Park and Recreation Commission Minutes
Tuesday, April 8, 2003 at 7:30 p.m.
APPROVED- Meeting Minutes
The Park and Recreation Commission meeting came to order at 7:45 PM.
Commissioners Present: Don Vitters, Joe Carabello and Bernice Jones
Staff Present: Jon Jalbert, Patsy Kraemer and Teresa DeBenedictis
Others Present: John Voci, Clint Schwamb, Tanya Zucconi, Paul Olsen, Eric Baatz, Nick Mitropoulus, Jack Lepore, Lisa Reale
1. Minutes
Motion made to approve 3/11/03 minutes with changes. Approved 3-0.
2. Thorndike Field Scenarios- Jon Jalbert
Mr. Jalbert presented a new scenario based on this spring’s usage of Thorndike Field and next fall’s usage. The Arlington Soccer Club has agreed to no use Thorndike Field in the Fall of 2003 for exchange of usage this spring on Mondays and Fridays from 5:30-Dusk. Mr. Jalbert further explained resting a field for an entire season is ideal and with the latest weather causing the delay of everyone’s season by 2-3 weeks, indicates the need to have Thorndike open Mondays and Fridays. Motion made to open Thorndike this spring for Mondays and Fridays for Soccer Club with the agreement the Soccer Club does not use Thorndike in the fall of 2003. Motion accepted 3-0.
3. Field User Fees- Jon Jalbert
Mr. Jalbert presented the field user fee scenario. After much discussion with citizens present the Commission made a motion to accept the charge of raising $129,000 in user fees to cover pending DPW Parks Dept. cuts. Motion accepted 3-0 to cover the $129,000 and to ask the Field Users Sub-Committee to brainstorm and come up with a recommendation of how the money will be raised. Mr. Carabello asked for the meeting to be scheduled in May.
4. Babe Ruth Proposal– Jack Lepore
Mr. Lepore requested a storage box be placed at Summer Street Field on the third base line. Mr. Vitters requested to have a look at the site with the commissioners. Approval decision of the storage box is pending location of the site. Mr. Lepore asked that the foul pole in right field be removed because it is now in the field of play and placed behind the existing fence. Mrs. DeBenedictis stated she would look into getting this done.
5. Committee Updates
Arlington Sports Center Improvement Committee (SCIC)- Tom Caccavaro
Mr. Caccavaro and Howard Moreno (Project Manager from Arrowstreet), presented three scenarios drawings and estimated costs;
1. Current conditions of rink with changes to just improve current rink –Estimate cost 2.86 million
2. Extend Admin. Structure, add new rink, additional parking on Ryder St., lose Buck and Hills Hill becomes 2 Little League fields- Estimate cost 12.62 million, $250K for 2 fields, $394K Ryder St. parking.
3. Update current rink and add Olympic size pool- Estimate costs 11.2 million
Mr. Caccavaro stated the money would have to come privately. He is working on the fundraising.
The Commission approved the proceeding with Sports Center Improvement Committee to hold public meetings to gain input on all scenarios. Don Vitters moved, seconded by Bernice Jones and approved unanimously.
Radiant Heat for rink proposals were received. Engineer designed heating system and three bids received. Lowest bid for base bid and all alternates was $62,000. Bernice moved to proceed with heat in the rink, seconded by Don Vitters and unanimous 3-0. Sports Center Improvement Committee will decide to move forward with all alternates or just base bid.
6. Capital Projects- Don Vitters
Robbins Farm- Bids in and resulted below budget including alternates. $6,000 left which can be used for cushion. Friends Group raised $44,000 used for buying equipment and kiosk. They expect to have $26,000 left to add to capital money. Pre-construction meeting set for Thursday 8am with all concerned parties. New play equipment scheduled to come in on April 26th.
Spy Pond Shores- Meeting scheduled for this Thursday at 4pm Carol Johnson’s office. She will present phasing plan and still needs to know new schedule for work and new ideas for regarding and shoreline restoration.
Good news, the capital budget committee recommended everything in parks budget for next year. $175,000 for Spy Pond and added to other having now $500,000 available for phasing, probably work for next spring and bid expecting to go out over winter.
7. Other
Joe Carabello reported on vacancy of one commissioner.
The Commission adjourned at 9:40 pm.
Jon Jalbert, Superintendent of Recreation, and Patsy Kraemer took minutes
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