Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes
March 13, 2012
Starbard Building
Members Present:
Erin O’Neil Bradbury, Melissa Staiti, Robin Grady
Members Absent:
Lisa Post
Others Present:
Denise Morano, Recreation Diretor
Dee Anne Grebinar, Recording Secretary
Erin called the Recreation Committee meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.
MINUTES: A motion was made by Erin and seconded by Melissa to accept the minutes of the January 10, 2012 meeting.
The minutes of the January 10, 2012 were accepted as written.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
Programs:
Before/After School Programs
Denise went over the numbers for the Before & After School Programs. We currently have 236 children enrolled on a daily basis.
Davis Hill – 52 AM (maximum capacity with a waiting list) and 39 PM
Mayo - 35 AM and 46 PM
Dawson – 30 AM and 34 PM
The numbers continue to remain strong for these programs. Denise commented that Mayo used to be the program with the least number of participants, but due to the new housing developments in that area, the numbers have increased quite a bit this year.
Adult Programs
Denise went over the numbers for the new session of Adult Programs. Hatha Yoga on Tuesday and Thursday mornings has 25 participants. Zumba has 15 participants, Zumba with Sculpting has 7 enrolled, 3CPYo 18 enrolled, Yoga for Every “Body” 10 participants, Flip it for Fat Loss 9 participants. The No Excuses, Healthy Steps and Kettlebell classes were cancelled because of low enrollment. We will probably try to hold those again in the fall. Melissa asked about adult programs in the summer and Denise said we do not run adult programs during the summer evenings because the schools are not available to us and the interest doesn’t seem to be there in the summer. We will be having a new adult program at the pool this summer on Saturday mornings called Aqua Zumba.
Summer
The committee was given a draft of the 2012 Summer Brochure. Quick Stop Printing was the low bid at $1,650.00 for 2500 copies. Denise anticipates distributing the brochures prior to the school vacation in April. Denise commented about the increase in the Half Day program fee. She had wanted to increase the fee of this program to $128.00, but the selectmen felt it was too large, too quick and too close to summer for that increase. Denise suggested the fee increase because a few years back an additional class had been added to the program without increasing the fee at that time. It was decided by the selectmen that the additional class fee of $25.00 would be added to last year’s rate. The Half Day program cost is now $113.00. Denise is putting together summer program costs from other towns,
and is finding that Holden is underpriced in comparison.
Phone calls have been made to last summer’s staff members and advertisements are in local papers seeking applicants for some anticipated openings this summer. Denise feels she’ll be in need of lifeguard positions this year and wants to look into that as soon as possible.
Registration for all programs and classes will be available on-line only. Comments were made about the good attendance at the programs, especially with the younger children. The computer system is able to set a head count on each program and having registration only on-line should help keep control of the numbers. Denise explained that there is a limit on most classes. The swim classes are limited to 12, however, the instructors will move the children from one level to another if they feel it is necessary. With on-line registration the parents sometimes are unsure what level to put their child(ren) in.
Recreation passes go on sale on April 2, 2012. Resident recreation passes can be purchased on-line or in the office. Non-residents will have to come to the office with cash or money orders. There are only 400 non-resident passes available.
The last day of school will probably be Friday, June 15th so the pool will open that afternoon at 1:00 p.m.
Erin asked if CITs need to buy passes and Denise said yes. Denise always makes a point of meeting and thanking the CITs at each session, She tells them how much the instructors depend on them and that many CITs eventually work at the pool.
We are having an early registration for the All Day Program for children who are currently enrolled in the Before and After School Programs, as a way of thanking them for their support during the school year. On-line registration will begin April 5th at 9:00a.m. and end on April 8th at midnight. If they miss this time period, they will have to wait until the general registration on Saturday, May 12th.
Miscellaneous:
E.J. Painting was the low bidder for painting the exterior surfaces of the pool facility buildings. His bid was $6,600.00. This project will be done in May, so as not to conflict with any of the pool programs.
The Recreation budget will be presented to the Finance Committee on Wednesday, March 21. Capital requests include $6,000 to replace and install new sandbox playground equipment at the Dawson Recreation Area playground, and $15,000 to install new player’s benches and to make repairs or install a new backstop at the Dawson School baseball field. Erin asked if we need to get approval to spend our recreation money. Denise said she sets the capital projects when she presents the budget.
Erin commented that she heard the office could be moving to the old Police station. Denise said that idea had been talked about (Recreation and Growth Management moving there), but it’s been decided it’s probably too expensive to accomplish.
Erin asked about the dog park. Denise said 3-4 people were at the last meeting. They don’t seem happy with the Trout Brook idea, so Denise suggested they look at Kimball Park and keep searching for an area that they feel would be appropriate.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
The next Recreation Committee meeting will be held on April 10, 2012 @ 7:00 p.m.
at the Starbard Building.
| 
