Culture, Parks and Recreation Commission Special Meeting Minutes - 3/30/2017
TOWN OF SIMSBURY – CULTURE, PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION –
Subject to Vote of Approval – Special Meeting Minutes – Thursday, March 30, 2017 – 2 pages
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:31 p.m. in the main meeting room of town hall by David Bush, chairman. Other commission members who were present included Gerry Wetjen, Kelly Kearney, Dennis Fallon, Gerry Post, Sarah Cramer and Bill Mullen. The C. P. & R. Director, Gerry Toner, and the C. P. & R. liaison from the Board of Selectmen, Mike Paine, were also in attendance.
Approval of Minutes
No changes were made to the January 26, 2017 Regular Meeting Minutes. Mr. Bush declared the minutes approved, and requested that they be put on record.
Simsbury Farms Ice Rink – Final Report
Mr. Toner handed out a 1-page spreadsheet titled, “Simsbury Farms Ice Rink Revenue Report – 2016-2017.” Figures were collected through March 2017. Mr. Toner reported that it was a good year for the rink. The condensed skating lesson schedule worked very well. The most well attended public skate times were on Sunday afternoons. The new snack bar brought in $4,600. Rink revenues have been steady due to regular rentals by smaller groups. The Simsbury High School girls’ hockey team used more time this season, and for the first time since the rink opened, the SHS boys’ varsity hockey team used the SF Rink for a home game.
FY17/18 Proposed Budget – Operating and Capital Projects
Mr. Toner met with the Board of Finance last week. Since the amount of available state funds is still unknown, all department heads were asked to prepare contingency budgets. Mr. Bush reported that in light of the budget concerns, the C. P. & R. Department will continue to use a partially subsidized Special Revenue Fund for its FY2017-18 budget. Mr. Paine noted that there will be a 2.8% increase in the Board of Selectman’s budget, and that tough choices will need to be made. An open-to-the-public budget workshop will be held next Thursday.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan - Report
Mr. Toner distributed a 6-page “Request for Qualifications: Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan,” from the town’s Department of Public Works. He also included a follow-up letter dated March 27, 2017 from Ryan Jefferis to Thomas Roy, Director of Public Works, titled, “Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Questions.” It lists seven questions which should be addressed to the five firms which were selected for this project. The study to create a town Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan was funded from last year’s budget. Mr. Toner has become a member of the selection panel so that maintenance funding, practices and standards for the paths—which are typically his department’s responsibility—will be addressed.
Friends of Simsbury Farms - Report
Mr. Wetjen reported that two projects are being planned this year: 1. A new entrance sign for the SF Complex. It will be placed atop a small rock wall, and 2. A short game practice facility for the golf course. He also noted that two new benches for SF are being delivered tomorrow, while the shade structure for the pool will be deferred until next year. The next fund raiser for the Friends will be a golf tournament held on Friday, May 26.
Residential Development Trends Planning Report – Discussion
Mr. Toner distributed a 6-page report written by James Rabbitt, AICP, Director of Planning and Community Development titled, “Town of Simsbury: Residential Development Trends.” It lists new and planned residential development, and estimates how they will increase the overall population of Simsbury. Mr. Wetjen mentioned that a 10% or greater increase in population will significantly impact bike and pedestrian paths, hiking trails and park facilities. Commission members discussed ways in which the C. P. & R. Department could market itself to new residents. Suggestions included: 1. Looking at existing programs to evaluate what is currently offered and what should be developed. 2. Compiling mail and email address lists of new residents for direct marketing. 3. Redesigning the older SF marketing brochures to include updated photographs, and 4. Providing seasonal brochures about golf, swimming and skating programs at the Farms to rental agents at new and existing housing developments.
Simsbury Volunteer Fire Department Donation
Mr. Toner reported that the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Department will be celebrating its 75 year anniversary this year. To honor the occasion, it will donate a piece of playground equipment, designed to look like a fire truck, to the playground on Ironhorse Boulevard. If the current C. P. & R Department budget goes through, it will be installed in the fall to coincide with the planned re-surfacing and refurbishing of the playground. Mr. Wetjen made a motion to gratefully accept this generous donation from the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Department. Mr. Fallon seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously.
Dog Park – Update
Nikki Perry, the only member left on the Paw Meadow Dog Park Committee, presented an oral report. Even though the dog park is used frequently, she admitted that as a committee-of-one, organizing fund raisers or making park improvements has been impossible. With about $6,000 in the bank, and with annual maintenance fees running about $1,000 to $1,500, she estimates that the park could last another 4 to 5 years. The park relies on volunteer users to spread mulch, wheel out the garbage can on pick-up days, prune overgrowth, and monitor dog and human behavior issues. However, things do not always run smoothly. She gets calls whenever problems arise. During the winter months, most calls are about the safety gates in the parking lot being moved. Mark Rudewicz, the town’s Animal Control Officer, has had to gently remind some users about safety issues and proper dog park etiquette. As a simple way of sustaining the park, Ms. Perry suggested using the town’s dog license renewal postcards to ask for dog park volunteers and donations. While this would reach residents who own and love dogs, commission members felt that it would be inappropriate to use a government postcard to solicit donations. They suggested doing a separate mailing, and advertising locally for volunteers. Ms. Perry acknowledged that a mailing had been a very successful initial fund raiser for the park.
New Business. None.
Adjournment
Mr. Fallon made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Wetjen seconded the motion. All were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Next Meeting
The next Regular Meeting of the C. P. & R. Commission will take place on Thursday, April 27, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. in the main meeting room of town hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Lorrie McElligott
Commission Clerk