East Lyme Parks and Recreation Commission

Regular Meeting

May 1, 2008

Present: Robert Pfanner

Roger Nadeau

Charles Fenick

Ed Dzwilewski

Jackie Curry

Milan Keser

William Willetts

Also Present: David Putnam, Director of Parks and Recreation

Robert Robishaw

Robin Greer

Grant Livingston

Michael Elliott

Michael and Tyler Andrews

Joseph Zrenda

1. Call to Order. Chairman Pfanner called the East Lyme Parks and Recreation Regular Meeting of May 1, 2008 to order at 7:05 p.m.

2. Public Delegations. Mr. Zrenda and Mr. Fritz submitted a Facilities Request Form for War at the Shore Tournaments to use the Bridebrook Park Soccer and Utility fields on August 30 and August 31 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for a Youth Soccer Tournament.

Mr. Putnam stated that only one field can be used because of wear and tear on the fields. He asked that they not use the fields in inclement weather. Mr. Zrenda agreed not to use the fields in inclement weather and was agreeable to using only one field.

Mr. Dzwilewski asked what is the age group of the youngsters who would participate? Mr. Zrenda replied 9-14 years old.

Mr. Dzwilewski asked what will be charged to participate? Mr. Zrenda replied $250 per team.

Mr. Zrenda stated they are looking to see if there is enough interest in this tournament. They are willing to work around local schedules.

Mr. Keser asked who is the referee for this soccer tournament. Mr. Zrenda replied

Mr. Fritz and Mr. Crow.

MOTION: Mr. Dzwilewski moved to approve War at the Shore

Tournaments to have a Youth Soccer Tournament

on August 30 and August 31, 2008 from 9 a.m. to

6 p.m., at the Fire House Field, providing a

Certificate of Insurance is given to the Parks and

Recreation Office prior to this event and that fees

are paid, and if the weather is inclement the event

will be cancelled. Seconded by Mr. Fenick. (7-0)

Unanimous.

Robert Robishaw presented a vendor proposal for Samuel Peretz Park @ Bridebrook for 2008 in the amount of $500. He submitted his payment requirements, health insurance and provided his menu.

Mr. Putnam stated he was vendor a Samuel Peretz Park @ Bridebrook in 2007, and there was no problem.

MOTION: Mrs. Curry moved to approve the McCook Point

Park-Hole-N-Wall Beach Vendor Proposal for 2008

in the amount of $500. Seconded by Mr. Keser.

(7-0) Unanimous.

Mrs. Greer and Mr. Livingston discussed an event during a Little League practice. Mrs. Greer presented correspondence to the Commission. Mr. Livingston agreed to provide the May 5 Minutes to the Commission. Mr. Livingston stated this matter will be referred to Little League International.

Michael Andrews, representing Rain Forest Alliance, submitted a Facilities Request to use the Pavilion at McCook Point Park for the Second Annual Rain Forest Fun Day, on September 7, 2008 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a rain date of September 21, 2008.

Tyler Andrews reported five years ago he read a book on the Rain Forest and he wants to help save the Rain Forest. This event gives youngsters a chance to have fun. We have a dunking booth, an obstacle course, cotton candy, and moon bounce.

Michael Andrews informed the Commission last year this event raised $1,192 and saved 1300 square feet of the rainforest in Mexico.

MOTION: Mr. Keser moved to approve the Facilities Request

of Michael and Tyler Andrews to use the Pavilion

at McCook Point Park for the Second Annual Rain

Forest Fun Day on September 7, 2008 from 12:00 p.m.

to 4:00 p.m., with a rain date of September 21, 2008,

with the same conditions as the 2007 Fun Day.

(7-0) Unanimous.

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

The following corrections were noted: On page 1 item 1, Mr. Nadeau was Chairman and item 3 Mr. Nadeau asked for additions, deletions or corrections to the March 6, 2008 East Lyme Parks and Recreation Regular Meeting Minutes.

MOTION: Mr. Dzwilewski moved to approve the April 3,

2008 East Lyme Parks and Recreation

Regular Meeting Minutes, as presented.

Seconded by Mr. Nadeau. Mr. Willetts and

Mr. Pfanner abstained from voting. (5-0-2)

Motion carried.

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

MOTION: Mr. Fenick moved to authorize the Lions Club

to use the Dirt Parking Area outside Vets

Field (triangle) for overflow parking during

the Lobsterfest and Art Show during July 4th

weekend and for overnight campers, provided

a list of names is provided to the Parks and

Recreation Office prior to the July 4 weekend.

