Park and Recreation Commission

Minutes

(meeting taped)

Regular meeting:  Monday, July 9, 2001 at City Hall.  The meeting was held in the Aldermanic Chambers at City Hall. 

Meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m.  By roll call, members present:  Beverly Moran, Al Felice, Matt Cripps, Karen Izzo and Edward Handi.  John Walsh and David Mikos were excused.  In the absence of Chairman Walsh, Beverly Moran chaired the meeting. 

Parks and Recreation Director Dennis O’Connell was excused as he was attending a game.  Athletic Director Kenneth Marcucio was absent. 

ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA:

Without objection, the agenda was accepted, as presented.

 Public portion:

James Mascolo, representing Pop Warner, came forward to speak on the upcoming season.  The season will be starting July 30th.  He asked that prior to the start of the season the fence at the Little League field be taken down and the practice fields, one at the Little League field and one at the picnic grove, be lined.  He noted that the reoccurring erosion of the driveway at the Little League field is problematic and asked if there was anything that could be done to stabilize the conditions.  He asked if the tree limbs could be trimmed back so as not to obstruct the lights at the picnic grove and the football field.

 Mr. Mascolo noted that in the past few years the Little League tournaments have been running into August.  Little League runs the refreshment stand during this time profiting from the Pop Warner visitors and players.  As the maintenance expenses, etc. of the Little League field house are equally shared by both Pop Warner and Little League, he questioned whether a portion of the proceeds or a sharing of use of the concession stand could be established.  He also questioned whether the scheduling of the tournament games could be reviewed so that this overlap of use could be eliminated.  This matter will be referred to the Recreation Director. 

Next, Mr. Mascolo requested use of the football field on Wednesday, October 24th for Pop Warner play-off games.  Two games would be played.  Derby players may or may not be involved in the games depending on their standings at the end of the regular season.  He explained that the City has allowed this use for the past few years, as this is a fundraising event for Pop Warner.  There would be no makeup rain date set.  He stated that in speaking to the Athletic Director there was no conflict with the scheduling but the Athletic Director was opposed to allowing this use. 

The Commission reviewed the regulations regarding the Parks & Recreation Commission and felt that the decision was the Commission’s jurisdiction as this was being sponsored by Pop Warner.  Approval for non-city sponsored activities requires an affirmative vote of the Commission with the approval of the Board of Alderman. 

A motion was made by Karen Izzo and second by Edward Handi.  Move to approve the use of the Ryan Complex football field on Wednesday, October 24, 2001 for the Pop Warner play-off games, as long as there is no conflict with the schedule for regular recreation or athletic games.  All in favor.  Motion carried. 

No one else was present and the public portion was closed. 

Correspondences:

Nothing was presented. 

DIRECTOR REPORTS:

Parks & Recreation Director’s Report:  Mr. O’Connell was not present this evening. 

Athletic Director’s Report:  Mr. Marcucio was not present this evening. 

Committee Reports:

Programs Committee – There was nothing new to report.  Meetings have been postponed over the summer months. 

Facilities Committee – With the defeat of the referendum the Facilities Committee approached the Neighborhood Committee of the Board of Alderman to initiate discussion of the future planning for fields.  A brief presentation of the designs for Witek Park was given. It was expressed that the Parks & Recreation Commission continues to support the overall plan for recreation, as designed and presented a few years ago, as the Master Plan for Recreation and Athletic facilities.  It was stressed at the meeting that there was an urgent need for additional facilities and it was noted that the soccer program was required to utilize out-of-town fields this past season due to the maintenance needs of the Bradley School soccer fields.  At that meeting, the Chairman of the Open Space Commission was present and invited the Facilities Committee to attend their meeting to open discussion on Witek Park. 

At the Open Space Commission meeting, the presentation was again reviewed.  Members of the Commission were somewhat reluctant as they were unaware that this presentation was to be made.  The Open Space Commission has been considering installing an emergency access road on the parcel and it was represented that the plan would provide a design for the road as well as offer possible future uses.  The Committee expressed the need for soccer fields and felt that phasing in a portion of the plan at this time would be beneficial.  They touched on some of the environmental concerns and how this plan took them into consideration.  Preservation of the reservoirs was certainly a consideration in developing the plan. 

Members were uncertain what would be the next step.  Use of the Park has yet to be determined.  Funding will have to be secured for the road as well as the fields.  It appeared that this would have to be a joint venture with the Board of Alderman, Board of Apportionment and Taxation, the Open Space Commission and the Parks & Recreation Commission with professional assistance from the City Engineer. 

Budget Committee – As the budget has been adopted, there was nothing further to report.

 Approval of minutes:

A motion was made by Matt Cripps and second by Karen Izzo.  Move to accept the minutes of the meeting held on June 11, 2001.  Motion carried with Beverly Moran and Edward Handi abstaining.

 NEW or OTHER BUSINESS:

Mr. Handi suggested the Commission consider installing a portable set of bleachers at the Ryan softball field behind the visitor’s bench.  While attending a game recently he noticed that it was cumbersome for some to be standing on the steep incline.  Concern was voiced to drainage concerns but Mr. Handi felt the installation should be explored.  The matter with be referred to Public Works Director Gary Parker and to Mr. O’Connell.

 Mr. Mascolo questioned whether the second key for the field house was obtained.  Mr. O’Connell will be asked if he has obtained the keys for the different locks at the field house.  If so, an additional key will be provided to Pop Warner.

 Mr. Felice questioned whether the additional special funds for the Bradley School soccer fields had been spent to do the proposed spring seeding.  No one was certain whether the spring seeding had been done.  This will be further explored.  It was noted that the funding was within the Mayor’s budget and the Board of Alderman negotiated the contract with the contractor.

 A motion was made by Al Felice and second by Ed Handi.  Move to adjourn this meeting at 7:42 p.m.  All in favor.  Motion carried.

 The next meeting will be Monday, August 13, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.  If the Aldermanic Chambers are unavailable then the Veteran’s room will be requested.

 Respectfully prepared,

Karen Kemmesies, secretary


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