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

MOHEGAN PARK IMPROVEMENT & DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE Thursday, March 10th, 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 5:31. Committee Members Present: Tim Smith, Bill Barbuto, Judy Magnano, Kerry Bilda. Brandon Hyde, Joanne Philbrick, Beryl Fishbone. Others Present: Pat McLaughlin, on behalf of Public Works. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Upon a motion by Bill Barbuto, seconded by Kerry Bilda, the committee unanimously approved the minutes of the regular meeting held on January 14, 2016 3. FINANCIAL REPORT Upon a motion by Bill Barbuto, seconded by Joanne Philbrick, the committee unanimously approved the financial report. 4. OLD BUSINESS a. Election of Officers: Tim Smith stated that he will not pursue this issue any further. He will continue to be responsible for the minutes. If he is unavailable for a meeting, someone will be designated to chair the meeting. b. Former Dog Pound Building: Pat McLaughlin reported that building permits have been issued, abatement is complete, and demolition will take place in the next couple of weeks. c. Trails map app: Kerry Bilda reported that he spoke with David Poore, NPU, who will walk the trails and provide GPS coordinates to the app company. d. Kiosks and park signage: Verbal quotes were received from three vendors for 40 gauge aluminum signs. Upon a motion by Joanne Philbrick, seconded by Judy Magnano, the committee voted unanimously to purchase six signs from the lowest bidder. Kerry Bilda will provide Public Works with written quotes. e. Highway sign: Bill Barbuto reported that our application was approved and signs are being installed on I-395. Signs have been installed at end of Route 2 and the Harland Rd/Ox Hill intersection. It was unclear if a sign will be installed at Ox Hill/ Mahan intersection. Pat McLaughlin to follow up. Also, he will follow up on a local sign that Public Works will be making for the Mahan/John Edwards intersection. f. Expansion of park boundary: The committee continued discussion that was tabled from the previous meeting on expansion of park boundary by incorporating three large parcels to the east of the park. City officials stated previously that the committee would need to determine what the intended purpose of the parcels would be. After further discussion, Joanne Philbrick made a motion to make a favorable recommendation to the city council that three parcels be included as part of Mohegan Park and will be preserved as open space and hiking trails. Beryl Fishbone seconded the motion. The motion passed with Smith, Philbrick, Fishbone, Barbuto, Magnano, and Bilda voting in favor, and Hyde  abstaining. Tim Smith will send a letter to the city council. There was also discussion about nine smaller privately owned parcels to the northeast of the park. Tim Smith will provide information to Joanne Philbrick who will research ownership. g. Bioblitz project information: Brandon Hyde reported that he reached out to NFA science teacher, Heather Botelle, but has not received a response. The committee discussed that the plan is still to get students to develop a plan on how to incorporate information from the 2002 Bioblitz report into an educational tool at the park h. Chelsea Gardens: Brandon Hyde reported current activities include development of a monarch way station outreach program, garden plantings throughout the city, plant sale fund raisers, and lectures on attracting birds and butterflies. CBG is planning another walk in the spring and is working on a request for quote for a detailed design of a roadway and the area defined as The Fens. i. Concession Stand: Pat McLaughlin reported that the contracted cost to demolish the concession stand and replace the roof on the pavilion is $45,000. It would cost an additional $20,000 to keep the pad of the concession stand for future use. 5. NEW BUSINESS a. None 6. CITIZEN COMMENT a. None 7. OTHER BUSINESS a. Judy Magnano presented a tri-fold brochure she developed that includes a map, historical information, and directions. Judy stated that the cost to print 5000 brochures is $357. Joanne Philbrick made a motion to apply $357 from committee funds for 5000 copies of the brochure, which was seconded by Bill Barbuto, and approved unanimously. Judy Magnano will send the brochure electronically so that members can review and provide comments before sending it to print. b. Beryl Fishbone discussed an open space committee that is being formed by city residents. Tim Smith stated that he has had some correspondence from Audubon CT about Project Green Space that he will forward to Beryl. 8. ADJOURNMENT Upon a motion by Joanne Philbrick, seconded by Kerry Bilda, and voted unanimously, the meeting adjourned at 7:15 P.M