HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-12-14 Middle School Fields Improvement Committee Minutes Meeting No. 2 Minutes December 14, 2016
Middle School Fields Improvement Committee
Meeting No. 2 Minutes
Date: December 14, 2016
Time: 10:30 AM
Location: Joseph Hermann Youth Center, 33 Johnson Street North Andover, MA
Conference Room Upstairs
Attendees: Terry Holland, Rosemary Smedile, Todd Dow, Amy Mabley, Derek Wessel,
Rick Green Craig Miller, Tim Wong
Minutes Recorded By: Rick Green
Copies To: Bruce Thidodeau, Rick Gorman, Joyce Bradshaw
Item No. 1 Conceptual Layout Plan Development
• Craig Miller and Tim Wong of Waterfield Design Group provided an overview of how the
conceptual layout plans were developed. Features in the initial layout plans are based on
Waterfield's past experience with similar projects, and the current uses in the Town. The
initial conceptual layout plans were revised to incorporate comments from the initial
committee for the improvement of the Middle School Fields, which Terry Holland and Rick
Green served on.
• There was general discussion about features of the conceptual layout including a dog
park which was in the initial layouts that were developed by Waterfield. All committee
members agreed that a dog park should not be located in the field complex, noting
potential risks to children using the facilities as well as dogs running loose on the fields.
• Amy Mabley indicated that the proposed kindergarten building may be in front of the Early
Childhood Center and not in the back as shown on the conceptual layout plans. This
may be due to unfavorable soil conditions to the rear of the Early Childhood Center. The
proposed plan provides for a common entrance to the Early Childhood Center and the
new kindergarten. Craig Miller and Tim Wong briefly reviewed the revised layout of the
kindergarten building and noted that the driveway around the front of the buildings may
create issues with site distance, but noted that was just an observation as they did not
have information as to how the designers developed this traffic pattern.
1
Meeting No. 2 Minutes December 14, 2016
Item No. 2 Features of Conceptual Layout Plans to Maintain or Remove
• It was decided by the Committee that the best way to discuss the features of the
conceptual layouts was to have each committee member provide their comments.
• Terry Holland indicated that a spray park would be difficult to manage and was not in
favor of this feature. He added that he would like to see a natural stage similar to an
amphitheater that could be constructed using some of the topography. Bathroom
facilities are an important feature of the redevelopment and he supports having multiple
restrooms. Terry is in favor of having a hard court for multiple uses rather than having
separate facilities for street hockey, tennis and pickleball. He would like to see an
exercise area added that is geared toward the elderly and for those people with
disabilities. Terry would also like exercise stations incorporated into the proposed trails
through the woods.
• Todd Dow indicated that he agreed with eliminating the spray park from the conceptual
layouts. He also agreed with having a multicourt hard surface that could be used for
multiple sports/activities. He feels there is a need for a softball field in the facility that will
be lighted. This field could be utilized by the High School and Booster Club teams. Todd
expressed concern with the grading of the site with respect to cuts and fills on the site
due to the existing elevations and proposed facilities. He would like to see the
playground more centrally located similar to McEvoy Field. Moving the proposed
playground toward the Atkinson School and Early Childhood Center so that the schools
could utilize this facility may be an issue with blending school children in with others not
attending school. It was noted that there is CPA funding for replacement of the
equipment in the existing playground at the Atkinson School. Todd also mentioned that
a volleyball court could be a nice feature given the popularity of the sport.
• Rick Green agreed with eliminating the spray park due to potential maintenance and
noted that North Andover has Stevens Pond for swimming, many homes in North
Andover have pools, and this feature is needed more in cities. Incorporating features
and equipment that require minimal maintenance where possible is a goal to keep costs
down after construction. Rick also agreed with having a multicourt rather than separate
facilities for different sports. He discussed maintenance and security of the fields
complex and that a comprehensive maintenance plan would need to be developed with
shared responsibility between user groups and the Town. He also noted that security
and access for police patrols will need to be considered in the design and layout of the
facility. Cameras could be installed throughout the facility, but monitoring would need to
be considered. Rick commented about that the community gardens might not be a
necessary feature due to lack of maintenance from volunteers especially during months
when school is not in session. Also noted was that North Andover is a rural community
and most, but not all parcels have enough open area for gardens. He noted that further
input on the need for a community garden or outdoor classroom is required from
2
Meeting No. 2 Minutes December 14, 2016
representatives of the school. Amy Mabley noted that the Middle School has an outdoor
classroom.
• Rosemary Smedile commented that maintaining a tree buffer between the fields complex
and the abutters was an important feature in the redevelopment. Rosemary indicated
that she would like to see any field lighting to be strategically placed so that any impact to
the abutters is minimal. She also agreed that a spray park was a feature that was not
needed in the redeveloped field complex. Maintenance of a community garden is a
concern, and may take away from the look of the complex if it is not maintained.
• Amy Mabley agreed that the spray park should be removed from the conceptual layouts,
and the field improvements should not include a dog park. She would like to see picnic
areas incorporated into the design. Amy is in favor of a multicourt instead of separate
courts for sports, and would like areas of shade throughout the facility, especially in the
playground area where people could get out of the sun. Her feeling is that the walking
paths should be a hard surface, and expressed concern with maintenance of the new
facility. Amy also noted that the flow of traffic in and out of the fields needs to be
coordinated with traffic from the Early Childhood Center and new kindergarten.
• Derek Wessel commented about the location of an amphitheater which could be
constructed into the side of the existing slope, possibly at the back of the NA Middle
School by the drop-off area. Derek is in favor of combining the court area with the street
hockey rink into a multicourt area. Derek discussed some of the disadvantages to having
grass fields. With the constant use and inability to rotate the use on the fields, they would
be destroyed in a few years. He also mentioned the issues with geese excrement on
natural grass fields. Derek feels that there is a need for turf fields.
• Other features that may be considered within the redevelopment of the fields complex
include the following:
o Reducing the size of the tennis court area if they remain within the conceptual
layouts.
o Maintain gates for abutters to the fields behind the existing Hayes Stadium if they
desire. This could be discussed with the abutters.
o Open space should be incorporated into the layouts.
o Picnic areas with tables should be included in the redevelopment.
o Possibly include a pavilion.
o Include dugouts for baseball and softball fields.
o Install lighting along the walking paths, but not along the trails through the woods.
o A luminaire study could be conducted to determine lighting needed as well as
minimizing impacts to the abutters.
Item No. 3 List of Use Groups to Meet
• Discussion was held about developing a list of user groups that should be met with so
their input can be considered in the design. Rick Green will develop a list for discussion
to which the Committee can add to or remove users.
3
Meeting No. 2 Minutes December 14, 2016
Item No. 4 Schedule for Proceeding with Final Design
• The Committee agreed that the goal of this group is to move the design along to a point
where the project can progress into final design by this Spring's Town Meeting. Based
on this discussion, it was decided by the Committee that comments received by
committee members should be incorporated into the conceptual layouts before meeting
with user groups. Based on this decision, Waterfield Design Group was directed to
update the conceptual layout plans eliminating features that the Committee agreed
should not be included in the redevelopment of the fields. Waterfield will also
incorporate the revised location of the new kindergarten building in front of the Early
Childhood Center if that is the layout that is selected.
Item No. 5 Next Meeting
• The Committee's next meeting will be scheduled after the holidays.
4