In addition to meeting minutes, interested residents should be aware that video tapes of athletic field committee meetings are available. Tapes may be obtained at the CATV office at the south end of the High School for about two weeks after the date of the meeting. After two weeks, tapes are sent to the Howe Library where they can be checked out. The phone number for CATV is 643-2288.

Dresden Fields Committee

Minutes for 3/1/05 Meeting

Draft 3/14/05

Present: John Aubin, Cam Brown, Paul Campagna, Bob White, John Chamberlin, Mary Danko, Barry Harwick, Mike Jackson, Peter Krass, Buff McClaughry, Kathy Parsonnet, Larry Pilchman, Hilary Pridgin, Geoffrey Vitt.

Note: Dennis Kaufman is not serving on the committee and Brian Livingston submitted his resignation.

The following issues were discussed and actions taken:

Community Input

At the invitation of the committee, Julia Griffin, Hanover Town Manger; Jill Kearney, Norwich Recreation Department Director; and Bob Ceplikas, Dartmouth Assistant Athletic Director, provided their perspectives on the fields situation, including any current or future opportunities to share facilities. Their presentations were filmed by CATV and the tape will be available at both Norwich and Hanover public libraries for viewing.

Julia Griffin’s Report: Julia shared a document that detailed Hanover’s field inventory (this document is available online and at the public libraries). She emphasized that the town’s recreation department is facing a shortage of fields due to the tri-party agreement. However, she said there might be an opportunity to share some field space, including Thompson Terrace, prior to 4:45 PM during the week. Her concern was that the recreation department relies on volunteer coaches who schedule practices to suit their own schedule, so it is difficult to know what fields are available prior to a season beginning. Poor weather also disrupts the schedule and makes it imprudent to commit to sharing.

Jill Kearney’s Report: Jill stressed the fact that Norwich recreation is also tight on field space. Over the next four years there will be renovation and expansion going on at Huntley Meadows that will result in four fields being available to meet recreation needs. She could make no promises on being able to share fields and she has had to turn away groups looking to use the fields. Because Norwich recreation also relies on volunteer coaches, Jill does not know the teams’ schedules until the season begins which makes it difficult to commit to sharing. She also stated that there is a need to rest fields so they are not ruined from overuse. As for the tennis courts, Jill said they are still available for the Dresden tennis team’s use.

Bob Ceplikas’s Report: Bob began his talk by stating that there is a tremendous participation rate in NCAA and intramural sports at Dartmouth and they are looking to expand/maximize their field space. In addition, construction work at Dartmouth will be taking fields offline and the athletic department is concerned about resting fields, so they are experiencing a shortfall in field space. Dartmouth can promise nothing in terms of sharing and the current sharing of Fullington Field is very tenuous. Also, there are NCAA guidelines that restrict high schools and colleges from practicing on the same field (see attached document that was shared with the committee). Bob did say that Dartmouth would continue to host a variety of community events (see attached document that was shared with the committee).

Review of Process for 2004 Bond Vote

So that committee members are fully aware of the nuts and bolts of bringing a bond vote before the public, Geoffrey Vitt, Dresden school board member, walked through the actions taken by the prior fields committee. This included their information gathering, communication with public, and design of fields.

Overview of AFC Timeline

Kathy Parsonnet reviewed the committee’s timeline of major events/activities to undertake if the committee desired to bring a bond vote before the public in Fall 2005. There was some debate as to the merits of having a bond vote earlier in the fall like September versus early November. The consensus leaned toward a later date. Spring 2006 also remains an option.

Discussion turned toward what kind of plan should be brought before the public. It was generally agreed there is a need to have an ongoing dialogue with the public as the committee moves forward so that a plan is created that the public will embrace. Bob White suggested that the prior committee did not give the community enough, meaning there is a need to be more creative. The consensus was that the committee was going to do more than just cut a field or two and rework the costs numbers.

Communication Sub-committee Report

Mary Danko reported that she and John Chamberlin have begun reviewing best methods for communicating with the public. Meanwhile, CATV will be taping meetings, transaction ads will be placed in the Valley News to notify the public of meetings, and meeting minutes as well as other information will be posted at the Dresden SAU 70 website. Once Bob Sokol completes the questionnaire report, a press release will be issued by the committee’s co-chairs that summarize the committee’s actions to date and reviews Bob Sokol’s report. Public meetings will also be scheduled to report on the committee’s progress.

Discussion of Action Items/Tasks

It was agreed that there was much work to do and Peter Krass offered to create a master task list that would be circulated. The master task list will address community concerns that have been raised in a variety of forums since the 2004 bond vote, as well as conceptual and construction matters. Committee members are expected to comment on the list and volunteer for specific tasks. Peter will also be circulating a list of websites of communities also dealing with athletic facility issues.

The minutes and other information is to be posted on the SAU 70 website.

The next meeting is scheduled for April 4-7 PM - Hanover High School Library and
April 25 - 7 PM Hanover High School Library