Seconded by Mr. Dzwilewski. (7-0) Unanimous

5. Communications.

a.) Letter from Robin Greer regarding East Lyme Little League.

6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

a.) Athletic Field Usage Fees. The Commission reviewed Athletic Field Usage Fees. It was felt that the use of athletic fields for practice and game fees should be doubled, and that fees may be reduced or waived by the Commission.

MOTION: Mr. Nadeau moved to accept the Athletic

Field Usage Fees as modified, and it

include that the fees may be reduced or

waived by the Commission. Seconded by

Mr. Dzwilewski. (7-0) Unanimous

7. COMMITTEE REPORTS

There were no committee reports.

8. NEW BUSINESS

a.) Vendor Proposal from Flavor King Ice Cream for McCook Point Park/Hole N’ Wall Beach for 2008 Season.

MOTION: Mr. Dzwilewski moved to approve the McCook

Point Park-Hole-N-Wall Beach Proposal for 2008

from Flavor King Ice Cream in the amount of

$1800. Seconded by Mrs. Curry. (7-0) Unanimous.

b.) Vendor Proposal from Kings Dogs or Samuel M. Peretz Park @ Bridebrook for 2008 Season.

c.) Facility Request Form from Michael Andrews representing Rain Forest Alliance, requesting use of the Pavilion at McCook Point Park for the Second Annual Rain Forest Fun Day, September 7, 2008 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a rain date of September 21, 2008.

d.) Letter from Melissa O’Brien, Executive Director of East Lyme Youth Services, and requesting use of McCook Point Park for their beach parties and beach dances on Monday and Wednesday evening during the months of June, July and August 2008.

MOTION: Mr. Fenick moved to approve the request from

East Lyme Youth Services to use McCook Point

Park for their beach parties and beach dances on

Monday and Wednesday evening during the

months of June, July and August 2008. Seconded

by Mr. Nadeau. (7-0) Unanimous

Mr. Keser and Mr. Fenick discussed the success of Tops Soccer.

9. FYI

a.) April bills. The April bills were reviewed.

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

10. ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: Mr. Dzwilewski moved to adjourn the East Lyme

Parks and Recreation Regular Meeting of May 1,

2008 at 8:40 p.m. Seconded by Mr. Nadeau. (7-0)

Unanimous.

Respectfully submitted,

Frances Ghersi, Recording Secretary

Director’s Report

May 1, 2008

McCook Point Park:

On Friday April 25 a tree dedication ceremony was held in memory of Wes Jezierski, Wes served as the towns tree warden for 37 years. A Homestead Elm Tree has been planted at the park in recognition of his years of service.
On May 10 we are co-sponsoring a Touch-A-Truck program in cooperation with the Child and Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut. Event will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the upper field of the park.
Beach stickers will go on sale Monday, May 5.
We will start with Gate and Boardwalk Attendants on Saturday May 24.
HR Barber will be at the beach on May 14^th to do our annual beach cleaning.
Hole in the Wall building is progressing nicely. Exterior is almost ½ done while framing to the inside walls has begun.

Athletic Facilities:

War at the Shore Baseball Tournament concluded this past weekend everything went smoothly on our end. They have two tournaments left Memorial Day Weekend and July 4^th Weekend.
All leagues are in full swing, maintenance crew has done an outstanding job of getting fields and irrigation systems up and running.
Attended a meeting today with representatives from the Board of Education, the Town and Field Turf regarding a infill turf field at the High School.
Provided is a draft of field usage fees for your review and recommendations.
I received a request from the Lions Club to use the Dirt Parking Area outside Vets Field (triangle) for overflow parking during the Lobster Fest and Art Show during July 4^th weekend. Camp Rell is not available because of ongoing construction. Some overnight parking of campers and vendors will take place.
Men’s Softball will begin on May 12^th.

Budget:

The Re-instatement of the Full Time Maintainers position has been cut to part-time seasonal employee, budget request funding was cut in half. Board of Finance has also increased our revenue account by $10,000.00. Capital Improvement Budget still includes the Mower and Beach Groomer.

Miscellaneous:

We have working with Youth Services on the garden project in the front of the building. Stop and Shop is donating three trees to the department; two of which will go to the Community Center the other to Veterans Field.
Summer Brochure is going through final editing and will be mailed to each home the week of May 17. Office staff has done an outstanding job putting material together.