RECREATION & PARK COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Avon Town Hall, Building #7
I. Call to Order - 5:32 p.m. – By Peter Ponziani
A. Attendance
1. Members & Staff Present
Glenn Marston, Director, Sharon Brummert, Admin.Coordinator, Paul Marioni, Peter Ponziani, Michael Trick, David Jadovich.
2. Members & Staff Absent
Donald Droppo, Peggy Roell, Kathy Thompson,
II. Minutes – March 14, 2012
After reviewing the minutes from March 14, 2012, David Jadovich motioned to accept the minutes as presented and Paul Marioni seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
III. Public Comment – None
IV. Director’s Report
Glenn gave a brief overview of the summer season. He said pool attendance was up by about 2400, which wasn’t bad, but he thought it should have been more. Glenn said our campers go to the pool twice a week and he was not sure if they are included in the 2400. He said that Avon Old Farms School and the town of Farmington brought campers to the pool as well in the summer. Burlington Academy also brought campers this summer. Glenn said we don’t charge these organizations the full price, but we do invoice them at the end of the summer for about half of the regular cost per person. He said it is basically found money.
Glenn informed committee members that we had a great turn out for our summer camp programs this year. He said we filled most of the sessions to full capacity and had about 84 more campers then last year. Glenn said we also had an increase in the number of students signing up for before and after care with 88 more students then last summer.
Glenn told the committee that we added enrichment programs to the camp sessions this year and they were well received.
The committee was told about the Farmington Valley Field Hockey League, which is a pilot program this year. The program is combined with Burlington, Canton, Farmington, Granby, and Simsbury. He said we have 32 5th & 6th grade girls and 21 7th and 8th grade girls signed up in Avon. There are 157 girls signed up for the league between all of the towns.
Glenn told committee members that the Recreation Department will be doing the ski program registration online this year beginning October 9. He is hopeful that the online registration will make it easier for both residents and the office staff.
Mr. Marston informed the committee that the department’s Administrative Secretary Katie Cormier will be leaving the department and is taking a full time position with the Avon Volunteer Fire Department as their Administrative Secretary as of October 15. He said the department is sad that she is leaving, but happy that she will now be a full time employee. Glenn also announced that he will be retiring in August 2014. He said the Town may hire his replacement 2-3 months prior to him leaving and he thinks there will be quite a few applicants.
IV. Correspondence - None
VI. Committee Communication – None
VII. Old Business
A. Fisher Meadows Field Project Update
Glenn informed committee members that the Fisher Meadows Field Project is just waiting on money. He said there is one thing left to do and he will speak to Mike Cegan about this.
B. Summer Day Camps
Glenn covered this in the Director’s Report
C. Sycamore Hills Pool and Bathhouse Painting Update
Glenn said this project is on hold right now.
D. ADA Updates –
Glenn said he attended a conference on October 2 for new ADA Compliance issues. Mike Trick asked if we still have to do the lift at Sycamore Hills pool. Glenn said we do, but it won’t be as bad as he originally thought. He said Canton purchased a portable lift and it has worked out well for them. Glenn said he will look into the portable lift in more detail.
D. On-Line Program Registration Update
Glenn said the online registration with the new system is working out well and we are almost at 70% of registrations being done online. He said our target is 70-80%, so we are almost there. The department tried to do swim lessons online this summer, but it didn’t work out, so we just ended up doing them in person. Swim memberships were done online this summer and that worked out very well. All other programs seem to be working out with online registration.
VIII. New Business
A. Capital Improvement Program
Glenn asked committee members to review the Capital Budget and let him know if they feel it should be revised in any way and he asked them to get back to him within the next few days. He said the priority in the Capital Budget is still the tennis courts at Sycamore Hills. Glenn said that the ACORN organization wants to put lights on the Middle school tennis courts and they have $25,000 from the Hoffman Foundation and the group is willing to do some fundraising but they would like the Town to pay the balance of the lighting. Glenn said the Town cannot afford to do this at the expense of other Capital projects that have been in the budget for a few years. Glenn said the repair to the courts at Sycamore is a priority or they are going to end up in the same shape as the Middle School courts before they were redone. He is asking
committee members to say “No” to funding the lights on the Middle School tennis courts.
B. General Fund Budget
Glenn told the committee that the Operating Budget is due in early November but he has not received all of the documents for that yet.
C. Avon Library Building Policy and Recreation Programs – Tabled
D. Interest to Move Sperry Parking and Girls’ Softball Field Project Forward
Glenn said Avon Little League approached him about expanding the girl’s softball field at Sperry Park, but we would need to also look at the parking issue as well. Glenn said we should put it in the Capital Budget because Little League is willing to help out financially.
E. Set Dates for Future Meetings – Sharon will email the committee members with the next meeting dates.
1. IX. Adjournment
A. Mike Trick motioned to adjourn the meeting at 6:24 pm. Peter Ponziani seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted by Sharon Brummert
Sharon Brummert
Sharon Brummert
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