By Charles Stannard

ESSEX— The town has hired a new full-time park and recreation director who will begin working in Essex on March 8. Richard Audet, an East Lyme resident, was hired based on the recommendation of a town selection committee that interviewed three finalists.

Audet currently works as the park and recreation director in Marlborough. He has a bachelor of science degree in recreation management from the University of Northern Colorado, and a masters degree in organizational leadership from Palm Beach Atlantic University in Florida. He has worked previously in park and recreation positions in Palm Beach Garedens, Fla. West Hartford, and Cromwell.

A total of 51 applicants were screened and narrowed by a review committee comprised of three members of the park and recreation commission and Selectman Joel Marzi. The committee interviewed three finalists before making a hiring recommendation. Audet will receive a starting salary of $44,262.

Audet replaces Brian Wilson, who was the town’s first full-time park and recreation director. Wilson, who held the job for about 15 months in 2008-2009, left the Essex job in October. Audet’s duties will include coordinating and managing park and recreation programs, and the maintenance of the town’s parks and ballfields.

From a press release provided by the Essex Park and Recreation Department:

The Essex Department of Park and Recreation announced the completion of the Ivoryton Village Park Improvement Project this week.

The project’s goal was to improve the safety and usability of existing facilities within the park. Improvements include a new irrigation system, gazebo restoration, fencing, and a newly planted garden area.

This project was completed with the support of the Town of Essex Public Works Department, Park and Recreation staff, and Zoning Official Marian Staye, who designed the new garden area. The project was also supported in part by Riggio’s Garden Center and the Ivoryton Garden Club.

Dedicated and opened in the mid 1950’s, Ivoryton Village Park is run by the Essex Department of Park and Recreation. The park is home to the Annual Ivoryton Village Pumpkin Festival and the Summer Concert Series.

Links:
Essex Park and Rec

By Charles Stannard

ESSEX— Park and Recreation Director Brian Wilson is leaving the job before the end of the month to take a position in Canton.

First Selectman Phill Miller, who announced Wilson’s pending departure Wednesday, said Wilson is leaving to take a park and recreation related job in Canton, a town that is closer to where he lives.Wilson began working in Essex in July 2008 after working previously as the recreation programs supervisor for the Dover Arena in Dover, N.H. Miller said Wilson “has done excellent work for the town” over the past 15 months.

In hiring Wilson, the park and recreation commission expanded the director’s job to a full-time position. As director, Wilson coordinated an expansion of summer programs, and helped the commission develop plans for a proposed basketball court at the former state commuter lot near the main firehouse on Middlesex Avenue (Route 154). The basketball court plan is expected to go to a public hearing before the zoning commission later this fall.

Miller said Mary Ellen Barnes, the assistant director and programs coordinator, would serve as acting director while the park and recreation commission coordinates the search for a new director. Miller said he favors keeping the director job as a full-time position. Wilson had received an annual salary of about $43,000 in the position.

By: Charles Stannard

ESSEX— The zoning board of appeals has approved the variances of town zoning regulations that were required for a town-sponsored basketball court at the former commuter parking lot on the corner of West Avenue and Saybrook Road.

The board approved five variances of the height, setback, and parking requirements of the regulations. The unanimous approval came after a public hearing held Tuesday.

The approval of variances is only the first step for the proposed basketball court that is sponsored by the town’s Park and Recreation Commission. The plan also needs approval of a special permit from the zoning commission, which is expected to hold a public hearing on the project this fall.

The Park and Recreation Commission began planning for the basketball court after the Connecticut Department of Transportation transferred the parcel to the town early this year. The state opened a new commuter parking lot on Route 154, off Route 9 exit 4, just south of the Deep River town line.

The commission hopes to fund the basketball court project through private donations. It would be the first regulation-sized outdoor basketball court in Essex. The board of selectmen has authorized the use of the property if the project secures land use approvals.

By: Charles Stannard

ESSEX– The Zoning Board of Appeals has scheduled a July 21 public hearing on variances required for a town supported basketball court at the former commuter parking lot on the corner of West Avenue and Saybrook Road.

The town Park and Recreation Commission is the applicant for the project, which received a preliminary endorsement from the Board of Selectmen in March. The state Department of Transportation conveyed the parcel to the town earlier this year after completion of a new commuter parking lot on Route 154, just south of the Deep River town line.

Brian Wilson, park and recreation director, said the commission intends to cover the cost of the project, estimated at about $100,000, through private fundraising. “This was always going to be completely fundraised without any cost to the taxpayers,” he said.

Wilson said the proposed court would be the first regulation-size basketball court in town, supplementing hoops at town hall and Hubbard Field, and a small court on the Essex Elementary School property that is owned by Regional School District 4. He said the court would be fully fenced and lighted for nighttime play.

The fencing, a requirement because the parcel abuts a Connecticut Light and Power Co. electrical substation, is one of the improvements that requires a variance of town zoning regulations because of the height of the fence and its proximity to the abutting property line. Additional setback variances are also required for the project.

Along with variances from the ZBA, the project would also need approval of a special permit from the Zoning Commission. Park and recreation commission members reviewed preliminary plans with the Zoning Commission in May, with the panel determining the project would need a special permit that requires a separate public hearing.

Zoning Commission members said the plans should address all safety issues related to the electrical substation and the nearby intersection of West Avenue and Saybrook Road, also known as Route 154. A public hearing before the zoning commission would follow action on the variances by the ZBA.

Wilson said the Essex Volunteer Fire Department has also indicated support for the project. The department’s main firehouse is located just south and east of the former commuter lot.

“Everyone seems to be supportive of the idea,” Wilson said, adding the project would include two new pedestrian crosswalks on West Avenue and Saybrook Road.

Wilson said the park and recreation commission would begin a fundraising effort for the project this fall after the plans secure the required zoning approvals. He said the goal is to begin construction in the spring and open the court for play in the summer of 2010.

Links:
Essex Parks and Recreation
Essex Zoning Board of Appeals Public Notices