Draft Minutes. TOWN OF GUILFORD Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes 6 th June, 2016

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1 Draft Minutes TOWN OF GUILFORD Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes 6 th June, 2016 A regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Monday 6 th June, 2016 at 6:30p.m. in the Guilford Community Center with Chairman Jack Penders presiding. Present: John Jagielski, Suzanne McDermott, Jack Penders, Sue Robins, Judy Sullivan and Diane Van Steenbergen. Also present Director Rick Maynard. Excused: Rose Dostert and Claire Kinkade Dunn. The meeting was called to order at 6:38p.m. Public Forum: 1) Joan Stettbacher (Friends of Lake Quonnipaug) stated that the Friends had met last week and had received information on LakeSmart Standards & Better Management Practices published by the Maine Lakes Society. Ms. Stettbacher circulated copies of this document and suggested that the Town should be involved in these goals. Ms. Stettbacher also asked for an update on the status of Lake Quonnipaug. Mr. Jagielski asked if the document had been given to residents around Lake Quonnipaug. Ms. Stettbacher replied that it had been circulated at last week s meeting. Mr. Jagielski felt everyone around the lake should be aware of it. 2) Carole Dubiell, 1079 Route 80, stated that some of the lake standards could also be appropriate for the shoreline. She then mentioned that when washing her feet at the lake the shower sprayed water in a wider arc than necessary which was a waste and asked if this could be rectified. Ms. Dubiell also suggested moving the buoys closest to the shore a little closer to make the swimming area wider. Correspondence: None. Approval of Minutes: Ms. Robins made a motion to accept the Minutes of 2 nd May, Mrs. Sullivan seconded the motion and it was carried with 5 votes in favor. Ms. Van Steenbergen abstained since she was not present at the May meeting. BILLS Ms. Robins made a motion to approve the bills presented for payment. Ms. McDermott seconded the motion. During discussion Ms. Robins noted that two gas bills had been listed for the GHS Science Wing. Mr. Maynard replied that these covered two months and were not a duplication. Ms. Robins asked if any of the electricity bills listed on page one were for the Science Wing. Mr. Maynard replied that he would have to check this. Ms. Robins then questioned other utility bills for the Science Wing such as telephone. Since a firm total on the

2 BILLS (continued) GHS Science Wing bills was not available Mr. Maynard suggested approving the bills without this item. After brief discussion Ms. Robins withdrew the above motion and made a new motion to table approval of the bills presented for payment. Mrs. Sullivan seconded the motion and it was carried unanimously. Page 2 of 5 DIRECTOR S REPORT Lake Quonnipaug weed removal benthic blankets removed before Memorial Day, All Habitat approved for chemical treatment in July; attended following meetings: Field Committee, Guilford Festival, Town budget, Department Heads, Safety Committee, Green Committee, BOS; Cox field renovations met with low bidder, Paul Schmidt and John Kennedy to discuss the project; reviewed proposed ordinances for peddlers/vendors, vendors in town parking lots to be approved by BOS (including Jacobs Beach); spoke at Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Mike Guerra (boat racks); spoke at GHS baseball field dedication for Ralph Schipani; dog park checked progress of fence installation, installation of benches/bag dispensers; measured north and east areas at Long Hill Park with Town Engineer to determine boundary, Town Engineer suggested a formal survey is necessary; checked Jacobs Beach opening day about 80 people; sent specs to contractors for Adams Little League fields irrigation pump; checked on Seniors Prom 60 seniors attended, staff did a great job; spoke at summer staff training, Ellen and Andrew put together a good program; Lindsey Wilber resigned from Program Coordinator position. Regarding the status of Lake Quonnipaug, Mr. Maynard reported that the benthic blankets had been removed several days before the Memorial Day weekend. Some blankets were still on site but had been moved away from the swimming area. All Habitat has been awarded the contract for the chemical treatment of approximately 18 acres starting in July. Ms. Dubiell asked if the public would be notified of this project. Mr. Maynard replied that an would be sent out and it was the responsibility of All Habitat to notify all the relevant parties. He mentioned that the wood shop class at GHS had done a great job building the kiosk and that it was great to have the students involved in this project. Mr. Penders asked how effective the benthic blankets had been. Mr. Maynard replied that it was too soon to tell. Mr. Penders wondered if the blankets would be more effective if they were installed earlier next year. He also asked what would happen if the weeds grew again this summer. Mr. Maynard replied that Greg Bugbee (CT Agricultural Experiment Station) would weed them out. Ms. McDermott queried the budget for Lake Quonnipaug since the Town budget had been turned down twice by residents. Mr. Maynard replied that there had been no impact on it so far. Ms. Dubiell felt it would be good to have GHS students involved with Lake Quonnipaug. Mr. Maynard stated that the GHS baseball field dedication for Ralph Schipani had been very eloquent. Mr. Penders added that it was a very special day with Mr. Schipani s family present. Mr. Maynard said when attending the Eagle

