HomeMy WebLinkAboutDraft Minutes - Common Areas for Dogs Committee - 09/13/2022
Draft Common Area for Dogs Committee
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, September 13, 2022
Members Present: Betty Milizia (Chair), Justin Palmer (Vice Chair), Muriel More, Lisa Yankowski, Linda
Chiasson, Robyn Birgisson, Molly Joy (Clerk)
Staff Liaison: Holly Rees (Recreation Director), Matt Cota (City Council)
Public: Barbara Sirvis,
Betty called meeting to order at 6:02 PM.
1. Adopt Agenda
Adopted without change.
2. Public Comments (Unrelated to the Agenda)
None
3. Review and Approve Minutes
Muriel had clarifying comments to be added to the August 17th minutes to be revised and reviewed during
next meeting.
4. Update on Wheeler Dog Park
Wheeler Dog Park fencing was installed by City staff without input from Committee. On August 22nd,
Committee submitted a letter to City Council regarding recommendations to reclaim total acreage as
approved through the DRB process of 2.2. acres. Committee’s recommendations also included: bolster to
human resources of city staff or account for contractual work in upcoming budgets, ongoing
communication, and collaboration with Committee, outside consultant to oversee corrections to project
including ADA compliance, identify where fencing needs to be relocated and installed to enlarge the space,
and work with Middlebury Fence to determine additional costs and scheduling.
Matt Cota provided update from the last City Council meeting. During September 6th City Council meeting
Tom DiPietro (Public Works Director) presented the following list of options:
a) Replace wood chips with compacted crushed stone sourced from DPW supply
b) Rearrange fencing at entrance to make smaller for additional cost of $1,300
c) ADA compliance
d) Expand Southwest corner by 0.3 acres for additional cost of $6,600
e) Expand Northwest area for additional 0.1 acre including drainage work to dry it out for cost of
$4,400
f) Expand large area in the Eastern section with additional site work to even out divots and sloping.
City Council approved the first four items to be completed immediately. Middlebury Fence is currently
scheduling into December. Matt is working with Tom to try to bring back Middlebury Fence earlier so the
park can be opened. However, the park cannot be opened until the accessibility issues are addressed.
There are issues with expanding the other sections of the park. With further commitments from DPW and
City Council, expansion of the other areas will not happen until the Spring where we could potentially
regain an additional 0.5 acre. There would need to be an understanding of expectations at to maintenance
for the additional areas.
Committee members agree there is little maintenance needed on the Eastern side of park prior to
expansion and will make no difference to the dogs. There should be additional consideration for paths
throughout the park for those who mobility impaired. There was no mention made by Tom Dipetro of the
Southern boundary by Wheeler House. Currently, they are mowing into what is supposed to be the Dog
Park and boundaries really need to be determined. There are concerns with the status being “in
discussion.” There should also be a parking space dedicated to handicap by park entrance.
Questions were raised as to Common Roots land rights. Common Roots has a lease with the city for use of
Wheeler House but no land lease. There is an informal understanding for event space. It was noted that
Common Roots is using public land as raising funds for private non-profit.
5. Update on Farrell Dog Park
Watershed Consulting Associates LLC provided two options for drainage:
1. Drainage pipe from middle to side where VGS is located for water to flow into ditch, or
2. Spots around perimeter would have water collection that would then feed to them
Dave Wheeler (Deputy Director of Water Resources) is in the process of evaluating the options, both of
which will have crowning in the middle. Project is moving forward with the work to occur this Fall.
6. City Center Park Connection
There are plans underway for the connection from City Center Park to Market Street. City is in the process
of sketching out a high accessibility foot bridges, board walks and benches between Barrett Street and Ivy
Street.
7. Dog Waste Station Proposal
Holly will send draft of the proposal dog waste stations for Committee member feedback to Betty.
8. Upcoming Budget Season Review
The first draft of budget is due October 7th. If there is anything Committee would like to incorporate into
the budget for CIP, Committee needs to give Holly needs a heads up prior to due date.
9. Upcoming ARPA Fund Proposal Request
There was a community survey regarding ARPA funds that was reviewed during the last City Council
meeting. Committees have not had an official stance to weigh in at this point. Committee liaisons and
chairs are going to receive communication from the City Manager to spend time in October to discuss the
type of projects they recommend to City Council. This Committee should come up with their wish list,
then define what is considered ARPA vs. CIP vs. Operational requests (i.e., dog waste stations).
10. Dog Park Signage
Holly shared the illustrations of dog park signage that is expected to arrive in October. Holly will submit
corrections to Dog Park Rules signage (Restrictions Section) to replace “No dogs in heat, injured or sick”
with separate bullet for “Dogs must be spayed or neutered” and “Dogs must be healthy and free of
communicable disease(s).”
MOTION TO ADJOURN AT 7:42 PM ET PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
11. Future Meetings
Tuesday, October 11th, 6 – 7:30 PM
Tuesday, November 8th, 6 – 7:30 PM
Tuesday, December 13th, 6 – 7:30 PM