|
|
ENFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING
OCTOBER 1, 2001
Before the Special Meeting was called to order, ribbon cutting ceremonies were held for the Corporation for Independent Living at 50 Cottage Green and the Pearl Street Library/Expanded Hours.
A Special Meeting of the Enfield Town Council was called to order by Chairwoman Strom in the lower level of the Pearl Street Library, Pearl Street, Enfield, Connecticut on Monday, October 1, 2001 at 6:30 p.m.
ROLL-CALL Present were Councilmen Egan, Falk, Fiore, Giddings, Hall, Kaupin, Mangini, Strom, Tait, and Vayda. Councilman McGuire was absent. Also present were Town Manager, Scott A. Shanley; Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Town Clerk, Suzanne F. Olechnicki; Deputy Director of Public Works, Geoff McAlmond; Human Resources Director, William Mahoney; Recreation Coordinator, Mary Keller; Director of Finance, Gregory R. Simmons and Director of School Facilities, Arthur Pongratz.
DISCUSSION: RECREATION CAPITAL PLAN
Mr. Vindigni presented a video which highlighted a Vortex water park.
Mr. Vindigni reported the VFW Park is functionally complete, and theyre planning a dedication ceremony to be held soon. He noted other playscapes that have been completed are the Neighborhood Activity Center and Whit Acres Park. He stated other playscapes presently under construction include Hazardville Playground and Wallop School Park. He commended the buildings and grounds division for their excellent job with the installation of the playscapes.
He referred to the Milone & McBroom report and noted sometime in mid-November and December a joint meeting should be held with Vince McDermott who will give a presentation.
As concerns the CDM Study, Mr. Vindigni stated the Scantic River is an on-going process. He noted the Town has been purchasing properties and are in negotiations for more property.
Mr. Vindigni stated the Town is looking to rehabilitate the basketball courts. He noted they are looking to convert the handball court at Parkman into a basketball area. He added theyre also reviewing the vehicle parking arrangement at Parkman.
He stated they will be rehabilitating two basketball courts at Asnuntuck College in the spring of 2002 at a cost of approximately $20,000.
Mr. Vindigni reported the grass is taking hold on the new Ramblers football field, and this field should be open in the spring of 2002. He added lights will be installed as well.
He stated they are looking at adding two to four tennis courts at JFK Middle School pending an engineering study, as well as relocating basketball courts in the vicinity of the tennis courts.
Mr. Vindigni stated the two additional tennis courts at Enfield High School should be done by the spring of 2002. He explained that currently there are handball courts in this area.
Councilman Fiore questioned the schedule regarding the basketball court at Whitney, and Mr. Vindigni stated possibly the 2002 season.
Councilman Hall commended everyone for their hard work in putting this together. She questioned plans for an extra basketball court at Fermi. Mr. Vindigni stated Malone and McBroom calls for a separate skateboard park in this area.
Councilman Falk stated the parks look great. He questioned why Whitacres does not have swing sets, and Ms. Keller noted Whitacres does have swing sets.
Councilman Kaupin commended everyone who worked on this report. He questioned if there will be any provision for toilet facilities, and Mr. McAlmond stated they will be bringing in port-a-potties.
Councilman Mangini questioned the possibility of providing payphones for emergency purposes. Mr. McAlmond noted they could look at different phone services. He stated they would have to look seriously at how they could maintain a phone so that its useful.
Chairwoman Strom questioned whether the VFW Park will get more equipment. Ms. Keller pointed out the size of this area could accommodate only so much equipment.
Mr. Vindigni then highlighted the plan for Brainard Park as follows:
- water park - $70,000 to $150,000
- additional ballfields
- revising pedestrian path
- expanded parking
- play area
- jogging path
- the possibility of tying in with Phoenix Mutual
- pedestrian access with neighborhood
- landscaping plan
Mr. Vindigni stated if they get a consensus to go forward, they would advertise for engineering firms.
