Meeting started at 6 p.m. with Jake Hunt, Dave Fenity and A.J. Ruben present.

Brief discussion of follow up on survey findings and agreement that playground renewal will be the first priority of new investment.
Jake agreed to follow up with Anna and also contact the PACIF insurance agent who will eventually have to determine coverage for new playground. Committee decided that wood mulch would be goal for surface based on survey results and further discussion.

Committee discussed Selectboard request that the Committee take on responsibility for the equipment closet at the back of the Town Hall, currently holding skates, balls, and pickleball equipment and locked.  Selectboard hoped the Committee would develop and implement a plan to maximize access to equipment without exposing Town to undue risk of loss through theft. Committee agreed to consider for next meeting.

Committee discussed concern raised by neighbors across Rt. 100 from Town Green due to court light shining into their window. Committee reviewed the light and determined no easy fix to concern. A.J. agreed to bring up concern with Select Board.

Committee discussed possible submissions to the Town Report to be reviewed at Town Meeting next March.  Report submissions are due around December 2024 per A.J.'s recollection. The Committee discussed submitting a Recreation Committee Report summarizing the work the Committee has done in 2024 and naming the members of the committee, and requesting input on priorities and ideas for future efforts.  The Committee also discussed developing a specific proposal with dollar figures, contractors and timeframes and a total budget amount for one or two projects (playground, walking trail)  and requesting special Town funding to support those projects through a Warning to be included in the Town Report and voted on during Town Meeting.  The Committee agreed to consider both options and work to provide both types of documents to the Select Board and Town in time for inclusion in the Town Report. 


Agenda for next meeting :

Playground plan update

Equipment closet plan update

Town Report submission update

10 22 24 meeting ended at approximately 6:50 p.m.

Pittsfield Rec Committee Meeting Minutes
Meeting Date:
10/8/2024
Link for Recording of the Meeting:
https://pittsfieldvt-my.sharepoint.com/:v:/p/meeting/EZ0Qijfy13RMmoZEomGoSdUBZ6oznlfFZrZJUkO6km8pVQ?nav=eyJyZWZlcnJhbEluZm8iOnsicmVmZXJyYWxBcHAiOiJTdHJlYW1XZWJBcHAiLCJyZWZlcnJhbFZpZXciOiJTaGFyZURpYWxvZy1MaW5rIiwicmVmZXJyYWxBcHBQbGF0Zm9ybSI6IldlYiIsInJlZmVycmFsTW9kZSI6InZpZXcifX0%3D&e=R6XktB

I. Administration

1. Meeting begins 6:12
   Meeting minutes approved by Katrina Hotchkiss seconded by Dave Fenity

II. New Business

1. Spring painting by St. Johnsbury Vermont Tennis Court Surfacing $9,780 out of paving budget
   
2. Bazaar feedback
   1. Review of every survey and tallying responses
      1. Do you live in Pittsfield
         Yes                21
         No                10
         
         Are you aware of the town's multi-use field, playground, basketball court, horseshoe pits, pump track, and winter skating rink?
         Yes                34
         No                  1
         
         
         
      2. Four favorite features of a municipal park
         Walking Trail                         23
         Picnic Areas & Benches      16
         Community Garden            15
         Winter XC Trail                     12
         Fenced Dog Park                 12
         Pavilion                                 11
         Fire Pit                                     7
         Sports Field & Goals             6
         Exercise Stations                   5
         ​Disc Golf                                 4
         Soccer Kick Wall                    3
         
         
      3. Write insSkate park, BBQ pit, roller blading, mobile baseball bases, shuffleboard, movie night, climbing structure, varied structures by age group, native plant area
         
         
      4. Playground Surface
         Cushioned Turf                      3
         Wood Mulch                         10
         Recycled Tire Rubber          14
         Sand                                         2
         
         
         
      5. Suggestions on signage aesthetics
         Subtle, to exist, lighting
         
         
      6. Additional comments
         Use local artists, tweed access for MTB, swings, social media presenc 

Jacob Hunt motioned to adjourn at 6:47 pm, Dave Fenity seconded.

