Regular Meeting December 10, 2007
Killingworth Park and Recreation Commission
Regular Meeting December 10, 2007
1. Call to order
The Killingworth Park and Recreation Commission held its regular meeting on Monday, December 10, 2007 at the Killingworth Town Office Building, 323 Route 81, Killingworth, Connecticut.
Present: Dan Colonia
Shelly Cumpstone
Chris Kelly
Susan Dean
Absent: Susan Otto
Bill Silas
John Machold
Chairman Colonia called the meeting to order at 7:40 PM.
2. Minutes of
a.) Regular meeting held November 5, 2007
Chris Kelly noted that the following change should be made:
In section 6a the sentence “Chris noted that the Wettish property will have lots of maintenance calls” should read “Chris noted that the Wettish property will have lots of maintenance costs”.
*A motion was made by Susan and seconded by Chris to accept the minutes of November 5, 2007 with the above noted change. Motion passed.
There was a discussion on why the Park and Recreation Commission is not listed as a commission on the Killingworth Today website. Chris Kelly had called Peg Scofield from Killingworth Today to find out. Peg told Chris that it is because the minutes from the meetings are not forwarded to her each month. Chris noted that he did send the advisory group minutes to Peg, but that they had not yet been posted. The advisory group would be listed as a sub-committee.
*A motion was made by Shelly and seconded by Susan to post the minutes from the Park and Recreation Commission meetings on Killingworth Today after they are approved. Motion passed.
3. Visitors
There were no visitors.
4. Communitcations, Bills, and Applications
a.) bills
The following bills were received:
A bill in the amount of $43.54 was received from Michele Nuhn for the minutes of 11/05/07.
A bill in the amount of $1,600.00 was received from Weston and Sampson.
A bill was received from American Carting in the amount of $75.00.
A bill was received from the Killingworth Garage in the amount of $74.51 for gas.
A bill in the amount of $45.00 was received from New England Power Equipment for ball joints for the tractor.
A bill was received from Anthony Carri in the amount of $279.00 for gatekeeper services.
A bill was received from Olsen Sanitation in the amount of $592.50 for October and November.
A bill in the amount of $26.11 was received from CL & P.
A bill in the amount of $25.16 was received from CL & P.
A bill in the amount of $24.85 was received from CL & P.
Shelly noted that one of the flashing lights at Irene Sheldon Park is not working.
*A motion was made by Chris and seconded by Shelly to approve all ten of the above noted bills. Motion passed.
The following bills were also received:
A bill was received in the amount of $152.50 from Environmental Consulting Labs. It was noted that no results have been received yet. This needs to be looked into further before approval.
A bill was received from Big A Auto Parts for a bearing. This bill needs to be looked into further. Dan will talk to Gina to find out more about this bill.
A bill in the amount of $782.00 was received from Killingworth True Value Hardware for a bumper guard, a v-belt, and a frame for a 970 rider. There was a discussion on why such parts were needed. Shelly noted that maintenance like this should be approved by the Park and Recreation Commission prior to the purchasing of parts. Dan will talk to Gina to find out more about this bill.
b.) communications
A resignation letter was received from Shelly Cumpstone dated December 10, 2007. A copy of the letter is attached to the minutes. Dan noted that Shelly has done a lot of work for the Park and Recreation Commission and the Town Of Killingworth. She will be missed.
Dan noted that a new secretary will be needed.
Susan Dean noted that Shelly is an “amazing lady” and will be greatly missed on the Park and Recreation Commission.
*A motion was made by Shelly and seconded by Chris to appoint Susan Dean as the secretary for the Park and Recreation Commission. Motion passed.
5. Treasurer’s Report
No treasurer’s report was given at this time.
Dan noted that he needs to complete an annual report as well as a budget request by January 10, 2008.
The budget worksheet was reviewed and discussed by the members. A copy of the budget worksheet it attached to the minutes.
Dan noted that there was an item added to the budget titled “Wettish Property Purchase and Development” with a dollar amount of $122,743.00. Dan added that this money could have been used if it had already been appropriated rather than the committee going before the Board of Selectmen recently to ask for the $60,000.
It was noted that the current year’s gasoline amount is high and might go over budget. Equipment maintenance also has large amounts for the last three years. Dan would like to find out why the numbers for equipment maintenance are so high.
6. Old Business
a.) Parks and Field Maintenance
Irene Sheldon Park
The fencing has not been done yet.
