Um, so this is May 2 that 28. >> Yes. May 28th. uh Milton Parks Commissioners meeting. I believe you're the only thing really on the agenda today. Um so
we're going [clears throat] to turn it over to you to start and then uh Carolyn should be joining us soon. >> Thanks Rob. First off, I think we owe the parks commission an apology on missing the last meeting. So uh both of our faults. It was communicated to us
well and and we just totally dropped the ball. So hopefully we didn't mess up anybody's day and appreciate everybody giving us an opportunity to meet again here. Um [clears throat] >> what we did want to cover today is kind of status of where we are at. Last time we did talk with the parks commission.
We reviewed uh a couple of site plans and the park commission gave us feedback on those site plans. So we want to review the updates to those um and make sure we've kind of captured everything the parks commission wanted to uh talk or wanted to change there. um that will allow us to take those and kind of
beautify them a little bit and finalize them to be incorporated into the report. We also have some preliminary numbers and I've kind of um we have actual OPC's that go with these but rather than getting into the details of the OPC's and we use OPC as a cost estimate OPC's
opinion of probable cost um just kind of a language term that tie-in bond uses um but we have some OPC's to go with them. I've kind of rounded them off and provided some bulletized lists of costs associated with different amenities on site and I wanted to talk through that
and get the parks commission idea on like how they may want to break projects out or if phasing is even appropriate depending on the particular project and then um we'll give you a status update of where we are on the report and we'll go from there. Does that sound like a decent list of things to cover?
>> Yeah. >> Okay. Uh, it says, uh, Bonnie, it says sharing is not turned on. I'm going to ask for a request. There we are. >> Pops up on your end. >> Yeah, we were a little late getting things going here.
>> That's all right. Think you guys are looking at a PDF of Andrew, not Andrew's Flattleyfield. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, Flatlyfield, the things we received the last the comments we think we received the last time was we liked
the parking, we wanted to participate that bigger. >> Yeah. Yeah. Hold on one second. Just >> I can see it still. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And maybe you can maximize the
go over to that. Yeah. Maximize that. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Good. Guys, do you want me to zoom in better or is that >> Yeah, it's okay. Yeah. >> So, um, things we were asked to focus on
here were obviously we wanted to keep the synthetic turf field with the lights. We were going to reduce one of the natural turf fields. And in doing so, that allowed us the space to add a playground. This is a pretty robust playground facility that we're showing here. This is uh two different age
groups. You have like a 2 to five and a 5 to 12 playground here. Swing sets, climbing apparatuses. I know it's hard to see in those little blobs, but there's quite a bit worked into this this playground facility. Um, we have two natural turf fields on the outside.
They're both youthsized fields that could be used for soccer or any other athletic facility, you know, that can fit in those spaces. We're showing those spaces as rectangular fields, but likely when they got rebuilt, they'd be rebuilt to kind of the extents of those of the
grass areas there. Um, and then we have uh a multi-purpose rectangular synthetic turf field. And the size of this synthetic turf field is the size that would be appropriate for almost all sports. The only thing that's not playing here at full length is football.
Um, and that's because has a 330 or yeah, sorry, a 330 dimension to it. And so football would want to play at 360. Our understanding is football already has other places to play specifically with the other uh field. hopefully coming online at the high
school. And so if football was to play out here, it would be like a youth football or something like that and they wouldn't need a full-size field. Um, [clears throat] as far as the amenities added here and the changes, does the board have any questions about what we've done here or any other like
additional comments, things they'd like to see at Flatly Field? Well, so what's the one what's the 135 and 210? What's what's the uh is it like a 99 or 70?
>> Be a 9 field. Yeah. >> Okay. We'll add >> What is the uh what is the gazebo? What goes on there? >> We added that because a lot of communities and including in your survey, people want shades or structures, places to hang out. Another
thing we heard is places to have like a birthday party or something like that. So, you have this big facility that you could hang out, but you may have younger um younger uh residents that want to go get some shade while their brother goes and plays on the field. It's also a good
place for like if coaches want to have a place to have the team gather and have a conversation. So, we try to provide some type of amenity when we rebuild a park where there's a shade structure. uh it covers, you know, a team meeting or whatever might go there. It's totally an optional item, but just trying to cover
what else we hear when we talk about rebuilding parks, uh communities wanting. >> How much parking have you added to this? >> That is a total of 58 spaces. So, you have 60 over here
plus 58 here, which should be more than enough parking for this facility. Do is there like guidelines? I I mean I I know parking is an issue right with the current parking lot, but I I'm just
curious like what you go by like is this is this like the right size parking for this facility and and if you could speak to that a little bit. >> Yeah, we typically say 20 to 30 parking spaces per amenity. So like each field,
say the, you know, say there's 10 kids on each side of the team, uh, so there's 20 kids playing on a field. You've got all the parents that want to come out there. So, you know, sometimes parents will come together, sometimes they won't, some parents can't attend. So we
typically say 20 to 30 per field or amenity. So here, if you have I'd count this as an each field as an amenity of three amenities, uh, plus four for the for the playground. So now you have um
120 would be required and if you have 60 plus 58 you're kind of right in that sweet spot. Does that make sense? >> And then I guess my my my last question would be do you know what the field what soccer uses today on on flatly compared
to this new plan? >> You mean fieldwise? >> Fieldwise. Yeah. >> Yeah. It almost seems like is this a reduction in what they currently have? >> It it is if you only if you look at surface level and its field space. Um
the truth is they've lost no space, right? >> Um the space is all being utilized. What they've gained is >> um what they gained is availability. And so you can look at this field space as if
it's one field space here, right, for this multi-purpose rectangular field. But it really can be two or three spaces depending on what youth league is playing there. They can play this way uh crossways on it. >> And so >> you could play two is it basically that
can be divided up into two fields. >> You could divide that. >> Correct. And so I don't think they've lost any space. But what they've gained is the ability to play the day after the rain. They've gained the ability to play at night. They've gained the ability to play any which direction they want to.
