Old Saybrook Youth & Family Services
Commission Meeting
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
5:15 P.M.
Pasbeshauke Pavilion at Saybrook Point Park
155 College Street Extension, Old Saybrook, CT 06475
I. Call to Order
Chairman Samuel B. Barnes called the meeting to order at 5:21 P.M.
II. Pledge of Allegiance
III. Roll Call
Attendant Members:
Samuel B. Barnes, Chairman Diane Aldi-DePaola, VNA Rep
Jennifer R. Welsh, Vice-Chair Kate Hanratty, School System
Ray Allen, Secretary JT Giegerich, Students
Peggy Viggiano, Member At-Large
Members absent:
Dorothy Shearer, Member At-Large
Katie Prozesky, Students
Also present:
Heather McNeil, Director
Sharon Tiezzi, Recording Clerk
IV. Comments from the Public – No public in attendance
V. Approval of Minutes of the January 10, 2012 regular meeting
A motion made by Jen Welsh to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 10, 2012. Motion seconded by Diane Aldi-DePaola. Ayes 5, Nays 0, Abstentions 2. Motion was carried unanimously.
VI. Chairman’s Comments – No report
VII. Commission Member Reports – No reports
VIII. Director’s Report
Director’s Report for YFS Commission 2/7/2012 5:30 p.m.
Heather reported that the Community Conversation took place on January 25, 2012 at the Pavilion. Ray, JT and Jen were on the panel. There were about 48 people in attendance. The school was very well represented with administrators and a lot of kids from the Asset Team and REACH. Someone is looking into putting the taped evening on the town link and web site. The one good thing that was realized is that everyone seems to be on the same page/united front. A follow-up meeting is being scheduled for February 15, 2012 at the OSMS auditorium from 7-8:30 p.m. They are making connections with the Estuary and Main Street Business Association to provide adult mentoring opportunities for students. They have been asked to be involved in the Chili Fest.
A Summer schedule is being worked on for Movies on the Beach, Summer Stock, Community Service and the Variety Show. Previously funds for these programs were paid through the DFC grant; now the responsibility for funding the operational and administrative piece falls under YFS programs. Things like Summer Stock and the Variety Show have generated revenue to help fund some of the smaller programs. The Director is of the belief that more community involvement can be generated so that can happen, because these have been programs that have involved significant numbers of students and there is sufficient interest in maintaining them.
YFS have been partnering with Park and Rec for Summer Trips for Teens.
This morning YFS Director met with HOPE Partnership and toured one of the units on Ferry Road. They asked that information about the housing be put into Saybrook Events regarding criteria for applying for affordable housing. There are 2 units for veterans, 2 units for currently homeless families and the rest for applicants that meet the criteria. Applications will be available around March 30th. People can call DeMarco Management to be put on a list so that when the packets are ready they will receive one in the mail. When the packets come in there is a point system that will be assigned people and a background check is involved as well as a credit check. Currently there are 88 people on the list and there are a total of 16 units.
Free Family Bowling will be held on Sunday the 12th from 11:00 to 2:30 p.m.
Tonight at the library OSECC will hold a Parent and Provider Workshop from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Director Heather McNeil recognized Melinda Tyler, MFT, YFS Clinician, as doing a wonderful job with coordinating and facilitating community activities/workshops that benefit the early childhood sector of town, both parents and providers.
IX. Old Business – none
X. New Business – Heather mentioned that the OSYFS Foundation name was listed in the newspaper for the Essex Savings Bank Community Donation. Jen Welsh was asked for clarification of when the name change would occur. Director H.McNeil reported she had contacted Maureen Auger, the liaison to YFS from the Foundation about it and in an e-mail M.Auger replied that there was a deadline for entering the name into the Essex Savings Bank process, and the name change had not happened at that time.
XI. Maureen Auger offered to attend the next YFS Commission mtg. to clarify Foundation purpose, intent and connection to YFS if any, and was given the date, time and location.
XII. Other Business - Next meeting March 6, 2012 at Pasbeshauke Pavilion 5:15p.m.
XIII. Adjournment
Motion made by Ray Allen to adjourn at 5:41 p.m.; seconded by Jen Welsh.
Ayes 7, Nays 0, Abstentions 0. Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Tiezzi, Recording Clerk
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