Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes
September 14, 2010
Starbard Building
Members Present: Lisa Post, Richard Anderson, Carmelo Bazzano, Erin O’Neil Bradbury
Members Absent: Susan Serewicz
Others Present: Denise Morano, Recreation Director
Dee Anne Grebinar, Recording Secretary
The Recreation Committee meeting was called to order at 7:08 pm
MINUTES: A motion was made by Erin and seconded by Richard to accept the minutes
of the May 11, 2010 meeting.
The Recreation Committee minutes for May 11, 2010 were accepted as written.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
Summer:
Denise handed out a summer packet detailing general information concerning class registrations and attendance, pass sales, a 3-year summer comparison chart, daily attendance and revenue. Denise commented that we had huge numbers at the pool this year, probably due to the fantastic weather. No classes had to be cancelled. She commented on the fraudulent use of the pool passes, and said that as of July 6th she started checking IDs with the passes. Initially some people were very upset, but now that it is common procedure people are less aggravated and understand.
Denise is not trying to restrict use of the pool, and she feels the fees are all quite reasonable. Carmelo asked how the swimming classes went, did we get any complaints? Denise replied no, that the staff is excellent and quite professional. There were comments about how busy the pool looked during the swim meet competitions. Carmelo asked how far the children go in swimming, if any of them don’t pass. Denise said she provides lessons to the Water Safety Aide level and that children seem to lose interest in the lessons around the age of 14 or 15. She said the children “don’t fail” at swimming, they all get progress reports with positive comments and they just don’t get recommended for the next level unless they are ready. Carmelo asked if there were any accidents at the pool this summer. Denise said 911 was called twice. Carmelo asked if we have a police officer on site. Denise said no, we call 911 and they are always very
quick to respond.
Denise commented on the water loss in the family pool which has been occurring for 2 years. She hired 2 different specialists to find the point of the break. It has been determined that the caulking just beneath the gutter system needs to be replaced.
NE Aquatics has been hired and they began the process of removing, cleaning and prepping the surface today (September 14, 2010). Marine strength caulking will replace the previous caulk.
The basketball court at the Light Department was painted and seal-coated. Lisa commented on the amount of trash at the Dawson Recreation area basketball courts. It appears it’s from the older kids who use the courts at night. Denise is aware of how bad it is.
Programs:
Adult classes begin this week, with the exception of Women’s Volleyball and Men’s Basketball which started last week and Hatha Yoga (morning program) which starts next week. Class registrations are as follows: Koga (Kickboxing and Yoga) – 10; Zumba (2 evenings) – 39; Yoga for Every “Body” – 11; 3CPYO (2 evenings) – 21; Hatha Yoga (2 mornings) – 26. Two Craft workshops (one for cards and one for handmade gifts) and a Conversational Spanish class will be held at the end of the month. Lisa said KOGA seems interesting and Denise commented that she and Wendy are always trying to find new classes and they like to have at least one new class each fall to check it out and see what the response is. Carmelo asked why there is only one
night of basketball and Denise replied there is a problem getting gym space.
We currently have 230 children enrolled in the Before/After School Programs being held in the three elementary schools:
Davis Hill – 52 (maximum capacity) in the morning and 37 in the afternoon
Mayo - 23 in the morning and 37 in the afternoon
Dawson – 41 in the morning and 38 in the afternoon
The inspector from the Department of Early Education and Care visited Davis Hill and Dawson Schools last Thursday to review our files, records and procedures because our licenses to operate were due to expire. We did very well in the review.
Lisa asked if we were going to try to do any programs with the students at Mountview this year and Denise said she did not have plans to do so at this time.
Miscellaneous:
Skateboard Park – 3 Request for Proposals (RFP’s) were received last week and the committee decided to extend the deadline until September 24, 2010 to accept more proposals. They are hoping to get some local ones. A meeting has been scheduled for October 6th to review the proposals. The skateboard park will not be placed on the warrant for the special town meeting,. Plans are to have it addressed at the annual meeting.
Dog Park – The Town Manager has requested that a dog park be opened for residents and their dogs. Denise has had numerous conversations with a DCR representative and Pam Harding (Town Planner) about any concerns with locating a dog park at Trout Brook in the parking lot. We’ve contacted fencing contractors to get estimates for fences surrounding approximately .4 acres (17,500 sq. ft.). The committee had many comments about the dog park. They did not feel it should be a recreation issue. They commented it appears to be too small, it would be a smelly area, and they were quite worried about the liability for the department and the town due to dog fights, dog bites, etc. Carmelo said he doesn’t feel like it has anything to do with recreation, except for the dogs,
since most people would probably drive to the park. The Committee asked why we even need the park and Denise said she thinks the idea is most likely a reaction to the WTAG towers area being “closed” to dogs. The Committee feels we are asking for trouble if this park becomes the responsibility of the town. Erin made a motion that a dog park is NOT within the scope of the recreation committee and recreation department’s responsibilities. The motion was seconded by Lisa and the Committee voted unanimously on the motion. The Committee is opposed to any dog park.
On-Line Registration – The Town Manager has requested that Denise look into the different options available for the Recreation department to begin the process of allowing residents to register and pay for classes on-line. Much discussion ensued. Denise has explored a lot of software, trying to figure out the logistics of how we could make it work: how many on-line and off-line slots to have, how to guarantee the number limit, so we don’t oversubscribe the classes. The committee feels that on-line registration is unnecessary. Erin commented you need to sign up at JCC in person and Lisa thinks you need to do the same at the Y. They feel it’s only one day of waiting on line and that’s only for certain classes. Denise commented that the license for the Before and After
School Programs stipulates that parents must have the opportunity to meet the Program Director and that gets taken care of by new people coming in to register and pick up the paperwork. Returning students can be registered by telephone. Carmelo commented that if the system isn’t broken, don’t fix it. Lisa said you won’t satisfy everyone by doing it on-line and will probably have more problems with the computer than standing in line. Richard commented that if there was a program that a town had been using for 10 years with all the kinks worked out and was exactly what we wanted and we could buy it, then maybe it could work, otherwises, this will open a Pandora’s box. The Committee feels we should continue doing registration like we are doing it.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:25pm.
The next Recreation Committee meeting will be held on October 12, 2010 @ 7:00 p.m.
at the Starbard Building.
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