Um, and they've gained a facility that will play much better than it does play today. It's kind of I don't want to say that it's um, you know, there's there's characteristics to that field that certainly would make it play at a higher level than what it currently is at. So, um, they've gained the ability to kind
of play the heck out of a space. Let's just say we were and to go over numbers that you've kind of I think I've covered you in the past, Rob, but let's say it was a natural turf field just being switched to a rectangular field and we weren't worrying about youth sports. it was out of high school. Well, we would say a synthetic turf field replaces
three natural turf fields because I can play it at night. I can play it in the rain. I can play it, you know, first thing in the spring. >> Um, and I can I can use it up as much as I want and it's not going to fall apart because of use. It's going to fall apart to solar exposure versus a natural chair
field, depending on maintenance, depending how it's constructed, place somewhere between 200 to 250 uses per year before it falls apart. what we found. Go ahead. >> Uh I think those points are really important especially now with a project
that's on the docket and I I think it would be very helpful for your report and and presentations to the community to make sure that we cover those points. Like the fact that you just said one one turf field [clears throat] covers three natural grass fields. Like I we need to
understand that like the community needs to understand that because in terms of playable hours, right? I think we just need to make sure that we we you know put that out there because it's very important if we're just going to one to one. >> I may be late to this conversation as a
newbie so forgive me if I'm having something that has already been covered. I understand there's a cost issue to it, but if we're willing to go turf on this large field here, we understand the overuse possibilities here. Should we at least be thinking about turfing the entire thing? Um, if there was if there
was money available to do that at some point, I I just throw that out there because you're [clears throat] going to have the same overuse challenges on new natural turf field. Soccer is going to be using it over and over and over again, particularly in challenging weather. I'm not saying there's going to be money for it. I'm just saying should we at least understand the difference
costwise to do that as well >> to to like turf the whole thing or I think we I think we probably gave him commentary last time because we knew it was a cost thing a con a cost compounds thing. So that's why we said like can we do half grass and then half turf but I
think it is worth you know Ryan like putting out there what's the what's the >> easy for me to give you the cost differential I just would like to the parks commission to remember that the community is going to want balance and so like we are showing the high school being entirely synthetic turf and so if the
answer out of this report is the synthetic turf everything I think the parks commission will get some kick >> back not going to Right. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So my thing is if you're going to go to the effort of putting it on that field,
at least look at it, right? >> Yeah. I guess the big thing for me is if you're going to turf like 9, you know, it is like does it still have the same flexibility as like that big turf field because you can arrange it in different areas. If you do a bigger piece of turf
there, Ryan, obviously you would have more I like I don't think that one's probably worth it, right? because it's a small tiny field. Like I don't know what you're going to be able to do on there. >> Just for flexibility standpoint, you'd be able to pick your five, you know, your three versus three or 5v5 down here
as well. >> So yes, it does provide you flexibility. >> I mean, I guess to my own standpoint, like I like the balance. It's like, you know, it's nice to have some grass and then have some sun turf, right? instead of turfing every every green space in
town. I think it's nice to say, "Hey, we we have a balance." >> Like a couple of sentences in the report, right, guys? Like it certainly it's something and the community can look at that later as like, oh, if we were we added x amount of square footage of synthetic turf that adds I'm just
going to make it up, you know, another 800,000 to the project. Maybe at the time the community is making this decision, that does make sense or doesn't make sense. So, it's easy for us to put that in the report uh as a jumping off point for the community. >> Okay.
>> All right. I just have a quick question. I know I'm jumping in late here and I apologize. >> Is there is there any like bathroom facility as part of this? Is there any like locker room? >> There is not. And I the the key here is
probably balancing cost. a bathroom out here, like a actual functioning locker room and restroom building would likely add millions in cost. Um, when you get into that type of building, the the price per square foot goes goes pretty
high. Um, our recommendation would be to kind of continue what they have done [clears throat] out there by providing portagons and maybe we need to identify a spot out here that portag John should be provided so that they're easy to maintain and easy to maybe shield from regular view like they're behind a
fenced enclosure or something like that. Um, >> could we at least could we at least like look like what would it cost to put in >> to put in like two I don't know if like necessarily locker rooms. I I feel like >> I actually think locker rooms because
like then the whole reason for being able to use the turf is for rain, right? Like during the rain inclement weather so now you're scheduling a game, thunder and lightning come and now you have a safe place to get the kids. I just worry about like vandalism like if you have a
locker room like what that brings, right? Or or like the maintenance of someone like locking it and and like all that stuff. But >> so what we've had some >> you just put it in. >> You just put them in right there.
>> So what we have some experience with in the past is we put the locks on a timer. So, at dusk or whatever the the town schedules, the locks just shut and the doors close. Of course, there's a crash bar from the inside, so if a kid is in
when the lock goes off, they can get back out. Um, but then the door shuts. What I will say is that they're electronic and they're not infallible. And so, uh, we had a community here in New York have them installed. the they
froze in the unlocked position and the kids took the opportunity to rip all the stalls off the wall. So, um >> the concerns are genuine. >> Um but there could be a good Why don't we
give you a cost associated with it? There's some >> there's some pre-fabricated have like restrooms and spaces >> an overhang. >> Yeah. Over like a covering >> cover shelter in place type situation. conceivable kind of served up for
parents. I think I think at the youth level I would argue that the majority of time particularly with if you're talking these smaller fields you have parents there with them that are go to their vehicles there's inclement weather. So from a cost analysis standpoint to put a locker room for youth sports that
parents are going to be present. >> I I don't know with all the other projects that are going to be on the docket if that >> sort of has the return on investment. >> Yeah, >> that would make sense. I I'm wondering if it's a like would it be possible to put in like restrooms that are enclosed, Ryan,
because I think that's always an amenity. And then I I've seen it before where you've had like a covering a pavilion with like maybe tables. So a could be used for people like also just passive recreation, right? People that like go to the park that it's hot, they could also go there, eat or whatever,
but then the fields can use it too if it's inclement weather. They can always go underneath. So I I think like I don't know if the gazebo necessarily is like does this become the gazebo, right? Like and is is the hub when you arrive at
this park. >> Um and that the place that you have it would be like the perfect spot because it's right between the fields, right between the playground. >> Agreed. >> And and like would be like a great arrival point, right, of like this park.
