Regular Meeting September 13, 2010
1. Call to order
The Killingworth Park and Recreation Commission held a Regular Meeting on Monday, September 13, 2010, at 8:00 PM at the Killingworth Town Office Building, 323 Route 81, Killingworth, Connecticut.
Present: Dan Colonia
Rob Grasso
Bill Silas
Scot Thomas
Absent: Susan Dean
John Machold
Glenn Johnson
Chairman Dan Colonia called the meeting to order at 8:22 PM.
2. The Pledge of Allegiance was not recited because there was no flag in the room.
3. Minutes of: Regular Meeting held August 9, 2010
Special Meeting held August 14, 2010
No action was taken.
4. Visitors present: Alan Kostek, KYL President
SallyAnne Bauer, KYL Treasurer
John Connell, KYL
Jim Duffield, HK Soccer Club
Cathy Iino, First Selectwoman
Dan Colonia explained that user groups were invited to this meeting to discuss re-scheduling options resulting from what appeared to be the imminent closing of HKMS’s fields for renovation. He noted that late this past Friday afternoon he was contacted by Frank Sparks of HKRec who notified him that no fields would be closed. As a result, no schedule changes are necessary but Dan reiterated that the commission would have done everything possible to accommodate their schedules. He then opened the discussion to address any issues of the user groups, noting that the commission will soon prepare its 2011-2012 budget.
SallyAnne Bauer, speaking for KYL, apologized for not attending a commission meeting in the past, and asked the commission for help, stating that the fields are seriously lacking maintenance. She called attention to a lip between the infield and outfield at Rocco causing balls to take dangerous hops, especially hazardous for the younger players now using the field because the poor condition of lower Sheldon has rendered it unusable. KYL also noted the height of the grass and the condition of the dugouts and fence covers were issues, and the commission indicated that these problems had been addressed and were in the process of resolution. The budget was discussed and Bill Silas stated that no pre-set amount had been established specifically for baseball maintenance noting that the commission operated on a skeleton budget in the past. He went on to explain that since upper Sheldon got very little use this year, very little money had been spent on it, but added that clay was dumped and would be spread this week and the weeds had been pulled and sprayed by Langer Landscaping and added that Sheldon should be playable this weekend. Spirited discussion followed regarding the use of Bethke Field for games, KYL’s involvement with maintenance, the commission’s commitment to maintenance and improved communications. Alan Kostek expressed his frustration with the condition and need for the fields, noting KYL is willing to its share of the work, and Dan discussed the budget asking that an improvement “wish list” be submitted as soon as possible to begin planning and budgeting. He also stressed that the group’s meeting are open to the public, encouraged the user groups to attend and address their issues, and offered his own contact information to reach him directly. He reiterated that the Park & Re Commission has always done the best it could with its very limited funding. Dan then summarized the time-line of Wettish opening, Sheldon closing for renovation to improve parking and re-lay fields to optimize space, and then possibly fixing Rocco in the future. Rob Grasso stressed the need for professional maintenance of the fields and Dan indicated that the commission is now preparing the bid package.
Jim Duffield of HK Soccer Club requested that the field schedule be developed earlier in the year because their schedules are prepared in early spring. The group agreed to address the issue in February and Dan reminded that the user groups must work together to allot usage. Jim also noted that outfield areas frequently have holes from baseball that are dangerous for soccer players and asked that baseball coaches check the fields after use. Bill added that the town drops dirt near the shed for that purpose and added that he will ask for more.
5. Communications, Bills and Applications
a. Communications from other agencies are emailed to the commission as received.
b. The following bills were received:
Bill from CL&P in the amount of 45.23
second bill from CL&P in the amount of 39.82
third bill from CL&P in the amount of 39.95
bill from Olsen Sanitation, for August, in the amount of 219.00
bill from Anthony Carri, for August, in the amount of 279.00
bill from recording secretary Dawn Mooney, for August, in the
amount of 66.60
bill from All-Ways Dumpsters Inc, in the amount of 225.00
bill from Langer Contracting, for Bethke Field, in the amount of 400.00
bill from Scoville Landscaping, for mowing grass, in the
amount of 1210.00
*A motion was made by Bill Silas and seconded by Rob Grasso to authorize payment of the above bills. Motion passed unanimously.
Dan noted that the additional bills received by the commission must be examined by Glenn Johnson and Eric Auer prior to discussion and approval.
bill from Winterberry Irrigation 3000.00
*A motion was made by Bill Silas and seconded by Rob Grasso to authorize payment of the above bill pending review and approval by Glenn Johnson and Eric Auer. Motion passed unanimously.
c. No new applications were received.
6. Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Bill Silas reported:
Opening balance $ 50,316.72
Expenses 759.72
Ending balance $ 49,557.00 (1.7% budget expended)
7. Old Business
a. Parks and Field Maintenance/Evaluations
• Sheldon Park – Dan stated that the water fountain issue was resolved and advised he will contact the town to remove the broken bench.
• Rocco – The commission discussed installation of the safety net along the first base line.
• Bethke – nothing specific to discuss.
b. Wettish Property Development
• Construction Progress – Dan noted that the project continues on schedule and within budget, with $50-60,000 contingency remaining. He explained that Glenn, a professional engineer, has volunteered hundreds of hours to the project saving the town approximately $50,000. He further noted that Glenn makes good decisions, protecting the town’s money and producing a quality product. Glenn volunteered to act as the project field engineer, he resolves issues and the commission approves expenditures based on his recommendations. The project is close to completion but more money is needed to finish the parking area, the only remaining issue. Dan added that the Venuti’s attended the Selectmen’s meeting to ask for $37,000, but Glenn and Eric Auer have discussed other lower cost options.
• Change Orders – No new change orders were discussed.
• Irrigation & Phase II – Rob read aloud an email from Glenn addressing irrigation and Phase II design (a copy of which is attached to these minutes). The group discussed the power issue at the site noting that CL&P can now install power because the town permits were issued. Rob went on to explain that Phase II would be farther along but the field location has changed three times because the Planning & Zoning commission and a neighbor had issues with its placement. Dan added that he hopes to go out to bid this winter with construction beginning in the spring, adding it should be a shorter process than Phase I.
8. New business
Cathy Iino advised the commission that she spoke with the fire department who agreed that the two shacks on the Wettish property would be burned as a department training exercise.
Dan explained that he has asked for a $100,000 capital expenditure in next year budget to finish the Wettish Phase II/Sheldon redesign projects noting that the STEAP Grant provides $150,000 for Wettish Phase II and $250,000 for Sheldon. The commission noted that the town must approve that amount. Dan further stated that the biggest expense at Sheldon will be fencing.
9. Adjournment
*A motion was made by Bill Silas and seconded by Rob Grasso to adjourn the meeting at 9:35 PM. Motion passed unanimously.
The Killingworth Park and Recreation Commission held a Regular Meeting on Monday, September 13, 2010, at 8:00 PM at the Killingworth Town Office Building, 323 Route 81, Killingworth, Connecticut.
Present: Dan Colonia
Rob Grasso
Bill Silas
Scot Thomas
Absent: Susan Dean
John Machold
Glenn Johnson
Chairman Dan Colonia called the meeting to order at 8:22 PM.
2. The Pledge of Allegiance was not recited because there was no flag in the room.
3. Minutes of: Regular Meeting held August 9, 2010
Special Meeting held August 14, 2010
No action was taken.
4. Visitors present: Alan Kostek, KYL President
SallyAnne Bauer, KYL Treasurer
John Connell, KYL
Jim Duffield, HK Soccer Club
Cathy Iino, First Selectwoman
Dan Colonia explained that user groups were invited to this meeting to discuss re-scheduling options resulting from what appeared to be the imminent closing of HKMS’s fields for renovation. He noted that late this past Friday afternoon he was contacted by Frank Sparks of HKRec who notified him that no fields would be closed. As a result, no schedule changes are necessary but Dan reiterated that the commission would have done everything possible to accommodate their schedules. He then opened the discussion to address any issues of the user groups, noting that the commission will soon prepare its 2011-2012 budget.
SallyAnne Bauer, speaking for KYL, apologized for not attending a commission meeting in the past, and asked the commission for help, stating that the fields are seriously lacking maintenance. She called attention to a lip between the infield and outfield at Rocco causing balls to take dangerous hops, especially hazardous for the younger players now using the field because the poor condition of lower Sheldon has rendered it unusable. KYL also noted the height of the grass and the condition of the dugouts and fence covers were issues, and the commission indicated that these problems had been addressed and were in the process of resolution. The budget was discussed and Bill Silas stated that no pre-set amount had been established specifically for baseball maintenance noting that the commission operated on a skeleton budget in the past. He went on to explain that since upper Sheldon got very little use this year, very little money had been spent on it, but added that clay was dumped and would be spread this week and the weeds had been pulled and sprayed by Langer Landscaping and added that Sheldon should be playable this weekend. Spirited discussion followed regarding the use of Bethke Field for games, KYL’s involvement with maintenance, the commission’s commitment to maintenance and improved communications. Alan Kostek expressed his frustration with the condition and need for the fields, noting KYL is willing to its share of the work, and Dan discussed the budget asking that an improvement “wish list” be submitted as soon as possible to begin planning and budgeting. He also stressed that the group’s meeting are open to the public, encouraged the user groups to attend and address their issues, and offered his own contact information to reach him directly. He reiterated that the Park & Re Commission has always done the best it could with its very limited funding. Dan then summarized the time-line of Wettish opening, Sheldon closing for renovation to improve parking and re-lay fields to optimize space, and then possibly fixing Rocco in the future. Rob Grasso stressed the need for professional maintenance of the fields and Dan indicated that the commission is now preparing the bid package.
