TOWN OF SOMERS

RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES

Monday, June 4, 2007 @ 7:30pm

Kibbe-Fuller Community Center

I. CALL TO ORDER: At 7:37 pm by JJ Wassmuth

MEMBERS PRESENT: JJ Wassmuth; Colleen Maniscalco;

Rick Lees; Karen Murdoch ; late arrival: Pam Coverdill

NON-MEMBERS PRESENT: Mike Provencher; late arrival: David

Pinney; Jen Charette(absent)

AUDIENCE: none

II.

MINUTES AT LAST MEETING: Minutes of May 7 were accepted with the

Following changes: corrected spelling of Chris Meunier’s name

II. Billings and Purchases: Received bill for lining of Pinney Road fields

which was paid out of Recreation budget; SSA had agreed to pay up to

$600 and is awaiting invoice and will need to issue the vendor a 1099

for tax purposes; this matter will be tabled until the recreation director can investigate how we will get reimbursed by SSA.

III. REPORTS:

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

Road fields. Former contractor was fired and he has received two

Bids from contractors to finish the warning tracks back filling; there

is a balance of $2200 not paid to the original contractor for not com-

pleting the job. Some fencing may still need adjusting once back fill

has been performed.

Pumphouse at the firehouse field is near completion; doors were

delivered and will be hung on 6/5/07; the electrician has been

contacted to do their work, then the pumphouse will be completed.

the irrigation system will then be completed within the next two

weeks. Members of the board recommended that the soil at the

Firehouse field be tested, as the growth of the new grass has been

sporadic at best.

CIP approved requisition for new mower for Parks Dept, to replace

the old mower that broke down beyond economical repair; Mike P.

Hopes that this will cut down on his mowing time.

At the May Selectmen’s meeting, it was decided to progress forward

with the board’s recommendation to investigating the creation of

new Recreation fields (approximately 5 acres) at the Field Road site.

The plan will need to be reviewed by the Planning Committee; while

work is being done on the new fields, there is a potential that the

mid-rec soccer fields will be out of commission due to work flow; it

was suggested that all recreation leagues affected by this project be

invited to the September meeting to assist with the problem-solving

process of a potential temporary field shortage.

Grant money from USTA for the improvement of tennis courts was not

received per Jim Maitland; Friends of Tennis will apply in September

for other grant monies available for larger projects.

The $10,000 which was earmarked for a possible Sokol Road field

upgrade will not be used for this project, as the positioning of the

septic leach field caps prevent viable usage for field expansion.

IV. Old Business

a. Programs: Summer Recreation Flyer has been distributed to the

Public

b. Donated upright piano has been picked up and delivered to the

Community Center.

c. Camp Counselor and Camp Sign ups: only one application for Camp

Director received; Recreation Coordinator may step into the role if

no viable resumes have been received.

d. Skate Board Park: Complaints received regarding behavior of some

Users of Skate Park; one adult volunteered to supervise

the park during baseball games, but this has not happened with any

regularity; David Pinney suggested timely “drive bys” from state police at designated times and the encouragement of parental supervision to assist with the encouragement of good behaviors.

V. New Business

a. Spring Sports Update: Bowers Tournament was successful; everyone

remarked at how clean the fields were left at the end of the tournament and complimented the league’s example.

b. Fields Updates: Karen Murdoch commented on the poor water

drainage at the MBA field; it was advised that this field is under

the department of education’s jurisdiction and not a part of the

Recreation Commission oversight. Rick Lees inquired about possible use of Land Trust property for fields development which

needs to be explored further.

VI. Coordinator’s Report: please refer to report for details

VII. Other: Connor’s Place dedication transpired and was well attended; Mike P. reported that the use of the new playground has been excellent. Chris Muenier reported that she is working on creating a

Power Point presentation for STEAP Grant application; the deadline

for submission has not been determined.

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Chris Muenier and

seconded by Pam Coverdill. The meeting was adjourned at 8:59 pm.

Respectfully Submitted by:

Colleen Maniscalco

Secretary

Somers Recreation Commission