Um so I love what you did here. I mean, I think it's I think it's uh I do think this has the most promise out of any any field that we probably have in town. >> So, the quickly on the building, the what we'll do to price this out, you
know, obviously we don't want to get architects involved and get a design to to try and understand the cost. What we typically do for something like this is we use a company called ROMtech who creates pre-fabricated buildings uh that are actually CMU buildings that come out on site. When I say they're pre-fabricated, they're pre-esigned and
they the raw materials are shipped out for a contractor to install. >> Um but it allows us to rough in the costs of these buildings. >> They have some really nice options and some photos that have been provided at parks all across the country um that have restroom facilities already built
in. The key for me to understand the costs out here is understanding the utility situation. Given that we've got the community center here, I assume we have uh water and waste water to connect to. I'm not
>> there now. We have a well. >> And is it on-site waste water or how how is that working? >> Is it what? >> Is it on-site waste water or is there or is there waste water to discharge? There's sewer down here.
>> There's got to be sewer. >> There's got to be sewer village and that >> you got that whole building there. >> Um >> I would say it' probably be on the first brush road. >> Yeah. >> Okay.
>> Is there any way can you is there any way to track that down? Um my the way I would track that down is I would call the DPW uh from for my internship. I know the maps are sitting in a file cabinet there. Um and so somebody there would help me get the
from the engineering department, but um >> you should be you should be on the GIS also. You should >> in the town GIS. >> Yeah, still. >> Yeah. Yep. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> I think so. any um I'm just wondering
any [clears throat] spectator amenities here or we pretty much like people are bringing in like would we have benches and such? Is there like park benches or any any thought around that site furnishings? I've carried and we
haven't gotten over there. I've carried a number for site furnishings like site amenities is what I called it. Um, certainly I would think you'd have some benches along the way. >> Um, I I would stay away from the more formalized like bleacher system.
>> Yeah, >> I think that's not the aesthetic that you're looking for here. Um, >> yeah, >> you guys tell me. That's just my personal opinion. Um, and then I would keep it to the point where maybe we add a little bit more space between these fields where the, you know, parents can come set down folding chairs or that's
the type of facility I was I envisioned here. not like uh >> full spectator CD. >> I mean, I think from I do like the mix of grass and turf here because we basically have to fence we have to fence the turf, right? Like you have to
do that. And if we were to fence this whole park, I really worry about access. So, I I like the fact that it balances out, right? And I like the like it's nice that there's a playground there. There's some passive use. There's at least some, right? So, I think it's this reminds me of King Kate Field where
you've got it's pretty much a duplicate of that. I think I mentioned it once before in Quinsey where you've got one big turf field, but then you also have really nice greenery around with a nice walking path. Um, and so I think I think
it kind of does both this one. >> You think soccer standpoint that this helps them. >> I don't know. That's why I had asked like I'd have to ask my wife if if like I know that there was pl they also had
planning, right? And I worry about like I worry about like is it enough fields, but to like Ryan's point, right? Like you can divide that big one up. So I think my thought was that there was always like you basically get four fields out of this, right? Or the big or
the large one. So I think it does at the end of the day. I think it does. Because it's not just >> based on my conversation with Jamie, I I would say yes, this does help soccer. Is it everything soccer wanted? Probably not. But it's it's a certainly a big
step in the correct in the right way. >> Right. >> I guess my only other question would be where that small field is kind of where how >> all the way to the left. It's like how
like how much of a need is there for that size field? Like could that could that be a pickle ball court >> or something? >> Like so there's another group that's kind of like supporting this project. >> Yeah. or something else because
>> that would be my only other question is >> is there a way to kind of you know >> and that would probably be a good area for it potentially because it's like no one's really houses over there >> right um I don't know right so Ryan like
the 33 or the 5v5 seems like it could go almost anywhere right um in in town like you could put it somewhere else so is it possible or Yeah. Or because you just add kettle ball to it. The hard part is like >> that's what I'd like to try. And the
reason I'd like to try that is there, you know, one of the things that both the soccer group and all of the athletic groups have expressed to me is that they're trying to they're trying to hold events with limited number of coaches and a really big contingency of players. And so whenever they can whenever they
can focus everybody to one spot, it's easier for the coaches to serve multiple uses. And so if I take that 5v5 field and I shift it across town, I'm I'm hurting that ability for them to congregate in one area. >> And so I think I think to them that's a really big selling point is that they
have everybody in the same spot. Now that being said, I there is space that's not being fully utilized here. And so if I could Caroline, to your point, I think it is important to get as many user groups in on a project as possible. So,
if we could fit pickle ball either in this space or in this space, and I'm not sure which one fits better at the moment. We we'll play with that. But if we could add pickle ball to it, that's another contingency that you're getting uh more bang for the buck. >> You're not going to get you're not getting foot traffic there. Most most
will have to drive there. >> Yeah. Like I look at Kelly feel I mean um the high school and it's like baseball games going on, softball games going on. Kids are playing basketball that are like there with their siblings. >> Yeah, I think that physical location
helps, right? But in terms of there's a lot of foot traffic that happens there that's not just mom and dad bringing you to that site. I mean, that's what's was nice. Like King Kate has like that they're not like full court full court basketball or anything like that and it's like a half court.
>> I'm just trying to find a way to get more >> more people that >> I think your pickball is a good idea. I think I was just more responding to the idea of moving the 3v3 versus 5v5. If it's important enough to soccer to have it, >> I think we would be >> foolish to try to take square footage
from another open space. >> Yeah. to accommodate a small field if if it's that important to have it and you have a space here. >> Yeah. >> I I would like to see it stay here as opposed to trying to take it away from other space elsewhere in town. >> Yeah.
>> The GIS does not show it. So, we just probably have to contact EPW with the water. I just pulled it up and it doesn't show it. So, >> and then >> that's no problem. >> Parking the new parking lot basically is an in and out, right? Like you're coming
in and then you go out on the pond. >> Correct. Yes. And we've added that little leg over here for the So not everyone's filing out one road. >> Okay. Oh, I see. So then you can still go on the other. You can still go down
that road to to Russia if you want. >> Okay. Yeah. Because that thing I was thinking the pickle ball courts >> if if that all were to happen and the pickle ball courts are on like the furthest side of the parking. Yeah.
