2/17/10 Park Trustee meeting minutes.

Gary, Donna, Mike, Bruce and Russell in attendance.

 

January minutes approved.

 

Public Session: Update on ice rink from recreation committee given. Ice rink will most likely not be done this year.

 

Turf Care: Mike M. gave an update on the progress of the turf care plan for 2010. A number of topics were discussed.

 

1.       Earth day/Timberland volunteers: Mike has been working with Timberland to develop a plan for their volunteer services on Earth Day to assist with the April startup of the park. Timberland was willing to rent skid steers and purchase hand spreaders to assist with application of product on the fields. They plan to work for 5-6 hours. Mike M. will be meeting with Timberland to work out details of what is needed. Timberland will provide equipment and people to accomplish all work needed as determined by the meeting. Additionally some of the area schools will be helping. Priorities for day include: composting, fertilizer, mulch, playground chips and trail maintenance. Playground chips will be a priority for liability concerns. It was suggested to have Harold edge the beds in advance of the Earth Day work for mulching. Mike D. proposed that if Timberland would be willing to use $300 (estimated) to rent skid steer to something else, he would donate his. Mike M. will pass along proposal.

2.       Delivery of fertilizer: Agway has agreed to take delivery of donated product and drop off for Earth Day application.

3.       Soil Test: Test to be done in March will determine application rates and total amounts of product needed.

4.       Tine aerations: Depth of aeration will need to be determined. Chip Osborne has recommended a depth of approximately 3 inches, which is in line with expectations.

5.       Spring Temperatures: If temperatures are not ideal for seeding on Earth Day it was agreed that the seeding will be put off until temperatures are suitable. Additionally, soil temperatures will be monitored for all applications.

6.       Fertilizer applications: Fields A and B have applications donated. The rest will have to be contracted or done with Volunteers. Earth Day volunteers will cover first day. Then an evaluation will be done on the feasibility of using volunteers for the remaining applications. Oversight of volunteers was discussed. The trust had concerns for overlap, striping, etc. The Trust requested Javier and/or chip to be present.

7.       Warning track weeds: Burnout product to be used. Will have to coordinate a plan with Harold for the optimal timing of application and dragging.

8.       Trust requested Mike M. to ask Chip to estimate cost of seed including application and product so the Trust can include in budget.

9.       Rich P. asked if there was going to be any monitoring of turf care throughout the year. We discussed the need for records on what was working/not working etc. Mike D. asked if Chip could be contracted as a consultant to monitor the program and provide report/summaries evaluations and recommendations throughout the season. Mike M. will follow up on this.

10.   Adopt-a-field signage discussion. Mike M. updated the trust on signage requirements for donors. Dugouts for fields A and C will have an identical sign layout showing program name and various levels of signage depending on level of donations. One of the sign houses at the front of the park will have a map of the park with the vendors listed and program description. The sides of the sign boxes will have leaflets for people to take away more info. A scaled map will also be posted at the concession stand. The goal is to recognize efforts and donations as well as educate the residents about the program tastefully without adding multiple sign structures taking away from the look of the park. It was suggested to consider mounting and backing of larger signs to avoid fading and multiple screw holes.

11.   Open items for 2010 turf care discussed for trust budgeting. Mike M. is still working on solicitations, but as of now the following are open items that may need to be purchased:

·         Core aeration (assumption that Bell and Flynn will provide 2 of the 3 needed)

·         Seed – cost of product and potential application costs.

·         Lime

·         Compost tea

·         Application of fertilizers

·         Irrigation contract

·         Tree and shrub fertilizer

·         Bark mulch

·         Playground chips

·         Contract for turf care consultant (discussed above)

Total estimated costs for these items need to be determined.

 

Schedule of field use discussed: Town updated the Trust on the current schedule and some locked in revenues. Legends, summer camp, soccer camp and EJBL have already scheduled. Timing of KYAA schedule needs discussed. Concern for holding fields for Kensington uses discussed. Setting a deadline for a tentative schedule from in town users and another for a final schedule was discussed. This will avoid booking fields and having Kensington organizations being left out. Overlap scheduling discussed and the need for a buffer for field prep. Pricing for non-town field rental discounts was discussed. Agreed that the best course is to keep the agreed upon procedure and have anyone seeking discounted rates to come before the board.

 

Utilities use analysis: Mike M. discussed Unitil scheduled to analyze a 30 day window of active use of park to provide info to help save on bills. Mike D. reminded us the MUSCO system has the ability to provide data on the usage.

Banners: Solicitation letter reviewed and discussed. It was decided to keep pricing levels the same as 2009.

 

Endowment building:  Discussion continued on researching raising funds for endowment. Mike D. will follow up with a contact that might provide insight on our options.