Culture, Parks and REcreation Commission Meeting Minutes - 03/26/2015
TOWN OF SIMSBURY – CULTURE, PARKS, AND RECREATION COMMISSION –
Subject to Vote of Approval – Regular Meeting Minutes – MARCH 26, 2015
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman David Bush in the Town Hall Main Meeting Room. Commission members who were present included Kelly Kearney, Frank Salls, Dennis Fallon, Gerry Wetjen, and Bill Mullen. Gerry Toner, the C. P. & R. Director, was also there.
Approval of Minutes
Mr. Kearney made a motion to approve the January 22, 2015 C. P. & R. Commission regular meeting minutes. Mr. Salls seconded the motion. Except for Mr. Mullen, who abstained from voting, all were in favor, and the motion passed. Mr. Wetjen made a motion to approve the October 23, 2014 C., P. & R. Commission regular meeting minutes. Mr. Mullen seconded the motion. Except for Mr. Fallon, who abstained from voting, all were in favor, and the motion passed.
Eagle Scout Presentations
Four Eagle Scout projects were presented to the commission.
1. Will Sickinger proposed building a second batting cage at the Town Forest baseball field. A building permit will be needed. Mr. Wetjen made a motion to approve the project. Mr. Fallon seconded the motion. Except for Mr. Bush, who abstained from voting, all were in favor. The motion passed.
2. Jack Mundt proposed cleaning up and increasing the visibility of two of the oldest Farmington River Trail Bicycle entranceways—one on West Mountain Road, and one on Bushy Hill Road. In a nod to the path’s history as a railroad route, the entrances will be marked with reused railroad ties, and the trail markers will look like traditional train signage. Mr. Toner will guide him through any permit or zoning issues. Mr. Mullen made a motion to approve the project. Mr. Wetjen seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion passed.
3. Dan Hsu proposed cleaning up and repairing part of the exercise trail located behind the 3rd hole at SF Golf Course. It is a popular hiking/walking area. He will work with the C. P. & R. Department to rebuild the crumbling retaining wall, level trails, and improve bridges and drainage areas. Mr. Fallon made a motion to approve the project. Mr. Kearney seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion passed.
4. Rigby Michaelson proposed building a shed to house assorted sporting gear for the local Special Olympics. He plans to locate the shed at Simsbury Farms. The shed will provide an accessible, central location for all the gear; free up storage space in several coaches’ homes, and allow for a more accurate inventory. Special Olympics will be providing the funds to build the shed and insure its contents. Mr. Kearney made a motion to approve the project. Mr. Salls seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion passed.
Mr. Bush and Mr. Kearney praised the boys for designing such worthwhile projects and presenting their ideas in a professional manner. The scouts will seek final approval at the April 13 Board of Selectmen meeting.
Simsbury Farms Ice Rink - Final Report
Mr. Toner distributed three spreadsheets which listed revenue through March 2014.
1. 2014/2015 Simsbury Farms Rink Revenue Report.
2. 2014/2015 Skating Season Public Weekend Skate Breakdown.
3. Winter 2014/2015 Concession Summary.
Overall, ice rink programs went well. December 2014 and January 2015 revenues were the highest for the season, as well as the highest over a 10-year period for those months. Regular snow storms on Mondays meant that skating lessons which fell on that day ran longer than expected because of cancelled and rescheduled classes. Mr. Toner reported that his staff provided a winter snack bar as a revenue-increasing experiment. It went well, netting about $1,100. It will be offered again next year, with refinements. When plans for a new rink ‘warming/viewing room’ are finally approved and funded, he mentioned that it would be a logical site to install a concession stand. Simsbury High School and Simsbury Youth Hockey continue to provide a bulk of the income for large group rentals.
FY2015/16 Budget – C. P. & R. Operating and Capital Projects
Mr. Toner expressed his appreciation to Mr. Wetjen, Mr. Spalla, and Mr. Salls for their support by attending the recent public hearings. He reported that the operating budget went through intact. The capital projects budget, which went through a separate hearing, also remained intact. The next steps will be for the budget to go to the Board of Finance for approval, and then through another public hearing for all proposed capital projects. Mr. Wetjen noted, however, that the town must still find a better way to fund the C. P. & R. budget. Continuing to use the Special Revenue Fund to pay for the bulk of 8 year-round staff salaries as well as multiple seasonal or contracted workers is problematic and atypical. Mr. Wetjen was encouraged that Selectmen at the budget hearings were beginning to recognize this.
Open Space Management - Update
Mr. Toner reported that an environmental science major from Trinity College will work for the Department for 10 weeks this summer. The intern will help inventory all of Simsbury’s open space areas. The maintenance master plan for the Ethel Walker School property is nearing completion. Mr. Toner contacted Yale University Forestry School to seek an intern for our forestry management program. Instead of offering an intern, they asked if they could use our forest management sites as classroom laboratories. Mr. Toner agreed. Mr. Toner was also asked to participate in a public hearing about the Hudson/Old Bridge Road property. While the house will probably be torn down, the garage—which is newer and built to withstand flooding—could be used as a pavilion. Planning is still in the preliminary stages, but the property has the potential to be a passive use riverside park with canoe and kayak access. A budget will be established so the C. P. & R. Department will be able to maintain the property.
New Business
Mr. Toner distributed a 1-page report revenue/expense report for the C. P. & R. Department’s 2014-2015 Winter/Spring programs. The new Youth Basketball Program, the HJMS Ski Trip and the Simsbury Spinners Baton Team were the top three most profitable programs. The C. P. & R. Department has been very open about trying new programs, some of which have gained a following. All combined, program net revenues totaled around $30,370.
Old Business. None.
Adjournment
Mr. Salls 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.
Respectfully submitted,
Lorrie McElligott, Commission Clerk