Regular Meeting March 14, 2011
Killingworth Park and Recreation Commission
Regular Meeting March 14, 2011
The Killingworth Park and Recreation Commission held a Regular Meeting on Monday, March 14, 2011, at 8:00 PM at the Killingworth Town Office Building, 323 Route 81, Killingworth, Connecticut.
Present: Rob Grasso
Sallyanne Bauer
Glenn Johnson
Bill Silas
Scot Thomas
Absent: Dan Colonia
1. Vice-Chairman Scot Thomas called the meeting to order at 8:07 PM.
2. Minutes of: Special Meeting held February 17, 2011
*A motion was made by Glenn Johnson and seconded by Bill Silas to accept the minutes of the February 17, 2011 meetings as written. Rob Grasso abstained. Motion passed.
3. There were no visitors present.
4. Communications, Bills and Applications
a. Communications from other agencies are emailed to the commission as received.
b. The following bills were received:
Bill from Roger Nemergut Consulting, for finalized site plans, in the amount of 765.00
bill from Scoville Landscaping, dated Oct. 10, to roll Rocco field,
in the amount of 400.00
bill from recording secretary Dawn Mooney, for Dec. and Jan.,
in the amount of 66.60
*A motion was made by Glenn Johnson and seconded by Bill Silas to authorize payment of the above bills. Motion passed unanimously.
Scot informed the group that the CL&P bills approved last month were in the amounts of $38.50, $38.77 and $39.29.
c. The following applications were received:
Application from HK Rec Dept. for the use of upper Sheldon Field, 7/5/11 to 8/2/11, Tues. til dusk, for Summer Soccer Fun.
The commission tabled this application until the next meeting in April.
5. Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Bill Silas reported:
Opening balance $ 38,413.42
Expenses 737.55
Ending balance $ 37,675.87 (approx. 25.2% of budget)
*A motion was made by Glenn Johnson and seconded by Rob Grasso to accept the above Treasurer’s Report. Motion passed unanimously.
New commission member SallyAnne Bauer questioned the budget process and detailed discussion followed. Bill explained that in previous years, the commission’s budget was much smaller, but with the addition of the Killingworth Recreation Park and the assumption of field maintenance responsibilities, the budget has now increased. The group also discussed the decision-making process and the timing of expenditures. Discussion of the tractor in the storage shed at Sheldon Field followed. Bill explained that the town owns the John Deere tractor and the group discussed its need to rake the fields at Sheldon and this tractor’s possible uses. Scot indicated that he or Dan would investigate this further.
6. Old Business
a. Parks and Field Maintenance/Evaluations
The commission discussed the Facilities Assessment Sheets that Dan completed after the field walk-throughs (a copy of which is attached to these minutes).
• Sheldon Field – The commission noted the need for a new flag and discussed the green backstop area stating there is no need for base paths because the area is used by lacrosse and soccer.
*A motion was made by Bill Silas and seconded by SallyAnne Bauer to purchase a new American flag for Sheldon Field. Motion passed unanimously.
Rob stated that he is coordinating a group of high school students to clean up the park (branches and trash) and paint the backstop, benches, picnic tables,… to get community service hours. Bill will get price quotes for rolling specific areas vs. rolling the entire upper field after the ground dries but before the season starts, as well as prices for aerating and/or seeding, stone for the parking lots and top soil. He added he will contact Walter Adametz for a keyed padlock to secure the back gate, will purchase a new stop sign and investigate chains for the swings and a new spring for the broken rocking animal.
*A motion was made by Glenn Johnson and seconded by SallyAnne Bauer to purchase a new stop sign for Sheldon Field. Motion passed unanimously.
The group discussed the need for new fence topper and discussed matching the existing yellow color where necessary, but using green when not contiguous.
*A motion was made by Bill Silas and seconded by Rob Grasso to purchase two 100’ rolls of fence topper, color to be determined, up to $300.00. Motion passed unanimously.
Scot said he will repair the benches and is investigating new rails for the bridge on the pond. The commission also discussed the use of upper field (baseball, lacrosse and soccer) and whether to cut back the grass at second base, but decided to table further discussion until the next meeting. Bill noted that he will investigate removing crabgrass and rolling lower field.
• Rocco Field – Rob questioned if Rocco field had been rolled or aerated in the fall and Bill answered that it was not aerated but had been rolled by Schumack Construction who was sub-contracted by Scoville Landscaping. The group discussed what appeared to be frost heaves in the outfield noting it should be rolled. Bill added that he will get prices for top soil and stone dust for dugouts and batting cage. Scot stated that he will get prices to repair or replace the backstop pole and will investigate mesh/net to be installed at the same time. Scot and Bill discussed their plans to install the new kiosk on the side of the storage shed. The group then discussed the need to repair or replace the benches in the dugouts and wood vs. aluminum was discussed.
