Recreation Committee Minutes 10-26-2021

Recreation Committee Minutes 10-26-2021

RUTLAND TOWN SELECTBOARD COMMITTEE MEETING

RECREATION COMMITTEE

TUESDAY OCTOBER 26^TH, 2021

The Recreation Committee of the Rutland Town Selectboard met at 5:00 PM on Tuesday October 26^th at the Rutland Town Municipal Town Hall. Present was Board Clerk Joe Denardo, Board Member Sharon Russell, Town Recreation Director Mike Rowe, and Town Administrative Assistant Bill Sweet. Members of the public present were Andy McMillan, and Mary Beth Poli.  There was a conference call line with a publicly accessible and warned phone number in use.

• The committee discussed the recent state grant an application was submitted to. We did not make it past the first round.
  1. Director Rowe would still like to move forward with making some of these improvements to the park, using other funds the town may have available.
  2. The original grant was for $180,000, which included $60,000 to build the shared use path. The cost of the shared use path had already been allocated in the current budgets. This leaves $120,000 of projects left.
  3. Director Rowe would like up to $100,000 from the capital improvement fund to make these upgrades to the park.
  4. Selectman Denardo suggested providing a list of projects and associated costs for the board to review and make a list of priorities.
  5. Director Rowe said he feels the capital improvement is appropriate to use since funds from his department are turned back annually and add to this fund, rather than adding to the annual budget.
  6. Discussed looking at allowable uses of the ARPA funds to be able to complete some of these projects as well.
  7. Director Rowe would like to get a commitment on the funds before spring to be able to plan the projects.
  8. Mountain biking trails would be a primary goal.
  9. Additional information will be ready to give to the board for the November 9^th
• Discussed the zero-turn mower
  1. It is showing some mechanical defects such as oil leaks.
  2. The machine is 8 years old and has more than 1000 hours on it.
  3. Director Rowe will obtain prices from a variety of vendors for a replacement machine.
  4. This is largely the only mower used at the park.
• Reviewed the draft of the budget sheets.
  1. Social security costs were not added due to not knowing what they are.
  2. Lifeguard pay had to be increased in order to keep competitive with area pools.
  3. Discussed future maintenance costs. Commissioner Hathaway has been able to perform some of the maintenance for us.
  4. Discussed chemical costs. A new digital monitoring system has allowed us to reduce the usage and costs.
• The new no parking signs have been installed in 4 locations around the park.

The meeting adjourned at 5:48PM.

Respectfully submitted, Bill Sweet