Regular Meeting 10-15-2007
Killingworth Park and Recreation Commission
Special Meeting October 15, 2007
1. Call to Order
The Killingworth Park and Recreation Commission held a special meeting on Monday, October 15, 2007 at the Killingworth Town Office Building, 323 Route 81, Killingworth, Connecticut.
Present: Dan Colonia
Susan Dean
Susan Otto
Chris Kelly
John Machold
Bill Silas
Absent: Shelly Cumpstone
Chairman Colonia called the meeting to order at 8:04 PM.
2. Minutes of
a.) Special meeting held on September 17, 2007.
*A motion was made by Susan Otto and seconded by Chris Kelly to approve the minutes of the special meeting held September 17, 2007. Motion passed with Dean and Silas abstaining.
b.) Special meeting held on September 29, 2007
*A motion was made by Susan Otto and seconded by Chris Kelly to approve the minutes of the special meeting held September 29, 2007. Motion passed with Dean and Silas abstaining.
3. Visitors
Peg Scofield attended the meeting. Peg asked the Park and Recreation Commission if they would consider overseeing the Community Garden Project at the Bosco Property. Peg explained that the Community Garden has been planned on a ½ acre lot behind the house at the Bosco property. She said people would apply for the plots and sign an agreement indicating what can and can not be done at the Community Garden. There would be a small fee for the people to use the plots. There may also be grant money coming in or expenditures going out. Peg thought it would be logical for the Park and Recreation Commission to oversee this project and have it as an item in their budget to keep an accounting of the money coming in and out. Peg explained that she doesn’t want the funds for the garden to come out of the town money but would rather see volunteers and donations. Dan noted that in the Master Plan one of the items discussed is a community garden. He does not see a problem putting the garden under the authority of the Park and Recreation Commission. Dan noted that the Bosco Property does not currently fall under the authority of the Park and Recreation Commission. He would like to make sure that the Board of Selectmen are aware of the Community Garden project and agree to having the project under the authority of the Park and Recreation Commission. Peg noted that she first went to the Town Office Study Committee because they have Bosco on their list. She noted that they were in favor of it but that the Town Office Study Committee is a short term committee. The project would need a standing commission to take the funds in and put it on a budget. Bill noted that perhaps a letter should be drafted to the Board of Selectmen asking that the Community Garden project go under the authority of the Park and Recreation Commission. Then perhaps a sub-committee can be formed for the project. Susan Dean asked how many plots would be included. Peg stated that there are currently 24 plots in the ½ acre lot. The plots are 20 feet by 20 feet. Peg noted that the lot has already been cleared and fenced in. There was a discussion on the keys to the property and perhaps having the gatekeeper open the gates to the Bosco property in the future.
*A motion was made by Bill and seconded by Susan Dean to draft a letter to the Board of Selectmen acknowledging that the Killingworth Park and Recreation Commission is willing to oversee the future “Community Garden” at Bosco if the Board of Selectmen so desire.
There was a discussion on mowing at the property. Peg noted that she wouldn’t want funds for mowing to come out of the Park and Recreation Commission’s budget. She would like to see volunteers. Dan noted that most likely a sub-committee would be formed. Susan Otto asked who would designate what people were on the sub-committee. Dan noted that the Board of Selectmen would need to appoint people to the sub-committee. Motion passed.
4. Applications, Bills, and Communications
There were no applications at this time.
Dan handed out copies of the Board of Selectmen meeting minutes for members to review.
The following bills were presented:
A bill in the amount of $37.32 was received from Michele Nuhn for the minutes of 9/17/07.
A bill was received from the Killingworth Garage in the amount of $108.63
A bill was received from CL & P in the amount of $25.16.
A bill in the amount of $270.00 was received from Anthony Carri for Gatekeeper services.
A bill in the amount of $6.87 was received from True Value for 3 keys made for Jerry Manware.
A bill was received from Environmental Consulting Lab in the amount of $189.25 for water tests done at Irene Sheldon Park.
A bill in the amount of $410.00 was received from Olsen Sanitation.
