Park and Recreation Commission Minutes
Tuesday, October 12, 2004 - 7:00 p.m.
Approved Meeting Minutes
The meeting came to order at 7:00 PM.
Commissioners Present: Joseph Carabello, Thomas Caccavaro (left at 8:10pm), Nancy Campbell, Leslie Mayer, and Don Vitters
Staff Present: Jonathan Jalbert, Recreation Superintendent
Recording Secretary: Laura Munsey
Others: Liz Lynch, Holly Kennedy, Meredith Everson (FOCCA)
Paul Carroll, David Cunningham (Arl. Little League)
1. Welcome and Approval of Minutes
Mr. Carabello welcomed the Commissioners and Guests to the October 12th Meeting. Minutes of the September meeting were passed out and will be voted on at the next meeting.
2. Dog Park Options
Members of the group, Friends of Canine Citizens of Arlington (FOCCA) addressed the Commission. FOCCA has been looking for sites for a dog park in the town of Arlington. McClennen Park may be one location, but may not be possible due to litigation, which has not yet been resolved. Mr. O’Brien of the Planning Department recommended they look at other locations, and Thorndike Field is a possible option. The location they propose is near Route 2 and would have minimal impact on abutters. They would recommend a minimum of ½ acre for a dog park, but were only provided ¼ of an acre at McClennen Park. FOCCA has met with the Animal Control Officer in Town and it was reported that she is in support of this proposal. FOCCA would be willing to fund raise for the fencing
required. They recommend a 4-5’ fence around the entire perimeter. Quotations for pricing will need to be obtained. Mr. Jalbert will meet with Mr. Vitters to investigate if there is any available funding from Capital Park Projects (i.e. the Thorndike Fencing) to help with this project. A Public Hearing with abutters would need to be arranged, and a discussion with the Town Manager may also be required. A follow up meeting at the proposed Thorndike Site is recommended with members of FOCCA, Ms. Mayer of the P&RC, Mr. Jalbert, Recreation Superintendent, and Ms. DeBenedictis of the DPW, to map out the area.
3. Lighting at Buck Field
Mr. Paul Carroll and Mr. David Cunningham, Board Members of Arlington Little League addressed the Park and Recreation Commission as a courtesy, with their proposed plan to install lighting at Buck Field, located on the property at 422 Summer Street in Arlington. Mr. Jalbert read a statement from the Town Manager, Mr. Brian Sullivan, stating that this project has been approved by both the Board of Selectmen as well as by his office. The Park and Recreation Commission stated that a public meeting will need to be held and notification of the proposal should be provided to all abutters. Mr. Jalbert will post a public meeting notice with the Clerks Office, and submit notification to the Arlington Advocate. Mr. Carroll and Mr. Cunningham stated that they are trying to improve the fields and build a
partnership with the Town. The baseball program is growing, and fields are at a shortage. They researched this endeavor thoroughly, and will be funding it without any assistance from the town. They will pay the electricity charges and will be billed directly. They reported that Selectman Hurd has been involved in this project and they have met with Mr. Brian Sullivan (Town Manager), John Sanchez (Director of DPW), and Jon Jalbert (Superintendent of Recreation). The Board of Selectmen have endorsed this project unanimously. Arlington Little League has selected Hubble Lighting as the Vendor, after receiving several quotes. The lights will be under a 10-year warranty and will be properly maintained. Spill Glare reflectors were chosen to reduce the impact to residents while in use. They will install a 4-pole system with a total of 26 lights. Two poles will be installed on the infield next to the dugouts, and two in the
outfield (outside of the existing fence -1 in left field, and 1 in right field). The poles will be aluminum. The structures will be placed as not to affect the Soccer Field at Hills Hill. Power can be pulled from Summer Street with a box placed in the wooded area. They may also tap into the Sprinkler Box, and the area will be secured. Little League in no way expects exclusive rights to the field by funding these improvements. They believe this improvement will allow more people to use and enjoy Buck Field. Ms. Campbell inquired if girls’ softball would be permitted to schedule some night games at Buck Field and Little League representatives stated they would. They would request that any user groups using the lights pay for the electricity used. This will be determined based on hourly rate analysis, and demand charges. They would like to pull the lines prior to the winter if at all possible.
