[NOTE: These minutes are made available to the public prior to Artificial Surface Football Field Advisory Committee acceptance.]
Chairperson Jon Cathcart called the meeting to order at 6:12 pm. In attendance was Brian DiCicco, Sheila Suppicich, Ron Rodd, Bill Dest, Tony DiCiocco, Jay Cottone, Athletic Director; Bonnie Therrien, Town Manager; Kathy Bagley, Director of Recreation and Parks; and Michael Turner, Town Engineer. Also in attendance was Joe DiGeronimo from DMA/DiGeronimo-Mikula Associates, a consultant hired by the Town to assist with the interviews.
The Committee reviewed for a final time their interview questions. Interviews took place with the following companies and the attached questions were asked of each company.
After the interviews were completed, Joe DiGeronimo reviewed his point system and said he had given RAD - 72 points; Sprinturf - 73 points; and Clark - 73 points. (Ratings attached).
Jon Cathcart felt that Sprinturf did not understand the Town's issues with drainage and they were not prepared for the interview. Bill Dest felt the Fieldturf presenter for Clark Companies was terrible, as he bashed all of the other artificial surface companies which was very unprofessional and he will not vote from them just on that principle. Joe felt Clark Companies was the best but the most expensive. Jon Cathcart made a motion to eliminate Sprinturf from the process; seconded by Tony DiCiocco. Everyone voted in the affirmative except Bill Dest and Ron Rodd who both abstained from the vote. Ron felt the base was the most important part of the project and Clark guarantees the base for life.
Bonnie told the Committee that they must decide by the end of the week on a recommendation to Council. Jon felt that the Committee should recommend an artificial surface for both fields. Ron felt if you did natural grass on the practice field, it would take a year for the sod to take.
The Committee agreed that the priorities should be an artificial surface for the football field, then the practice field and then the lights, but at minimum, prep the field for future lights. We will need to ask the companies how much money it would cost to prepare for future lights. The Committee felt that Bonnie should call the two companies and ask further questions of them. For Clark, can XPS be used as the surface on the field. Also, have them sharpen their pencil and give us a bottom line on their price. For RAD, does their proposal include the groomer and whether they are willing to use Efield/Pro surface for the practice field at the same price as quoted. Also, are collector drains shown on the outside of the field and they must be shown on the plans.
Mike Turner also mentioned that we should accept Clark's redesign of the field in order to save money. Everyone agreed with this.
It was agreed to meet again on Friday, April 30th, at 8:30 am to hear the answers to their questions and make their final recommendations to the Town Council.
A motion was made by Sheila Suppicich to adjourn the meeting at 11:54 pm; seconded by Jon Cathcart. The motion was unanimous.