*A motion was made by Bill and seconded by John to approve all seven of the above noted bills. Motion passed.
5. Treasurer’s Report
Bill Silas gave the Treasurer’s Report. The beginning balance on July 1, 2007 was $19,970.00. The expenditures for the month of July were $158.97, expenditures for August were $1099.23 and the September expenditures were $2,455.22. The total for the three months adds up to $3713.42. This brings the ending balance for September 30, 2007 to $16,256.58.
Bill noted that in the future when repairs are needed, several estimates should be received prior to the repairs being done.
6. Old Business
a.) Parks and Field Maintenance/Evaluations
There was a discussion on the list of items that need to be done. Dan suggested that a copy of the list should be forwarded to Marty and Walt. Susan Otto will do this.
There was a discussion on the kiosks. Susan Otto will check to see if the kiosks are in the town garage.
Dan noted that there is a problem with vole holes at Bethke field. He is afraid someone will get injured from the holes. There was a discussion on how to take care of this. John noted that the girls softball is done using that field at this point in the year, so it would be a good time to fix the problem.
There was a discussion on the fences at Sheldon park.
*A motion was made by Bill and seconded by Susan Otto to spend no more than $4,995.00 to complete the fencing on the east border of Irene Sheldon Park. Motion passed.
*A motion was made by Bill and seconded by Susan Otto to spend no more than $4,000.00 to replace the rusting chain link fence on the front (south) border of Irene Sheldon Park.
b.) Commercial Use of Parks
There was a lengthy discussion on the commercial use of parks. Dan reminded members that the Sassi’s removed their request to set up a hot dog stand at Irene Sheldon Park. After this occurred Dan made phone calls to Marty and Cathy Jefferson to discuss the commercial use of parks in further detail. Dan noted that he was told by Cathy Jefferson that Planning and Zoning are the ones that are allowed to permit people to sell and that Planning and Zoning is not going to allow it. There was a discussion on a letter that Shelly is writing on behalf of the Park and Recreation Commission. The letter states that the only way the Park and Recreation Commission will approve someone setting up a commercial vending cart at one of the parks is if they have gone through the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Fire Commissioner, the health official, the Board of Selectmen, etc. Then once the necessary permits have been issues, the Park and Recreation would consider allowing it. Dan noted that this does not affect non-profit organizations and fundraisers. Susan Dean noted that she has been researching the topic. She has called 21 area towns. Very few of the towns allow people to set up at parks to make a profit. Susan also noted that some towns do not allow political parties to set up tables to hand out their political information.
c.) Wettish Property
There was a lengthy discussion on the Wettish Property. Chris Kelly noted that the report from Weston and Sampson on the test holes showed a dry down to ten feet. He noted that the worst case scenario is that in the Spring there may be extra water on the fields in the spring, and not enough water on the fields during the dry season. There was a discussion on the digging of wells. There was a discussion on pesticide testing as well as soil testing. There was a discussion on the drafts received from Weston and Sampson. There was a discussion on the location and layout of parking lots and fields as well as possibly tiering the fields. There was a discussion on whether or not volunteers could be used for some of the projects. Chris noted that the STEAP grant does allow some of the work to be done with volunteers and the STEAP grant would cover the materials. Chris noted that none of the money from the STEAP grant can be used yet until they have approval. The Poison Ivy problem was also discussed. Dan noted that Eric has a sprayer that can be used to clear up the poison ivy if the supplies are purchased.
7. New Business
a.) Nomination of Officers
There was a discussion on the nomination of officers. John recommended that the slate of officers be kept the same. Other members agreed. A vote will be taken at a future meeting. Susan Otto noted that she would like to serve on the Haddam Killingworth Recreation Authority. She is only working at the after school program on a very limited basis now. John will ask at the next HK Recreation Authority meeting if Susan can be on the commission if she is employed by the after school program. John noted that if anyone else is interested in coming to an HK Recreation Authority meeting he will let them know the date and the location.