A survey needs to be done at Irene Sheldon Park. Dan noted that the Park and Recreation Commission needs to talk to a lawyer to find out what the boundaries are. Dan thinks a letter should be drafted to Richard Cabral. Chris noted he would like to talk to the surveyor who did the work on this in the past to find out what has been done so far. Shelly noted that a map from the surveyor was given to the Building Department. It was not complete but has the survey information on it. Chris will look into this further. Dan would like this to be done so that engineering work can be done at Irene Sheldon Park. Chris will write a letter to the Selectman informing them that legal work needs to be done. Chris will also contact the surveyor to find out what has been done. Dan noted that a 2 foot contour map should be done.
Bethke Community Field
Chris noted that the Vice President of the Killingworth Youth League noted that he had pulled a piece of wire cable out of the ground at the third base line on Bethke.
b.) Wettish Property Development
Dan noted that both the former and the current Board of Selectmen are pro-fields. He noted that the Board of Finance is also pro-fields. But, when budgetary costs came out as $1.6 million they wondered how it would be done and where the money will come from. Dan noted that the Park and Recreation Commission was told to get an independent engineering firm to come up with a number. He noted that the independent engineering firm came up with the $1.6 million. Susan noted she is supportive of the fields but that in the last two weeks she has had people come up to her and yell at her about the Wettish Property. People are asking her how the numbers went from $750,000 to $1.6 million. People are telling her that this will not get passed. Susan noted that she hasn’t heard anything positive lately. She is concerned that the plan will be voted down at a town meeting. Shelly pointed out that the Bosco plan was $5.5 million and lost by only 75 votes. She can’t see why $1.6 million would not get passed. Shelly noted that she felt the article on Killingworth Today seemed negative. Dan noted that wrote a letter to Killingworth Today to help explain how the figure went to $1.6 million.
The Board of Selectmen approved $60,000 to do task 2 and task 3 designs. Since then the Park and Recreation Commission has learned that $122,000 is available to do those designs because it is being appropriated into the 2007/2008 budget. Shelly noted that this was an item on the agenda for the Town Meeting scheduled for Demcember 13, 2007.
Dan told the group that the Chris attended the Plannng and Zoning meeting as well as the Inland Wetlands Commission meeting on behalf of the Wettish Property Development Advisory Sub-committee. Inland Wetlands noted that everything in the plan for the Wettish plan was outside the 100 foot protection area of the wetlands and therefore they did not see any need for Wetlands permits. A copy of Chris’s notes from the Inland Wetlands meeting is attached to the minutes. A copy of the notes from the Planning and Zoning meeting is attached to the minutes as well. It was noted that the group was advised to keep the master plan for the project simplified, showing different zones and what can be done with those zones.
Chris discussed the minutes from the Wettish Property Development Advisory Sub-Committee. A copy of the minutes from the sub-committee is attached. Dan noted that the original figure of $750,000 for Wettish was done two years ago. Chris pointed out that the STEAP Grant having strict state conditions on it will inflate the numbers as well. Chris also noted that the sub-committee approved the $6,400.00 bill from Weston and Sampson.
Dan noted that an email was received from a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission with questions pertaining to the Wettish Property. Some of the questions were:
Why are they removing existing stone walls?
Why is there no parking for horse trailers?
What does the plan offer to the non ball playing children in this town?
What does it offer under age children?
What does it have for Winter sports?
What does it offer over-age non ball playing adults?
Dan would like to send the Planning and Zoning Commission a copy of the Park and Recreation Commission’s master plan for all of the parks. Dan noted that the Park and Recreation Commission is not “narrow minded”. But that they were advised to keep things simple at this point. Dan would also like to send them a list of items that can be done on the property in the future such as hiking trails. Dan noted that the commission is concentrating on fields now because that is what is most urgent.
There was a discussion on the stone walls at the Wettish Property. Chris noted that he will take some photos of the walls. Chris noted that it is currently being looked into moving one stone wall to a different location on the property. The cost of moving stone walls will also be looked into as well as possibly getting volunteers to help with stone wall work.
7. New Business
a.) Annual Report
The annual report was discussed as noted above.
b.) Killingworth Community Gardens
Dan informed the group that there is a new website for the Killingworth Community Gardens. The website is www.kwgardens.org. The website contains the information and rules about the gardens. The application is also available on the website. Dan asked the members to go to the website and review the rules, application, and waiver. This will be discussed in further detail at the next meeting. Chris noted that the Bosco property used to be a turkey farm in the past. Shelly noted that the building on the property could be a hazard. A letter needs to be written to the Selectmen. This has not been done yet. Susan Dean will write a letter to the Board of Selectman telling them that the Park and Recreation Commission is willing to manage the Killingworth Community Gardens. Dan noted that Peg Scofield is taking care of getting all the necessary permits and getting the project ready. The Park and Recreation Commission will only be managing it.
8. Adjournment
*A motion was made by Susan and seconded by Shelly to adjourn the meeting at 9:23 PM.
Motion passed.
