Town of Holden 1204 Main Street, Holden, MA 01520
Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes
September 8, 2009
Starbard Building
Members Present: Susan Serewicz, Erin O'Neil Bradbury, Lisa Post, Carmelo Bazzano
Members Absent: Richard Anderson
Others Present: Denise Morano, Recreation Director, Dee Anne Grebinar, Recording Secretary
The Recreation Committee meeting was called to order at 7:08 pm.
Dee Anne Grebinar was introduced as the new Recreation Department Senior Clerk.
MINUTES: A motion was made by Erin and seconded by Carmelo
The Recreation Committee minutes for May 12, 2009 have been accepted as written.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Summer: Denise went over all "numbers" pertaining to the summer program: class sessions, program participants, daily pool attendance, revenue and 3-year and 5-year comparions. We feel fewer resident memberships were sold this year because of the poor weather in June and July; daily pass revenue seemed to increase when the weather improved in August. It was noted that the tent was a great idea and money well spent, since it allowed us to run the program even in the dismal weather. Only one day of classes was cancelled. Staff did a fabulous job. Carmelo asked if anyone was ever turned away from the programs due to numbers. Denise said yes it is sometimes necessary when the facilities are maximized - we are limited to the space available (with the appropriate staff assigned) since safety is our #1 concern. It was noted
that CITs were not given free recreation passes this year, because in the past many got the pass and never showed up to work in the program. While going over the 5-year comparison, Carmelo asked why non-resident pass numbers changed so drastically from 2006 to 2007 and Denise explained that the Selectmen had requested we limit the number of non-resident passes. It is set at 400. The basketball and tennis courts at Dawson Recreation were patched, painted and seal coated in August 2009. Vermont Tennis was the low bid with $16,800.
Pool: The pool opened on June 6, 2009 (weekends) and June 20th for weekdays. It closed August 30, 2009. The motor that runs the "toys" in the family pool froze up in early August and needs to be replaced. Bigelow Electric is working on it. Issues that needed to be addressed at the pool: an odor problem existed when it was found the drainage pipe at the pond across the street was clogged and the DPW had to release the sediment to fix the problem. We had many phone calls regarding this issue because people thought it was a septic issue. It was not and there was no danger....just a HORRIBLE smell. Lisa asked if a lot of 5th graders attended the splash party on the last day of school; Denise advised it was not too well organized, but no problems occurred with any of the schools. Erin asked if the Red Cross does any audits
to critique the lifeguards; Denise replied no, but all records are up to date and kept at the pool. Selectman requested an age limit for children being dropped off at the pool by themselves. It was decided by Denise and Brian Bullock, Town Manager, that the age will be 12 years old. Therefore, no one 12 or younger is allowed to be at the pool without an adult. This information will be in next year's brochure.
Programs: Adult classes: Most classes begin this week. Yoga - 2 days - 21 enrolled; 3CPYo - 7; Balls of Fun - 2; Firm What You Gut - 7; Zumba - 2 evenings - 20; Self defense - 1; Scrap Book classes (4 classes) - 6 enrolled; Zentangle - class begins in October; Women's volleyball and Men's basketball start Thursday as drop-in programs; Boot Camp - a month long early morning physical exercise program was cancelled due to lack of registration; Before and After School Programs - all staff have been hired. Currently 242 children per day: Davis Hill - AM - 52 children (maximum) 5 on wait list, PM 49 children; Dawson - AM - 45 children, PM - 43 children; Mayo - AM - 25 children, PM - 28 children
Miscellaneous: Mayo School was successfully re-licensed by the Dept. of Early Education and Care in June. Next year, Davis Hill and Dawson will have to be re-licensed. Denise mentioned the Speak Out article that appeared in the August 20, 2009 issue of the Landmark that was very negative regarding the Before and After School Program registration process as well as against Denise herself. She called the writer of the article the following week to discuss the letter and the registration procedure.
The meeting adjourned at 8:05pm.
The next Recreation Committee meeting will be held on October 13, 2009 @ 7:00pm, at the Starbard Building.
| 