8. Adjournment
*A motion was made by Bill to adjourn the meeting at 9:40 PM. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted
Michele Nuhn
Special Meeting October 15, 2007
1. Call to Order
The Killingworth Park and Recreation Commission held a special meeting on Monday, October 15, 2007 at the Killingworth Town Office Building, 323 Route 81, Killingworth, Connecticut.
Present: Dan Colonia
Susan Dean
Susan Otto
Chris Kelly
John Machold
Bill Silas
Absent: Shelly Cumpstone
Chairman Colonia called the meeting to order at 8:04 PM.
2. Minutes of
a.) Special meeting held on September 17, 2007.
*A motion was made by Susan Otto and seconded by Chris Kelly to approve the minutes of the special meeting held September 17, 2007. Motion passed with Dean and Silas abstaining.
b.) Special meeting held on September 29, 2007
*A motion was made by Susan Otto and seconded by Chris Kelly to approve the minutes of the special meeting held September 29, 2007. Motion passed with Dean and Silas abstaining.
3. Visitors
Peg Scofield attended the meeting. Peg asked the Park and Recreation Commission if they would consider overseeing the Community Garden Project at the Bosco Property. Peg explained that the Community Garden has been planned on a ½ acre lot behind the house at the Bosco property. She said people would apply for the plots and sign an agreement indicating what can and can not be done at the Community Garden. There would be a small fee for the people to use the plots. There may also be grant money coming in or expenditures going out. Peg thought it would be logical for the Park and Recreation Commission to oversee this project and have it as an item in their budget to keep an accounting of the money coming in and out. Peg explained that she doesn’t want the funds for the garden to come out of the town money but would rather see volunteers and donations. Dan noted that in the Master Plan one of the items discussed is a community garden. He does not see a problem putting the garden under the authority of the Park and Recreation Commission. Dan noted that the Bosco Property does not currently fall under the authority of the Park and Recreation Commission. He would like to make sure that the Board of Selectmen are aware of the Community Garden project and agree to having the project under the authority of the Park and Recreation Commission. Peg noted that she first went to the Town Office Study Committee because they have Bosco on their list. She noted that they were in favor of it but that the Town Office Study Committee is a short term committee. The project would need a standing commission to take the funds in and put it on a budget. Bill noted that perhaps a letter should be drafted to the Board of Selectmen asking that the Community Garden project go under the authority of the Park and Recreation Commission. Then perhaps a sub-committee can be formed for the project. Susan Dean asked how many plots would be included. Peg stated that there are currently 24 plots in the ½ acre lot. The plots are 20 feet by 20 feet. Peg noted that the lot has already been cleared and fenced in. There was a discussion on the keys to the property and perhaps having the gatekeeper open the gates to the Bosco property in the future.
*A motion was made by Bill and seconded by Susan Dean to draft a letter to the Board of Selectmen acknowledging that the Killingworth Park and Recreation Commission is willing to oversee the future “Community Garden” at Bosco if the Board of Selectmen so desire.
There was a discussion on mowing at the property. Peg noted that she wouldn’t want funds for mowing to come out of the Park and Recreation Commission’s budget. She would like to see volunteers. Dan noted that most likely a sub-committee would be formed. Susan Otto asked who would designate what people were on the sub-committee. Dan noted that the Board of Selectmen would need to appoint people to the sub-committee. Motion passed.
4. Applications, Bills, and Communications
There were no applications at this time.
Dan handed out copies of the Board of Selectmen meeting minutes for members to review.
The following bills were presented:
A bill in the amount of $37.32 was received from Michele Nuhn for the minutes of 9/17/07.
A bill was received from the Killingworth Garage in the amount of $108.63
A bill was received from CL & P in the amount of $25.16.
A bill in the amount of $270.00 was received from Anthony Carri for Gatekeeper services.
A bill in the amount of $6.87 was received from True Value for 3 keys made for Jerry Manware.
A bill was received from Environmental Consulting Lab in the amount of $189.25 for water tests done at Irene Sheldon Park.
A bill in the amount of $410.00 was received from Olsen Sanitation.