The next meeting will be held on Monday, January 12, 2008.
Regular Meeting December 10, 2007
1. Call to order
The Killingworth Park and Recreation Commission held its regular meeting on Monday, December 10, 2007 at the Killingworth Town Office Building, 323 Route 81, Killingworth, Connecticut.
Present: Dan Colonia
Shelly Cumpstone
Chris Kelly
Susan Dean
Absent: Susan Otto
Bill Silas
John Machold
Chairman Colonia called the meeting to order at 7:40 PM.
2. Minutes of
a.) Regular meeting held November 5, 2007
Chris Kelly noted that the following change should be made:
In section 6a the sentence “Chris noted that the Wettish property will have lots of maintenance calls” should read “Chris noted that the Wettish property will have lots of maintenance costs”.
*A motion was made by Susan and seconded by Chris to accept the minutes of November 5, 2007 with the above noted change. Motion passed.
There was a discussion on why the Park and Recreation Commission is not listed as a commission on the Killingworth Today website. Chris Kelly had called Peg Scofield from Killingworth Today to find out. Peg told Chris that it is because the minutes from the meetings are not forwarded to her each month. Chris noted that he did send the advisory group minutes to Peg, but that they had not yet been posted. The advisory group would be listed as a sub-committee.
*A motion was made by Shelly and seconded by Susan to post the minutes from the Park and Recreation Commission meetings on Killingworth Today after they are approved. Motion passed.
3. Visitors
There were no visitors.
4. Communitcations, Bills, and Applications
a.) bills
The following bills were received:
A bill in the amount of $43.54 was received from Michele Nuhn for the minutes of 11/05/07.
A bill in the amount of $1,600.00 was received from Weston and Sampson.
A bill was received from American Carting in the amount of $75.00.
A bill was received from the Killingworth Garage in the amount of $74.51 for gas.
A bill in the amount of $45.00 was received from New England Power Equipment for ball joints for the tractor.
A bill was received from Anthony Carri in the amount of $279.00 for gatekeeper services.
A bill was received from Olsen Sanitation in the amount of $592.50 for October and November.
A bill in the amount of $26.11 was received from CL & P.
A bill in the amount of $25.16 was received from CL & P.
A bill in the amount of $24.85 was received from CL & P.
Shelly noted that one of the flashing lights at Irene Sheldon Park is not working.
*A motion was made by Chris and seconded by Shelly to approve all ten of the above noted bills. Motion passed.
The following bills were also received:
A bill was received in the amount of $152.50 from Environmental Consulting Labs. It was noted that no results have been received yet. This needs to be looked into further before approval.
A bill was received from Big A Auto Parts for a bearing. This bill needs to be looked into further. Dan will talk to Gina to find out more about this bill.
A bill in the amount of $782.00 was received from Killingworth True Value Hardware for a bumper guard, a v-belt, and a frame for a 970 rider. There was a discussion on why such parts were needed. Shelly noted that maintenance like this should be approved by the Park and Recreation Commission prior to the purchasing of parts. Dan will talk to Gina to find out more about this bill.
b.) communications
A resignation letter was received from Shelly Cumpstone dated December 10, 2007. A copy of the letter is attached to the minutes. Dan noted that Shelly has done a lot of work for the Park and Recreation Commission and the Town Of Killingworth. She will be missed.
Dan noted that a new secretary will be needed.
Susan Dean noted that Shelly is an “amazing lady” and will be greatly missed on the Park and Recreation Commission.
*A motion was made by Shelly and seconded by Chris to appoint Susan Dean as the secretary for the Park and Recreation Commission. Motion passed.
5. Treasurer’s Report
No treasurer’s report was given at this time.
Dan noted that he needs to complete an annual report as well as a budget request by January 10, 2008.
The budget worksheet was reviewed and discussed by the members. A copy of the budget worksheet it attached to the minutes.
Dan noted that there was an item added to the budget titled “Wettish Property Purchase and Development” with a dollar amount of $122,743.00. Dan added that this money could have been used if it had already been appropriated rather than the committee going before the Board of Selectmen recently to ask for the $60,000.
It was noted that the current year’s gasoline amount is high and might go over budget. Equipment maintenance also has large amounts for the last three years. Dan would like to find out why the numbers for equipment maintenance are so high.
6. Old Business
a.) Parks and Field Maintenance
Irene Sheldon Park
The fencing has not been done yet.
A survey needs to be done at Irene Sheldon Park. Dan noted that the Park and Recreation Commission needs to talk to a lawyer to find out what the boundaries are. Dan thinks a letter should be drafted to Richard Cabral. Chris noted he would like to talk to the surveyor who did the work on this in the past to find out what has been done so far. Shelly noted that a map from the surveyor was given to the Building Department. It was not complete but has the survey information on it. Chris will look into this further. Dan would like this to be done so that engineering work can be done at Irene Sheldon Park. Chris will write a letter to the Selectman informing them that legal work needs to be done. Chris will also contact the surveyor to find out what has been done. Dan noted that a 2 foot contour map should be done.
