Town of Holden 1204 Main Street, Holden, MA 01520
Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes
January 14, 2014
Starbard Building
Members Present: Erin O’Neil Bradbury, Melissa Staiti, Robin Grady, Nancy Owens
Members Absent: Lisa Post
Others Present: Denise Morano, Recreation Director
Dee Anne Grebinar, Recording Secretary
Erin called the Recreation Committee meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
MINUTES: A motion was made by Nancy and seconded by Melissa to accept
the minutes of the November 13, 2013 meeting.
The minutes of November 13, 2013 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 care for 271 children each day.
Davis Hill – 52 AM and 52 PM (3 wait listed AM, 5 wait listed PM)
Mayo - 52 AM and 52 PM (6 wait listed AM, 6 wait listed PM)
Dawson – 22 AM and 41 PM
Denise commented that the program numbers remain strong. She commented on having to suspend 4 children recently for unacceptable behavior (kicking, biting, hitting). She gives the parents a day or two notice before suspension, so that they have time to find alternate day care. Nancy asked if the program ran on early release days and Denise said there is no afternoon program on the ½ days and there is no morning program if there is a delayed opening.
Adult Programs
Three people are enrolled in the Cross Country ski lessons, but the classes have been postponed for the past two weeks due to the weather. The first Saturday it was too frigid and last Saturday there was no snow. It appears we will have to postpone again this Saturday due to the lack of snow. Robin asked if people need their own equipment to participate and Denise said yes. The next session of classes begins late January/early February and they include TaiChi/Chi-Gong, Alphabet Soup, Re-Shape and Yoga for Every “Body”. Hatha Yoga on Tuesday mornings began January 7th and has 12 registered. The Thursday morning Hatha Yoga class will begin January 23rd with 13 participants. The Men’s basketball program attracts 24-28 people each Thursday
evening and Women’s volleyball has about 15 women.
Miscellaneous:
Denise met with representatives from The Holden Youth Sport leagues and the Mountview principal and vice principal to review the field needs of all the sports teams. The Mountview fields will not be available (except for the baseball field which the Mountview teams will use) because of the new school being built. This is effective this spring and will
most likely continue until 2017. The school is anticipating a September 2016 opening. All leagues were represented and there was total cooperation from everyone involved so things went very smoothly. All spring and fall teams have been assigned field space to accommodate their needs. The Holden Youth Soccer league is still working on the project to develop soccer fields down by the Mayo School roadway. They will need to do fundraising in order to complete the project.
There is a possibility that the former Police station may be the future home of the Recreation Department. The Town has been trying to sell the police station, but only 1 bid was received, and it was well below the asking price. This move would require town meeting approval and the house the department is presently using would need to be sold. Some renovations and a new heating system would need to be addressed at the new location. Denise and Wendy did a walk through, so they could identify any space and areas they thought would be useful to us for programming and office space. The old garage would make a fantastic dance room. Nothing is set in stone and the move would not be addressed until after the town meeting in May and the new fiscal year that begins July 1st.
Denise thanked the committee members and their families for all their help during Santa’s arrival. It was a tremendous success. Erin asked how the Winter Festival went and Denise said the committee was quite satisfied and there have been many favorable comments. It’s on again for next December. Unfortunately the train broke down that day. The snowmaker also didn’t work, but the children enjoyed playing with the ice blocks that would have made the snow. The ice sculpture was great. Denise commented that we didn’t need all the goodie bags, so next year we will not make as many. Nancy commented on how much the people appreciated that the popcorn and hot chocolate we served was free. We received $46.26 in donations. Denise sent thank you cards to
Pastor John at the First Congregational Church and to Santa. She also sent a press release to the Landmark thanking everyone for their assistance.
Erin asked when we start working on summer employment. Denise said in February we get in touch with the staff from last year to see who wants to return and in April she starts putting the staff together. Applications start coming in during February.
Robin asked when the summer information will be available. Denise said she likes to have it on-line by mid March. The summer schedule always depends on when the school year ends. Denise is hoping to start the summer sessions this year on June 23rd. Pool passes go on sale April 1st and registration day for summer activities is Saturday, May 10th for residents and Sunday, May 11th for non-residents. Children who have been in the Before and After School Programs since September will have an early registration period for the All Day Program on April 3-6.
Denise said she is changing the summer Field Sports class to Games Galore. Melissa commented that her son loves playing the games created by the staff at the After School program, so she thinks this class should be well received. Denise said she had considered having street hockey instead of basketball, but because of the amount of equipment involved and her concerns about the safety of the children, she has opted to stay with basketball and will be looking for a dynamic basketball instructor.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
The next Recreation Committee meeting will be held on February 11, 2014 @ 7:00 p.m.
at the Starbard Building.
Holden Recreation Committee January 14, 2014
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