*A motion was made by Bill and seconded by John to approve all seven of the above noted bills. Motion passed.
5. Treasurer’s Report
Bill Silas gave the Treasurer’s Report. The beginning balance on July 1, 2007 was $19,970.00. The expenditures for the month of July were $158.97, expenditures for August were $1099.23 and the September expenditures were $2,455.22. The total for the three months adds up to $3713.42. This brings the ending balance for September 30, 2007 to $16,256.58.
Bill noted that in the future when repairs are needed, several estimates should be received prior to the repairs being done.
6. Old Business
a.) Parks and Field Maintenance/Evaluations
There was a discussion on the list of items that need to be done. Dan suggested that a copy of the list should be forwarded to Marty and Walt. Susan Otto will do this.
There was a discussion on the kiosks. Susan Otto will check to see if the kiosks are in the town garage.
Dan noted that there is a problem with vole holes at Bethke field. He is afraid someone will get injured from the holes. There was a discussion on how to take care of this. John noted that the girls softball is done using that field at this point in the year, so it would be a good time to fix the problem.
There was a discussion on the fences at Sheldon park.
*A motion was made by Bill and seconded by Susan Otto to spend no more than $4,995.00 to complete the fencing on the east border of Irene Sheldon Park. Motion passed.
*A motion was made by Bill and seconded by Susan Otto to spend no more than $4,000.00 to replace the rusting chain link fence on the front (south) border of Irene Sheldon Park.
b.) Commercial Use of Parks
There was a lengthy discussion on the commercial use of parks. Dan reminded members that the Sassi’s removed their request to set up a hot dog stand at Irene Sheldon Park. After this occurred Dan made phone calls to Marty and Cathy Jefferson to discuss the commercial use of parks in further detail. Dan noted that he was told by Cathy Jefferson that Planning and Zoning are the ones that are allowed to permit people to sell and that Planning and Zoning is not going to allow it. There was a discussion on a letter that Shelly is writing on behalf of the Park and Recreation Commission. The letter states that the only way the Park and Recreation Commission will approve someone setting up a commercial vending cart at one of the parks is if they have gone through the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Fire Commissioner, the health official, the Board of Selectmen, etc. Then once the necessary permits have been issues, the Park and Recreation would consider allowing it. Dan noted that this does not affect non-profit organizations and fundraisers. Susan Dean noted that she has been researching the topic. She has called 21 area towns. Very few of the towns allow people to set up at parks to make a profit. Susan also noted that some towns do not allow political parties to set up tables to hand out their political information.
c.) Wettish Property
There was a lengthy discussion on the Wettish Property. Chris Kelly noted that the report from Weston and Sampson on the test holes showed a dry down to ten feet. He noted that the worst case scenario is that in the Spring there may be extra water on the fields in the spring, and not enough water on the fields during the dry season. There was a discussion on the digging of wells. There was a discussion on pesticide testing as well as soil testing. There was a discussion on the drafts received from Weston and Sampson. There was a discussion on the location and layout of parking lots and fields as well as possibly tiering the fields. There was a discussion on whether or not volunteers could be used for some of the projects. Chris noted that the STEAP grant does allow some of the work to be done with volunteers and the STEAP grant would cover the materials. Chris noted that none of the money from the STEAP grant can be used yet until they have approval. The Poison Ivy problem was also discussed. Dan noted that Eric has a sprayer that can be used to clear up the poison ivy if the supplies are purchased.
7. New Business
a.) Nomination of Officers
There was a discussion on the nomination of officers. John recommended that the slate of officers be kept the same. Other members agreed. A vote will be taken at a future meeting. Susan Otto noted that she would like to serve on the Haddam Killingworth Recreation Authority. She is only working at the after school program on a very limited basis now. John will ask at the next HK Recreation Authority meeting if Susan can be on the commission if she is employed by the after school program. John noted that if anyone else is interested in coming to an HK Recreation Authority meeting he will let them know the date and the location.
8. Adjournment
*A motion was made by Bill to adjourn the meeting at 9:40 PM. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted
Michele Nuhn
