Rec Bannere

Park and Recreation Commission

Minutes

Monthly meeting: Monday, August 11, 2003 in the Aldermanic Chambers of City Hall.

Meeting was called to order at 7:0 p.m.

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

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

additions or deletions to the agenda:

Without objection, the agenda was accepted.

approval of minutes:

A motion was made by Matt Cripps and second by Edward Handi. Move to accept the minutes of the meeting on July 21, 2003, as written. Motion carried unanimously.

A motion was made by Al Felice and second by Matt Cripps. Move to accept the minutes of the special meeting on July 7, 2003, as written. Motion carried unanimously.

Public portion:

No one was present and the public portion was closed.

Correspondences:

Economic Development Director Richard Dunne wrote to the Mayor and the Board of Alderman regarding the skate park report expressing opposition to the choice of the Onopiak property and he recommended suspending the process for thirty days so as to pursue the joint venture with Shelton.

NEW or OTHER BUSINESS:

Planning for a Skate Park: The Commission is awaiting a response to the report sent to the Board of Alderman. Chairman Walsh indicated that he has received favorable response from many residents for exploring the joint venture with Shelton.

DIRECTOR REPORTS:

Parks & Recreation Director’s Report: Mr. O'Connell indicated that the Summer Playground Program registered 130 children. It went well and finished on August 8th with a pizza party at the Derby Veteran's Community Center.

The football field has been readied with the placement of the light. Cheerleaders (6 squads) have been practicing on the field. The football teams (8 teams) and soccer teams (2 teams) have also practiced but they are being encouraged to stay off the field as much as possible and practice elsewhere. Each team will be given pre-game practice time on the field.

At Bradley School, the Little League graduates, a division of the Orange league that includes 13 year olds, will be playing on Saturdays and Sundays.

The fall Little League Program plays in the Seymour League and will be playing in Seymour, Beacon Falls and other regional towns. Most games will be played out of town being that the Derby Pop Warner program utilizes the Derby facility.

Fall Soccer utilizes the Bradley School facility.

The High School fast-pitch girl’s league will be utilizing the softball field at Ryan as well as the fields at Bradley on Sunday mornings.

The lights have been purchased for the picnic grove, as per the request of Pop Warner, and should be installed in the next week or two.

The Derby Veteran's Community Center will be shut down for two weeks for maintenance on the pool. The pump system will be repaired and the surface around the pool will be sealed. The intent is to close down the last week in August and the first week in September.

It was noted that the 2002-2003 fiscal year closed with 95% expended. The revenue figure ended with a figure of $43,911, which is more than double the amount set at the start of the budget.

Athletic Director’s Report: Mr. Marcucio was not present. Chairman Walsh stated that he has communicated with Dr. Gotowala and will be arranging a meeting with the Athletic Sub-Committee in the near future.

Committee Reports:

Programs Committee – Nothing was reported.

Facilities Committee – Mr. Felice stated that a special Committee was charged with examining the needs for youth baseball and softball. Between the boys and girls programs there are approximately 310 participants. This number seems to remain consistent over the past few years. The boy’s programs support 4 major league teams, 4 minor league teams and 6 T-ball teams. The girl’s programs support 4 major league teams, 1 travel team and 4 minor league teams.

The Committee determined that 2 full-size tournament fields, 1 full-size dual purpose Little League/softball field and 2 T-ball fields were needed in addition to the Ryan and Bradley softball fields already existing. The Committee indicated that the fields should be irrigated. Other needs were for a field house with bathroom, concession stand and storage capabilities; bleachers, dugouts, bullpens and ample parking. Some members would also like to see the tournament fields lighted and possibly the field house should be air-conditioned. An enclosed batting cage would be advantageous.

It was noted that the results of the assessment were consistent with the 1999 Master Plan. Members indicated that redevelopment plans such as the HALO project could affect the programs but this could not be projected at this time.

A motion was made by Robert Bell and second by Edward Handi. Move to support the recommendation, as presented, as it is consistent with the 1999 Master Plan for Recreation. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Felice indicated that the Witek Park Building Committee will meet on August 13th. The Committee will be reviewing the conditions and stipulations applied from the regulatory agencies.

Mr. Handi questioned if there has been further discussion on the revenue surplus with the Board of Apportionment and Taxation. He felt it would be favorable to have this funding for other capital projects. It was decided that this matter will be pursued at a later date.

Members also suggested that the Public Works Director be invited to a meeting to review the facilities and necessary maintenance issues.

A motion was made by Edward Handi and second by Al Felice. Move to adjourn this meeting at 8:06 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.

The next Parks & Recreation Commission meeting will be Monday, September 8, 2003 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


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