Parks & Recreation Meeting Wrap-Up

During his Director's Report, Ron Herrick Jr. said that response to the Dog Park, which is unofficially opened, "has been very positive" and that activity there has been busy. Two benches have been installed in the park, and further additions are to come, pending the new year's budget.

Areas for improvement at the Dog Park brought up by some members of the Commission are drainage problems at the small dog section and lack of parking. It was suggested that some kind of solution be worked into the budget so that said section does not become a mud trap in the spring.

As for maintenance issues, it was reported that the interior walls of the Community Center pool have been re-grouted, and specialists will be analyzing the ventilation in the poolroom in coming days. Another topic of improvement is Constitution Park, where there are currently no lights.

The Shelton High School baseball field was also discussed. As a result of last week's Board of Alderman meeting, renovations are being planned, including gravel trenches for drainage, re-grounding of the infield and outfield, and a foul ball net that will cost $15,000 at the city's expense. John Papa said that "a civil engineer is to come and see what problems need to be fixed, and we are going to bond the cost."

In other school news, Herrick said that "they gym situation at Lafayette School should improve as heating and lighting issues have been worked on." The scoreboards at Perry Hill School have also been fixed.

In matters of correspondence, Herrick read a letter from two Mohegan School employees requesting a scholarship for swimming lessons for a special needs student. The normal cost of swimming lessons for Shelton residents is $60. The Commission passed the motion.

The next Parks & Recreation Commission meeting will be held on Jan.12, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. in the Community Center. At this meeting, a budget proposal will be voted on and then presented to the city by Jan. 15, 2011.