*A motion was made by Glenn Johnson and seconded by SallyAnne Bauer to approve up to $1000 to purchase two portable aluminum benches for the dugouts at Rocco Field. Motion passed unanimously.
The committee went on to discuss the water tank that KYL requested and SallyAnne presented last year’s price quote. SallyAnne also noted that KYL will repair the nails coming through the roofs of the dugouts.
*A motion was made by Glenn Johnson and seconded by Bill Silas to approve up to $400 to purchase a water tank for KYL use to water the infield at Rocco Field. Motion passed unanimously.
Glenn then discussed the drainage issue at Rocco stating that the optimal permanent solution, a trench through the outfield, would cost approximately $5000. Bill noted that there is already a dry well in the flooded area and offered to show the members it’s location. The group discussed possible solutions including cleaning and re-covering it, installing a pump and using a temporary pump. Glenn offered to investigate the options for the next meeting.
• Bethke Field – Bill stated that he will get quotes for top soil, will check on bench end caps and added that the new gate is in the town garage awaiting installation. Scot offered to investigate the fence end caps.
b. Killingworth Recreation Park (KRP) Development
• Phase I – Glenn stated that he is still trying to resolve the irrigation issue. He also noted that he has written a letter of final completion and submitted it to the town.
• Phase II – Glenn reported that he submitted the P&Z and IWWC applications for final approval and prepared a project narrative for P&Z (a copy of which is attached to these minutes). He added that they had also requested an archeological study and the commission discussed whether such a study was conducted for Phase I.
c. Sheldon Park Re-Design
Glenn presented three conceptual designs for Sheldon Park and the group discussed and compared the options, comparing the pin-wheel layout with the others and noting the need for a pavilion at one of the town’s parks.
7. New Business
• Park Maintenance Contract – Bill and Scot stated that Eric Auer had given Dan a list of items to include in the maintenance contract adding that he suggested bidding the 3 existing field maintenance in one contract and a separate contract for the KRP maintenance. The group also discussed duration of contract and decided to table further discussion until the next meeting..
• Election of Secretary - The commission discussed the Secretary vacancy created by Susan Dean’s resignation and SallyAnne agreed to serve as Secretary.
*A motion was made by Glenn Johnson and seconded by Rob Grasso to approve nomination of SallyAnne Bauer to fill the Secretary vacancy created by Susan Dean’s resignation. Motion passed unanimously.
8. Adjournment
*A motion was made by Bill Silas and seconded by Glenn Johnson to adjourn the meeting at 9:52 PM. Motion passed unanimously.
Regular Meeting March 14, 2011
The Killingworth Park and Recreation Commission held a Regular Meeting on Monday, March 14, 2011, at 8:00 PM at the Killingworth Town Office Building, 323 Route 81, Killingworth, Connecticut.
Present: Rob Grasso
Sallyanne Bauer
Glenn Johnson
Bill Silas
Scot Thomas
Absent: Dan Colonia
1. Vice-Chairman Scot Thomas called the meeting to order at 8:07 PM.
2. Minutes of: Special Meeting held February 17, 2011
*A motion was made by Glenn Johnson and seconded by Bill Silas to accept the minutes of the February 17, 2011 meetings as written. Rob Grasso abstained. Motion passed.
3. There were no visitors present.
4. Communications, Bills and Applications
a. Communications from other agencies are emailed to the commission as received.
b. The following bills were received:
Bill from Roger Nemergut Consulting, for finalized site plans, in the amount of 765.00
bill from Scoville Landscaping, dated Oct. 10, to roll Rocco field,
in the amount of 400.00
bill from recording secretary Dawn Mooney, for Dec. and Jan.,
in the amount of 66.60
*A motion was made by Glenn Johnson and seconded by Bill Silas to authorize payment of the above bills. Motion passed unanimously.
Scot informed the group that the CL&P bills approved last month were in the amounts of $38.50, $38.77 and $39.29.
c. The following applications were received:
Application from HK Rec Dept. for the use of upper Sheldon Field, 7/5/11 to 8/2/11, Tues. til dusk, for Summer Soccer Fun.
The commission tabled this application until the next meeting in April.
5. Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Bill Silas reported:
Opening balance $ 38,413.42
Expenses 737.55
Ending balance $ 37,675.87 (approx. 25.2% of budget)
*A motion was made by Glenn Johnson and seconded by Rob Grasso to accept the above Treasurer’s Report. Motion passed unanimously.
New commission member SallyAnne Bauer questioned the budget process and detailed discussion followed. Bill explained that in previous years, the commission’s budget was much smaller, but with the addition of the Killingworth Recreation Park and the assumption of field maintenance responsibilities, the budget has now increased. The group also discussed the decision-making process and the timing of expenditures. Discussion of the tractor in the storage shed at Sheldon Field followed. Bill explained that the town owns the John Deere tractor and the group discussed its need to rake the fields at Sheldon and this tractor’s possible uses. Scot indicated that he or Dan would investigate this further.
