Minutes
Commission members: P. Degener, Chair, J. Dorenbosch, S. Palmer, G. Miyashiro, S. Goldman, A. Florkowski
Staff present: R. Blick
Public present: Bill Rossiter
Mr. Miyashiro called the Special Meeting to order at 7:30 PM
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move to approve the minutes of the February 4, 2013 meeting as submitted. McClung, Dorenbosch. Approved. Unanimous.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Mr. Blick submitted a written report.
- Topstone Parking area: Mr. Blick reported the Conservation Commission reviewed the plans for the additional parking spots at the entrance to Topstone Park and suggested the east side area would have the least impact and was preferable. Jeff Hanson of the Highway Department has agreed to move the gate which will allow additional spaces.
- Phone system: A new phone system was installed at the Community Center. Mr. Blick spent Friday working out the kinks with LeBlanc Communications.
- IT Service: The Town is changing IT services in June. The previous arrangement with the schools IT personnel has not provided sufficient coverage. A new service will begin in June. The virus software will be updated soon, as well as the updates to our RecTrac software.
- Lifeguard Agreements: the lifeguard agreements will be sent out this week.
- Concert on the Green: the concert series is being finalized.
- Basketball: the season ends soon
- Mayhem Trail Run: this is scheduled for April 6 at Topstone Park
- Gym Storage: Mr. Blick and Mr. Degener met last week and agreed to set up some meetings to find someone to design the gym storage and manage the bid process for the work.
Motion: move to accept the Director’s Report. Florkowski, Miyashiro. Approved. Unanimous.
FIELDS COMMITTEE UPDATE
There was nothing new to report. Mr. Degener asked Commission members to be prepared to take a vote at the March meeting on a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen to release the STEAP funding for a turf athletic field to Region 9 for use with the improvements they are considering for the stadium complex. This would indicate to the Town that the Park and Recreation Commission supports the project at Joel Barlow High School. Mr. Dorenbosch suggested that the use of the fund be restricted to an artificial turf field at the high school, not a sod field or the roofing work. Mr. Degener will send out as much information as he can to the Commission members so they can be fully informed for a vote at the March meeting.
RCC Storage/Maintenance plans
Mr. Blick reported that contractors that have looked at the building for potential storage area have indicated that the proposed area on the back of the gym would be difficult to build. The location is a hillside and encroaches on the wetlands. The suggestion has been made that a more appropriate area (both logically and economically) would be adjacent to the foyer area on the lower level.
TOPSTONE PARK SURVEY & POLICIES AND PRESERVATION PLANS
Mr. Miyashiro provided a draft survey of the Topstone Park survey. The goal is to identify & prioritize the key factors for the Commission to center on. A long discussion followed. Mr. Degener indicated he, Mr. Miyashiro and Mrs. Florkowski will work to refine the survey for review at the next meeting.
NEW EVENTS OR ACTIVITIES
Mr. Degener asked the commission members to give thought to what events and activities of the past could be resurrected again for programs and activities, or programs and activities offered elsewhere, Mr. Blick would welcome all new ideas. Mr. Degener suggested exploring mentoring opportunities working with the seniors of Redding.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Bill Rossiter, a Redding resident, spoke of programs and talks that he and other Redding residents could offer.
Mr. Rossiter asked about the status of proposed regulation regarding the leasing of dogs. Mr. Degener reported the Commission is moving forward with discussions with the Conservation Commission. Topstone Park is part of Redding’s inventory of open space land, with Park & Recreation managing the Park itself. The Commission has also taken the initiative of moving forward with a “lease” regulation/ordinance for Topstone Park, and that will be presented to the Board of Selectmen in the coming months. Mr. Degener anticipates an increase in use of the Park by dog walkers with the expansion of the parking area at the entrance to the Park.
There was further discussion on the importance of trail maintenance with Mr. Rossiter.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting is Monday, March 18, 2013.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: move to adjourn the meeting. Dorenbosch, Palmer. Approve. Unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 9:07 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Maday, Recording Secretary