>> Could you somehow create a smaller lot kind of in in that like triangle grass space and maybe take away some argue on the other side? >> Well, I mean the other the other thing here is like the playground. Do we I
guess I wonder like do we need that big of a playground here or is it I mean it's serving that per like a purpose but >> I think it's good to have >> Yeah, I think it's great. I thought the playground is great. >> Yeah, >> I would leave the playground the size it
is and when you know when we do start to raise money or you know get an opportunity for the project certainly we can rightsize it based on budget but if you budget for you know the playground you you want which I think this is kind of covers just about everything you'd
want. >> It's not really beginning. >> Say that again Rob. like how like what's what's the cost of this playground? >> I think I have this one listed at $600,000. >> Okay.
>> This is this is a playground we just bid out and are under construction >> basically. Yeah. Basically about that. >> Okay. >> And everything is new too. So, but there's like
a a stone dust path path or something there. Now, >> what would you imagine this path would be? >> I think it's asphalt. [clears throat] >> Is it as old? >> Oh, the one >> I would prefer asphalt. >> Asphalt. Asphalt. >> Stone dust doesn't hold up over time and
you end up with like ruts and soft spots in it. and we have some success on something this flat, but >> honestly it becomes a maintenance problem for your crew and then they've got to go out there and check it and >> Okay,
>> so you've given us a lot of good feedback here. Obviously, we're going to have to update these costs to go over it. >> How does this layout look? >> Much less grass, much less water that we'll be using up there because you're not there's no water on the turret. Yeah.
>> You know. Yeah. So yeah, it helps us maintenance squads big time. >> Okay, so the parking lot's 850k. >> Wow. Seems like >> Oh, hold on me. I want to go back to the watering thing. Is there There is irrigation at this site, right? >> Yes. Yes, there is.
>> Okay, I want to add uh a note here to myself because I left that out of the estimate. So parking lot we have estimated about $850,000. The playgrounds around $600,000. The synthetic turf field, just
the field itself is about a million dollar uh in synthetic turf carpet. The athletic lights for the synthetic turf field, we have to interrupt when you said >> the turf field just the carpet. So that's no sight work or anything.
>> No, my apology. Sorry, that wasn't worded very well. I just meant no other amenities associated with the field. So, like the lights aren't included in. So, it's the carpet, the curb, the stone, the under drainage. Um, is at about a million dollars. The athletic lights is about $500,000.
Uh, the natural turf field we have listed at about $300,000 to $250,000. I think those are a little overpriced, but I'm covering some drainage in there. infrastructure allows. >> That's kind of what we that's kind of about the right price that we're going
out. We're trying to get a natural at Andrew even around 300,000. So, I think your pricing is pretty accurate. >> Yeah, I think you're right there. >> You're smaller than that field, but yeah, I think I don't think I'm far off, but I think I'm a little high at just about on everything. Um I I just prefer at this stage of the game to be a little
high. That might be high, but >> this shows the area that we own up there. >> Like when you look at this map, like does this over go over where we actually own? Like there's the parking lot. Like
when I look at the map, >> uh actually it almost looks like the parking lot is is in where we own. I think we'd have to look because there's that little slice there that you showed. I'm just worried because I mean there you have the the facility here and I
know there's parking here too. So I'm just not sure if we're overlapping. >> Yeah. I don't think so. >> Okay. >> We we'd have to look. So Ryan, the one thing I think you're going to want to look Bonnie just brought up the GIS map of like the parcel. I think there's
parking is on the parcel that we own. >> So it looks like there's like a little bit of green space there. That's it's it's not up to the road, if you will. So there's like a little bit of a little slice between. So just check that.
>> Are you guys seeing my screen right now or are you looking at something that Bonnie's pointed? >> I was looking at I was looking at >> Yeah, I pulled it up on the GIS cuz I was looking for the water, but I was just noticing that there is a slice that I think we might >> It's right there. >> Yeah. Yeah.
>> And you're looking to put something there. Is that what you're thinking? Oh, >> no. I just want to make sure that we're staying within our boundaries that we can do. >> Yeah. >> Okay. And then I have an infrastructure allowance here of $400,000. That's basically, you know, how do I get all
this drainage off the site? What do I need for electrical upgrades? Um what do I need for under drainage for the playground? What do I need for uh at the time I was thinking gazebo, but now I'm going to need it for water and wastewater for the um for the we're not going to call it
locker room building. We're going to call it restroom building. Um >> how much money did you just add to the project, Brian? By putting the the pavilion in. >> So if I taking the gazebo out and putting the restroom building in, we've probably added
>> I'm going to guess a million dollars to the budget. Okay. >> If we can go with a ROM tech with just a pavilion, no locker room. If we get rid of the locker room component to it, which it sounds like we're in agreeance on, we've probably added close to a million dollars in budget. So, you're somewhere in that
four and a half to$5 million budget is probably a good spot to rebuild this facility. >> Okay. And so, you know, this is the first time we're kind of talking about money. So, I'm trying to get the parks commission kind of general feedback. Is like a $5
million project in one shot really feasible for the town and the community or do we need to look at phasing this? And I've just I've down below kind of thought about what that phasing structure could look like. Do we want to show like we do parking and synthetic airfield, lighting and basic
infrastructure up front and then we come back we rebuild the you know we build the playgrounds. Uh >> I think I I think my own take on this is a piece of this is also about funding right? So, like what what
uh potential revenue streams could be used, right? If we were to say I mean there's any different possible way that we're going to have to raise this. If you were to ask, oh, does the park have a $5 million budget to do this? No. Right? And so, I think at the end of the day, um you know, it's like what you
bite off, right? And so, if you were to do this whole project, right, like there's probably different ways you could do it. We could use CPC money potentially for different pieces of it. You obviously couldn't use it for the turf piece of it, but you could do it for a lot of the other pieces of it. Um,
and then we would have to go out like, you know, I don't think it's it's probably not plausible to it's almost better to go out for like one thing than go out twice if you were going to go and >> ask for ask for if say you were to go
ask for money, right, from the taxpayers. I I don't like the idea of phasing it along. >> Agreed. >> But I do think we do need to be >> it's helpful for us to like see what a cost would be for a total piece like this and then how do we break that up so it's more plausible for people to get on
board with it. You know, I think there's going to have to be public private funding for this. Um and then [clears throat] we have to use every every stream that we can find, right, to kind of help make up the the deltas for it.