Bethke Community Field
Chris noted that the Vice President of the Killingworth Youth League noted that he had pulled a piece of wire cable out of the ground at the third base line on Bethke.
b.) Wettish Property Development
Dan noted that both the former and the current Board of Selectmen are pro-fields. He noted that the Board of Finance is also pro-fields. But, when budgetary costs came out as $1.6 million they wondered how it would be done and where the money will come from. Dan noted that the Park and Recreation Commission was told to get an independent engineering firm to come up with a number. He noted that the independent engineering firm came up with the $1.6 million. Susan noted she is supportive of the fields but that in the last two weeks she has had people come up to her and yell at her about the Wettish Property. People are asking her how the numbers went from $750,000 to $1.6 million. People are telling her that this will not get passed. Susan noted that she hasn’t heard anything positive lately. She is concerned that the plan will be voted down at a town meeting. Shelly pointed out that the Bosco plan was $5.5 million and lost by only 75 votes. She can’t see why $1.6 million would not get passed. Shelly noted that she felt the article on Killingworth Today seemed negative. Dan noted that wrote a letter to Killingworth Today to help explain how the figure went to $1.6 million.
The Board of Selectmen approved $60,000 to do task 2 and task 3 designs. Since then the Park and Recreation Commission has learned that $122,000 is available to do those designs because it is being appropriated into the 2007/2008 budget. Shelly noted that this was an item on the agenda for the Town Meeting scheduled for Demcember 13, 2007.
Dan told the group that the Chris attended the Plannng and Zoning meeting as well as the Inland Wetlands Commission meeting on behalf of the Wettish Property Development Advisory Sub-committee. Inland Wetlands noted that everything in the plan for the Wettish plan was outside the 100 foot protection area of the wetlands and therefore they did not see any need for Wetlands permits. A copy of Chris’s notes from the Inland Wetlands meeting is attached to the minutes. A copy of the notes from the Planning and Zoning meeting is attached to the minutes as well. It was noted that the group was advised to keep the master plan for the project simplified, showing different zones and what can be done with those zones.
Chris discussed the minutes from the Wettish Property Development Advisory Sub-Committee. A copy of the minutes from the sub-committee is attached. Dan noted that the original figure of $750,000 for Wettish was done two years ago. Chris pointed out that the STEAP Grant having strict state conditions on it will inflate the numbers as well. Chris also noted that the sub-committee approved the $6,400.00 bill from Weston and Sampson.
Dan noted that an email was received from a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission with questions pertaining to the Wettish Property. Some of the questions were:
Why are they removing existing stone walls?
Why is there no parking for horse trailers?
What does the plan offer to the non ball playing children in this town?
What does it offer under age children?
What does it have for Winter sports?
What does it offer over-age non ball playing adults?
Dan would like to send the Planning and Zoning Commission a copy of the Park and Recreation Commission’s master plan for all of the parks. Dan noted that the Park and Recreation Commission is not “narrow minded”. But that they were advised to keep things simple at this point. Dan would also like to send them a list of items that can be done on the property in the future such as hiking trails. Dan noted that the commission is concentrating on fields now because that is what is most urgent.
There was a discussion on the stone walls at the Wettish Property. Chris noted that he will take some photos of the walls. Chris noted that it is currently being looked into moving one stone wall to a different location on the property. The cost of moving stone walls will also be looked into as well as possibly getting volunteers to help with stone wall work.
7. New Business
a.) Annual Report
The annual report was discussed as noted above.
b.) Killingworth Community Gardens
Dan informed the group that there is a new website for the Killingworth Community Gardens. The website is www.kwgardens.org. The website contains the information and rules about the gardens. The application is also available on the website. Dan asked the members to go to the website and review the rules, application, and waiver. This will be discussed in further detail at the next meeting. Chris noted that the Bosco property used to be a turkey farm in the past. Shelly noted that the building on the property could be a hazard. A letter needs to be written to the Selectmen. This has not been done yet. Susan Dean will write a letter to the Board of Selectman telling them that the Park and Recreation Commission is willing to manage the Killingworth Community Gardens. Dan noted that Peg Scofield is taking care of getting all the necessary permits and getting the project ready. The Park and Recreation Commission will only be managing it.
8. Adjournment
*A motion was made by Susan and seconded by Shelly to adjourn the meeting at 9:23 PM.
Motion passed.
The next meeting will be held on Monday, January 12, 2008.
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