Manchester Essex Playing Fields Committee
September 19, 2007
Manchester Town Hall - #5
7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Matt Casparius, Tom Kehoe, Jeff Jones, Hardy Nalley, Sue Taylor, Sandy Bodmer-Turner, Mike Christopher, Greg Blagden, Tom Arntsen,
Guests Present: Grace Walsh, Eileen Walsh, Tim Gates, Steve Gang, Gail Gang,
Meeting Opened at 7:40 p.m.
I. Review of Minutes of August 29, 2007:
Hardy Nalley made a motion to accept the minutes as presented. 2nd by Sandy Bodmer-Turner. Approved by all.
II. Public Input:
No Comments
III. Brook Street Field Status:
Construction Update – Tom Kehoe reported that work on the field is proceeding. Hardy Nalley reported that he has heard that we are still looking at October 10th as a completion date. Sandy Bodmer-Turner reported that she was working with Tom Arntsen to write up a public relations letter voicing the Committee’s concerns over delays in products. Sarah Creighton had suggested to Sandy that the letter should be sent to Field Turf Tarquet. Tom Kehoe reported that the turf material is in and starting to be installed. In addition, the pathway connecting Brook Street to the Memorial School is open; however the ramp is not open yet.
IV. Field Needs Availability
Hardy Nalley reported that he was glad that the colleges and other schools were able to help us out so we didn’t have to turn anyone away. He also reported that once Brook Street field does open, high school athletic practiceswill move to Brook Street.
V. Signage for Brook Street Field:
The School Building Committee has asked the Fields Committee for suggestions regarding signage for the new field. Matt Casparius shared an example from the Westfield Recreation Department that he had found which showed their rules.
1. No pets permitted
2. Place all trash and litter in containers provided.
3. Water or Power Drinks only on the Playing Field
4. No bicycles, motorcycles, or mopeds
5. No gum, sunflower seeds, candy or soda on the playing field.
6. This is a smoke free facility.
It was also suggested that we put picture logos on the sign next to the rules and the committee questioned whether we should put hours of use on the sign as well?
VI. Future Fields Planning Process:
At the previous meeting, each of the user groups was asked to come up with a list of needs for their respective organizations so that we could begin to compile a wish list that we could present to the Towns of Manchester & Essex.
Manchester Essex Little League:
A request for a Full Sized Baseball Field with a 90 foot diamond between home and first. The left and right field would be between 310 – 325 feet. This sized field would be used for High School, Babe Ruth and Inter town Teams. In our planning we also need to consider an additional 60 feet behind home plate – so really 435 to 470 feet. The best orientation for this field would have an East/Northeast Orientation.
They also requested a Girls Official Softball field which would have a completely skinned infield.
Finally, he has requested that we look at installing a canteen water and toilet facilities at Sweeney Park. (If end up building a sports complex with all fields elsewhere we should consider a canteen there as well.)
Manchester Soccer Club:
One full sized field is needed. Currently only have the 1 field at Brook Street and that field isn’t exactly a full sized field. Essex Elementary is also used for soccer but that field is too narrow and there is no room to expand on that site. Memorial Field in Essex is too small for a full sized field. Realistically to cover all needs we should look at 2 full sized multipurpose fields.
Junior Hornets Football:
Dimensions for their fields are smaller (40 x 80). Currently they are using 30 weekdays and 5 Sundays (August to October) and they simply use triangle cones to mark off the field. No real needs that are pressing at this time.
High School Needs:
5 Field Hockey Teams, 5 Soccer Teams, Once new Hyland Field is up and running he would be all set. If a new field came into Town, the High School would be inclined to move the Soccer program over to it.
Review of Current Field Needs:
1 Full Sized Baseball Field in Manchester (since one already in Essex)
1 Official Sized Softball Diamond (with a skinned field)
2 Full Sided Soccer/Multipurpose Field (300 x 130)
Tom Arntsen suggested that we should probably be targeting sites that already exist and can be redone. Sandy Bodmer-Turner suggested that someone needs to make a map with some site plans on them and see what would work. Maybe we can work with the planning Board and see if there was a land developer who would build a recreation facility in exchange for tax break.
Tim Gates mentioned that Conservation has a complete set of Manchester and Essex plans which show Town owned land with and without conservation restrictions.
Tom Kehoe suggested that we also keep tennis courts in the back of our minds as a possibility. Looking at our list, right now we’re looking at a 10 acres site just to fit our field needs in and that doesn’t take into consideration things such as parking, bathrooms, storage, a canteen, and bleachers. It will be much cheaper to build all field needs and amenities at 1 site instead of trying to develop multiple sites.
We have to keep in mind that there are additional programs that want to come on board down the road, such as lacrosse.
Tom Kehoe reported that he will talk to Wayne Melville about interns, grants, etc, Jeff Jones reported that he will also talk to Brendan Zubricki in Essex.
VII. Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on October 24, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be tentatively held at the Essex Senior Center, 17 Pickering Street.
Meeting Adjourned: 9:10 p.m.
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