Okay. Anything else I wanted to cover here? This was good feedback on this. I I guess the one question I would have right is like the holistic picture right of even if we even if we like turf this
let's say the lower guile field project comes in where I I think we also need to make sure we start with that basis of like I think you said it last time was like we're we're in a deficit of three to four multi swore fields
>> and then like two diamonds So, where are we? If we were to do a project like this, are we clo have we have we helped that case or what? Yeah. >> Yeah. At that point, you're you're there, right? Because you've inevitably
using the using the math I gave you before, if you're replacing a natural turf field with a multi-purpose rectangular lighted field, that's synthetic turf, you're plus two. So, if you're plus two and plus two, now you're plus four, right? And so um the really
the answer then is can you can you schedule it appropriately to serve everybody and make up all those needs. >> Yeah. So so I think this is all good news to me personally because at the end of the day I think this is what we need to make a case
right. So, at the end of the day, we say we have this deficit, right? We didn't we still haven't I would like to see like the D like what where were we potentially putting diamonds and maybe that's at the high school, right? If if we go if we go that route. >> Um [clears throat] but like in your
final report is like if we were to bite off a project like this that's whatever it is, right? It does solve our programming right now and we need that to basically capture that, right? At the end of the day, then I think we can build support around a project like this that says, listen, this is the
investment, but it also solves our programming. The the way the draft report is reading is is heading is that it is infeasible to to make up the a number of field deficit without using
synthetic turf or buying property. And so, >> so you have to buy property or use synthetic turf to make up the deficit. And so here's the options given that there's not a parcel of land that the town has, you know, available to that's
really a feasible place to to build athletic fields. Here's how we're approaching making up that deficit using synthetic turf. And if the town found another facility that they, you know, was feasible to to build natural turf fields, then we could look at that one for how to make up the field space.
That's that's where we're headed. And then we'll show you know the phasing if you say you built you know lower guile is obviously ahead of uh flatly field here. So if lower guile comes out now you're plus two fields and your deficit is two. Um
>> and now you need to add more. And so, you know, phase phase two of the overall how do you make up the deficit would be looking at flatly field is like how do we make this improvement? Um, and then we'll go from there.
>> Okay. >> And is is that this covers the deficit issue. If lower guy becomes a turf, >> right? Lower Guy has to become >> not become a turf. We feel >> then then
>> down to >> down to >> that means we we need to find land or whatever, right? Basically, we need to purchase land in order to make up that deficit. >> Or you land in Milton is a million
dollars an acre >> or you turf Andrews, right? Like I which doesn't sound like something that you want, but you know, >> find another field. We are we have made a decision la last meeting we are
putting in for CPC money to redo the natural grass field at Andrews. We did make a decision to go ahead on that. >> Um I I don't think turfing Andrews is is a great option. >> I figured that to be the case. Um
>> okay. So, I guess the one last question and maybe you're going to get to it is like is one other I like this project a lot. Okay. Yeah. Okay. So, I'll be quiet and keep going. >> Sorry. Next one up is the high school. >> All right. >> So, the last time we talked about this,
we discussed and sorry, let me delete my notes. Um, we talked about, you know, what are our options at the high school? How could we update this? And so the parks commission's next conversation was what if we just synthetic turfed all of middleg guile uh to provide as much
availability out there as possible, give it as much flexibility. Um we also updated the high school project to more aptly uh incorporate the synthetic tur field down at Lower Guy. We've added some notes here about what the field size is going to be, how the access to that
facility is being provided, and what they're doing for spectator seating. We've pulled that from the plans available from the website. Um, and what that will help us do is is tell the story in that report like we were talking about about how this is a plus two field and what this would do is
say if it came after flatly. Um, this this facility is a really big synthetic turf field. For reference, you know, a typical multi-purpose rectangular field that you would see inside a track facility is anywhere from 80 to 90,000
square ft. This facility is 185,000 square feet. It's it's really big. Um you can play a lot of different things here. We're just showing like a little bit of striping to help you understand what you know what sizes are here. But um it's a full 320 foot baseball field
and a full soccer field there. The one thing that's nice about doing this in synthetic turf is that we can sleeve the we can sleeve the temporary fences so that they're much more sturdy and easier to lay out than say the sandbag and uh
platform option that you guys are currently using for temporary fencing out there. Um I do think this would require some drainage upgrades. I think there's some some concerns I would have about having the hillside that close to the synthetic turf field. Um, and there's also some issues where you guys
are currently spending money out there for the softball field and have spent some money on some athletic lighting and that money would be I don't want to say lost, but uh portions of that money spent wouldn't be able to be reinccorporated. So, like we could use the dugouts over again at at the
softball field, but like the pads would have to be ripped out and replaced. Um, and so some of that money would would be lost. Um the thing here >> go ahead. >> I guess what's hard for me to understand is
how this a the investment for to do this would be like what's the payoff, right? Is like cuz if you're like the softball field's going to be there for a lot of the seasons and and the baseball field. So I guess like it's it's it seems like a
big investment for what what we can do. meaning like this is already held. >> It's already it's already held. It's kind of serving its purpose, right? >> It's not gaining anything other than turfing it, which would then >> extend you can extend more play. I get
that part. I I get that. But >> um I don't know like what's the benefits, Brian, of this? And you you can basically do more, right? >> You can do more. It has more flexibility. your field. So, right now, one of the
awkward things about having a natural turf field and trying to have a rectangular use in the outfield is that the field has to be graded for a natural turf field in order to pitch away. Um, to pitch and drain appropriately is the way I should I should word that. And so,
when you grade a natural turf field, it for baseball, that grading doesn't line up with what you'd want for a competitive multi-purpose rectangular field. And so when you go move to synthetic turf, everything drains vertically. And so um you'd be able to
uh you'd be able to level the field and make it completely flat, which means it could play both competitive multi-purpose rectangular field uses and baseball uses without anyone kind of playing at a at a detriment. Additionally, you don't really have you're this is your premier softball
field in the community and your premier baseball field based on what the baseball groups have told me. Sorry about that. Is um is at Cunningham. And so the town doesn't really possess like a premier baseball field, 90 foot
baseball diamond. And so what we've heard is that they need this field here. they would like it to remain and this would give them a premier location that the town owns. It's also at the high school, so they're playing, you know, they're now playing games at their high school instead of having to travel to
some other field offsite. Um, so that was the that was the benefits provided here. I would agree it's probably not priority number one to solve the community problem from the town perspective. Um but I do think there's benefits to the community
um from that perspective and you know it's a little bit of equity too where all the rectangular sports are going to have synthetic turf fields and then your your baseball teams and softball teams are going to be playing on natural turf field. There could be a there could be a discussion of whether that's you know
everybody's getting equal facilities. >> Yeah. I mean I I mean I don't know how you feel about it. I'd rather have like baseball, softball play on grass if possible. I I just don't know if the programming necessarily is gonna thatense, right?
