Lenox Community Center
Board Meeting
March 21, 2018
6:03 pm
Attendance: Tony Patella-Chairman, Sheri Gaherty-Co-Chair, Steve Coon, Mike Cooney, Jen Picard, Rose Casey, Kim Graham-Director, and Francie Sorrentino
Tony expresses to the Board that he needs to be excused at 6:20 to attend the Selectmen’s Meeting at Town Hall.
Public Comment: Contra Dance is a venue that holds their Dance classes and events here at the Center. Contra Dance has been renting the Ballroom here at the Center for the past 15 years. Susan and Steve join us to discuss the raising of fees. Over the 15 years they have held 190 events totaling $31,000.00 in rental fees, Contra Dance is Community oriented and they have dealt with minimum issue. The Contra classes range from 5 years old up to senior citizens, with approximately 14 dancers from Lenox. They host drug free events, and all seems to work well.
Kim explains their history and the rate increasing every couple of years, in our case July 1, 2018. Kim asked Susan and Steve if they have looked else where, they responded that this is the ideal space (except for parking). Kim researched other Center’s and we are significantly lower then the other Center’s.
Contra Dance has their own Liability Insurance, they are a non for profit organization and all are welcome.
Rose Casey asked if it is live music. The Board will discuss the fees and usage and Kim will be in contact.
Chris Ketchen-Town Manager came to clue the Lenox Community Center Board in on the hiring process for the Center’s job/position openings. Mr. Ketchen states that he would not normally respond to Staffing concerns, and that there will be major, meaningful progress made in the hiring process before the next Community Center Board meeting on April 18th, 2018. It has been 3 months since we received an employee’s resignation letter. It has been a long drawn out process. Mr. Ketchen affirmed that his findings conclude that he has confidence in the Staff at Lenox Community Center. The Resignation letter is unfortunate; there was no evidence of the claims in the letter. Personnel policies were not violated at the hand of the Director. Rose Casey asks that being
that the employee sent copies to each Lenox Community Center Board member personally to their home addresses, could she send a response and reply to her accusations. Mr. Ketchen states that no reply-may be a reply. Rose read her letter she wrote. Francie Sorrentino expresses, she is disheartened with the long process and that Kim Graham-Director has been solo for these 3 months doing 3 jobs, and basically hasn’t gotten a “ata girl” or anyone to drop in to see if she is still standing or needed anything.
*****Tony Patella excuses himself from the meeting 6:22 pm*****
Kim expressed that the Job postings and the whole hiring process is going extremely slow. Summer Camp is fast upon us…..Kim states she is good to go, however, needs bodies to pull it off.
The Lenox Community Center agrees this a “done deal”….we are moving forward in a positive way to hire and continue to do what The Lenox Community Center does well….Serve.
Public Comment closes @ 6:26 Meeting begins @ 6:37
Sheri Gaherty, Co-Chair:
Acceptance of Minutes: Minutes accepted.
Youth Services Report: Falls in with Director’s Report
Senior Services Report: Sue Holmes is on vacation= NO REPORT.
Director’s Report: Budget = NO CHANGE. Capital – Roof and Hardwood floors.
Ore Bed Field: Quirk is still doing the Field Maintenance and is getting things started- weather permitting.
Pickle Ball= this is a new program for our older folks is approved. Kim checked with the schools and it does not violate any MIAA rules or regulations.
Kim thanks Rose Casey for covering the Center on March 16th, 2018. Kim tells us that April vacation week is planned and ready to roll. Summer Camp Registration will be held the first week in April.
Egg Hunt is in Lilac Park on Saturday- March 31 at 11:00. Kim needs help dispersing the eggs and roping off the area. If Board members could show up around 10:15 your help would be greatly appreciated.
New Business: NONE
Meeting adjourned at 7:16 pm
Respectively submitted,
Francie Sheehan Sorrentino,
Secretary
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