Mr. Carabello requests that a memorandum of understanding be prepared between Arlington Little League and the Town of Arlington with recommendations from town counsel that clearly define the agreement. Ms. Mayer requested a lighted fields use policy be in place prior to the public hearing and stated she cannot support this proposal if a draft policy is not in place prior to the public meeting. She raised the concern that last spring the Superintendent raised this as an issue and that a lighted field use policy for all users has yet to be drafted.
MOTION (made by Thomas Caccavaro, 2nd by Don Vitters)
THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION ENDORSES THE PROPOSAL OF ARLINGTON LITTLE LEAGUE TO INSTALL LIGHTS AT BUCK FIELD LOCATED AT 422 SUMMER STREET. THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION FURTHER REQUESTS THAT LITTLE LEAGUE MEET WITH THE TOWN MANAGER AND TOWN COUNSEL TO DEVELOP A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AND REQUIRES THAT A PUBLIC HEARING BE HELD.
VOTE: 4-0-1 IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION (Mr. Caccavaro, Ms. Campbell, Mr. Carabello, and Mr Vitters voted in the affirmative; Ms. Mayer abstained)
4. Capital Project Updates
Spy Pond Shores. Mr. Vitters reported that a walk thru is held every Tuesday morning at 8:30 am. The contractor will install fencing around the playground at no additional cost. A member of the Friends of Spy Pond Committee raised a concern that the entrance into the playground area is too close to the boat ramp. It was reported by Mr. Vitters that the Commission has already approved this plan, and design changes shall not be implemented at this time.
Robbins Farm. Payment of $12,000 was sent and slice seeding should begin. Mr. Roland Chaput met with Thomas Caccavaro regarding the stone wall at Robbins Farm. They have looked at stone veneer samples and are in the process of obtaining pricing.
Waldo Park, Locke Playground, and Crosby School Tennis Courts. Funding is still short on all three projects. Waldo & Locke can be re-bid or the Commission can wait for Town Meeting to request additional funds. Mr. Vitters and Mr. Jalbert will research if any funding is available from past capital projects, and are in contact with Ms. Anna Whitten and Mr. Kevin O’Brien of the Planning Department. Mr. Vitters does not recommend these projects be constructed/renovated in phases. It will be investigated as to whether or not DPW can patch the Crosby Tennis Courts until a solution is found. Mr. Jalbert will inform Mr. Rob DiLoretto, AHS Athletic Director, that Crosby Tennis Courts will not be available in the Spring.
Thompson and Florence. Mr. Jalbert is receiving quotes from Game Time and will be meeting with them next week to visit both sites. Ms. Mayer forwarded to Mr. Jalbert the name of an interested neighbor in the Florence School District who would like to assist in the Florence project.
5. Committee Updates
Sports Center Improvement Committee. Governor Romney vetoed the amendment to take the Veteran’s Memorial Skating Rink off the bid list. Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Jalbert were informed that municipalities may pre-qualify to bid on the lease and they are working on a proposal and a 25 year Capital Plan. It is anticipated that state will require a percentage of gross revenues earned be returned to the State.
Open Space Committee. There is some concern regarding the condition of the bike path behind the Summer Street playground and Ms. Joey Glushko is looking into agreements with Muzzioli landscaping regarding maintenance of the area. Lalicata also received a violation. The Open Space Committee is concerned about the sale of Knowles Farms to a developer. This is private property, but such properties are of interest to the Open Space Committee.
Reservoir. The seasonal fencing was removed by volunteers from the Work Place Program at AHS. An update on the Reservoir Dam Project was submitted by Ms. Mayer and a summary of the order of conditions that need to be met. The Arlington Tree Committee will work with the Conservation Commission and the Reservoir Committee regarding the inventory of trees. There is a new bridge design. The project will go out to bid in December and construction is anticipated to stop by the end of May and will be scheduled not to impede on the beach season.
6. Recreation and Rink Update
The rink is up and running. Rec Trac point of sale has been installed in the concession stand as well as in the ticket booth. The Concession stand has reduced hours based on last year’s data. Fall Programs are underway and the Winter Brochure is being created. Ms. Mayer requested that an evaluation of Summer Programs be placed on the agenda, to evaluate the impact of increased Fees on the programs.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:30 pm
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