Town of Holden 1204 Main Street, Holden, MA 01520
Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes
October 11, 2011
Starbard Building
Members Present:
Richard Anderson, Lisa Post, Carmelo Bazzano, Erin O’Neil Bradbury, Melissa Staiti
Members Absent:
None
Others Present:
Denise Morano, Recreation Director
Dee Anne Grebinar, Recording Secretary
Denise introduced and welcomed new committee member, Melissa Staiti.
Lisa called the Recreation Committee meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
Erin was elected the Vice-Chairperson.
MINUTES:
A motion was made by Erin and seconded by Richard to accept the minutes of the May 10, 2011 meeting.
The minutes of the May 10, 2011 were approved unanimously.
There was no meeting held on September 13, 2011 due to a lack of quorum.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
Programs:
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. We had a couple of accidents that necessitated 911 calls. Emergency response by the lifeguards was excellent and Denise complimented them.
Erin asked how the on-line registration went. Denise said people loved it, but we did have a couple of issues. One was with the CIT program because there was no fee attached to it so people could not check out. The software company fixed that problem when notified. The other issue was with the age limits on the swim programs, which Denise has now changed. We also had to do many last minute changes before each session because people could register at any time, even the day before classes began. There were only about 25 walk-ins, so next year we hope to have on-line registration only.
Erin questioned if the water leak was fixed and Denise said replacing the caulking in the family pool with marine strength seems to have helped, because the water usage did go down. Denise plans on replacing the caulking every five years or so. Both pools have been winterized and covered.
Adult Programs
The September Director’s report had a list of the Session I adult classes and the number of participants. KOGA (10 participants), Zumba (23 participants), 3CPYo (22 enrolled), Yoga for Every “Body” (12 participants), Kettlebell (12 registered), Zumba with Sculpting (23 enrolled), Hatha Yoga (Tuesdays – 15 registered, Thursdays – 14 registered), Healthy Steps – The Lebed Method (2 registered), “Calm Down” (1 registered), Handmade Card Class (2 registered). The men’s basketball program draws 18-20 men each Thursday evening, and the women’s volleyball program attracts approximately 14 women each Thursday evening. These are drop-in programs and attendance varies each week. Starting with our Session II classes, which begin at the end of October, we have increased
the number of weeks in a session from 6 to 8, and are charging out participants accordingly. The cost of the 8-week session is now $70.00. We feel we can accomplish more with the longer session.
Before/After School Programs
We currently have 238 children enrolled in the Before/After School Programs being held in the three elementary schools:
Davis Hill – 52 in the morning (maximum capacity) and 39 in the afternoon
Mayo - 37 in the morning and 46 in the afternoon
Dawson – 34 in the morning and 30 in the afternoon
Mayo School numbers have really increased this year probably due to the new housing developments in the area and the all day Kindergarten programs. Denise commented that the staff is attentive, CPR and First Aid certified and meet EEC requirements.
Winter
Bus trip to New York City is scheduled for Saturday, December 3, 2011. The cost is $60.00 We currently have 7 people registered. We may need to share the bus again this year. Carmelo asked what the people do in New York and Denise said people are on their own, they can be dropped off at Macy’s or Rockefeller Center to spend the day. Denise plans the trip for the first weekend in December so that she is sure the tree is lit.
Ski/Snowboard lessons are being offered at Ward Hill for children 8-14 years of age. 5 weeks of lessons will begin Monday, January 9. Lessons, without rental equipment, cost $165.00; lessons with rental equipment cost $255.00. There is no transportation provided.
Santa arrives at Town Hall on Saturday, December 3 at 5:00 p.m. Denise would welcome help from the committee. Lisa volunteered to contact Pastor John at First Congregational Church regarding using the kitchen and auditorium for our popcorn and hot chocolate set-up.
Miscellaneous:
Denise commented that the Bubar Field (located behind the Senior Center) was completely renovated. Work involved stripping the turf from the entire infield and buffer areas outside the baselines, removing the pitcher’s mound, laser grading the work area, installing loam and new sod and rebuilding the pitcher’s mound. The total cost was $15,500 and Diamond Athletic Turf was the contractor. Many thanks are extended to Holden Baseball for contributing $5,000 towards the project. Lisa commented that her husband who is one of the baseball coaches has raved about the field.
Denise met with a group of people interested in a dog park on August 23, 2011. The contact person for this group is Chris Hoey. They plan on exploring options for a suitable site, one preferably larger than the Trout Brook parking area. The committee is interested in using the T&G property as a possible “land share” area. Denise has passed this information to the Town Manager. Lisa asked if the money for the dog park would be Recreation money and Denise said no, the project has been moved to the Town budget.
Carmelo asked about the father-son soccer games and field availability. Denise said she has to stop the recreation soccer after the summer because all of the fields are needed for the youth soccer program ~ there are more than 1,400 soccer players. There are also many other youth sports needing fields. Erin and Richard commented on how popular field hockey and lacrosse are becoming.
Denise has been getting estimates for the cost of painting the exterior buildings at the pool. Erin had asked about this as a projected expense at a previous meeting. The pool is now 8 years old.
Erin asked if the trash situation at the basketball courts was better this summer. Denise said it was still horrible. The people using the courts at night would leave a mess and she always needed it cleaned up before the classes started in the morning.
The Skateboard Park Committee met prior to the Recreation Committee Meeting this evening. Due to lack of interest and very little being accomplished in the past 2 years, the Town Manager has suspended the committee. The people at the meeting still plan on pursuing the Skatepark. Lisa asked how much money we have spent so far. Denise said $23,000 for the plans which we do own and that they could be used in the future.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
The next Recreation Committee meeting will be held on November 8, 2011 @ 7:00 p.m. at the Starbard Building.
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