>> You don't beat up a baseball and softball field like you do. >> You factor in the cost. I mean, >> I would much rather play on grass, right? If you can, right? Like I just feel like it's >> I think we need to be realistic. >> I think we need to be realistic, you know? >> Yeah. >> I just [clears throat]
>> So, would you pull this project all together? Uh, I mean, I think it should be in your report, right? Like, I think it's like, hey, we looked at it. I mean, actually, it needs to be in the report as as park commissioners, you're going to get asked, we're all going to get asked, why don't we do this? Okay. So,
having data and information to suggest that everything has been explored, that it's a cost prohibitive is an important piece of the puzzle. If we had all the money in the world, I'm not kidding. We don't explore everything. But we know that's not a factual thing. So let's let's you know there's a balance of
understanding what is possible and then we have to make decisions about reality right and I think that's where we're at. >> Yeah. Exactly. >> And you know I mean I think it's also good as like listen if there's a bad whatever happened with lower guy like like we're
we're hopeful that this project's going to move forward right but it's also >> I thought that case was going to be done. Did it not finish? >> Yeah. Well well we're going to we're going to table that for now. But let's just say, right, like this is the other option. Like, okay, if you don't want to, if you don't want a turf lower
battle is this option on the table. It's also d it's $4 million, right? I mean, there there might be a piece of this that's like, okay, it's half the size or something. And that's turf. Is that more amenable? You know, I don't know. But I think it's just good to have the study
in here because we looked at it, right? Like at the end of the day, we have it. We looked at it. Personally, I mean, that's where I think the balance really needs to come in. Like, we have natural grass and to your point, Ryan, I think it's the point of like we have this
deficit and the way that we can solve the programming issue is we have two two turf fields. And in my mind, it's the lower guy field, which is like almost we're in the ninth inning here, right? We're we're hopeful that we get that project and we have the backup on that
one. And it's the project you just showed like okay if we have that that does a whole lot for the town right and it solves a lot of our programming. I think that's I mean I'm happy [clears throat] um seeing the results of of what you put
up but I think it's good to have this option out there. Um, you know, but we we would we'd have almost like let's say if we did this, every single piece of high school property would be synthetic turf, which I don't personally love, you
know? I don't know. I don't know what others feel, but >> I do. >> You'd have this lower field. There's still natural turf there. >> There's one little piece of >> Kevin says he likes it because he probably he doesn't have to maintain. [laughter] >> Don't get yelled at.
>> Yeah. Right. Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. I have one more I want to talk about with you guys because I I think there's a decision to be made at Andrews. >> So, you guys are going out to CPC to talk about the to to fund the natural turf field here.
>> Yeah. >> Um do you want us to say something about that in the report or do you want us to just not say anything about it? That way if it happens with CPC it's great. If not, >> I mean, it would be great if you could say like, you know, it gives us we've
done this report and we believe that's the spot for it to to to happen. I think would be >> support CPC. >> I mean, that was that was the reason why we held last year. We saw what you had
done to the park and that was the reason why we recommend it this year. >> Okay. We have the we have the revised softball field location that we had we had kept. Um the the board the the parks commission last time was kind of on the
fence about this whether it stays or not. And so I think the conversation delved into parking and didn't come back to this and I don't know that I have a good note about whether this softball field should stay or go. Were weren't we were we saying that it wasn't a big deal the way it played out?
>> Right. >> You guys were kind of like on the fence about it. I think some were in favor of reorienting it and making it a standalone field and then others were like, "Ah, I don't know if that's a good use of our funding." To be honest, I think what I think there might be other little bits that we would want in this.
I think the field the way it is today, Ryan, is probably better because what I will say is we've gotten a lot of great feedback on Kelly Field and I think the dugouts and everything there are awesome. So, like that is kind of a foundation for us to say, hey, we could
do that potentially for other projects, right? And this could be one of them. And I would want I would want those dugouts to be not in this configuration, like kind of in the middle. I would want them to be on the outskirts of the park,
right? And I think we could, but why we're doing that, we can upgrade the uh, you know, the baseball fields there as well and couple them like we did with Kelly. >> So, we're just talking about maybe like minor upgrades.
>> Yeah, minor upgrades like the dugouts. Can you just remind me like what what was the rationale? What do we gain by moving the softball field? >> The current softball field doesn't have a full playing
um outfield length. And so it conflicts with this fence for the baseball field. And so by rotating one, you gain a little bit better orientation. Not significantly better orientation, but a little bit better orientation. You get a
full outfield out of it and you get kind of a new rebuilt field. There was some basically I think there's some weird grading that's happening on the I'd have to go back to the report, but one of these foul lines there's like a drop off right at the foul line and so we were
going to have to like regrade that section anyway. And so >> can we get that? Could we like reconfigure that? Right. So it was a little bit better but in the same orientation as it is in now just to look
at it because I think that that field definitely can use upgrades but um I don't know if this necessarily would be it would be like flipping it I think is and I and I think the softball board
from what I remember is and and when Ted was here he said the same thing was like it's not a major it's not like you're having kids smash the This is >> the younger kids. The younger kids play at this field. All the older kids go to to high school. Gio and Kelly.
>> So, this is for the little kids. >> That's what I'm saying. Could you move it up a little bit, right? Like we could almost like redo it a little bit and push it out. But I think all the amenities there, they could totally be upgraded. I think there's just a back stop and that's it. There's like nothing
>> pretty much. >> We'll we'll change this then. We'll we'll just show kind of minor improvements to to these fields, the two the softball and the baseball field. We'll leave the T-ball field kind of as is because I think that serves its purpose as as it is.
