March 13, 2006          APPROVED 4/24/06

 

The Recreation Commission held it’s regular meeting on Monday, March 13, 2006 at the DAVID GALE REC CENTER starting at 5:00 P.M.

 

Members present:    Sheila Goss, Grady Vigneau, Dave Matthews and Phil Scott. One vacancy.

 

Others present: Rick Farnham, Recreation Superintendent; Tori Faye and Brian Kaplan.

 

Minutes of February 6, 2006: Ms. Gossmoved to approve as amended, seconded by        Mr. Matthews, with all in favor. 

Bike and Pedestrian Path Report:  Ms. Goss had gone to a Planning Commission

meeting last month to listen to the discussion with Dave Pelletier and Jim Rose from

LCPC. They have a deadline the last of April for a grant to implement a plan for

approving trails and pedestrian walks, sidewalks, Village designation also a part of it.

There is a concern over traffic issues, road crossings etc. which are on the priority list.

Ms. Goss stated the Rec Commission’s concerns re: crossings, tunnels, bridges are

consistent with what Mr. Pelletier and Rose have. They will be talking with AOT

engineers. Ms. Goss offered feedback or help from the Commission. They are looking at

road bike as well as off roads, road signs and are open to comments. One of the issues

they are dealing with is the West Hill Rte 100 intersection by Shaw’s which ties in with

the Commission because it ties in with getting to the polo fields. Ms. Goss stated they

have a copy of the 10-year plan (still in draft form) or are familiar with it. Catamount

Trail does not allow bikes at this time. Mr. Farnham stated he has spoken to Tom

Jackman asking who is responsible for these things, i.e. trails, rec. path etc. His response

was Planning Commission, Conservation Commission, Land Trust and possibly

Recreation each has a part. Mr. Farnham asked who coordinates all of this and Mr.

Jackman stated he was the common factor in three of the commissions. Mr. Farnham still

baffled as to who does what. Ms. Goss stated 3-4 years ago she put together all public

access trails, how many miles, who is responsible for maintenance and provided to the

people two did the 10-year plan. She indicated some of it is in the plan. Mr. Farnham

stated if he had money to gift to the town to extend the Bike Path, whom would he deal

with, who would he go to, which Commission. Mr. Jackman could not answer. The

opinion was the Selectmen have the say. Mr. Scott said he had suggested to Mr. Jackman

a huge map, which would include, snowshoeing, with every trail, cross-country etc,

complete and have available at no cost. Trails were at the top of the survey so this needs

to be done and made available. Mr. Farnham stated he wants the role of the Rec

Commission defined. Selectmen have the authority over the rules of the Path. Mr.

Matthews felt the management of the policy should be with the Rec Commission with 

Mr. Godin doing the maintenance. Mr. Scott suggested there be a meeting to decide some

form of leadership, print up a brochure and out to the public, with the Rec Commission

being more involved. Mr. Kaplan said for him to start a process of what he may like to

do, there are too many entities involved. Does not know what to do or where to go. Mr.

pg. 2 3/13/06

 

Vigneau said recreation exists but under many heads. Mr. Farnham said he is willing to

coordinate many of these things but has to know who is the owner of these things. The

solution is to bring all the parties who are involved together and suggested Mr. Drury,

Mr. Farnham, Tom Jackman and a representative of each of the entities. There needs to

be a plan and a structure to the organization of the administration of these entities. Ms. Goss felt there are two plans which overlap with some common entities being shared. Mr. Kaplan will set up a 10-week plan of hiking 1.5 hours a day for the summer. Dave Matthews stated the Rec Path is on every brochure in town and the Commission is asking who owns it, who is in charge etc. It was agreed Bruce Godin is in charge of maintenance. Mr. Scott will set up a meeting with Mr. Jackman, John Drury and Mr. Farnham , Bruce Godin, Buildings, Parks and Grounds and Cliff Johnson to discuss these matters.

 

10-Year Plan: Mr. Scott stated Mr. Crane would like to have a months notice to make

his 10-year plan presentation at the Selectboard’s meeting. He suggested other

Commissions be represented at the meeting. Mr. Vigneau felt that the schools should be

used much more than they are which is in the plan. Mr. Farnham stated there are some

good things and some that aren’t so good. The Commission should pick a time, ask the

Selectboard how to proceed and how they would like to prioritize. tape 1 side 2

Mr. Scott will see to it that the Selectboard members get copies of the report.

Rink: Mr. Farnham stated a basic RFP has been written for a an architectural design.

Bruce Godin, Cliff Johnson and Mr. Farnham from the town are on the committee.   

When the proposals come in, the committee will choose a firm. Fund raising efforts are still in progress.

 

Meeting adjourned at 6:35 P.M. These minutes were written from the tapes.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Barbara S. Allaire