TOWN OF SOMERS

 

          RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

                               Monday, 7:00 PM December 1, 2003

                                       Somers Community Center

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER:            At 7:05 PM by Tom Chilicki.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:             Tom Chilicki, Alan Walker, Dan Avery, Geoff Elia

                                               

MEMBERS LEFT EARLY: Bob Petkis (8:20 PM)

 

ABSENT:            John Bartolf, Ed Palomba

 

NON-MEMBERS PRESENT: Jennifer Charette, Recreation Coordinator

 

                AUDIENCE:                                    Mike Provencher, Park Maintenance

 

II.            MINUTES OF LAST MEETING: The commission approved the minutes of the November 3rd, 2003 meeting by a unanimous 4-0 vote.

 

III.            AUDIENCE:             Mike Provencher updated the commission on the park. Issues discussed were as follows:

A.                Damage to park grounds during the summer was excessive.

B.                Update on Little League’s purchase and delivery of infield dirt.

C.                New roof needed for the round building at the park (estimated cost $1100), he will ask the Selectmen for funding.

D.                The skating rink needs a new liner. Mike proposed a fix that would divide the rink in half for skating and hockey (estimated cost $1000), he will ask the Selectmen for funding.

E.                 Fall sports completed with fields shut down.

 

IV.            BILLS/PURCHASES: Bills were reviewed and accepted.

 

V.            REPORTS

 

A.        Park:   Jen Charette contacted CIRMA regarding risk management for the skateboard park and awaits their response for a meeting. Tom Chilicki will contact First Selectman Dave Pinney regarding skateboard park issues.

 

B.        Budget 2003-04:         The budget was reviewed as submitted by Jen Charette. Jen Charette to obtain clarification from Ed Sullivan on the following self support line items included on report: summer camp pay, skateboard park, and teacher’s retirement.

 

C.        Special Meeting:        There was not a quorum, as well as only one student  attendee for the meeting held at MBA School. Tom Chilicki will investigate another meeting.

 

VI.       OLD BUSINESS

 

                A.       Field/Facilities: There was no update from the BOS regarding the Soccer        

Soccer Association’s lights proposal. Tom Chilicki will document with the BOS the commission’s opinion regarding our recreation field usage policy and ownership of lights.

 

B.        CIP:    Mike Provencher updated the commission on his requests for CIP, including a fence for around the park ($25K) and a new mower (3 years out at $70K). Mike is approaching the BOS regarding costs for fixing the roof and skating rink at the park.

 

            Discussion was held on the CIP’s submitted by Jen Charette for softball fields 1 & 3 at the park. Discussion included eliminating the grass on all fields at the park, new higher fences (with safety caps) and warning tracks on fields 1 & 3, and moving home plate back and adjusting fence distances on fields 1 & 3. The commission proposed to initiate the project of eliminating the infield grass and moving home plates while awaiting approval for funding of the fence from CIP. Jen Charette will contact Mike Provencher to begin this project this winter.

 

            Tom Chilicki will contact Jim Persano regarding the $9500 allocated for tennis courts resurfacing.

 

VII.     NEW BUSINESS

 

A.        Winter Flier:   Jen Charette updated the commission regarding the winter flier, which is scheduled for late December completion.

 

B.        New Expenditures:    See above proposal for softball fields under CIP.

 

Vlll.            COORDINATOR’S REPORT: The commission reviewed and accepted the coordinator’s report.

 

IX.            OTHER

Voting for a new vice chairman was tabled until the January meeting.

 

X.            CORRESPONDENCE

1.         November 19, 2003 letter from Superintendent of Schools Tom Jefferson to the Recreation Department regarding “Winter Gymnasium Usage and BOE Budget: Custodian’s Overtime”.

 

 

XI.            ADJOURNMENT

            The commission adjourned at 8:50 PM.

 

 

Respectively submitted,

 

 

 

Alan Walker

Secretary for the 12/1/03 Meeting

 

 

MINUTES NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.