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Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes
December 19, 2005 – 7:00 P.M. – Town Hall


Present: Russ Martin, John Hoy, Caroline Sinclair, Alicia Harding, and Kelly Profenno, Staff Person.

Meeting brought to order at 7:19 p.m.

John Hoy passed out copies of a memo from Al Presgraves that was sent to John and also to Richard Bowen, Conservation Commission in regards to parking at Hedgehog Mountain. The Committee discussed both options for parking. John will be meeting with Al and Richard and it would be helpful to have a message from the Recreation Committee. Alicia Harding mentioned fluorescent flags – pedestrian carries a flag across and then the next person carries it back. In principal, the Committee likes the idea.

Next item was Pownal Road field. We’ve gotten our surveys back. Russ sent an email to Elaine Tomasewski and has not gotten a response yet. He spoke to Craig Sickles and Dennis Ouellette. Susan was going to speak with Russell Packet. Dennis seemed happy with the way things are going. Somebody really ought to put up a fence before somebody drives out on field – even posts with chains between them.
Craig Sickles mentioned that our cross country running team does not have a place to host events. The Committee is very supportive of this type of activity. Russ’s feedback was that our land is pretty flat and they would want hills. They should speak to the Hedgehog Mountain people.

Summary of surveys was discussed. They showed a need for more fields and trails. We need to get feedback from stakeholders. Alicia mentioned that a woman on one of the surveys said her husband would build benches and even supply materials. We would have to check with Dennis before anything was done as there are certain specifications we would have to go by. We agreed to proceed and develop a procedure in retaining a consultant to start engineering design work.

Russ had a discussion with Dale Olmstead. What do we have to do to hire a consultant? Do we need to do an RFP? Yes but it does not need to be formal. Just basically talk to 3 people and come back with recommendations to Town Council. Town Council will approve.

It would be wonderful if the Recreation Committee came to workshop with a recommendation or at least where we are in the process. February 14 – we have a workshop with the Town Council. Our next goal is to get our ducks in a row. Would be nice if we came in and said we have found a consultant.

If we come back with recommendations that the Town do this and pay for it, do we need to do a referendum for the November ballot? If so, needs to be done by June for the legal timeline. Two or three months to work with a consultant should be just about right. We have about $9500. We would be in a better position if we did not spend all of this money.

What can we do for next month? John suggested that we depend on Russ’s expertise. Could Russ come up with a list of names and email to the members. Assign maybe 3 names to each and do a write up of consultant. We need to be careful about splitting them up as everyone will look at them differently. Maybe put together a description of the project and then invite 8 to 10 firms to bid on the project (attach a date and the cost).

Recreation proposals – review and invite a few we want to sit down and speak with. Alicia mentioned Michael Bouchard – maybe he could recommend some people that he thinks would fulfill our needs. Russ will ask him. Russ will compile a list within the next couple of weeks. We should not divide the list – all members look at all names. If we don’t have a recommendation at February 14 workshop, that is okay. We will compile a list, look at it, and do some homework. We will meet in January to narrow it down to about 6 firms. Then we will send them an invitation. Discussion was held.

Our next meeting will be Tuesday, January 17 at 7 pm at the Town Hall.

Meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.