Burlington Recreation Commission Meeting May 14, 2018 Commissioners in Attendance: Chair Kevin Sullivan, Vice Chair David Norden, Kristine Brown, Thomas Murphy and (Paul Raymond) Staff in Attendance: Parks & Recreation Director Brendan Egan Chair Sullivan called the meeting to order at 6:34pm in Room 121 of the Burlington High School, 123 Cambridge Street. Minutes Commissioner Norden moved to approve the Recreation Commission meeting minutes of April 23, 2018 as printed. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Sullivan. VOTE: 2-0-2 (Commissioner Brown and Commissioner Murphy abstained) Public Participation None Director of Parks and Recreation Report Pandolfo Construction completed a drainage project at Marvin Field. Water was coming across the field and washing out the service road along left field and down to the property below. The water will now be captured on site and there should be no further issues. We also discussed increasing the curbing at the bottom of Blanchard road to keep the water from entering the property. Trees had come down at Rotary Field and Rahanis Park. These trees were too large for the maintenance staff to handle. On Sunday, JP Tree removed the larger section of the tree at Rotary and on Friday JP Tree removed the large tree at Rahanis. Maintenance staff removed what remained of the tree at Rotary on Monday and had taken care of other trees at Rahanis. As for the broken fences at the parks, P & R Director Egan has scheduled a fence company to repair them all at once. After repeated calls by Director Egan for the contractor to do the finish work for the Town Common Electrical project, the contractor hired Domenic Landscaping to complete the work. The landscaper will grade, loom, and hydro seed the disturbed areas next week. The Town Common has been fertilized. A volunteer group from Flexion Therapeutics, will be volunteering on Friday, May 18 on the common weeding, edging and mulching the beds in Recreation Commission Minutes May 14, 2018 - Page 1
preparation for prom pictures. The volunteer group will also be volunteering at the community garden and Rahanis Park clearing debris and maintaining the walkways. A majority of the work has been completed at the Rahanis Park-Dog Park, but it is not open to the public yet. There is a small punch list of items left such as connecting the dog drinking fountains, installing gate hardware, signs and dog bag dispensers. Stone dust will be added to the footpaths coming in to the dog park area. There are plans to have a grand opening on June 16 and among those invited will be: the Recreation Commission, the Friends of the Burlington Dog Park, the Burlington Dog Park Committee, the Stanton Foundation, BCAT and the local papers. The Recreation Commission is invited to attend on June 16: Burlington Dog Park Opening- Rahanis Park at 10am, Time Capsule Installation-Simonds Park at 11:30am, and Mike Kelly s memorial tree planting-simonds Park at 12:30pm. Director Egan will send a reminder to the commission. Professional Development Conferences: Sunday, April 29 Ability Beats: Drums Alive! Instructor Training in Plymouth MA o Attended by Laurel Rossiter, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) Friday May 11 Digital Marketing Conference at the University of New Hampshire o Attended by Jessie Hampson, Assistant Program Coordinator Recreation Commission commented: Commissioner Brown requested the new curbing on Blanchard Road be vertical granite curbing Commissioner Brown was concerned about the road under construction beside the town common and its affects on taking prom pictures at the common Commissioner Sullivan was concerned about the hydro seed being established without an irrigation system on the Town Common and he recommended using a water cannon Commissioner Sullivan inquired about the TRW Outdoor Fitness Equipment, and P & R Director Egan noted a sponsor has been secured and a letter will be sent to the National Fitness Campaign requesting funds Parks Superintendent Report Maintenance staff tasks: Mowing and trimming the athletic fields Older Jacobsen mower had some issues, but it has been resolved Additional seasonal staff have begun assisting maintenance staff Simonds Park wading pool will be uncovered next week; it will be cleaned and painted o New pump was bought last year, so there is a back up pump in case one is taken out of order Recreation Commission Minutes May 14, 2018 Page 2
Programming Report Revenge of the Fifth event it was a successful event and may return next year Family Fishing Festival Saturday May 19 at Mill Pond Reservoir Pre-registration is required o Reservoir was not stocked this year; working on every other year Summer programs are fully staffed at this point The office will have three interns this year: Shannon Milligan, Kate DeAngelis and Kailee Haffler Special Thank you to: Volunteers from Anthem Church for their help with Revenge of the Fifth Commissioner Raymond arrived to the meeting at 7:13pm. Recreation Commission commented: Commissioner Brown requested a summary of what the staff learned from the conferences Commissioner Sullivan wants to ensure the compensation for the Simonds Park Director will attract qualified individuals Chairman s Report Subcommittee Report New Business Approval of Simonds Park Paving Project Bid The Recreation Commission approved the warrant article for the Simonds Park Paving Project at the meeting on February 26, 2018. The lowest bid came in from Vermont Recreational Surfacing and Fencing from Barnet, VT for $109,875. If it is approved by Town Meeting, P & R Director recommended the commission award the bid to Vermont Recreation Surfacing and Fencing. Commissioner Brown moved for the commission to award the paving Simonds Park tennis courts and skate park project to Vermont Recreational Surfacing and Fencing from Barnet, VT for $109,875. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Norden. Recreation Commission Minutes May 14, 2018 Page 3
Modular Unit at Simonds Park P & R Director Egan noted there is limited indoor space at Simonds Park. The indoor space is important for participants to have during the rain and when TR program participants need a calming space. It could be paid for from the revolving account or the Simond s Trust. Commissioner Sullivan requested the unit be insured, and Commissioner Brown was not sure the unit is necessary. Commission Re-Organization Commissioner Sullivan moved to appoint Commissioner Brown as Chairman. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Raymond. Commissioner Brown moved to appoint Commissioner Sullivan as Vice Chairman. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Murphy. Meeting Schedule The Recreation Commission meeting of June 11, 2018 will be canceled, and rescheduled for June 4, 2018. Old Business Executive Session Not Required. Adjournment Motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Sullivan, and seconded by Commissioner Murphy. Meeting adjourned at 7:43 PM. Next meeting is scheduled for June 4, 2018 Recreation Commission Minutes May 14, 2018 Page 4
Respectfully submitted, Noelle Judd Recording Clerk Recreation Commission Minutes May 14, 2018 Page 5