Culture, Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - 7/27/2017

TOWN OF SIMSBURY – CULTURE, PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION –

Subject to Vote of Approval – Regular Meeting Minutes – Thursday, July 27, 2017 – 2 pages

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. in the lobby at the Simsbury Farms main building by David Bush, chairman. Other commission members who were present included Gerry Wetjen, Kelly Kearney, Dennis Fallon, Gerry Post, Steve Spalla, and Bill Mullen. The C. P. & R. Director Gerry Toner was also in attendance.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

No changes were made to the June 29, 2017 Special Meeting Minutes. Mr. Bush declared the minutes approved, and requested that they be put on record.

Commission Input – Solar Panel Installation Proposal

Mr. Bush summarized the emailed comments received from commission members regarding the proposed Deepwater Wind solar project to be located on private land off Hoskins and County Roads. Mr. Bush noted that the State DEP was not in favor of this project because it would further decrease the amount of farmland in CT. Member comments could be organized into the following three categories: 1. Commission members are frustrated that residents cannot have control over a project that will be in their back yards. 2. Members also felt that a 156-acre solar installation was not in keeping with the town’s rural character. One member questioned whether this project fit into the overall town development plan. 3. Many members were concerned about the direct benefit to the town. Would it considerably increase tax revenue, while decreasing town energy costs? Because he is also a member of the town Zoning Commission, Mr. Post abstained from submitting any opinions.

Friends of Simsbury Farms – Report

Mr. Wetjen reported that the Friends have a little more than $30,000 in the bank, with more to come. He invited commission members to an open Friends of Simsbury Farms meeting on Wednesday, September 6 at 6:30 p.m. It will be held at the Apple Barn to generate project funding ideas for all interested users of SF. Mr. Wetjen also mentioned that the Friends would like to help with maintenance projects at SF, specifically: 1. Financing a study that would evaluate the health of all the fruit trees, and 2. Buying another 50 chairs and loungers for the pool. After much discussion, commission members decided that the FoSF should not be financing maintenance projects that could be funded in other ways. Fruit trees: Unmaintained fruit trees have caused safety issues throughout the years, from bee infestations to fallen branches. A staff member was recently injured by a branch weighed down by too many apples. Members agreed that a licensed fruit tree arborist must be hired to make a plan for removal, wiring, and pruning. Since the trees are a serious safety hazard, however, they felt that the town should pay for it. Mr. Post also suggested a partnership with Public Works or with a local orchard who might maintain the trees in exchange for collecting and selling the fruit. Pool chairs: Mr. Wetjen mentioned that many of the pool chairs at SF are cracked or duct taped. Unfortunately, the C. P. & R Department’s strained budget has only allowed for the purchase of cheaper chairs. Mr. Kearney suggested having a visual wish list / ‘viewbook’ published on the FoSF web site. This would be a method to generate private funds, while promoting a sense of community ‘ownership’ of SF facilities. For example, individuals, families or businesses could purchase new pool chairs by making a targeted, tax-deductible contribution to the Friends. Mr. Kearney acknowledged that a Friends subcommittee would need to be formed to create and promote this marketing strategy. 

Golf Course / Summer Programs – Report

Golf course. Mr. Toner distributed a spreadsheet titled, “Simsbury Farms Golf Course Annual Income.” It compared 17 years of greens fees and rounds from March through December of 2000 to 2017. Figures were collected through the end of June. It has not been a great season, but Mr. Toner reported that the month of July is level with last year’s numbers. Mr. Wetjen noted that the course is in optimal condition, and the fairways are perfect carpets. All credit was given to Mike Wallace and his team for their fastidious care. A Junior Qualifier Tournament was held yesterday in which 85 kids participated. A closer look at Group On surveys show that: 1. Users consistently rate SF at four- to five-stars, and praise its friendly and accommodating staff, and 2. About 25% to 30% of total GO sales are comprised of non-resident golfers who are coming from Massachusetts, plus Torrington, Bristol and South Windsor, CT.  

Summer Programs. Mr. Toner distributed a 1-page report titled, “Simsbury Culture, Parks and Recreation: Summer Program / Aquatic Report,” which showed numbers for 2016 and 2017 from January 1 through July 24. Camp numbers are running behind last year. Some of the shortfall can be attributed to a 6-week season, and the lack of Pre-Summer Camps. Aquatic numbers are running a little higher than last year. Increased swim lesson sales offset a decrease in daily admission fees, public swim attendance, and snack bar sales.

Capital Projects – Update

One bidder submitted a bid for the second phase of the pool project. It was submitted by the vendor who had successfully completed the first phase of the project. Mr. Toner acknowledged that he would welcome working with them again.

Mr. Toner distributed a 1-page report titled, “Park Improvement Projects: FY 2017/18.” It listed six primary projects with contingency and bonding costs, plus three other projects. In August, the 40-year-old SF Fitness trail asphalt path will be reconstructed and widened by two feet. By doing so, it can be plowed and used in the winter. This fall, a heavily-used roadway to the golf course / park maintenance building will be repaired. A  generator from Public Works, as well as an equipment wash-down facility, will also be installed at that building. Irrigation systems at Curtiss and Memorial Parks will be refurbished, and the interior ice rink roof will be painted. Upgrading the internet and phone lines at the Farms will be coordinated with the installation of new lights. The first park signage project at Town Forest Park came in over budget.  Proposals from other vendors will be solicited.  

Aquatic Staff Report

Mr. Toner noted that the aquatic staff  have done a great job to date. The aquatics director will be invited to give a report at the commission’s September meeting.

Old Business. None.

New Business. None.

Adjournment

Mr. Wetjen made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Fallon 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, September 28, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. in the main meeting room of town hall.

Respectfully submitted,

Lorrie McElligott

Commission Clerk