TOWN OF GRANBY
GRANBY ATHLETIC FIELD LONG-RANGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 7, 2008
PRESENT: Benjamin Perron, Chairman; Ron Durej, Brian Presbie, and Randy Rome. James Tibbets arrived late. John O’Connor, BOE Liaison
OTHER PRESENT: Richard Boston, RLA
Chairman Perron confirmed a quorum and called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES
The committee reviewed the minutes of September 4, 2008. After a discussion about the minutes, Mr. Presbie noted corrections under the section entitled OTHER, number 1., Ahrens Park, delete the word “soccer” and replace it with “softball”. Add the following sentence: The committee discussed and concurred to include the irrigation system and finish Ahrens Park improvements in preparation of having school’s fields renovated and the high school varsity sports played at Ahrens Park during this construction.
On a MOTION by Brian Presbie, seconded by Ron Durej, the committee voted (3-0-1) to approve the minutes of September 4, 2008 as amended. Mr. Rome abstained.
DISCUSSION OF PHASING REFINEMENTS/COSTS
Richard Boston distributed phasing refinements information for discussion. It was decided to place this information at the end of the master plan report. Some discussion ensued about the reasons for items listed in the phased athletic field construction costs. Some highlights of the items discussed were:
AHRENS PARK
- Relocated community gardens.
- Gives it a better aesthetic look
- Place for socialization
- Better location for keeping some equipment
- Stone dust cost compared to bituminous cost
- Stone dust is 1/3 of cost of bituminous, plus maintenance cost
- New softball field with fencing seems high in cost
- Gazebo, fencing, benches, etc. may be considered as an optional item (these items are throughout the phasing of the projects)
- Move Ahrens Park Phase IV as part of Ahrens Park Phase I.
Mr. Boston commented with this type of phased athletic field construction costs, this document gives the best conceptual ideas and estimate of costs that may be considered as an option.
Mr. Boston will check into how many parking slots there are for Ahrens Park. He mentioned that the committee is invited to view Suffield’s artificial turf with him on Oct. 18, 2008 at 10 a.m. Mr. Boston will check on the phased athletic field construction cost for correct placement of the restroom/shelter with septic system cost for the parks, as it may have been inadvertently left out.
Mr. O’Connor asked for a discussion on the phasing of projects. Ahrens and Salmon Brook Parks improvements were started in preparation of helping to handle the practices and games during the renovation of the high school’s fields. Some of the high school renovation can be accomplished at the same time as Ahrens or Salmon Brook Parks improvements.
Contingency costs for each phase is important to note but it fluctuates depending on the economy timeframe for the projects’ start and finish dates. When estimating the initial projects costs, contingency will not be included.
SALMON BROOK PARK
- Some of the items listed as improvements to the north end of the park may have been started or completed by the Department of Public Works. These items may be eliminated from the master plan.
- Discussion of site earthwork construction may potentially be a resource for these projects.
GRANBY MEMORIAL HIGH AND MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMPUS
- Subsurface detention system cost may be reduced drastically if sand is acceptable.
- Move the metal bleachers phasing position to Phase II instead of Phase IIA.
- Press box may be considered an optional item or less important to complete on schedule. However, the storage portion of the building must be readily accessible for users.
- Under Phase V, Field Improvements, change Lacrosse field irrigation system to field hockey …
The committee requested the Green property improvement costs be included in this phased construction cost estimate.
OTHER
Chairman Perron requested the committee to review the second draft of the master report and give him comments by Saturday, October 10th. Chairman Perron will provide these comments to Rich Boston.
A discussion ensued and agreed that blow out charts should be made of the parks and school’s grounds, and possibly the town-owned property. Recording Secretary will ask whether the BOS workshop will be taped.
ADJOURNMENT
The next meeting is scheduled for October 14, 2008. One of the items for the agenda is the discussion of the BOS workshop presentation, stakeholders open session.
On a MOTION by Randy Rome, seconded by James Tibbets, the committee voted unanimously (5-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 9:13 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia I. Chieski
Recording Secretary
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