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

MOHEGAN PARK IMPROVEMENT & DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE Thursday, May 10, 2018 – 7:30 P.M. Norwich Public Works Conference Room 50 Clinton Avenue, Norwich, CT Regular Meeting MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Beryl Fishbone at 7:35 P.M. Committee members present: Beryl Fishbone, Bill Barbuto, Judy Magnano, Kyle Seitz, Samantha Venturo, Rebecca Melucci , Alderman Sam Browning, Ryan Thompson (Ex-Officio) 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Upon a motion by Rebecca Melucci, seconded by Samantha Venturo, the committee unanimously approved the minutes of the regular meeting held on March 8, 2018. 3. FINANCIAL REPORT A financial report was given by Ryan Thompson. 4. OLD BUSINESS a. Water tank update: NPU representative, Mary Lou Rychling updated the committee on the progress of the water tank. While testing pressure 2 valves failed and NPU is awaiting replacements. The tank will be filled, painted and they will test the controlling of the tank level and the pressure. All should be completed by the end of June or beginning of July. DPU will be removing the fence by the parking area and planting a few trees between the basketball court and the tank. An inquiry to Ryan Thompson was made regarding a small curb on the driveway from the basketball court. b. Handicap parking spaces: Ryan Thompson said budgetary constraints have affected the progress of this project. DPW plans to relocate the dumpster near the dog pound which might open 1 or 2 handicapped parking spaces. Ryan Thompson said a new gate must have a pedestrian opening but also must open for vehicles. Work should begin late spring or summer. c. Trail Maps: Samantha Venturo has made black and white copies of the trail maps which she will deliver to DPW so the brochure containers can be placed on the kiosks. d. Promotion of the park:  i. Arbor Day (27 April 2018): A successful presentation by Tree Wardens Teresa Hanlon and Franz Redanz was given to 2nd grade students at Moriarty School. ii. CT Public Gardens Day (11 May 2018): iii. National Trails Week (2-10 June 2018): iv. National Gardening Exercise Day (6 June 2018): v. CT Historic Gardens Day (24 Jun 2018): Emphasis will be on the Rose Garden. e. Food Truck Event: Kyle Seitz and Sam Browning will seek information from a Norwich events group so the same procedures and steps taken by other organizations can be followed. Kyle Seitz asked Ryan Thompson to generate a letter concerning the language for other food truck events. Ryan suggested the first event be experimental and language be based on that event. f. Rebecca Melucci and Beryl Fishbone have completed a Mohegan Park square for the Ellis Ruley quilt project. g. Chelsea Gardens: Sam Browning stated that Chelsea Gardens Foundation is giving up their lease subject to negotiation and they have no money to replant the trees that they removed. Ryan Thompson said the city has a draft of the lease release and the termination process is underway. Mayor Nystrom purchased 100 seedlings and fifty white pine seedlings have been planted in accordance with direction from Norwich’s Tree Warden and the DEEP Urban Forest Coordinator, Chris Donnelly. The remaining 50 silver maple seedlings have been planted in the area next to Benny’s. Chris Donnelly stated in a letter to Norwich’s Tree Warden, Teresa Hanlon that “the absence, for the most part, of invasive exotic plants from the site, especially among the understory, is a good sign.” He went on to say that disturbing the site might provide a desirable growth area for invasive plants. Sam Browning would like to see the zoning of the 80 acres changed back to recreational open space after the finalization of the lease termination. The following questions were asked: i. Should we plant more trees and how many (Beryl Fishbone)? ii. How do we protect the area (Samantha Venturo)? Sam Browning offered $100 toward the purchase of additional trees. h. Disc Golf: Kyle Seitz created a PowerPoint presentation on the advantages of disc golf in the park. Kyle Seitz, Ryan Thompson, Angelo Yeitz and a disc golf professional walked the park and found an area near the skating pond that might possibly lend itself to a 9 hole course. Kyle stated that disc golf would increase the attraction of the park and provide recreational opportunity for all ages. Disc golf would be low capital and low maintenance and have very low environmental impacts. Tournaments would also bring business to local restaurants. Kyle Seitz and Jeffrey Brown, an NFA physical education instructor, brought copies of the latest Coast and Country magazine showing the growing popularity of this sport  along with a guide to the many courses in the area. Ryan Thompson said permanent goals would be necessary. Kyle Seitz said the approximate cost would be $600 to $1000 each. They would like to pursue this project without city funding. Kyle Seitz and Jeffrey Brown will approach businesses, NFA and Norwich Tech to try to obtain sponsorships. Ryan Thompson asked Kyle Seitz to obtain a resume from the professional disc golfer. Sam Browning suggested using some of the Mohegan Park fund. A motion was made by Sam Browning to take this project to the next step and explore funding and was seconded by Rebecca Melucci. Bill Barbuto, Samantha Venturo, Kyle Seitz, Beryl Fishbone, Ryan Thompson voted in favor, Judy Magnano recused herself. i. A motion to move the meeting time from 6:30 to 7:30 was made by Kyle Seitz, seconded by Rebecca Melucci and unanimously approved by the committee. 5. CITIZEN COMMENT Jeffrey Brown of 15 Greenwich Court, a Norwich Free Academy Physical Education Instructor, is interested in participating in the effort to bring disc golf to the park. He plans to speak with NFA officials to help fund this project. 6. OTHER BUSINESS 7. OTHER ATTENDEES: Mary Lou Rychling representing DPU Jeffrey Brown, 15 Greenwich Court, Norwich, CT Stephanie Menders representing The Bulletin Claire Bessette representing The Day 8. ADJOURNMENT Motion was made to adjourn by Rebecca Melucci, seconded by Kyle Seitz and voted unanimously by the committee. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 P.M. Distribution: Bill Barbuto billsuebarbuto@hotmail.com, Beryl Fishbone berylfishbone@yahoo.com, Judy Magnano jmagnano12@gmail.com, Sam Browning tappingreeve@aol.com, Ryan Thompson rthompson@cityofnorwich.org, Rebecca Melucci beckimelucci614@gmail.com, Samantha Venturo stillwaters37@gmail.com, Kyle Seitz seitzk22@yahoo.com, Betsy Barrett bbarrett@cityofnorwich.org, Christine Averna caverna@cityofnorwich.org, Suzanne Cicarelli dpwadmin@cityofnorwich.org