The Wethersfield Recreation and Parks Advisory Board meeting was called to order by Chairman Richard Dobmeier at 7:00 p.m. at the Solomon Welles House. Present were Chairman Dobmeier, Jackie Pentalow, Thomas Ragonese and Kathleen Bagley, Director, Recreation and Parks Department.
No public comments.
Thomas Ragonese moved to approve the minutes. The motion was seconded by Jackie Pentalow and voted unanimously.
Board members discussed the November monthly report.
Ms. Bagley distributed an updated list of members and reported that Town Councilor, Andrew Adil, is Council Liaison with the Board. Ms. Bagley also distributed meeting dates for 2004.
Ms. Bagley reported that the architect has been selected and approved by the Town Council for the Moeller Home. The architect is James Bell of Moser, Pilon, Nelson. This firm did the original study in 2000 and is located in Wethersfield. The anticipated timetable is to negotiate the architect's contract by the first of the year. Ms. Bagley also reported that the Friends of the Nature Center have raised almost $50,000 towards their goal of $100,000.
Ms. Bagley reported that the students on the committee for the Skate Park have been meeting regularly to develop fundraising plans, propose rules and regulations and develop the design. She reported a meeting will be held on January 8, 2004, to review progress to date by the various committees.
Ms. Bagley reported that she has been meeting with members of the community and the school superintendent at each school to discuss plans to use the Community Center for a temporary site for Kindergarten for the school year 2004-05. She reported that the staff at the school department has developed a second alternative for the kindergarten students to be housed while construction is ongoing at Web School. This option will not utilize the Community Center, but put the kindergarten classes at Hanmer, Charles Wright and Highcrest along with six classes at Emerson Williams. Ms. Bagley reported she felt the School Board might accept the option of placing the kindergartens in each individual elementary school.
Board members discussed the priorities for the capital improvement projects requested for next year in the Recreation and Park's budget. All Board members felt the Community Center gymnasium floor was the highest priority based on safety concerns and offering additional gym space in town. After reviewing the remainder of the list of capital improvement projects, the Park Board prioritized the projects according to the recommendation of the Recreation and Parks Department staff. The priorities are listed below.
Ms. Bagley distributed a draft letter to be sent out to residents and community groups who have participated in the Mill Woods Master Plan project. She explained to Board members that this letter is inviting them to a meeting on January 29 to discuss methods to implement the Master Plan and fundraising strategies. Board members reviewed the letter and the attached information and felt it was appropriate at this time to send the letter out under the signature of both the Director of Recreation and Parks and the Chairman of the Advisory Board. Ms. Bagley will put together the mailing for the meeting on January 29, 2004. Thomas Ragonese asked that the Police Department and Fire Department receive invitations to this meeting.
Jackie Pentalow reported that there is a lot of conflict and frustration with the scheduling of the gymnasiums during the fall season. She reported that she spoke with Ms. Bagley regarding the issues surrounding this problem. Ms. Bagley explained that there were a lot of issues that needed to be worked through to make the gyms available to the community. A couple of these issues included the school department eliminating the full time position for scheduling school facilities. The high school gymnasium was closed one weekend while the gym floor was refinished. The Silas Deane Middle School gym has not been available on a regular basis because of the construction work and weather cancellations have disrupted the schedule. Jackie Pentalow felt that it was important that the scheduling of the gyms be looked at fairly and objectively for all groups involved. She is going to work with Ms. Bagley and her staff to review the procedures. She will speak with the President of the Youth Basketball Association, Mr. Vinci, to determine how this scheduling is handled. Ms. Bagley will get Mrs. Pentalow copies of all the school permits utilizing the gymnasium and she will receive an overview of gym use at the various schools. Ms. Bagley feels that the situation will get better in January as the Middle School gym becomes available on a regular basis.
Mr. Ragonese moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. The motion was seconded by Jacky Pentalow and voted unanimously.