TOWN OF SOMERS

RECREATION COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES

Monday, April 9, 2007

Kibbe-Fuller Community Center

I. CALL TO ORDER: At 7:06 pm by JJ Wassmuth

MEMBERS PRESENT: JJ Wassmuth; Colleen Maniscalco;

Rick Lees; Karen Murdoch ; late arrival: Chris Meunier @ 7:32pm

ABSENT: Pam Coverdill

NON-MEMBERS PRESENT: Mike Provencher; Jen Charette late arrival

at 7:30 pm, left at 9:00pm; David Pinney

AUDIENCE: none

II.

MINUTES AT LAST MEETING: Being a special meeting, minutes from

3/5/2007 meeting and 3/12/07 special meeting were not reviewed.

III. REPORTS:

A. Parks Projects: Mike Provencher(M.P.) provided update of Field

Road fields. Warning tracks completed on baseball fields, fences

were lowered and Fields 1 and 4 will need backfilling at the warning

track and fence line; M.P will discuss needs/costs with contractor.

Contractor has also finished grooming the baseball fields on Field Rd.

All baseball/softball fields will need break-away bases as of 2008;

M.P. reports that half the fields (Field Rd #1 & #2, Town Hall field)

will be completed this year, with the remaining fields targeted for

2008.

M.P. reports that soccer fields will be worked on next week (Field

Road, Somersville, Sokol).

Pinney Road fields have been mowed. M.P. observed that the lower

Fields on Pinney (Right side going toward Ninth District) appear to

have better drainage than the other fields in that area.

B. Budgets: no business

IV. Old Business;

A. Field Assignment Update: Soccer will be using Field Rd, Sokol,and

Somersville fields, and Lacrosse will be using Pinney Fields and

MBA. SSA will reimburse Lacrosse 60% of the field maintenance

fees for the spring season.

B. Firehouse and Fields Conditions Update: Mike Provencher reported

that the irrigation heads have been installed; he suggested the

purchase of a rain sensor to prevent unnecessary watering. He will

purchase the sensor out of Parks’ budget and the electrical

contractor will install it at no added cost. Trench for electrical feed

to the pumphouse needs to be dug and Mike P. will discuss with the

electrician if he will perform this job as a part of the contract. The

CCI of Somers will perform the construction of the well house, and

the cement foundation should be poured next week.

V. New Business:

A. Summer Camp Counselor Update/Camp needs: Jen Charette

reports that all camp counselor positions have been filled. No

applicants for Camp Director have been received.

B. Steap Grant Update: Chris Meunier shared copies of former grant

proposals . She and JJ Wassmuth will be developing a grant for

lights at Field Road and fencing for the Field Road Complex. The

grant will then be submitted to the town selectmen for review.

C. Rec Commission Procedures: Karen Murdoch presented an outline

for a “handbook” of Recreation Commission procedures, citing the

need for organization, guidelines for decision-making, timeline

completion dates, and compliance with town policies and statutes.

The commission agreed with this idea and jobs were divided among

staff for creation of a handbook. It was also agreed that an optional

Survey be conducted with the town residents to determine program

directions and get feedback on present programs.

D. A reminder was given that the town Budget Referendum will be held

May 15, 2007, with the Town Hearing held on 4/30 and the Town

Meeting on May 7. Everyone was encouraged to vote and to

encourage the community to exercise their voting rights.

VII. Coordinator’s Report: Jen Charette reported that the tuition for

Summer Camp has been raised to $75/week, with Fridays being

designated as optional Field Trip day at a cost of an additional $10.

This increase will help to defray the expense of transportation for

Field trips. Jen C. also reported that she is still waiting for the

“release of liability” form for the fitness center from town from the

Town Administration. Until the release form has been

approved and placed in use, the fitness center cannot be used. Jen

C. reported that the fields behind the Senior Center may be used for

Tee Ball practice on any day but Saturday, when the question of space

for tee ball practice was raised.

VIII. Other: Mike Provencher reported that he is researching a Parks program

for Seniors called Life Trails. The commission agreed that the town needs

to address the needs of the Senior population and charged Mike with the

task of getting more information for the board’s review.

VII. Correspondence: Received letter from SSA outlining commitment to pay

Lacrosse 60% of Pinney Road field maintenance costs for this year and

a request to recognize SSA as a fall and spring sport. A letter was sent to

SSA from chairwoman thanking SSA for their flexibility, with no

Commitment given regarding soccer seasonality.

VIII. Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned at 9:05 pm. Next meeting

scheduled for May 7, 2007, at 7:00pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Colleen Maniscalco

Secretary

Somers Recreation Commission