CULTURE, PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
DECEMBER 7, 2006
I. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Culture, Parks & Recreation Commission was called to order at 7:35 pm in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. Present were Chairman Linda Johnson, Commission Members Dave Bush, Joe Grace, Noreen Kuziak, Mary Liljedahl, John Pendergast, Harry Ryan, and Director of Culture, Parks & Recreation, Gerry Toner.
Chairman Johnson explained she would need some time in the coming months to focus on personal family matters, and would put Vice-Chairman Dave Bush in charge of the Culture, Parks, & Recreation Commission during her absence.
II. TARIFFVILLE VILLAGE ASSOC. – 31 MAIN STREET
Dave Bush introduced Association member Frank Haviland who addressed the Commission. Frank stated he is the Chairperson for the Planning & Design Committee for the Tariffville Village Assoc.
He informed all in attendance that the Village Assoc. has shared their plans with the Town for revitalizing the Village Center, and the Town Planning Commission has adopted the Association Plans and incorporated them into the draft of the Plan of Conservation & Development.
One piece of the Plan is the designation by the Town, of the Town owned land, at 31 Main Street, Tariffville as a Municipal Park. To achieve this goal there is a three phase plan in place.
Frank stated Phase I is to get the Board of Selectmen to officially designate this land as a Municipal Park.
When the designation becomes official, Phase II would then be to design and construct a Victorian era looking gazebo to be placed on the green. An architect/designer would be hired to help.
MINUTES
CULTURE, PARKS & RECREATION
PAGE 2
DECEMBER 7, 2006
Fundraising efforts would take place at this time, and when the gazebo was built, ownership would be given to the Town.
Finally, when all is approved by various Commissions in Town, Phase III is to create a Victorian image for the whole Village Center, such as brick sidewalks, antique looking lights along the green, pathways, etc. The Association would like to partner with the Town to apply for a Small Town Economic Assistance Program Grant from the State.
A question and answer period took place between the CP&R Commission and the Association.
Dave Bush explained what has taken place between the last time the Village Association presented before the CP&R Commission in April. He explained he also had a letter from the Town Attorney stating the process required to make this all happen and who would make the designation.
Dave said while the CP&R Commission supports the idea of planning and efforts of the Village Assoc. they still have not seen a break down of financial costs and funding in general of the proposal that will occur. Dave explained members of the Commission would be happy to help develop a structured plan.
Members of the Village Assoc. stated they felt costs at this point in time to only designate the land as a park was zero.
Selectmen John Hampton and Joel Mandell spoke briefly and expressed their opinions and stated something needed to come from the CP&R Commission before this process could move forward.
Harry Ryan made a motion, seconded by Joe Grace, that the Culture, Parks, & Recreation Commission recommend to the Board of Selectmen that 31 Main Street, Tariffville be designated as a Municipal Park.
MINUTES
CULTURE, PARKS & RECREATION
PAGE 3
DECEMBER 7 2006
Vice-Chairman Bush stated the only way he could recommend the above was with the understanding that the Tariffville Village Assoc. and/or private funding would be responsible for any and all improvements on this property.
Dave Bush and Linda Johnson abstained from the vote and the motion passed.
III. SIMSBURY CELEBRATES!
Linda Johnson reported donations received for this event to-date were approximately $20,000. She stated more complete numbers would be given at the next CP&R Commission meeting.
It was also explained new fundraising efforts would be established due to the fact The Hartford would no longer be a contributor.
Between 10,000 and 11,000 people were in attendance, and next year some constraints will be required as stated by the Town Fire Marshall.
Linda Johnson announced that CP&R Commission Member, Christine Sovik, would be moving from Connecticut shortly, and therefore no longer be on the Simsbury Celebrates! Committee. Linda said that Christine had played a huge role in the event and would be greatly missed.
Linda Johnson excused herself from the rest of the meeting at this point due to illness.
IV. CONNECTICUT YOUTH SPORTS INITIATIVE
Rick Collins explained the above State organization was founded two years ago because there was a change in the culture of sports.
He explained to the CP&R Commission he is a fourth grade teacher in Town and also a high school varsity coach.
MINUTES
CULTURE, PARKS & RECREATION
PAGE 4
DECEMBER 7 2006
He said this gives him a unique position because he is able to see what is happening in sports at the high school level and also seeing how youth sports are impacting kids in Town.
What he has noticed over the years is that the kids are being put under a great amount of pressure in sports.
Rick said one of the most important things in being an elementary school student is being accepted.
He said the youth sports have become “miniature varsity programs.” Children’s sports ability and potential are being determined at too young an age by sometimes untrained people.
Rick stated that parents are afraid if they do not get their children into programs at an early age, they will not have an opportunity to be involved later. This also creates the opinion of some that the kids are then entitled to play at the varsity level because they have gone through the program.
Rick stated last year a group including himself, Neil Sullivan – Principal of Simsbury High School, Gerry Toner – Director of Culture, Parks & Recreation, and others came together to discuss and suggest if there was something that could be done as a Town to help youth sports meet the needs of all children. A set of “core values” has been drafted by this group, and the hope is the Town will now adopt these for their programs.
Rick said the first core value states that the group believes the Town of Simsbury should believe in the potential of all children. All the core values are sound principals of education and athletics.
Rick explained the major goal of the group formed is to have the Town of Simsbury adopt the core values suggested.
MINUTES
CULTURE, PARKS & RECREATION
PAGE 5
DECEMBER 7 2006
Dave Bush thanked Rick Collins for presenting all the information, and said the CP&R Commission would like to discuss the topic further before making any recommendations.
V. MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 21, 2006
Joe Grace made a motion, seconded by John Pendergast, and passed with one abstention to approve the Minutes of September 21, 2006.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
The Culture, Parks & Recreation Commission adjourned the meeting at 9:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Laurie Lungarini
| 
