Click here to see the Director's Report

Regular Meeting

April 3, 2008

Present:           Roger Nadeau

                        Charles Fenick

                        Ed Dzwilewski

                        Jackie Curry

                        Milan Keser

Also Present:   David Putnam, Director of Parks and Recreation

                        Rob Wilson, Ex-offico

                        John Savage   

1.  Call to Order.  Chairman Pfanner called the East Lyme Parks and Recreation Regular Meeting of April 3, 2008 to order at 7:00 p.m.

2.  Public Delegations.  Mr. Savage submitted a Facilities Request Form to use McCook Point Park on May 25, 2008 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. for a post-wedding reception.  He requests that they be allowed to reserve the pavilion.  The reception will be catered.  Mr. Savage agreed to clean up after the reception.  Mr. Putnam asked that a list of those attending be provided to him prior to May 25.

MOTION:       Mr. Dzwilewski moved to approve the Facilities

                        Request Form to use McCook Point Park on

                        May 25, 2008 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. for a post-

                        wedding reception, and that he be allowed to

                        reserve the pavilion, providing the fee schedule

                        is paid, and that a Certificate of Insurance is

                        provided by the caterer prior to this event, and that

                        a list of those attending be provided to the Parks

                        and Recreation Office prior to May 25, 2008, and

                        that the area is cleaned up after the reception.

                        Seconded by Mr. Keser.  (4-0) Unanimous.

3.  Approval of Minutes of March 6, 2008.    Mr. Pfanner asked for additions, deletions or corrections to the March 6, 2008 East Lyme Parks and Recreation Regular Meeting Minutes.

MOTION:       Mr. Fenick moved to approve the March 6,

                        2008 East Lyme Parks and Recreation

                        Regular Meeting Minutes, as presented.

                        Seconded by Mr. Dzwilewski.  Mr. Keser

                        abstained from voting.  (3-0-1) Motion carried.

            Commission member Jackie Curry arrived.

4.  Director’s Report.  (See attached reports).

5.  Communications. 

            There were no communications.

6.  UNFINISHED BUSINESS

            Mr. Putnam suggested that the Commission review field usage fees at a future meeting.

            Bret Perry will be awarded the Service to Youth Award at the September Meeting.

7.  COMMITTEE REPORTS 

            There were no committee reports.

8.  NEW BUSINESS

            a.)  Facility Request form from John Ricci representing the Knights of Columbus, requesting use of McCook Point Park Pavilion on August 9, 2008 for a Lobster Festival.  He would like to reserve the pavilion and have electricity available for the band.

            Mr. Putnam has spoken to Mr. Ricci who informed him those attending will park at St. Agnes.

MOTION:       Mr. Dzwilweski moved to approve the Facilities Request

                        form from the Knights of Columbus to use McCook

                        Point Park on August 8, 2008 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.,

                        for a Lobster Festival, and that they be allowed to reserve

                        the pavilion, and that a Certificate of Insurance be

                        provided to the Parks and Recreation Office prior to this

                        event and necessary fees are paid for reserving the pavilion.

                        Seconded by Mrs. Curry.  (5-0) Unanimous.

            Mr. Wilson arrived.

            b.)  Facility Request form from Taylor Lee Jones, requesting use of the soccer field at Bridebrook Park for a Hockey Exchange Camp on July 18, 2008 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

            It was felt that this event may interfere with local requests.  Mr. Jones was not an East Lyme resident, and there were no East Lyme residents participating in this event.

MOTION:       Mr. Fenick moved to disapprove the Facilities Request

                        form from Hockey Exchange Camp to use Bridebrook

                        Park Soccer Field on July 18, 2008 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

                        Seconded by Mrs. Curry.  (5-0) Unanimous

            Mr. Wilson reported the budgets are being worked on.

            He wishes to thank Ed Ball and Mike Rak for their work for the Varsity High School scrimmage.

            He informed the Commission the Gateway developers have had discussions with surrounding neighbors and downsized the residential area.

9.  FYI

            a.)  March bills.  The March bills were reviewed.

            b.)  March program budget report.  The March program budget report was reviewed.

10.  ADJOURNMENT

MOTION:       Mr. Keser moved to adjourn the East Lyme

                        Parks and Recreation Regular Meeting of April 3,

                        2008 at 7:45 p.m.  Seconded by Mr. Fenick.  (5-0)

                        Unanimous.

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        Frances Ghersi, Recording Secretary

Director’s Report

April 3, 2008

McCook Point Park:

• Construction on the bathrooms at Hole-n-Wall is going well.  They hope to be completed in mid-May.  Parking Lot renovations are scheduled to begin in early May.  Contractor is required to leave open access to the Boardwalk and Beach and provide parking for 30 vehicles. We are working with UCONN on native and sustainable plantings for landscaping of the parking lot.
• We are receiving many requests for use of the Picnic Pavilion during the season.  Our policies state that we do not reserve during that time.  Not sure of the history about why not during the season but would like the Commission to consider revising this policy.
• First order for benches has been submitted and will be shipped later this week.  We will be installing later this spring.
• McCook stickers will go on sale Monday May 5, the vendor ad’s for McCook, Cini Park and Peretz Park appeared in the paper on March 22 and 23.

Athletic Facilities:

• Spring sports are in full swing with Lacrosse, Baseball and Softball seasons all starting.  Fields are in excellent shape.  High School Softball opener is scheduled for tomorrow.
• I am still working on updating our field usage fees and will have a draft for the Commission at our next meeting.

Budget:

• Our budget review with the board of Finance was conducted on March 27, the board was very supportive of the department.

Miscellaneous:

• The spring program brochure was delivered to every home in East Lyme and Niantic.  We have received many compliments and have seen an increase in our program registrations.