East Mountain Neighborhood Association

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Meeting Minutes

 

 

 

Attendees: 41

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM by Mike Ptak, who led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

The Secretary’s report was offered in hard copy upon request

 

The Treasurer’s report was unavailable due to the absence of the treasurer, Jean Guisto

 

The guest speaker of the evening is Jim Nemec, Supervisor of the parks for the city.  Mr. Nemec announced that there are many on-going projects in the city at present, specifically referring to the parks.  East Mountain Park is very fast moving in its renovation process.  It will shut for the winter, when Phase I is completed.  There is an allocation fund for $400,000 from the Aldermen and the Mayor, which will hopefully enable the use of the original design.  The bids will begin in November and will be processed through the “boards “ through the winter.  Mr. Nemec also reported the problem with ATV’s already being in the park, destroying the grass. 

Phase II of the park will begin in the spring and will include a basketball court, spray pool, gazebo, fencing and ornamental fencing.  The playscape is on the state bid list and is on order and should be finished in the fall.  The area will be finished and filled in with wood chips.  One member suggested lighting into the park and another thought lights would not be a good idea.  Another member asked if trees would be cut down around the park.  Jim Nemec will look into that idea.

Mr. Nemec reports that $500,000 will be needed to get the golf course up to par with lengthening and new drainage.  This project has been started.  It is hoped that the renovations will attract new members.

Fairlawn park renovation is also in progress, the expense- $300,000.

Hamilton Park fields will be renovated.  There will no longer be baseball fields, but soccer and football fields. 

Washington Park will have renovated fields and lighting. 

Town Plot Park will also be revamped.

Mr. Nemec offered the opportunity for questions about the East Mountain Park and they are as follows:  Can there be an automatic shutoff for the sprinkler?  How many walking entrances will there be?  How wide is the walking path?  There were questions about the watering system, a pole that is noted to be in the middle of the walking path, and whether the walking path goes all the way around the park, and whether there will be any benches, since other parks have already installed benches, donated by businesses and neighbors.  Other questions were how many “doggie posts” will be required.  One neighbor reported a wysteria vine overtaking the trees in the golf course parking lot.  Mr. Nemec will be researching response to these requests and questions. 

 

 

The Public Hearing of October 10th at Wendell Cross School concerning the proposed condo project in the Rte 69/Hamilton area was attended by approximately 200 people. City Planning Supervisor Jim Sequin noted many points of problems with the condo project.  The hearing will be continued on November 9th at Wendell Cross School from 6PM to 9PM.  At that time a vote will be taken. 

 

The Neighborhood Council Dinner and awards ceremony will be held at the Ponte Club on Thursday, November 2.  Tickets are $45. 

 

The plan to have a fund-raiser in the form of commemorative bricks for the walkway in the park are on-going.  Debbie Langdon announced that O & G will be supplying the bricks and Mr. O’Donnell will be doing the engraving.  A small brick will be $75 and a large will be $150.  The walk will be created of brick and when an engraved brick is placed, an original brick will be removed from the walk.

 

The Christmas tree lighting will be on December 3 at 5:30 PM at the golf course clubhouse.  Hot chocolate will be provided by the concession, baked goods will be needed—members are asked to be so kind as to provide them.  Santa Claus is needed this year.  Volunteers are needed for the Santa role. 

 

The Book Swap:  the EMNA is looking to donate books wherever they can be used, since many books have been accumulated and the inventory needs to be updated.  Please feel free to bring new books that you would like to swap.

 

Old and New Business:  Members are needed to take down flags the Saturday after Veterans’ Day, November 12th.  Some of the usual workers are temporarily out of commission because of recent surgical procedures and won’t be recovered well enough by that time.  Turner Langdon, Bill Burnes and Mark Tierney volunteered this evening. 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 PM. 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Patricia Mencio, Secretary