Jim Duffield of HK Soccer Club requested that the field schedule be developed earlier in the year because their schedules are prepared in early spring. The group agreed to address the issue in February and Dan reminded that the user groups must work together to allot usage. Jim also noted that outfield areas frequently have holes from baseball that are dangerous for soccer players and asked that baseball coaches check the fields after use. Bill added that the town drops dirt near the shed for that purpose and added that he will ask for more.
5. Communications, Bills and Applications
a. Communications from other agencies are emailed to the commission as received.
b. The following bills were received:
Bill from CL&P in the amount of 45.23
second bill from CL&P in the amount of 39.82
third bill from CL&P in the amount of 39.95
bill from Olsen Sanitation, for August, in the amount of 219.00
bill from Anthony Carri, for August, in the amount of 279.00
bill from recording secretary Dawn Mooney, for August, in the
amount of 66.60
bill from All-Ways Dumpsters Inc, in the amount of 225.00
bill from Langer Contracting, for Bethke Field, in the amount of 400.00
bill from Scoville Landscaping, for mowing grass, in the
amount of 1210.00
*A motion was made by Bill Silas and seconded by Rob Grasso to authorize payment of the above bills. Motion passed unanimously.
Dan noted that the additional bills received by the commission must be examined by Glenn Johnson and Eric Auer prior to discussion and approval.
bill from Winterberry Irrigation 3000.00
*A motion was made by Bill Silas and seconded by Rob Grasso to authorize payment of the above bill pending review and approval by Glenn Johnson and Eric Auer. Motion passed unanimously.
c. No new applications were received.
6. Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Bill Silas reported:
Opening balance $ 50,316.72
Expenses 759.72
Ending balance $ 49,557.00 (1.7% budget expended)
7. Old Business
a. Parks and Field Maintenance/Evaluations
• Sheldon Park – Dan stated that the water fountain issue was resolved and advised he will contact the town to remove the broken bench.
• Rocco – The commission discussed installation of the safety net along the first base line.
• Bethke – nothing specific to discuss.
b. Wettish Property Development
• Construction Progress – Dan noted that the project continues on schedule and within budget, with $50-60,000 contingency remaining. He explained that Glenn, a professional engineer, has volunteered hundreds of hours to the project saving the town approximately $50,000. He further noted that Glenn makes good decisions, protecting the town’s money and producing a quality product. Glenn volunteered to act as the project field engineer, he resolves issues and the commission approves expenditures based on his recommendations. The project is close to completion but more money is needed to finish the parking area, the only remaining issue. Dan added that the Venuti’s attended the Selectmen’s meeting to ask for $37,000, but Glenn and Eric Auer have discussed other lower cost options.
• Change Orders – No new change orders were discussed.
• Irrigation & Phase II – Rob read aloud an email from Glenn addressing irrigation and Phase II design (a copy of which is attached to these minutes). The group discussed the power issue at the site noting that CL&P can now install power because the town permits were issued. Rob went on to explain that Phase II would be farther along but the field location has changed three times because the Planning & Zoning commission and a neighbor had issues with its placement. Dan added that he hopes to go out to bid this winter with construction beginning in the spring, adding it should be a shorter process than Phase I.
8. New business
Cathy Iino advised the commission that she spoke with the fire department who agreed that the two shacks on the Wettish property would be burned as a department training exercise.
Dan explained that he has asked for a $100,000 capital expenditure in next year budget to finish the Wettish Phase II/Sheldon redesign projects noting that the STEAP Grant provides $150,000 for Wettish Phase II and $250,000 for Sheldon. The commission noted that the town must approve that amount. Dan further stated that the biggest expense at Sheldon will be fencing.
9. Adjournment
*A motion was made by Bill Silas and seconded by Rob Grasso to adjourn the meeting at 9:35 PM. Motion passed unanimously.
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