OCTOBER 20, 2004

ATTENDANCE: Fred Bondi, Chairman; Richard McQuaid; Leona Williams; Carvin Hilliard; Peter Wien; Betsy Bain.

STAFF: Michael Mocciae, Director of Recreation & Parks.

ROLL CALL

The meeting was called to order at 8 p.m. by the Chairman.

MINUTES OF JULY 21, 2004 AND SEPTEMBER 15, 2004

JULY 21, 2004

The following corrections were made: On page 2, 1st paragraph, the spelling of Terry Quell’s name was corrected. On page 3, last paragraph, 4th sentence, the second “they” was eliminated, “a tent” was inserted between “use” and “on”, and “acquired” was corrected to “required”. On page 4, under Item 6, 1st sentence, “Directory” was corrected to “Director” and “for” was changed to “about”. In the last paragraph, “a” was deleted and “for” was corrected to “about”. On page 5, in the heading of Item 9, “per month” was added after “$828.88. In the next paragraph, 2nd sentence, “within” was corrected to “was within”. On page 6, under Item 12, 2nd sentence, “used” was corrected to “used to”. The last paragraph on the page was deleted. On page 7, the 1st paragraph was deleted. Under Item 14, 1st paragraph, 1st sentence, “height tents” was corrected to “high poles”.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2004

The following corrections were made: On page 4, 2nd paragraph, 2nd sentence, “with” was inserted between “city” and “a”. In the 7th paragraph, the spelling of Greta DeAngelis’ name was corrected. On page 5, the amendment was corrected to read, “Ms. Bain moved to amend the motion to reduce approved Sunday to through the month of January and to revisit it again at the January 2005 meeting of the Committee”. In the last paragraph on the page and throughout page 6, the spelling of Roodner Court was corrected.

** MRS. BAIN MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JULY 21, 2004 AND SEPTEMBER 15, 2004 AS CORRECTED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

OLD BUSINESS

AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, ALEX A. KNOPP, TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH NEON EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE EXISTING PLAYGROUND AREA AT NATHANIEL ELY SCHOOL AT 11 INGALLS AVENUE

** MR. HILLIARD MOVED APPROVAL.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

NEW BUSINESS

AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, ALEX A. KNOPP, TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH TRI-FITNESS LLC FOR THE 3RD ANNUAL MOSSMAN TRIATHLON EVENT TO BE HELD SUNDAY, JULY 17, 2005 FROM 6:30 A.M. UNTIL 12 NOON. SETUP TO TAKE PLACE SATURDAY, JULY 15, 2005 AFTER 12 NOON, BREAKDOWN ON JULY 18, 2005 BY 12 NOON

** MR. HILLIARD MOVED APPROVAL.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

APPROVE THE USE OF WITCH PARK IN ROWAYTON BY THE COMMUNITY COOPERATIVE NURSERY SCHOOL FOR ITS ANNUAL TREE SALE AND FUNDRAISER TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4 FROM 10 A.M. – 4 P.M. AND SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5TH FROM 12 NOON – 5 P.M.

** MRS. BAIN MOVED APPROVAL.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

APPROVE THE USE OF THE SHOWMOBILE BY THE AMERICAN LEGION POST 12 FOR THEIR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2004

** MR. MCQUAID MOVED APPROVAL.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, ALEX A. KNOPP, TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH CRISTINO ASSOCIATES INC. FOR THE ELECTRICAL DESIGN OF THE FLOATING DOCKS AT VETERANS PARK FOR A TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $5,000. ACCOUNT NO. 09026030-5777-C0095

** MR. HILLIARD MOVED APPROVAL.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, ALEX A. KNOPP, TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH NORWALK MARINE CONTRACTORS, INC. FOR THE INSTALLATION OF MOORING EQUIPMENT FOR THE VISITOR’S DOCKS AT VETERANS PARK FOR A TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $19,300. FUNDS FOR THIS PROJECT ARE AVAILABLE FROM T HE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND BOATING INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT. ACCOUNT NO. 09036030-5777-C0095 & 09026030-5777-C0095

** MS. WILLIAMS MOVED APPROVAL.

Mrs. Bain asked if this would use up all of the funds in the State grant, and Mr. Moccaie responded affirmatively.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

REVIEW AND APPROVE BIDS FOR THE NEW ROOFS FOR THE RESTROOMS IN VETERANS PARK

** MR. MCQUAID MOVED TO REVIEW THE BIDS.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

DISCUSSION

CRANBURY PARK RULES AND REGULATIONS (DOG PARK)

It was noted that the dog warden was not present and that this was not the first time this had happened.

