Town of Holden 1204 Main Street, Holden, MA 01520
Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes
May 11, 2010
Starbard Building
Members Present: Susan Serewicz, Lisa Post, Richard Anderson, Carmelo Bazzano, Erin O'Neil Bradbury
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Denise Morano, Recreation Director, Dee Anne Grebinar, Recording Secretary
The Recreation Committee meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm.
MINUTES: A motion was made by Lisa and seconded by Richard to accept the minutes of the March 9, 2010 meeting.
The Recreation Committee minutes for March 9, 2010 were accepted as written.
The Recreation Committee accepted by consensus the minutes of the April 13, 2010 meeting as written.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Programs: Denise went over the current adult programs, which at this time of the year are some Scrapbooking classes and yoga workshops. A Disney layout class is being offered (5/12), Learn to use a Cricut Machine class (5/19), Spring has Sprung layout class (5/27), Celebrating Dad card class (6/3) and School's Out layout class (6/10). Two yoga workshops are being offered at the Light Department. Both workshops are three hours long (9 a.m. - noon) and cost $30.00 each. Healing Power of Yoga will be held on Thursday, May 20th and Awakening Self-Esteem with Meditation will be held on June 3, 2010. We currently have nine women enrolled.
Carmelo asked who the yoga teacher was. Denise said Marty Twomey does the morning yoga programs. Denise complimented the excellent staff who teach our adult classes, commenting on their certifications and continuing education.
Summer: The covers have been removed from the pools and South Shore Gunite came on Wednesday and Thursday to begin the process of repairing the cracks and fixing the pebble tech. They cannot guarantee the repair, because the original crack was from the concrete poured by the original contractor. Normal winter conditions (freezing, thawing) could be part of the problem. The pool has to be drained for the winter, so the gutter system won't get ruined, but then there's no pressure of the water on the concrete, so you get a "frost-heave" effect. Richard commented it's like a Catch-22. Cost of the repair is approximately $5,000. They will be putting a rubberized membrane over the crack hoping for some "give" to the area and then they will be doing the pebble tech. Lisa asked if the date has been set to fix
it and Denise said they should be there no later than next week. Denise said the lap pool is up and running, chlorinated and set to go.
The motor for the "mushroom" toy fixture has been repaired and installed. We need water in the pool for it to be tested to be sure it's working. Cost of the repair was approximately $6,000.
Summer registration was held Saturday, May 8, 2010. Revenue totaled $51,400 and 492 children filled 895 slots in the 156 programs. The 9 week All Day Program filled 565 slots out of the 585 available slots. There are 7 weeks that are filled to capacity with 65 children/week. A second registration is scheduled for Sunday, May 16, 2010 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Senior Center.
Most staff have been hired and are ready to work the opening weekend, Saturday June 5th from noon until 5:00p.m. Richard asked if most of the staff is back from last year. Denise said a lot returned; she only hired 3 new lifeguards, 5 new staff for the general programs and the All Day Program is staffed by mostly our Before and After School personnel and a couple of returning staff members.
Carmelo asked if we ever cancel summer programs and Denise commented only in severe weather conditions. We have a tent for some of the classes and we put some of them under the overhangs that are available. Most people still bring their children and the children love to get wet and still enjoy the program.
Miscellaneous: Denise said that she has been advised that the No Skateboarding, Bicycles, etc. signs that the Department purchased have been hung on the tennis courts at Mountview and Dawson Recreation.
There is a community garden located at the Red Barn on Shrewsbury Street if you are interested. Plots sell for $75.00. Carmelo commented that people seem to like the idea of a the garden mostly for the social project.
There is an Executive Action from the Town Manager for an Open Space Committee to review and update the Town's 5-Year Recreation and Open Space Plan. A copy is attached. Sue Serewicz volunteered to represent the Recreation Committee on this committee to approve the plan.
Denise commented that all the town fields are rented. There was discussion among the members about how popular lacrosse and flag football are becoming.
Erin asked about the numbers at the Before and After School Program and Denise said they are the same as they've been during the school year, in the 220's.
Carmelo asked about the exercise equipment at the Senior Center and Denise commented that she has not heard anything about the Pepsi grant that was submitted for this equipment.
Sue reported on the Skateboard Meeting that was held prior to tonight's meeting. It was held at the Recreation Office. Sue said they are experiencing a bit of a delay tring to find a location. She said they have a preliminary design and hope to have a brochure printed in the near future. The project is estimated to cost around $200,000. The committee does not feel that they could fund raise that amount of money, so they are moving towards putting the request on the town warrant. Dave White had attended the previous meeting (April 13, 2010) and was enthusiastic about putting it on the warrant. Some committee members feel it will be a tough sell, but other committee members were enthusiastic about approaching the town for funding and feel if it is presented in a positive way, they could get the funding. The committee would like to get some of
the work donated i.e. site preparation and the fencing.
Erin commented about how wonderful the Lodge at Trout Brook is. She had rented it for her son's birthday party and people were amazed at the facility.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:55pm.
The next Recreation Committee meeting will be held on September 14, 2010 @ 7:00 p.m. at the Starbard Building.
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