>> You got some upgrades or this this >> the baseball field is, you know, with the exception of an example, the dugouts you just referenced, that baseball field is recently redone. >> Yeah. >> I'm not wrong in saying though that you were going to do dugouts down there, right? or is that I thought there was a
project happening there. >> I would put it in right as like a potential future project. >> I think it would be >> it's a great use of CPC money and people then realize like we've done it on a number of baseball diamonds and it
really does help. I mean they're really nice the the Kelly um dugouts. So my other conversation to be had here was about parking. I left this kind of like not totally done with a layout. >> Obviously, the big comment we've gotten
about uh Andrews is that there's not enough parking spaces on site. >> Um what's currently shown in dark is about 130 total parking spaces, but I think it's in my opinion too tight for the park and too tight to the
residences. And I would I would like to see it kind of be paired down. Um, going back to that number that we talked about before of having 20 to 30 per facility. If you say you have one, two, three, I'd count hard parks as four and then this
is five. You'd want somewhere in that 100 to 120 parking spaces. No, you want 100, sorry, 5 time 20. So, you want 100 to 150 parking spaces. And so, what's totally shown here is 130. The
difference between this park and the park uh Flattley Field is that the amount of people that can walk to Flatly verse can walk to Andrews is significantly different given that the you know surrounded by a community. And so to me I see a core number of spaces
here how close that parking lot is to all those residents. That's my worry about it. Um >> and I know you looked at it. Did you look at parking? um north of the soccer field.
>> We could >> we we did and then we decided we didn't like it up there because it was being used for something being used for >> Yep. >> Is there is there a solution here with less parking that's not so offensive to Yeah. Something like that.
>> Yeah. Eliminate. >> This is what I wanted to pitch. And that's >> 85 spaces, guys. So, like that's almost all of the spaces you need. Um, and it just cuts back on being this close to these abutters, gives them some screen.
>> Yeah. >> Kevin, I think Kevin knows me. The reality is for those of us who are down there a lot, if you add parking, what you're what the cell is ultimately to the neighbors is they're parking on the front lawn. >> Yeah. Or >> or there because the reality is they're
all over the streets, right? >> Oh, yeah. So, it's a nightmare. >> Yeah. But I think there's probably a there's a balance here. Like >> I like >> I like that one. So I agree. Let me redo this for that. >> You mean currently still have money for
Andrew's parking, right? >> I do. I don't know if I could I don't know. >> I don't think that would cover it, but >> you threatened to use it to >> Right. >> All right. >> Well, and I think it's the paper road, right? That's in between.
>> So that Yeah, >> the two houses, >> correct? >> We're not showing that as a road. We're showing that as like pedestrian access. >> Yeah, that's >> pedestrian access here. >> We're not I think using that I don't know. You guys tell me you know the community better than I do, of course,
>> but I I just think >> I think it's better to keep them pedestrian access like through there. I think >> because that's what you have is that what you guys have looked at was making that an entrance in and the neighbors didn't want that. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I like
>> this is too narrow, but this one would work. >> Yeah, just leave it like that, Ryan. That's perfect. Okay, >> we'll probably pull this away from the tennis court a little bit just but we'll try and balance between providing enough screening. Um,
>> go ahead. >> All we really need is like a, you know, I can't imagine we need a little bit of buffer between the t. Yeah, >> if you don't need too much. >> We had this total project at two and a
half to 2.7 million. You are already funding this one for 300,000. >> Yeah. So, what's the other? So, the parking is what? >> About a million dollars to do the parking. >> Number of course I can. Sorry, guys.
>> No, no worries. That's better. So the fitness core too um I think that you're you know I remember the fitness core people came here and I don't know if that that was potential like funding they were trying to look for right if this is a spot good spot
for it great but I think um I don't remember you know what the what they had thought um the cost was but that seems high but it could be what it is these days I guess it would be >> it all depends on the level of equipment, guys, right? Like if you, you
know, for what's being shown there, I'm carrying $250,000. If it ends up being like a couple of pieces of equipment and some mulch, you know, obviously it's under that $100,000 mark. It's really because we haven't like talked each design point out with with the community yet. We're just leaving enough allowance
there. >> Well, one one thing I'm thinking about, um, could we like again, I'm referencing King Park because I think it's a great park. They have fitness equipment that is scattered throughout on a park on a
walking path and I like I use that park. My daughter plays soccer there. I'll go walk that trail, right? And then my other daughter will play on a fitness equipment and whatever, right? And I think people utilize that. Is that another possible way? >> 100%.
>> Each community likes it different. >> Okay. So like whether you want them scattered throughout or you know in one centralized location um totally up to the community on what they want there. Some people what I've gathered I've not actually used one of
those courses before um >> the thought of working out in public makes me petrified. But um having those fitness apparatuses around some people like it because they're getting their walk in in between. some people wide out in the open and they don't they feel
like they don't want to use the equipment like that. They'd rather be tucked away off to the side. So, >> well, I'm wondering I'm wondering if like if we go all in on Flatly, right? Do you take the fitness court out here, right? Because it's be your residence and stuff. Do you put that fitness like
the fitness pieces around your walking path which you're already putting on but like you have a senior facility there right that potentially is is a user >> and also it's another amenity to a park that like we can right >> you know one more
>> by spreading it out I think you save money also on putting um in the surfacing because mulch is probably not going to be accessible so it needs to be accessible so if you're putting it around the have you're going to save money and not having I mean a lot of the
money is in the servicing. So, >> so that's what I'm wondering. Like, do we put that here? It's just an option, Ryan. I think it's still good to put it there like in East Milton, you have a conversation, you know? >> I don't know. >> I kind of like >> we'll show it we'll show optional in both spots and then, you know, as the
community >> the community come back to us and say, >> absolutely. >> Okay. And maybe that's an option here too. Like in Andrews, do we do Yeah. >> Instead of having one court, do we spread it out? Right. Like that could be
two options here to do that as well. >> Okay. >> And have anything about the numbers scared the town or scared the parks commission or, you know, I'm just trying to figure out that I don't want to give a report that shows.
