Lyme Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
January 28, 2008
Lyme Center Academy Building
6:00pm
Commission members present: Dina Cutting, Simon Carr, Bob Couture, Tor Tosteson, Kathleen Henriques, Steve Small, Peter Mulvihill (alternate), Tom Yurkosky (alternate). Conservation Commission Chair Matt Stevens arrived at 7:00pm and attended part of this meeting.
Warrant Article 3 was discussed. It will be used as information to explain Warrant Articles 1 and 2. It was determined by Jae Whitelaw, Lyme’s legal counsel that the condition of a 2’ mean high water level in Post Pond can be stated in the Warrant Articles. The RC can control the privately raised money which is contingent on the stated 2’ mean high water level.
Chase Beach & John Balch Memorial Field: Warrant Articles 1 & 2 were unanimously recommended by the Selectmen with the corrected dollar amount of funds raised thus far. It was moved, seconded and unanimously approved to accept both Warrant Articles.
Dina presented the budget for the renovation of the John Balch Memorial Ball Field. It was noted that if more private funds were raised, the amount of the cost to the town would be reduced on the floor during Town Meeting. (See attached).
Communication with the Conservation Commission (CC): The RC invited the CC to come and have the opportunity to communicate with the RC on new historical information the RC has discovered concerning Chase Beach, John Balch Memorial Field and Chaffee Wildlife Preserve. It was noted that the RC sent copies of both Warrant Articles as well as the explanatory Background and Executive Summary to the CC ahead of the 1/28/08 meeting with the hope of receiving some feedback from the CC. Matt Stevens represented the CC. The possibility of obtaining permits from the various government agencies to either breach the beaver dams or insert the beaver deceiver pipes was discussed. Matt commented that perhaps the permits should be prepared by the RC and endorsed by the CC. The RC asked for a formal
commitment from the CC that they approve the Warrant Articles or in any event what their intentions are in terms of maintaining 2’ water level. Matt stated that the CC will pursue a second study which would be done in the next growing season (spring/summer 2008). The Recreation Commission has concerns about this time frame. This will push any field improvements back another season, leaving the town with potentially an unusable ball field, and a flooded beach for another year.
Warrant Article 3: After minor modifications, Warrant Article 3 was unanimously approved as a petitioned Warrant Article. Signatures of support are due Feb. 4th.
Report by Steve Small
Skiing: The issue with Ford Sayre racers riding the Lyme bus from the school to the Skiway was resolved by charging them a transportation fee and having parents sign a waiver. There is no longer a need to find additional snowboard instructors as the 6th grader participating in the program are all intermediate and advanced riders. Like the Ford Sayre skiers, they are now just riding the bus for a small fee with no instruction. Steve will collect used equipment at the end of season. He will store it over the summer and offer it to students in need of equipment next year.
Basketball: There has been lots of participation and minimal issues. Steve has worked out the confusion with the table coordinators.
Next Meeting: Feb. 25th, 6:00 p.m. followed by a public presentation of the three Warrant Articles at 7 p.m., Lyme Center Academy Building.
Respectfully submitted by Kathleen Henriques, Secretary
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