6. Old Business
a. Parks and Field Maintenance/Evaluations
The commission discussed the Facilities Assessment Sheets that Dan completed after the field walk-throughs (a copy of which is attached to these minutes).
• Sheldon Field – The commission noted the need for a new flag and discussed the green backstop area stating there is no need for base paths because the area is used by lacrosse and soccer.
*A motion was made by Bill Silas and seconded by SallyAnne Bauer to purchase a new American flag for Sheldon Field. Motion passed unanimously.
Rob stated that he is coordinating a group of high school students to clean up the park (branches and trash) and paint the backstop, benches, picnic tables,… to get community service hours. Bill will get price quotes for rolling specific areas vs. rolling the entire upper field after the ground dries but before the season starts, as well as prices for aerating and/or seeding, stone for the parking lots and top soil. He added he will contact Walter Adametz for a keyed padlock to secure the back gate, will purchase a new stop sign and investigate chains for the swings and a new spring for the broken rocking animal.
*A motion was made by Glenn Johnson and seconded by SallyAnne Bauer to purchase a new stop sign for Sheldon Field. Motion passed unanimously.
The group discussed the need for new fence topper and discussed matching the existing yellow color where necessary, but using green when not contiguous.
*A motion was made by Bill Silas and seconded by Rob Grasso to purchase two 100’ rolls of fence topper, color to be determined, up to $300.00. Motion passed unanimously.
Scot said he will repair the benches and is investigating new rails for the bridge on the pond. The commission also discussed the use of upper field (baseball, lacrosse and soccer) and whether to cut back the grass at second base, but decided to table further discussion until the next meeting. Bill noted that he will investigate removing crabgrass and rolling lower field.
• Rocco Field – Rob questioned if Rocco field had been rolled or aerated in the fall and Bill answered that it was not aerated but had been rolled by Schumack Construction who was sub-contracted by Scoville Landscaping. The group discussed what appeared to be frost heaves in the outfield noting it should be rolled. Bill added that he will get prices for top soil and stone dust for dugouts and batting cage. Scot stated that he will get prices to repair or replace the backstop pole and will investigate mesh/net to be installed at the same time. Scot and Bill discussed their plans to install the new kiosk on the side of the storage shed. The group then discussed the need to repair or replace the benches in the dugouts and wood vs. aluminum was discussed.
*A motion was made by Glenn Johnson and seconded by SallyAnne Bauer to approve up to $1000 to purchase two portable aluminum benches for the dugouts at Rocco Field. Motion passed unanimously.
The committee went on to discuss the water tank that KYL requested and SallyAnne presented last year’s price quote. SallyAnne also noted that KYL will repair the nails coming through the roofs of the dugouts.
*A motion was made by Glenn Johnson and seconded by Bill Silas to approve up to $400 to purchase a water tank for KYL use to water the infield at Rocco Field. Motion passed unanimously.
Glenn then discussed the drainage issue at Rocco stating that the optimal permanent solution, a trench through the outfield, would cost approximately $5000. Bill noted that there is already a dry well in the flooded area and offered to show the members it’s location. The group discussed possible solutions including cleaning and re-covering it, installing a pump and using a temporary pump. Glenn offered to investigate the options for the next meeting.
• Bethke Field – Bill stated that he will get quotes for top soil, will check on bench end caps and added that the new gate is in the town garage awaiting installation. Scot offered to investigate the fence end caps.
b. Killingworth Recreation Park (KRP) Development
• Phase I – Glenn stated that he is still trying to resolve the irrigation issue. He also noted that he has written a letter of final completion and submitted it to the town.
• Phase II – Glenn reported that he submitted the P&Z and IWWC applications for final approval and prepared a project narrative for P&Z (a copy of which is attached to these minutes). He added that they had also requested an archeological study and the commission discussed whether such a study was conducted for Phase I.
c. Sheldon Park Re-Design
Glenn presented three conceptual designs for Sheldon Park and the group discussed and compared the options, comparing the pin-wheel layout with the others and noting the need for a pavilion at one of the town’s parks.
7. New Business
• Park Maintenance Contract – Bill and Scot stated that Eric Auer had given Dan a list of items to include in the maintenance contract adding that he suggested bidding the 3 existing field maintenance in one contract and a separate contract for the KRP maintenance. The group also discussed duration of contract and decided to table further discussion until the next meeting..
• Election of Secretary - The commission discussed the Secretary vacancy created by Susan Dean’s resignation and SallyAnne agreed to serve as Secretary.
*A motion was made by Glenn Johnson and seconded by Rob Grasso to approve nomination of SallyAnne Bauer to fill the Secretary vacancy created by Susan Dean’s resignation. Motion passed unanimously.
8. Adjournment
*A motion was made by Bill Silas and seconded by Glenn Johnson to adjourn the meeting at 9:52 PM. Motion passed unanimously.
