Minutes

Monthly meeting: Monday, February 9, 2004 in the Aldermanic Chambers of City Hall.

Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.

By roll call, members present: John Walsh, Al Felice, Matt Cripps and Robert Bell. David Mikos, Karen Izzo and Edward Handi were excused.

Parks and Recreation Director Dennis O’Connell was present. Athletic Director Kenneth Marcucio was absent.

Aditions or deletions to the agenda:

Without objection, the agenda was accepted as written.

approval of minutes:

A motion was made by Al Felice and second by Matt Cripps. Move to accept the minutes of the meeting on January 12, 2004, as written. Motion carried unanimously.

Public portion:

No one was present and public portion was closed.

Correspondences:

Nothing was presented.

NEW or OTHER BUSINESS:

Nothing was presented.

DIRECTOR REPORTS:

Parks & Recreation Director’s Report: Mr. O'Connell reported that the youth basketball leagues are going very well and will be wrapping up by the end of February.

Little League registration is underway and the league is exploring regional play with the adjoining towns. They played with Ansonia last year and it went well. This would expand the teams opportunities to play opponents otherwise the Derby teams are scheduled multiple times against other teams within the Derby league. The Babe Ruth league has been meeting and anticipates having teams for ages 13-15 with regional play for the league.

Youth Soccer league registration is underway.

As reported last month Shelton has received approval to lease the State land for the skate park. The Commission’s attended the Neighborhood Committee to update them on the park and to coordinate the finances and the legalities of this joint venture with Shelton. Shelton is anxious to expedite the process.

The budget is going well. Mr. O'Connell was watching the maintenance and supplies line items. The boiler at the Derby Veteran's Community Center was replaced.

Athletic Director’s Report: Mr. Marcucio was not present.

Committee Reports:

Finance Committee – The Committee will be meeting to begin drafting the 2004-2005 budget. The Commission is aware of the restructuring of the Public Works department and they anticipate that the changes will benefit the Parks Department.

Programs Committee – Nothing was reported.

Facilities Committee – Mr. Felice and City Engineer Michael Joyce met with the Neighborhood Committee to outline all of the things that have to occur as per stipulations and/or requirements to the regulatory approvals to move forward with the soccer fields. The Building Committee is working on the entrance detail for Witek Park as per the Planning & Zoning Commission stipulation. The design will not be as grand as the original design and the lights will not be installed at the time of construction due to the vandalism that is occurring at the Park. The details of the turf management plan are being discussed. The Derby Inland Wetlands Agency required water testing and the Board of Apportionment and Taxation will be approached for funding. The testing can be done once the reservoirs melt. The Board of Alderman will be voting on awarding the contract this week. Work can begin prior to finalizing the turf management plan and the entrance detail as these items deal with details toward the end of construction. The recommendation is to begin work as soon as possible to begin removal of the trees while the ground is still frozen resulting in less disturbance of the soil. Soil and erosion control measures must be put in place prior to any work commencing. The litigation is still pending.

There was nothing further to report on the Greenway but it is hopeful that construction will begin in the spring.

A motion was made by Robert Bell and second by Al Felice. Move to adjourn this meeting at 7:30 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.

The next Parks & Recreation Commission meeting will be Monday, March 8, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. If the Aldermanic Chambers are unavailable then the Veteran’s room will be requested.

Respectfully prepared,
Karen Kemmesies, secretary