This report is the second of our two reports on the Board of Selectmen meeting held this past Tuesday, May 24. For Part I of the reports, see our May 27 report, Selectmen Endorse Cottage Street Sewer Line Extensions...

Recreation Commission member Dan Eddy sat quietly through the Board of Selectmen meeting this past Tuesday, waiting for the opportunity to address the selectmen under item # 11, Opportunity for Public Comment, scheduled at the end of the public portion of the meeting.

Dan Eddy thanked the Board of Selectmen for the work it’s undertaking with the roof (of the Brodie Park Field House) and with the potential work on the septic system (at Berkshire Hall at Brodie Park). He noted that the Rec Commission has done a considerable amount of work on both those items and he asked the selectmen to communicate better with the Rec Commission so that they (Rec) could coordinate the efforts of both.

Dan Eddy laid out the current situation as follows: “In terms of funding (for the coming year) there is altogether $140,000 for Rec which is great – normally we get $50,000, but it appears that the $140,000 has already been allocated for specific uses ($90,000 for Brown’s Corner and $50,000 for the Field House Roof by the selectmen). This leaves Rec with no money for improvements or repairs. Callahan Park has been overlooked for an extended period of time. We (the Rec Commission members) feel uncomfortable with this situation.”

First Selectman Dan Jerram responded by saying: “There are rollover funds available to you. There’s $20,000 (in your account) that’s untouched for your use.” “That’s money from previous years.” Dan Eddy pointed out.

“The selectmen pitched the septic (to the Board of Finance) but they didn’t approve it. The BOF is willing to consider it on an individual basis but you’ll have to provide a lot more information.” Dan Jerram said.

“That’s what I’m talking about, the lack of communication. We get things second-hand. If it’s appropriate, we’ll send a Rec Commission member to the meetings. We need to get it first-hand and be part of the decision process.” Dan Eddy responded.

“I had a discussion with Dennis (Minor, Rec Department Director) and the communication should get better. He should be here on a daily basis if there’s a problem.” Dan Jerram responded, adding: “When this fall we put a bow on Brown’s Corner, you’ll see how great it is!”

Dan Jerram then went on: “Dennis has come to me and said that the Field House is the salvation of the Rec Department, that it will generate all the funds they need to operate. Those are his words.”

Dan Eddy did not agree with this characterization of the situation, saying: “The Field House has been studied (by the Rec Commission). As a Field House it has limited use – the turnbuckles that were installed a few years ago interfere with overhead sports like basketball. We feel the overall pricing from Lenard (Engineering, the town’s consulting engineers) doesn’t represent the full extent of the work needed.” Dan Eddy continued: “The Rec Commission doesn’t know what you’re doing… We have been looking at it for several years and the only reason it hasn’t been taken down is that other groups in town (the Friends of Brodie) have wanted to take it on.” The bottom line on the Field House, according to the Rec Commission, Dan Eddy said, is: “It’s a complete reconstruction – it’s a shed. It makes sense to look at an overall budget to service that building.”

Dan Jerram turned the conversation to the septic system, and Dan Eddy said: “Don’t change the subject on me, Dan.” But the the subject was changed to the septic.

Dan Eddy’s input on the septic was: “The septic design was designed for us by Farmington Health free of cost and the work can be extended for several years.”

“Perhaps the Rec Commission hasn’t had so much money put into it in the past. Maybe you’ve been living hand to mouth for so long and without resources to do things with!” Dan Jerram came back.

Dan Eddy’s said: “Yes, there’s been a lot of money allocated but at the same time 100% of the resources have been put into two projects and they have ignored other projects.” He added: “This is turning into a discussion and is not the proper place to get into a debate.”

Dan Jerram continued: “Are you disputing that you have $20,000 available?” “That money was allocated in prior years.” Said Dan Eddy.

“There’s $20,000 you can use. In the meantime, Brown’s Corner is being completed.” To which Dan Eddy responded: “That’s not a Rec project and never was.”

The discussion came to an end, with Dan Eddy repeating what he had said at the beginning of his comments: “Hopefully, the selectmen will communicate better in the future with the Rec Commission.”

The sandbox at Callahan Park, a small neighborhood park located between the Farmington River and Cottage Street. Photo: Maria Moore

Rec Commission Meeting Minutes Echo Concerns

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In their May 5 meeting, the Rec Commission members echoed the concerns expressed by Dan Eddy to the town’s selectmen at their May 24 meeting. Their minutes, in part, say: “$90K was allocated to Brown’s Corner and $50K for the field house roof which members of Recreation Commission think is questionable at best and $90K is much more than needed for Brown’s. Over the years, the Recreation Department was awarded anywhere from $25K to $50K in order to handle Capital Improvements for the parks but was awarded $0 in the upcoming budget. The money for Brown’s Corner and Field House are allocated to the town’s improvement fund. Although there’s $20K left in the Capital account, it’s not nearly enough to cover the septic and Callahan Park improvements. It was strongly suggested that monies from the Brown’s and Field House projects be used for the septic at Brodie and an upgrade to Callahan Park.” [words in bold reflect the presentation of the words in the minutes].

Download a complete copy of the May 5 Rec minutes which are available in the Town Clerk’s office: New Hartford Park and Recreation Minutes, May 5, 2011 (94)

The professionally landscaped parking lot at Brown's Corner where $90,000 was spent in upgrades by the town in the current fiscal year. Rec is questioning an additional $90,000 that has been allocated to this sports facility by the town's selectmen while no funds were made available for other Rec-proposed projects. Photo: Maria Moore

The fill remaining in one corner of the parking lot at Brown's Corner which should be completely gone this summer, allowing more parking to be added to the town's sports facility. Photo: Maria Moore