Councilman Fiore stated he would like the Council to support the engineering RFP and then learn what the support might be for one vs two ball fields. He voiced concern that two ball fields might disrupt the harmony of this area.
Councilman Kaupin stated he would like to go forward with the RFP. He questioned whether theyd actually come back with a schematic of the layout. Mr. Shanley stated its possible to do as Councilman Fiore requested a layout of one vs two ballfields.
Councilman Mangini questioned if the Town has a Risk Manager. Mr. Simmons stated risk management is covered by the Finance Office at this time.
The consensus of the Council was to go forward and bid for services as well as the provision of two options (one field vs two fields).
Mr. Vindigni then spoke about the Shaker Recreational Facility and noted the Council has before them a diagram showing the site plan. He noted this would increase this facility from three to five fields and there would be additional parking. He noted it is hoped this additional parking will eliminate shoulder parking along Shaker Road.
He used an illustration to highlight the plan. He pointed out the cost estimate from CDM does not include the cost of the engineering study. He stated its hoped to have everything in place so that they can begin work in the spring/summer of 2002 and once the work is complete, they can let those fields lay dormant until the 2003 playing season.
Councilman Kaupin voiced his support of expanding the Shaker Complex. He questioned how available are the funds and can they move forward with the suggested timeline. Mr. Vindigni stated CRT and CDM monies are designated for the Shaker Recreational Facility. He noted they also include the engineering cost estimate. He went on to note the overall capital cost would have to be identified in other funding sources, i.e., CIP, General Fund, unexpended CDM money. He estimated $100,000 per playing field, plus parking lot improvements.
Mr. Shanley stated the Council will begin some goal setting sessions early this year, and that process will help to identify those things which he would include in a capital budget in order to complete some of these plans.
Councilman Kaupin stated his belief they should use the funds available and move forward with the engineering.
It was the consensus of the Council to move forward.
Mr. Vindigni stated they anticipate receiving a structural engineering report by mid-November on the Green Manor Pool and at that time they can provide a recommendation to the Town Council.
Councilman Kaupin stated he would like to see a pool at Green Manor and noted there is the question of the time frame to provide a new pool at that site. He noted it might require closing that facility for a period of time while construction takes place.
Chairwoman Strom questioned whether a larger pool would fit in the Green Manor site. She added she would like a guesstimate for the difference in site work needed in order to put a pool at this site, not including the bath house. Mr. Shanley stated they would need to be specific if they were to put this question to an engineering firm.
Councilman Vayda stated he would like to know the maximum fit for the Green Manor site.
MOTION #5479 by Councilman Vayda, seconded by Councilman Tait, to go into Executive Session to discuss Personnel Matters, Pending Litigation, and Real Estate Negotiations.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #5479 adopted 10-0-0, and the meeting stood recessed at 7:25 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Executive Session of the Enfield Town Council was called to order by Chairwoman Strom at 7:27 p.m.
ROLL-CALL Councilmen Egan, Falk, Fiore, Giddings, Hall, Kaupin, Mangini, Strom, Tait, and Vayda. Also present were Town Manager, Scott A. Shanley; Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Director of Finance, Gregory R. Simmons; Director of Human Resources, William E. Mahoney; Town Clerk, Suzanne F. Olechnicki.
Personnel Matters, Pending Litigation, and Real Estate Negotiations were discussed with no action or votes being taken.
Chairwoman Strom adjourned the Executive Session at 7:45 p.m. She reconvened the Special Meeting at 7:46 p.m. and stated that during Executive Session they discussed Personnel Matters, Pending Litigation, and Real Estate Negotiations with no action or votes being taken.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION #5480 by Councilman Kaupin, seconded by Councilman Giddings to adjourn.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #5480 adopted 10-0-0, and the Special Meeting stood adjourned at 7:47 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeannette Lamontagne
Secretary to the Council
Suzanne F. Olechnicki
Town Clerk
Clerk of the Council
|
|
|