Town of Holden 1204 Main Street, Holden, MA 01520
Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes
January 12, 2010
Starbard Building
Members Present: Erin O'Neil Bradbury, Lisa Post, Carmelo Bazzano
Members Absent: Susan Serewicz, Richard Anderson
Others Present: Denise Morano, Recreation Director, Dee Anne Grebinar, Recording Secretary
The Recreation Committee meeting was called to order at 7:04 pm.
MINUTES: A motion was made by Erin and seconded by Carmelo
The Recreation Committee minutes for November 10, 2009 have been accepted as written.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Programs:
A current schedule of adult classes is handed out to each member. Denise discussed the number of participants in the adult programs for the current session - Firm what you "Gut" (Tuesday & Thursday evenings) (15); Hatha Yoga (Tuesday & Thursday mornings) (24); Yoga for Every "Body" (8); 3CPYo (9); Zumba (Tuesday & Thursday evenings) (38).
Denise commented that we actually had to close out the registration for the Thursday class due to the high enrollment. 4 people attended the Self Defense class last night and we had positive feedback from that. A series of 4 new scrapbook classes begins January 16th with 6 people currently registered. Unfortunately, our 2 new hip hop classes which will be taking place at the CCS Dance studio, did not get advertised in the Landmark, so we've decided to push out the start date for two weeks (start January 27th) to see if we get more people to sign up. Currently we have 2 registered. There is a morning and a night class. Still no interest in the Financial Planning workshop. Basketball and volleyball continue to be popular. Carmelo asked about drop-in basketball and the Mountview gym availability. Denise said she only books Mountview on Tuesdays
and Thursdays. Carmelo asked if all the gyms are being used every night, he feels there should be more opportunities for more children to play. Denise said she believes Mountview School and the CRA program use the gyms. Carmelo commented that there doesn't seem to be enough space for all the children who want to get involved. Denise commented that she used to run programs at Mountview for the students right at the end of the school day, but then she was no longer welcome to use that time frame at the school and she discontinued the different classes offered.
Denise commented that the Ski Ward Program for skiing and snowboarding has 10 children registered this year.
Denise went over the current enrollment figures for the Before & After School Program: 230 children registered on a daily basis, down from 235 in November 2009.
Miscellaneous:
Department of Early Education and Care: the licensing authority for our childcare programs has revised some rules and regulations that became effective January 1, 2010. Numerous hours have been spent updating the necessary paperwork in order to be in compliance. Some of the changes include mandatory medication administration training for all staff, progress reports for all children and observation of staff working with the children at least every 2 months. Staff have been fully informed of the new regulations and have been implementing them. Denise said when the investigator comes on site, he may find us in non-compliance for some things due to a misinterpretation of the rules or regulations and we will correct it at that time. Denise sent a letter to parents informing them of the changes.
Santa's Program - went well; Denise thanked all the committee members and their families for their assistance. Donations totaled $65.00.
Recreation budget hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, March 10, 2010. Denise commented that the pavilion at Trout Brook needs to be repaired. Lisa asked about the pool "frost heaves" and Denise said she won't know about that until it's uncovered. The pump (for the water "sprays") is being repaired for $6,000.00. Denise discussed the water/sewer bills that had our usage almost double (from the previous year) each of the months the pool was open. She didn't feel it was a leak in the pool, because new water in the pool would have needed to be treated with chlorine and the amount of chlorine we used did not increase from the previous year. At this point, the water meter is being checked to be sure it was operating properly. Carmelo asked who looks at our budget and Denise replied the Town Manager and the Finance Committee and
then it is presented at the Town Meeting. Denise commented that the Department does not rely on tax dollars.
Skateboard Park - Denise reported on the meeting that was held this evening prior to the Recreation Committee meeting. It was with an energetic group of people who had signed up at the initital meeting to form a Committee to pursue the Skateboard Park. They discussed locations for the park such as the CRA, Mountview School, behind the Recreation Department office, the current Police Station area and Eagle Lake. They estimate the size of the park to be roughly the size of 2 tennis courts (60' x 120') and the price in the $200,000 range. The Recreation Department had previously committted to donating $50,000 towards this project. Carmelo asked if it's a sport that will die out, Denise commented that it does seem to by cyclical, but a park is definately safer for the kids than being the streets or parking lots. Their next meeting will be on
February 9, 2010 at 5:30 pm at the Starbard Building.
Denise said she has a meeting with the Holden Youth Sports directors scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday, January 13, 2010) to discuss field assignments for the upcoming seasons. Once again, there will be strict enforcement of the rule that the fields MUST be dry before they are released for use.
Lisa and Erin commented on the ethics information they received. Denise advised they must take the ethics test on the www.mass.gov/ethics website. Everyone working with a municipality (whether paid or volunteer work) must take the test according to the literature we received from the state.
The meeting adjourned at 7:50pm.
The next Recreation Committee meeting will be held on February 9, 2010 @ 7:00 pm. at the Starbard Building.
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