3 DIRECTOR S REPORT (continued) Scout Court of Honor for Mike Guerra at Lake Quonnipaug he realized how many projects had been completed by the scouts in this area which was remarkable. STAFF REPORTS A. Seniors Program Coordinator (written): Program Highlights: Learn Before Lunch back pain/posture; Cinco De Mayo lunch; Mother s Day Lunch with gift; Senior Prom Over the Rainbow Theme, live music by Dually Noted; National Salad Month salad bar for lunch; First Selectman spoke to Seniors about voting for budget. Trips: Gateway Community College Iron Chef Elm City competition; Dogwood Festival in Fairfield; Best Little Whorehouse in Texas at Warner Theater, lunch at Black Rock Tavern; Ice Cream Adventure with stop at Lavender Pond Farm; Hartford s Coltsville National Park with lunch at Carbones; Shoreline Eldercare Alliance 7 th Annual Celebration of Healthy Aging. Meetings: Planning for Fall Senior Fair. Meals Program: Meals at Community Center April (April ). Meals on Wheels April (April ). Bus Program: April 2016: Total Trips 620, Total Passengers 1,001, Total Miles 4,340, Passenger Miles 10,433, Odometer Miles 5,135. May 2016: Total Trips 572, Total Passengers 1,156, Total Miles 4,975, Passenger Miles 17,481, Odometer Miles 5,220. OLD BUSINESS A. Standing Fields Committee: Mr. Maynard reported that a meeting had been held with the low bidder to review the Cox renovations, which will start in July. Mr. Jagielski said the field was in good shape and gave credit to the people who had helped with this. Mr. Maynard added that the area around the Baldwin C field had been stripped and re-sodded so the field was now the standard size. B. Green Committee: Mr. Maynard said a new fee schedule had been developed and approved by the Board of Selectmen. He thought this would go into effect next year. One reason for the change was to develop funds to maintain the Green which in the past had been a line item in the Department s budget. C. Land Acquisition Commission: This Commission has not met for several months so there was no report. D. Community Center Betterments and Improvements: Mr. Maynard stated that the custodian had repainted the game room and repaired damage to the walls. Page 3 of 5

4 E. Stockade Fence at Long Hill Park: Mr. Penders said this project was ongoing. The Commission held a site walk today at which the abutting homeowner was present. The Commission received an idea of what the homeowner perceived to be his property lines. He also wanted the parking lot addressed. Mr. Penders said the Commission would continue working on this matter. F. Dog Park Update: Ms. Robins stated that this group had done a great job and should be given a lot of credit. Mr. Penders thought the project had been a great partnership between the Town and citizens. Mr. Jagielski asked if there were any parking problems. Mr. Penders replied not yet. Ms. Van Steenbergen noted that problems were dealt with immediately. Although the park is open there will be an official opening ceremony at a later date. G. Lake Quonnipaug: See above under Director s Report. H. Grass Island Shack: Mr. Maynard reported that he had received an from the Eagle Scout candidate who would be doing a little bit of work on 6/11/16. I. Weight Room/Fitness Center at Guilford High School: Mr. Maynard said there was nothing new to report. A weight training/conditioning camp will be run over the summer. At present the facility is mostly being used by students. Mr. Penders said he would like to know what had to be done administratively to run programs. Mr. Maynard replied that a reservation form had been developed and that staff had to be certified. Ms. Robins asked if proof of certification would be provided and Mr. Maynard replied yes. J. Jacobs Beach Shade Structure: Mrs. Sullivan queried funding for this. Mr. Maynard replied that architect William Thompson had to develop a proposal of cost estimates, etc. NEW BUSINESS A. Fourth of July Fireworks: Mr. Maynard reported that this event would be held on July 9 th with a rain date of July 10 th. The Board of Selectmen today approved Atlas Company. B. Food Service Vehicle Ordinance: Mr. Penders stated that an ordinance had been adopted by the Board of Selectmen. Food vendor locations are in town parking lots. By using these locations, since the Town controls the parking lots this allows the Town to control the vendors. A food truck which had been using Boston Street had to move because it was a state road which required an encroachment permit. Only 1 vendor at a time is allowed on the Green. Ms. Robins felt the new location on Broad Street presented sightline problems. Mr. Maynard said the police department would have to deal with that. Mr. Jagielski queried the roving ice cream trucks. Mr. Maynard replied that he believed two bids were received. In the past these vendors would have Page 4 of 5

5 B. Food Service Vehicle Ordinance: (continued) come directly to the department but under the new ordinance they now have to go to BOS. Mr. Penders felt some clarification would be needed on how things worked under the new ordinance. There being no further business to come before the Commission, Ms. Robins made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:55p.m. Mrs. Sullivan seconded the motion and it was carried unanimously. The next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission will be held on the second Monday 11 th July, 2016 at 6:30p.m. in the Guilford Community Center. Respectfully submitted, Katharine Stewart Recording Secretary Page 5 of 5