesting information, thoughts, poems & verse.
- Community Garden: Sign up for garden space is due soon. Mr. Blick hopes to have a final registration soon, so any available plots can be advertised.
- Field assignments: assignments of indoor/outdoor space for the spring will be completed shortly.
- High School Basketball league: this group continues to thrive and grow in popularity. Easton high school students are also participating.
- Redding Day: this celebration of the Redding Ridge and West Redding 100th Anniversary is being planned for June 21. The fire company is covering the cost of the Concert on the Green for that night and the band has agreed to play for the event as well.
- Spring Brochure: this will go to print within the next two weeks.
Motion: move that the Park & Recreation Commission accept the Director’s Reports as submitted. Palmer, Alward. Approved. Unanimous.
DISCUSSION OF TEEN CENTER
The Board of Selectmen has established a committee to explore the need for a teen center in town. Joe Dolan has agreed to chair that committee.
DISCUSSION OF TRAIL PLANNING & RESTORATION: Mr. Blick noted that the Greybeards plan to do some work on the Topstone trails when the snow melts, hopefully the first week of April.
TOPSTONE PARK
Mr. Degener noted that many of the adjacent/abutting residences to Topstone Park allow bow hunting on their properties during the hunt season. He suggested that the P&R Commission consider a controlled hunt at Topstone Park in the future.
The Highway Department has plowed the roadway into Topstone Park.
ATHLETIC FIELDS’ INITIATIVE
The budget referendum in May will include a question regarding 1/3 of the cost of the RCC #2 Field conversion to a turf field. The Connecticut STEAP grant will expire in July of this year. There will be discussion of the subject at the Board of Finance meeting on March 5, 2015.
BUDGET PLANNING
The capital requests for the department were reduced, or phased in over a two year period. This year’s request will include the repair of the tennis court surface and improvements in water, beach and bathrooms at Topstone Beach.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: move to adjourn the meeting. Palmer, Board Approved Unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 8:35 pm
Submitted by Mary Maday, Recording Secretary