Minutes
Commission members: P Degener, Chair; J. Dorenbosch, M. McClung, Scott Palmer,
John Board, Gary Miyashiro, Paula Darlington (7:40 pm), Vanessa Alward (7:45 pm)
Staff present: Rob Blick
Mr. Degener called the regular meeting on January 27, 2014 to order at 7:35 pm.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move to approve the minutes of the December 16, 2013 meeting as submitted. McClung, Dorenbosch. Approved. Unanimous.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Mr. Blick highlighted his written report.
- Extremely cold weather caused the cancellation of a recent ski trip.
- Budget workshop: the budget presentation went well. Commission member Caroline Hunter was present.
- Gym problem: there was been heating problems with the gym. Mr. Blick is checking to see if the service agreement can be improved for faster response to heating and air conditioning problems..
Mrs. Darlington arrived at this point (7:40 pm)
Storage buildings: a meeting is set for next week to finalize the contracts for the storage facility for the gym and the storage building for the field maintenance equipment. The Zoning permit has been issued. Work is expected to begin in late March, assuming the weather cooperates.
Mrs. Alward arrived at this point (7:45 pm)
CORRESPONDENCE
Website: there was discussion on how people new to town learn about town facilities. It was noted that there is a video showing most of Redding on the Town of Redding webpage. The video includes the community center and Topstone Park. The Redding Pilot “Answer Book” is also helpful. The Town has a Facebook page.
REGION 9 FIELDS
The stadium project is closed for the winter months. Work start up again when weather conditions improve. The project is schedule to be completed in the end of May.
TOPSTONE LEASH INFORMATION
There was discussion of the signage for Topstone Park regarding the Dog Leash Ordinance. A final version was arrived at for the signs. Mr. Blick asked that, after the sign is approved by the First Selectmen, he and Mr. Degener meet with Chief Fuchs to establish protocols and procedures.
TRAIL PLANNING
The Greybeards has asked if they can assist with trails at Topstone Park. Mr. Blick attended a trail building workshop, and will schedule a workshop/class open to all on March 22, 2014. The Greybeards will be invited to attend the class.
TOPSTONE PARK SURVEY
Mr. Miyashiro is working to finalize the Topstone Park Survey on the website. Commission members tested the online Survey for functionality and system capabilities. Mr. Miyashiro and Mr. Blick were asked to look into whether Constant Contact has the “blocking” capability to force respondents to select only one choice for each priority rank.
BUDGET PLAN
Mr. Blick presented the budget at the Selectman’s Budget Workshop. Some fees for camp are being raised. Attendance numbers have been decreased to reflect the decrease in school population. There was a brief discussion of establishing a “sibling” or “family” discount for summer camp. Mr. Blick will bring concepts to the next meeting.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion: move that the meeting recess to executive session for a discussion of personnel matters. Dorenbosch, McClung. Approved. Unanimous.
Mr. Blick left the meeting at this point.
The meeting recessed at 8:12 pm
RECONVENE
The Chair reconvened the meeting in public session at 8:29 pm
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: move to adjourn the meeting. Dorenbosch, McClung. Approved Unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 8:29 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Maday, Recording Secretary