Town of Holden 1204 Main Street, Holden, MA 01520
Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes
February 9, 2010
Starbard Building
Members Present: Erin O'Neil Bradbury, Susan Serewicz
Members Absent: Richard Anderson, Lisa Post, Carmelo Bazzano
Others Present: Denise Morano, Recreation Director, Dee Anne Grebinar, Recording Secretary
The Recreation Committee meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm.
MINUTES: The minutes were not voted on due to a lack of quorum.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Programs:
Denise went over the current number of participants in the adult programs. 3CPY0 has 22 participants, a Zumba class that starts tonight has 11 enrolled. The Thursday class which begins in March has 4 registered. The last session on Thursday night had 27 enrolled and we have now decided to limit the number to 25 because of the size of the room. Firm What You "Gut" has 7 people, Tuesday & Thursday morning Yoga has 26 participants, Yoga for Every "Body" has 8 registered, the Hip Hop class at CCS Dance Studio has 3 registered for the evening class. We cancelled the morning class due to lack of registrations, but Joel Seger at CCS Dance wanted to do the evening one even though it only had 3 participants to see if they would get "some interest going." The craft class "Gifts from the Heart" being held
this Thursday has 4 people registered. Erin asked about the Women's Group class that was mentioned at a previous meeting.
Denise commented that it had been put on hold, because the office was extremely busy working on all the new Early Childhood Care rules and regulations that needed to be addressed for the start of 2010. The current enrollment figures for the Before & After School Program: 220 children registered on a daily basis. In compliance with the new Department of Early Education and Care Rules and Regulations, we have developed a progress report that will be used for the children and a staff evaluation form. The staff at each school needs to be evaluated every 2 months.
Summer: Denise went over the pool schedule. It is scheduled to open weekends only, weather permitting, beginning June 5th. The last week of school we will open from 3:00 - 7:15pm, except for Wednesday, June 16th. The pool will be closed to the public that day to accommodate 5th grade grauation parties. A draft of the summer brochure was provided to committee members. Denise suggested they read through it and see if they feel there is anything that needs further explanation. Erin commented that the All Day Program was weekly and not in 2-week sessions. Denise confirmed that is correct. Denise commented that we still need to get confirmation regarding the golf lessons; whether Holden Hills will be doing them again this year and what day they will be and what the fee will be.
Erin asked if the weeds at Eagle Lake get dredged out. Denise said that the lifeguards clean the beach and pull the weeds in the swimming area. Denise commented that she added the age limit to the policy that was decided upon last summer. It reads: "NO CHILD aged 12 or younger should be dropped off at the pool."
Miscellaneous:
Denise gave the committee members a list of Capital Projects that the department is interested in pursuing for the next few years. Dollars would be set aside in the recreation budget to accomplish these Capital Projects. Denise commented on the importance of fixing, maintaining, or improving the Recreation facilities in order to maintain the infrastructure and benefit the town and the townspeople. The FY11 projects have already been submitted and include the Pavilion and garage at Trout Brook. The inside work at Trout Brook was completed this winter. Some of the other Capital projects discussed were emergency pool repairs (every year); recreation office exterior (FY12);painting the bath house at the pool (FY12); dugouts and backstops at Dawson, Jefferson, and Rice; bleachers at Bubar field and Kimball Park field rehab and playground. Sue
asked where Kimball Park is and Denise said near "the western state streets" (on the Shrewsbury Street side of town). Denise feels it's worth exploring as viable space for another field and playground. Erin asked about a playground at Eagle Lake and Denise said that since the skateboard committee had Eagle Lake on their list of possible sites, she did not feel it would be a good spot for a playground if in fact skate park was built there. For that reason, she did not add it to the list of capital projects at this time.
Sue commented that she likes the openness of the playground area at the pool and she's very enthusiastic about the idea of dugouts at the fields. Erin asked if painting the pool house could wait until FY13 (which was on Denise's original list), and Denise decided to move it to FY12. Erin asked about the possibility of a community garden for the town as a fun outdoor activity. She mentioned a book she had read and a web site relating to this concept. Denise said she would do an internet search regarding this topic.
Denise mentioned the Skateboard meeting tonight (held prior to the Recreation Committee meeting). Three committee members attended and they discussed sites, size and structures. The Chaffins Rec area was discussed as a site. It's privately owned, so they will need to be checking that out further.
Denise met with the Holden youth sports directors and has put together the field assignment schedule for Spring/Summer 2010. Erin asked if the department needs any help with Summer registration. Denise said yes and she would be in contact with them.
The meeting adjourned at 7:50pm.
The next Recreation Committee meeting will be held on March 9, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at the Starbard Building.
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