>> No, don't scared me. I I think it's about what it is. You know, like basically if we were to do all this and bite it off, it's $10 million or something, right? >> That's what I'm worried about. Is the community going to gasp and say this is crazy. >> No, I I think the bigger thing here is also to find revenue streams, right? I
think it's to put put this out there. I think I like what I hear today because we did the study. It shows a deficit. We have solutions that you've come up with, right? And I think that's really the important piece of this. And then the
money we figure out like that's the next piece is like okay what potential revenue streams we already have the CPC that's a potential revenue stream. What other state grants and stuff can we find? What other you know private money can we raise? And then what can residents get behind? Right. So >> y
>> listen I don't think we're gonna you know we're not going to pull the trigger here tomorrow on you know initiating all this stuff but um it's a very have a $10 million bond drafted up already, Rob. >> Well, the pro and what I will tell you
is the problem right now is there's a lot going on in town. So, there's going to be a fire a new fire station, right, that that we know is coming up for a bond. Um, and like every town, we're our budgets always uh stretch. So, um, you
know, it's just trying to play that out and figure out where, you know, how you navigate it, you know, but 4.5 million in a bond doesn't seem like a huge number to me, but it it is what it is.
>> Um, so I'm going to lose my conference room here in 10 minutes um to somebody else, but the the other piece I wanted to touch on is the report. We have a draft report uh already underway or I would say almost complete. We we holding
off on one of the final portions of the discussion until we could have this conversation with you guys today about costs and potential phasing strategies. What I'd like to do is I'd like to incorporate I'd like to update these figures. I'd like to update the costs. I would like to incorporate all that and
provide a rough draft to the parks commission uh by the middle of June for you guys to review and give us comment. And the comment is obviously content. Do we did we cover all the things you think you want us to cover? uh you you know
category wise and then as far as contentwise you know are we are we presenting the picture that the board is looking for or you know how do we want to tweak it and then we should set up a a discussion for after you guys have had
a chance to review it >> what's the timing I guess to um come to a conclusion like to wrap this up Ryan what what do you think the timing is to get to a presentation, right? Um, I think we need to identify
some meetings right here. I think we would want to do a community meeting. We probably want to review with we would want to review with the sports team. So, that's probably two. And then I'm even thinking like we'd go to select board or something to to show like an update
to show an update with with this study instead of going to town meeting. Maybe we go to the select board or whatever, right? And maybe we still have to go to the one in October to the town meeting. Um, but I think it >> When is your Instead of getting too far
out, Rob, because I feel like that's going to be tough for us to hold. When is the next parks commission meeting? >> June 18th. >> So, if we got you a rough draft, and I should add a calendar up. Bear with me a
second here, guys. If we got you a if we got you a draft of this by the week of the let's say we got you something by the 9th 10th somewhere in there got you something and you guys were able to review it
>> uh before the 18th >> then we could comment on it and determine how much you want us to add or subtract or commentary and then we could decide when we want to make those meetings. I think that would be a better approach rather than try to schedule those meetings and then find out that you know there's something there that
you want us to fill in. Does that make sense? >> Yeah. So I think I mean I would give yourself to the 12th or whatever, right? I would say >> you're okay with that? >> Yeah, I think that's okay. Like if you could get us a draft by the 12th and then by the 18th
we would obviously put you on the agenda again. we would have like one more review of it and then we could schedule the um community meeting and and maybe not to you know I I I don't want too many meetings like could we invite the
sports people in the community to that meeting right and have one meeting one public with them and then I think instead of going to town meeting Ryan I like the idea of the parks may maybe we have a joint meeting with the select board or
and and and say, "Hey, we want to we want to review this with you." >> Yeah, >> that makes sense to me. We will um we will >> So, I think we'd shoot for July, right? Like at that point, I think we'd shoot for July to like go to the community.
We'd obviously have some time in there, some feedback from the community, and then and then go to the select course. >> That make sense? I I think the big biggest missing piece now probably is just trying to I like
the numbers and everything but I think we also need to um identify potential other revenue streams right for this um will be important but one thing I you had asked me is like this is this
palatable there's many other ways like the CPC we just we just bonded our first project for a warf project that was a million dollars Ryan and that was about 7% of a CPC annual budget. So that kind of gives you a idea, right? The
mechanisms are there, but they're state grant funding. There's CPC money. Obviously, the the big piece of this is the turf fields that are a million dollars. So, the only way you're getting that is through private money or or you know, whatever. >> Listen, I heard a lot of your athletic
groups say, "We're sitting on piles of money. We just want to figure out how to improve the park." So, yeah, exactly. >> That revenue stream may be may be sitting right underneath our noses and we just need to figure out how to capitalize on it. >> And Ryan, um I obviously you're moving
into the next two phases. Uh could you sign off on that amendment so I can extend the PO unless you already >> I'm sorry. I forwarded it to be able to pay you eventually. [laughter] >> I would appreciate that. >> Yeah. Speaking of Thanks for the
reminder, Bonnie. All right. >> Thank you guys for your time. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> We'll we'll talk soon. Bye. >> Bye. >> And I think just under new business, I think Kev wanted to mention something.
Um so yesterday we went out we had gone out to bid for Pebbley and the bid results came in and um [clears throat] it was childcapes came in as the low bid. >> Okay. >> And they have done all our other
playgrounds in town work with them. So >> is it funding? >> Yep. >> So we're good. That should start [gasps] in August I want to say production. >> Incredible. Yeah, >> they're going to happen.
>> And you asked me for to have town council come in the 18th. That's going to happen. I >> probably come in on Zoom, >> the new town council. I just know about >> So if we could get that rendition >> Yeah.
>> What of what Ryan had right there by the 12? Do you think we that would be okay? >> Yeah. We can get that to the review. >> Yeah. so they can look at it and um >> then we have a better idea what's >> and then we need to have questions about
what we can and can't do with all that. So I think I think June 18th will be >> a little bit of a lengthy meeting to be honest with you. Okay, >> I just add to the >> that's obviously a huge component of all
of that is >> that's all I have for the business. >> Great. There you go. Hurry up. >> Almost so touchy. [music]