Gary, Donna, Mike, Bruce and Russell in attendance.
February minutes approved.
Public Session: None
Turf Care: Chip Osborne of Osborne Organics came to discuss turf care. He spoke to his background and expressed an interest in the Sawyer Park turf care project. Mike D. discussed the need for an independent assessment of the fields to provide guidance and recommendations and provide a monthly report, to help develop a system for budgeting and anticipating issues as well as providing a review year to year.
Chip explained that successful organic turf care is a system approach as opposed to a product approach and discussed the merits of organic turf care.
Bruce asked if the program with donated materials would be flexible to change products and applications based on soil tests and needs throughout the season. Chip and Mike M. said the program would conform to the needs of the park and would adjust amount, timing and frequency of applications as needed.
Mike D. asked about issues that might be detrimental to the turf. Chip explained that such issues would rarely cause the death of a field and the nature of the organic program would work to avoid many of those issues. Chip went on to state that no organic program should ever decrease the quality of the turf.
Bruce asked about turf height and that taller grass gets trampled during peak uses. Chip explained that lower heights are acceptable to aid in “ball roll”. The discussion went on to adjusting heights as the season winds down.
Harold mentioned that the early season weather last year caused field conditions not conducive to over use. We went on to discuss that there needs to be flexibility to allow park to be used by the residents even when it isn’t the best timing for the field turf. All fields will see use on 4/15 officially and earlier as weather starts to warm up.
Mike D. asked about the snow load and weight compacting and matting grass. Chip explained that a light non-invasive raking/tining is perfectly acceptable.
Mike D. asked if Chip would provide his service to guide us through issues and provide budgeting assistance. Chip said he can produce documents to substantiate costs of organic turf care over the long run and will consider how to best help us with a proposal of “technical review”, full base line info and produce a report and cost of programs providing info to tweak program as issues arise and take advantage of “window of opportunity for maximum benefits”.
With baseball starting 4/16 Chip will work with Mike M. to get program rolling in time as well what would be needed to cover un-donated turf care items and prioritize so we can weigh out what is most beneficial.
Mike M. said the soil test would be done within a week to define immediate needs. Initially it was thought that the extra soil tests needed would be more than what the grant provided, but the tests should fall within the allotted amount.
Chip said his proposal for the whole program could take time given his schedule, but he could provide application rates for April as well as a proposal for assistance.
Earth Day/Timberland: Mike M. and Andy Phipher discussed the “Earth Day” (4/22) Timberland volunteer effort. They are expecting 100 volunteers from Timberland in addition to some local volunteers and school children. Andy and Mike will be meeting to work out a manpower plan. Priorities for Earth Day work was discussed which included: Playground chips, mulching, compost and fertilizer, general clean up. Also discussed was possibly painting the backstop, general clean up, skate park equipment set up (Cengiz will have to mark out location of equipment if he is not available that day) and helping with the hill erosion. Andy also said he’d be walking through the park to see if there are more suggestions for work that he can come up with.
Harold asked how the workers will be managed. Andy explained he will be the onsite director and each project will have project managers to each team assigned to that project. Andy also said the he can work with the trust and other vendors to help manage.
Banner Sales: Donna was working on the address labels and hoped to be done within a week. There were 100 in the database and calls were already coming in inquiring about renewals.
Contractor Concerns: Harold expressed concerns regarding discussions held earlier regarding grass height and “de-matting” conflicting with debated opinions last year. Russell said that he will be allowed to do his work without interference and will only have to answer the Board of Selectman and Trust. We also discussed that the summer camp plans to do their weekly field trip on Wednesdays which should make it easier for Harold’s crew to work. Russell also stated that he will follow up with Mike M. to ensure that no other turf care activities from the various vendors will be scheduled for Wednesdays.
Tree Removal: Mike and Bruce expressed interest in being present for the final walk through after the work is done.
Ball field issues: Issues regarding the infield were discussed including lips and edging, need for infield absorption products on the base paths, branches needing trimming near the left field lights. The trust asked Harold to put together a list of problem areas.
Weed Control: A question was raised to what Harold’s responsibility will be for weed control. This will have to be determined as turf care program details are worked out.
Park Operations: We discussed what will need to be coordinated with general park operations. Open items to be worked out: Legends contact, field scheduling, status of field rentals, future scheduling inquiries, special rentals and fees.
Mike D. said that he can help with scheduling the lights and work with Gary and Bruce to show them.
The trust will provide help with park operations as needed. They will also help in soliciting bids and obtaining estimates for work and bring to Board of Selectman.
We still need to work out details of janitorial services.
Russell asked about keys and is finishing up with the key policy. Need to determine key needs for regular park users such as KYAA, EBJL and Legends.
Official opening date for park will be 4/15. Trust will put together suggestions and list of priorities to open facilities.
Role of Trust: The role of the trust with the park was discussed as was the desire to include other organizations in helping with the park such as the KYAA and Recreation Committee. How to get volunteers for concession stand was also discussed. It was decided to schedule a meeting for 4/8 and invite KYAA, Recreation Committee along with Trust and Board of Selectman to identify ways for all groups to collaborate on how to best utilize all of the groups’ recourses to get the most out of the park. Tentative topics for discussion include: Field scheduling, events, volunteer efforts, concession stand, field protocol, coordinated efforts for efficient use of fees, etc.
Road Race: Mike D. discussed that in conjunction with the town festival the trust would like to help with sponsoring and coordinating the road race.
Damage to park from storm: Damage to be tracked for FEMA estimates. Damaged fence estimates will range around $650 to fix. N.E. fence will provide estimate to town.
Park Expenses: Turf maintenance costs discussed. Town will be paying 1st payment from operating budget line items. Second payment can be covered by Mr. Lewis’ $8,000 and field revenues from Legends and other field rentals. The third will be covered by any additional revenues and the trust as applicable. The town will work on establishing processes for tracking money spent on park related items for future budgeting and analysis.