Special Meeting
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
Date: January 7, 2014
Time: 4:30
Parks and Recreation Office
Minutes
Present: Chairperson; Rich Norkun, Vice Chairperson; John Wright, Board of Finance Liaison Alan Hurst, Len Heroux, Dan Roy, Mark Vickery, Deb Mckinney, Tim Adams. Also present Director; Ruth Checko and Program Coordinator; Shawn Mullen
Call To Order: Rich Norkun called to order the January 7, 2014 Special Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to order.
Approval of the minutes of the November 5, 2013 Regular Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board: John Wright motioned to approve the minutes. Len Heroux seconded. All approved (7-0).
Audience of Citizens: None
Communications
- Leisure 2013-2014 priorities and objectives
Everyone received a copy of this report. Ruth Checko discussed it in detail.
Director’s Report: Ruth Checko and Shawn Mullen gave reports on the status of the Parks and Recreation Department operations and programs.
Unfinished Business
- Partnership with Senior Center, Commission on Aging, and Parks and Recreation for “Boomer” programming
The first program related to this (Tai Chi) will begin at the Senior Center on January 21st. We are looking at other ways to expand.
- High School Athletic Field Lighting
This project should go out to bid by the end of the month.
- Court Sports in Village Center
The department is looking into how to make the best use of the available space.
- Re-working of Sears Park Master Plan
There is an estimate coming on how much it will cost for a re-design. Ruth Checko will report back on this for the February meeting. John Wright motioned to move forward with the re-design changes and investigate how to include a volleyball court in the plans. Deb Mckinney seconded the motion. All approved (7-0).
- Preliminary Capital Projects for next fiscal year
Sears Park phase two, equipment, and the Memorial School play-scape were discussed.
New Business
Shawn Mullen reported on the status of the program
- Advertising and marketing plan
The department has met with Cheryl Gioielli on developing a marketing plan for the future.
- Ideas for after-school program for Middle School age kids
The department is putting together a plan for a possible after-school program for middle school aged kids working with Board of Education staff.
- Partnering with Rotary on camp enrichment program
The department is looking at ways to partner and enhance programing. We will contact Jack Solomon again about this.
- Schedule of meetings for 2014
Dan Roy motioned to approve the meeting dates as the first Tuesday of every month except for July at 4:30PM. Len Heroux seconded the motion. All approved (7-0).
Other Concerns
Rich Norkun suggested that everyone brainstorm ideas of how to increase use of the gazebo at Sears Park.
Len Heroux motioned to recommend to Town Council to look into the feasibility of acquiring the property that is available for sale on South Main Street for multi-use recreation. Dan Roy seconded. All approved (7-0).
Committee Reports
Nothing further at this time.
Adjournment: Dan Roy motioned to adjourn. Len Heroux seconded. All approved.
| 
