Dresden Athletic Fields Committee

Minutes for April 25, 2005 Meeting

Present: Larry Pilchman, Geoffrey Vitt, John Chamberlin, Kathy.Parsonnet, Buff Mclaughry, Peter Krass, Paul Campagna, John Aubin, Bob White, Wayne Gersen, Jonathon Brush, Hilary Pridgen, Mary Danko, Jill Polli, Ed Childs, Mike Jackson, Hank Tenney
 
Minutes of last meeting:  Approved
 
The following discussion took place.
 
PROCESS
There was discussion concerning the process of putting together the plan, specifically, generating probable cost estimates and timing.  As for probable costs, these figures will come from Pathways' previous work and updated estimates, as well as from other districts' projects.  It was suggested that the contractors themselves should be contacted to generate estimates.  The consensus was that this work will belong to the subcommittees.
 
As for the committee's timeline, it is increasingly apparent that to hold a bond vote in November will require intense work.  The Lebanon Street plans will drive everything.  A number of committee members voiced their opinion that we should not lock into a date and rush thework.  Wayne Gersen noted that the Hanover HS renovation will not be complete until Spring 2007 so athletic field work at the HS may not be able to begin until Summer 2007.  However, work at the Norwich site could proceed at anytime.
 
SHARING
Peter Krass reported on the sharing subcommittee's work.  The subcommittee determined that there was a fair amount of sharing already taking place that the committee and public had not been aware of (see attachments).  However, further opportunities were being explored and Hilary Pridgen is completing a detailed report on these opportunities.
 
It was acknowledged that there will continue to be many intangibles and unknowns moving forward that restrict sharing.  Also, there needs to be more discussion between Dresden and Hanover concerning the shared use of Thompson Terrace.  There was also interest expressed exploring the possibility of moving some 7/8 Rec programs to the Norwich Site fields if it could free up field space at Sachem.
 
John Chamberlin reported that the Ray School may be able to share field space at the school, but more discussion was necessary and that the RMS field would be available in Spring 2006.
 
Paul Campagna reported that it is very doubtful the Hanover Improvement Society will build more tennis courts at Storr's Pond.
 
The consensus is that sharing offers short term solutions, but not long term.
 
NORWICH SITE FIELDS
Buff McLaughry reported that the permitting process for the Merriman project continues to go smoothly.  One abutter was concerned about property demarcation, dust, access road surface, and the entry/exits intersection with Rt. 5.  Bob White met with COOP management to initiate discussions on how to work together, specifically, on parking.
 
As part of the outreach program, John Chamberlin and Barry met with the Norwich Conservation Commission, at which time they learned that the commission has a trails committee that would be interested in becoming involved with potential trail building at the Norwich site.
 
The Norwich Site subcommittee is "treading water" to a degree until future needs are better understood beyond the Merriman work and in light of what might be accomplished at Lebanon Street.
 
COMMUNICATION/PR
The outreach program is in full swing; members of the committee visited with the Norwich Conservation Committee, the Hanover Conservation Council, and Hanover Rotary.  Feedback from these meetings was noted.  Other meetings are scheduled. Also, information on the committeeÕs work went home as part of the pink sheet to all Ray School student parents.  Similar information needs to be distributed via other schools' channels.
 
A two-sided informational flyer has been created as a handout and the subcommittee is working on a press release for the newspapers.
 
 
LEBANON STREET
Barry Harwick reported that members of the committee and public had toured the site and discussion of options and issues had begun in earnest.  For a full report, please see attachment.
 
A member of the public, Susan Boyle, expressed grave concern over the quality of the sublevel of the Lebanon fields.  Apparently the fields, or some part of them, were built over the old Hanover dump.  According to Susan, poor sublevel may explain why the track disintegrated relatively quickly.
 
Discussion turned to how many different sports can be played on one field, in particular, a turf field.  Bob White expressed concern that it may not make sense to try to overlay a soccer field with a football field for example.  It was pointed out that towns with turf fields have as many as four different colored line configurations for various sports.
 
Hank Tenney noted that a turf field would benefit other teams in the Upper Valley who play at HHS; they would appreciate the experience and it would benefit those teams that later play playoff games on turf fields in southern NH.
 
It was acknowledged that turf will be a hard sell to the public and the committee was going to have to do its homework if turf becomes part of the plan.  The cost of lights would also have to be justified.  Also, it was agreed that a meeting with Hovey Street residents was paramount to discuss issues, which would most likely occur at the same time Dresden met with the group to discuss HHS renovations.
 
A member of the public, Bob Riessen, stated that he had some ideas concerning Lebanon Street and would like to present them.  It was agreed he would do so at the next subcommittee meeting.
 

ACTION ITEMS

Lebanon Street Site

• The report shared by Barry Harwick details a number of next steps see report
• Hanover ordinances that affect various proposed concepts must be researched and Hanover Planning should be consulted
• Any zoning restrictions associated with the lower field must be investigated
• Several plans options for Lebanon Street must be offered with pros and cons; these options will be presented at public meetings in late May/early June to provoke discussion
• Alternative funding of turf and lights must be considered how were lights funded at other towns, etc.
• Detailed cost/benefit analysis must be presented
• To justify any plans, the committee may want to consider identifying and updating facilities information for similar schools

Norwich Fields

• As the moment the committee is "treading water" to a degree; however, action on a number of items can move forward
• Community partners should be explored more in depth for building jogging/bike trails, alternate uses of the land such as the Norwich Fair; concrete ideas and commitments should be put down on paper
• Begin to think about alternate funding for community partner projects
• As it appears Dresden must replace the loss of 3 general use fields, work can be done to survey where it might be best to add another Sachem like field space in addition to the Merriman project and to estimate costs

Sharing

• Hilary Pridgen will be finishing her report shortly
• Discuss sharing of Thompson Terrace
• Discuss possibility of moving some 7/8 Rec programs to any fields built at Norwich Site

PR/Communications

• Get information flyer home via school packets
• Distribute flyer via other channels
• Confirm whether or not we can speak at town meeting
• Continue outreach program
• Continue to develop website
• Organize public meetings for end of May or early June
• Once plans develop prepare press release

Alternate Funding
We need to start thinking about alternate funding.  For example, there is no doubt based on outreach program feedback and prior feedback that turf and lighting will be adifficult sell.  Alternate funding could make this difficulty moot.  Other towns have engaged in active fundraising to pay for turf and lights.