TOWN OF SOMERS

RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

Monday, February 5, 2007

Kibbe-Fuller Community Center

I. CALL TO ORDER: At 7:08 pm by JJ Wassmuth

MEMBERS PRESENT: JJ Wassmuth; Colleen Maniscalco; Pam Coverdill;

Rick Lees; Karen Murdoch

NON-MEMBERS PRESENT: Mike Provencher; David Pinney; Bruce

Urban; Jen Charette

II. AUDIENCE: none

III. MINUTES AT LAST MEETING: The minutes of the 12/04/06 meeting were unanimously approved 3-0; the minutes of the special meeting

held 1/11/07 were unanimously approved 5-0.

IV. COORDINATOR REPORT:

A. Bills/Purchases: Reviewed as supplied by Rec. Coordinator; baby

changing table placed in women’s bathroom. A new trash barrel

was purchased for the building.

B. Programs/Activities Update: Valentine children’s party scheduled for

Saturday, February 10. JJ Wassmuth asked that all Rec Commission

Members attempt to support Recreation Programs by attending

activities periodically. Jen Charette was pleased to report that there

have been no cancellations for any program this winter. There have

been a few inquiries from the public regarding opening of the

skating rink now that the weather has turned cold. Mike Provencher

explained that we lost three months this season due to the warm

weather, so the $1000 cost of putting up a skating rink for only two

months outweighed the need. The commission requested to be kept

apprised of these decisions so that we can keep the public informed.

David Pinney suggested that the decision regarding the skating rink

be posted on SomersNow web site. Tennis program flyers went out

to high school students this week. M & M has already looked at the

Somers tennis courts and will submit an RFP to USTA; decisions

regarding the renovations needed pending results of M & M survey.

C. Summer Camp: Jen Charette reported that the former camp director

will not be returning this summer and that she will be interviewing

replacements. Jen welcomed any commission member to be present

during the interview process.

V. 2006/2007 Recreation Budget: The commission reviewed the budget

and recommended that the cost savings of $600 from the public

telephone removal be added to the youth programs budget. A motion to

accept the 3% budget increase was made by Karen Murdoch and

seconded by Pam Coverdill. The commission unanimously

recommended a 3% increase in expenses.

VI. Reports:

A. Park Projects: Mike Provencher reported that Field #1 has been

completed. Fields #1 & #4 are on hold for completion of the

warning track and fences due to the weather. The Commission

advised the Mike to set a date for completion with the landscaper

hired to do the project to avoid further delays in the spring. A

proposal from Stafford Softball Association was made to rent Somers

fields #1 & #3 for a June softball tournament. The USSSA would

the fields, and Stafford Softball would pay $350 per field and allow

a Somers Recreation group run the concessions for profit if desired.

There was discussion regarding the prep needed for the fields, and it

was recommended that in the contract we would state that the fields

would be prepped only once before the tournament, that the Stafford

Softball Association be responsible for their own trash removal, and

that the Somers Park department reserve the right to cancel field

use due to inclement weather in order to protect our fields. The group

voted 5-0 to recommend rental of the field as long as the tournament

did not conflict with the Bowers Tournament in June.

B. CIP: Update was given on the status of work on the Firehouse Field.

Dave Pinney reported that there may be a cost overrun of $5000 due

to the need for electrical (pump)and irrigation work required. Dave

stated that he would work with CIP to see if funds could be freed up

to address this expense variance. The CIP meeting occurred, and

Dave Pinney reported that items have not yet been ranked. Jen

Charette and Chris Meunier will distribute the CIP recommendations

Of the Recreation Commission to the new members so that we can

discuss the direction for future proposals.

C. STEAP Grant: $48,000 received for upgrade of Field Road

Playground. Further work on the playground is on hold due to

weather. Mike Provencher reports that further landscaping, placing

of wood chips and fencing still needs to be done. Dave Pinney stated

that a town cannot apply for a grant until the town budget is passed;

he will keep us posted as to when applications can be submitted, but

it is anticipated that June would be the earliest date.

D. Long Range Planning: discussion was tabled for this meeting; we

will await to receive copies of the 2001 Long Range Planning

Report that was submitted in the past which will help us in our

decision-making.

VII. New Business:

A. Field Usage/Spring 2007: Discussion occurred regarding the

decision of which teams to give priority for field #6 & #7 rights. The

commission unanimously decided to give lacrosse priority for the

spring, whereas soccer has priority in the fall. It was recommended

that soccer be approached regarding “pay for fields” model as lacrosse

does for the fields on Pinney Road.

VIII. Other: none

IX. Correspondence: none

X. Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned at 9:27 pm. Next meeting March

3 at 7:00pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Colleen Maniscalco

Secretary

Somers Recreation Commission