Town of Holden 1204 Main Street, Holden, MA 01520
Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes
March 11, 2014
Starbard Building
Members Present:
Lisa Post, Erin O’Neil Bradbury, Melissa Staiti, Robin Grady, Nancy Owens
Members Absent:
None
Others Present:
Denise Morano, Recreation Director
Dee Anne Grebinar, Recording Secretary
Lisa called the Recreation Committee meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
MINUTES: A motion was made by Erin and seconded by Nancy to accept
the minutes of the January 14, 2014 meeting.
The minutes of January 14, 2014 were accepted as written.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
PROGRAMS:
Adult Programs
Denise went over the numbers for the adult classes. Hatha Yoga classes will begin later this month. We currently have a total of 26 enrolled in the Tuesday and/or Thursday morning classes. Re-Shape began at the end of February - 11 enrolled; Yoga for Every Body - 10 registered; Alphabet Soup - 20 registered; Tai-Chi/Chi-Gong – 13 registered. Men’s basketball and Women’s volleyball continue to be well-attended programs. The weather has made programming and scheduling classes difficult. Robin asked if we were able to hold the Cross Country Skiing program and Denise said yes. Two adults and one child attended. The classes had been postponed originally due to frigid temperatures or the lack of snow. The instructor did voice some displeasure over the
tracks getting ruined by people with their dogs and general misuse. Erin mentioned a cross country skiing track in New Hampshire called Windblown. They rent equipment, the trails are groomed, they have a lodge, warming hut and shelters. A new training program for beginner runners is being offered. It’s an 8-week program, with classes meeting 3 times/week to help runners train to run a 5k or 10k race. Classes begin Tuesday, April 1 at 6:00 a.m. at the Light Department.
Before/After School Programs
Denise went over the numbers for the Before & After School Programs. We currently care for 275 children each day.
Davis Hill – 52 AM and 51 PM
Mayo - 52 AM and 52 PM
Dawson – 22 AM and 46 PM
We have children wait listed for the Davis Hill Before and Mayo Before and After School programs. Denise commented on what a tremendous job the staff does, and especially this winter when the children have been indoors so often. Robin asked what dictates the maximum number of students at 52. Denise said the Department of Early Education and Care license does, and having more that 52 children in the cafeteria would be quite difficult. Denise commented that she likes to have the ratio of staff to students around 1:8 and she needs to be conscience of their age, because the 16 year old staff members cannot be by themselves with the children.
SUMMER:
A final copy of the 2014 summer brochure has been provided for you. It includes language concerning the start of session 1. Should we experience another cancelled school day, session 1 will begin the day following the last day of school. Make-ups will be made during the session break.
Recreation passes go on sale Tuesday, April 1. Non-residents must purchase them in person, residents can purchase them on-line. Denise reminded the committee that non-resident relatives can not be on a family pass. They need their own non-resident pass or must pay the daily rate at the pool. Non-resident passes cost $78.00/each.
Robin asked if there were any plans to clean up Eagle Lake and Denise said not at this time. The water is tested weekly, but there are no lifeguards on duty. The playground equipment is old and the bathrooms remain locked and there are a lot of geese and dog messes. It is posted that people swim at their own risk.
Early registration for children currently enrolled in the Before and After School Programs begins Thursday, April 3 and ends Sunday, April 6. Only those children who have been in the programs since September can take advantage of this early registration. Children who have been wait listed since September can also participate.
Many staff members are returning from previous summers, so I have very few slots to fill.
MISCELLANEOUS:
The Recreation budget hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, March 19 at 7:00 p.m. at the Light Department.
Nancy asked if we would be moving to the old Police Station. Denise said it would require town meeting approval. She also commented that
improvements to the building could not be started until the new fiscal year, which begins July 1st. She would plan on using the garage area as an exercise/dance studio.
Erin asked if the Half Day program during the summer fills up quickly and Denise said yes, the grades 1-2 and grades 3-4 programs fill fast.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
The next Recreation Committee meeting will be held on April 8, 2014 @ 7:00 p.m.
at the Starbard Building.
Holden Recreation Committee March 11, 2014
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