Mohegan Park Improvement & Development Advisory Committee - Disbanded Feb 01, 2025

MOHEGAN PARK IMPROVEMENT & DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE Thursday, January 14, 2016 – 5:30 P.M. City Hall Room 210 Regular Meeting MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Tim Smith at 5:32. Committee Members Present: Tim Smith, Bill Barbuto, Judy Magnano, Kerry Bilda. Brandon Hyde, Ryan Thompson (Ex-Officio) 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Upon a motion by Bill Barbuto, seconded by Judy Magnano, the committee unanimously approved the minutes of the regular meeting held on November 12, 2015 3. FINANCIAL REPORT Upon a motion by Brandon Hyde, seconded by Kerry Bilda, the committee unanimously approved the financial report. 4. OLD BUSINESS a. Vacancies: Tim Smith reported two appointments will be voted on by City Council at their next meeting; Beryl Fishbone is being nominated for appointment along with Joanne Philbrick, council representative. b. Election of Officers: There was some discussion about decision at last meeting to generate positions of vice chair and secretary within the committee. Tim Smith did not speak with corporation counsel about whether bylaws are required. The committee discussed that if the chair could not attend, someone would step in and conduct the meeting. Also, Tim stated that generating the minutes is a not big burden for him. Brandon Hyde made a motion to table the discussion, which was seconded by Bill Barbuto. The committee voted unanimously in favor of the motion. c. Traffic Statistics: Tim Smith stated that he did not receive more detailed information from the police department about the section of Mohegan Park Road south of Judd Road, where there is concern about pedestrian safety. Ryan Thompson stated that he is pursuing CDBG grant funds for sidewalk development in the city but getting funds for sidewalks in the park may be difficult. He will investigate the traffic data more closely and report back. d. Former Dog Pound Building: Ryan Thompson reported that the building will be removed soon. He just approved the request to remove hazardous materials. It should be demolished by the end of winter. e. Trails map app: Kerry Bilda reported that there has not been much progress. He will follow up with David Poore from Norwich Public Utilities for coordinate information. f. Kiosks and park signage: Kerry Bilda presented a final version of the sign that will include historical and geological information. He will now get quotes from printing vendors. g. Highway sign: Bill Barbuto presented information from the state DOT on adding Mohegan Park to highway signs on I-395. The committee reviewed the application form  and filled in all necessary information. Bill will now return the application to the state. In addition, Bill stated that there is a sign on Harland Road, but signs should be placed at Ox Hill/Mahan intersection and Mahan/John Edwards Drive intersection to properly direct drivers from the highway. Ryan Thompson stated that Public Works has the capability to make signs in accordance with DOT standards and will present something at the next meeting. The committee then discussed signage to address pedestrian safety on Mohegan Park Road. Brandon Hyde made a motion to place signs at the ends of the trail between Lower Pond and Park Center to get pedestrians a safer route, with one saying Park Center with an arrow, and the other saying Greeneville with an arrow. Judy Magnano seconded the motion. The committee voted unanimously in favor of the motion. Ryan Thompson stated that his staff can make the signs and will present something at the next meeting. h. Expansion of park boundary: Tim Smith stated that the Comprehensive Plan to change zoning on city owned parcels adjacent to Mohegan Park to recreational open space (ROS) had been approved by City Council. He recommended that the committee should consider making a recommendation to the city to add three parcels east of Mohegan Park as part of Mohegan Park. In order for us to make this recommendation, we need to tell city council what we would propose doing with these additional parcels. After some discussion on ideas, Brandon Hyde made a motion to table the discussion, and seconded by Kerry Bilda. The committee voted unanimously in favor of the motion. i. Bioblitz project information: Brandon Hyde reported that he had an initial conversation with Heather Botelle, science teacher at Norwich Free Academy about BioBlitz. He will follow up with her about getting her students to provide a plan for using the information from the report for educational purposes at the park. j. Chelsea Gardens: Brandon Hyde reported that Chelsea Gardens made a presentation to the City Council on December 7th. Their current focus is on getting new board members and capital fund raising. Tim Smith requested that the Chelsea Gardens board provide a tour/presentation to the MPIADC. Brandon stated that this could be done when in the spring. 5. CITIZEN COMMENT a. Joanne Philbrick, 10 Elm Avenue, asked about the kennel fencing at the old kennel and being able to offer to citizens for recuperation of cost. b. Beryl Fishbone, 19 Bliss Place , stated that street signs should be coordinated with Walkoctober events. Also, she recommended that the parcels adjacent to the park are considered as a bird blind for the annual bird count. 6. OTHER BUSINESS a. Ryan Thompson raised the issue of the concession stand’s condition. His staff recommends that the building is demolished but the open pavilion is kept. Brandon Hyde stated that this was recommended a few years but was cost prohibitive. Ryan stated that he has been able to find funding remaining from other projects and may be able to provide funding for concession stand demolition. He will assemble some costs for next meeting. b. Tim Smith stated that the 2016 schedule presented at the last meeting has a typographical error. The meeting in November will be on November 10th. He will re-distribute a correct schedule. 7. ADJOURNMENT Upon a motion by Kerry Bilda, seconded by Judy Magnano Hyde, and voted unanimously, the meeting adjourned at 7:10 P.M