Discussion took place on the Friese Park Hungarian statue. The Chairman said that this statue is leaning to the right. There is a crack. Lazlo Papp said they are dealing with the crack to stabilize it. There is an underground stream, which created the foundation problem. Church members need the City’s help in stabilizing the monument. They need to move the monument to a new location.

Mary Kocis spoke of the fact that the statue had been moved to the front. She suggested they think about demolishing the bottom, saving the top and figuring out what they want to do with it.

The Chairman suggested moving the statue to Heritage Park. The representatives present were in favor; Mr. Mocciae said that would be fine. He said he had met with Ms. Kocis, Mayor Knopp and the architect from Public Works. They will band the stone together with a strap for a temporary fix. If it is going to change locations, they have to work with the Federal government for grant funds.

Discussion took place on the fact that the statue will crack if the base is moved. The top has to be picked up by a crane and removed from the bottom. Mr. Mocciae suggested incorporating the foundation into a stone wall.

Mr. Wien asked if they expect that the slab will crack when the statue is moved; the representative said that could happen. Mr. Wien suggested bolting it from the back into the front.

Mrs. Bain said that the statue will be banded for safety reasons.

The Chairman asked the representatives to obtain prices. Perhaps there will be donations, such as possibly from Gardella with a crane. Perhaps Public Works can make a foundation. There will be further discussion at next month’s meeting.

CRANBURY PARK RULES AND REGULATIONS (DOG PARK) (CONT’D)

At this time, it was noted that some people had mistakenly gone to City Hall for tonight’s meeting. The Dog Warden arrived at the meeting at 8:40 p.m.

Discussion next took place on the concept of a “Bark Park”, with A.J. Langer and other dog owners present. They said they have no place to legally exercise dogs off leash and proposed building a “Bark Park” with a gate and a fence, a specifically designated place where dogs can run off leash. Mrs. Bain said there is a location in the 6th District that is 90% fenced, but Ms. Langer said that is not safe.

It was noted that Taylor Farm is not fenced. The Chairman said that dogs are supposed to be under the owner’s control at all times. It was noted that some dogs are not under their owner’s control, even in a Bark Park.

Mr. Duddie spoke of the potential of fencing in the apple orchard, which Mr. Mocciae said was a possibility. The Chairman said if that is done, that would be the only designated area in Cranbury Park where dogs could be off leash. If that is done, it has to be maintained and people have to be fined for violations.

Various member of the audience spoke of the need for signs, and Mr. Mocciae spoke about the fact that people have disregarded the rules for years.

Mr. Duddie recommended that the department look into the dog park in Ridgefield and into the City’s liability. They also have to look into the regulations currently on the books. Ms. Langer will supply Mr. Mocciae with information and Mr. Mocciae will look into this further.

The Chairman said that signs would be installed within the next few weeks. He instructed Mr. Duddie to enforce the rules and issue tickets.

A female member of the audience asked for bags and trash cans. The Chairman said they have pails on site, but when they put out bags they are taken. Mr. Mocciae said that people should bring their own bags and noted that this is not a dog park; it is a dog-friendly park.

After further discussion, Mr. Mocciae said he would put up signs, put out bags and a kiosk for the bags.

The Chairman said they would have this discussion again in two months. In additions, signs will be installed. He asked people to police the park and report when signs are taken down (preferably with a license plate number).

Mrs. Bain said it would be more productive if this issue was discussed with the Chairman and Mr. Mocciae, rather than at a committee meeting, when there are well-thought out options. The Chairman agreed and said there would be a civic meeting at City Hall in two months.

One member of the audience said that a dog park does not have to be in Cranbury Park. Mr. Mocciae said it can only be in Cranbury Park or at Taylor Farm.

Another member of the audience spoke of the idea of a summer employee patrolling the park, with the money raised to cover this cost from fines.

“THE FRIENDS OF PARKS” CONCEPT

Mr. Mocciae said this idea had come from Mr. Wien. They are trying to bring the parks back to the people, and have people participate in cleanups. Ricky Holber, a Scout, was present. “Friends of Parks” could do work. Mr. Wien said this is a great place to work to improve the parks. It was also noted that Christopher Gentry had repaired the stone pillars in Cranbury Park as an Eagle project.

Ms. Williams invited the representative to speak at her community center.

Mr. Mocciae said this would be a model project.

The Chairman said that the Sons of Italy want to donate a replica of the Santa Maria to whoever would like it. Mr. McQuaid suggested contacting Columbus School.

** MRS. BAIN MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Cheryl Telesco
Telesco Secretarial Services

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