Recording:
​https://pittsfieldvt-my.sharepoint.com/:v:/p/meeting/EV1mCsLMQSZCrfr9w5z2N4gBOWxsOEHaFkE9C7I_X9p0tA?nav=eyJyZWZlcnJhbEluZm8iOnsicmVmZXJyYWxBcHAiOiJTdHJlYW1XZWJBcHAiLCJyZWZlcnJhbFZpZXciOiJTaGFyZURpYWxvZy1MaW5rIiwicmVmZXJyYWxBcHBQbGF0Zm9ybSI6IldlYiIsInJlZmVycmFsTW9kZSI6InZpZXcifX0%3D&e=7fzG8f

Pittsfield Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes September 24, 2024

Meeting at Town Hall – present Jake Hunt, Ann Kuendig, Dave Fenity, Trina Hotchkiss, and A.J.
Ruben.

Jake called the meeting order at 6:18 p.m.

Ann reiterated the Open Meeting Law requirement that Recreation Committee meeting agendas
be posted prior to the meetings and that minutes be posted on the Town website within 5 days of
the meetings. Ann offered to help posting recordings of the Committee meetings online as well.
Jake moved to accept meeting minutes from September 17 th , Trina seconded all in favor.
Ann reported on Selectboard purchase of recreation equipment prior to October 1 st to obtain a
grant funded match. Ann reported the Selectboard will purchase a pickle ball net, balls and
paddles (net reviewed by Committee previously), two basket balls. A heavy duty tarp to cover
the court and line the hockey rink was discussed and the Committee agreed on that purchase by
the Select Board too.

Dave reported on efforts to find a different option to top coat and paint the basketball court. Dave
spoke with Killington Recreation Department who reported using the St. Johnsbury company
that gave Pittsfield the initial quote. Killington reported being very satisfied with the St.
Johnsbury company and noted a twenty-year positive relationship with that company. Dave sent
the RFP to another potential bidder, but that bidder declined to bid due to not having the requisite
expertise or materials. Jake moved to recommend to the Select Board that the Board use the St.
Johnsbury company and accept the initial approximately $9k bid, Dave seconded, all in favor.
Jake reported speaking with Dave Colton about the walking track. Dave Colton agreed to work
with Harvey’s to obtain material and estimated that $3500 in hard pack material would be
needed. Dave Colton offered to volunteer much of his time to the project. The Committee
extended its gratitude to Dave Colton for his generous offer.

The group discussed offering commemorative benches for donations in the new recreation area
and suggested buying and installing such benches to honor volunteers once the park is further
along.

Jake showed the group photos of Manchester, Vermont’s recreational field and attributes,
including commemorative benches, playground with wood chip surface, and curved swing set
structure.

The group reviewed an historic graphic of a proposed Pittsfield recreational field complex and
agreed to display at the Bazaar both it and the newly created graphic of proposals for the new
recreational field complex that Jake is working on.
Jake discussed potential funding including obtaining a copy of Bethel’s successful VOREC grant
and contacting Mascoma Bank that may have grant money available for part of our recreational
project.

The group discussed logistics for our presentation at the Bazaar this Saturday. Jake, Dave and
A.J. will set up in the morning, including tables, chairs (from the town hall), and easels for the
two displays. People will bring baked goods to entice interest in our presentation. Trina will be
available in the mid-day at the table. Jake will send texts to the full Committee for additional
scheduling for a presence all day at the Bazaar table. Jake will also finalize the graphic with
possible projects and descriptions.

Dave agreed to finalize a survey form after reviewing a draft by Trina and additional discussion.
Dave will send a draft to the Committee and request that Trish at the Town Office print out 100
copies for use on Saturday at the Bazaar. Questions will likely include what equipment and what
ground surface should be in the playground, interest in a walking path, pavilion, dog park,
community garden, kickboard, frisbee golf holes, a firepit/bbq, commemorative benches,
educational/fitness stations along the walking path, and signage for the pump track and other
recreational offerings. There will be a space for general comments as well.

Trina moved to end the meeting at 7:02 p.m. and Dave seconded, all in favor.