Old Lyme Parks and Recreation Commission
Meeting: Thursday, 4 November 2010
The Parks and Recreation Commission held a meeting at 7:30 PM on Thursday, 4 November in the Meeting Hall of the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall.
Present: John Flower, Robert Dunn, Mary Ellen Garbarino,
Glynn McAraw, Chairperson, and Don Bugbee, Director
Absent: Missy Colburn, Tim Gavin, Roger Zito
NOTE: Doris Johnson (Recording Secretary) was not in attendance, Mary Ellen Garbarino took minutes.
1. Approval of Minutes: 7 October 2010
There were no minutes available at the meeting for the commissioners to review. This was tabled until the December Meeting.
2. Parks and Recreation Program Updates – Don Bugbee, Director
Don Bugbee reviewed the programs that are presently running, and those that are planned for the immediate future. Mr. Bugbee reported that the Fall programs had run smoothly, and that the Town Woods Park had held up quite well. There is some exterior trim that needs to be painted on the building. Weather providing, it may be done soon, or it could wait until Spring.
The Cross Lane Park, beach and lake facilities are being closed up, repairs are being done, and the surrounding lawn areas trimmed and readied for winter. The Public Works Department is doing the repairs with the estimated cost of the materials at about $3,000.
3. Town Woods Park Updates – Bob Dunn, Committee Member
Bob Dunn inquired about the divets and others areas of the fields that need attention. Mr. Bugbee responded that he was aware of these, and he will do a final evaluation with Ron Tyler and Phil Neaton shortly. Regional District #18 will be billed for a portion of the cost to repair the playing fields.
4. Old Business
Mr. Bugbee has started working on next year's budget. He indicated that there were discussions initiated by Nicole Stajduhar, Finance Director, about the possibility of adding a line item for an outside contractor to clean the bathrooms.
Regional School District #18 will be billed for a portion of maintenance expenses incurred at Town Woods Park.
5. New Business
There was a discussion on allowing the placement of plaques honoring individual or team accomplishments in the building at Town Woods Park. Mr. Dunn moved that plaques honoring individuals or teams would not be allowed to be mounted in the Town Woods Park Building at this time. John Flower seconded the motion. SO VOTED – all were in favor.
The Commission discussed their concern over the many hours that Don Bugbee puts in each week to do his job as the Director of Parks and Rec. Mr. Bugbee works 70 hours weekly from mid-May through September. During the remainder of the year, Mr. Bugbee works 30+ hours each week. During the year he not only works 5 days during the week, but in addition, 35 Saturdays, 18 Sundays and 3 paid holidays. Mr. Bugbee is paid for 30 hours a week year round. Since Mr. Bugbee was hired, his job has grown far beyond the scope of his original job description, with Town Woods Park and the Sound View Parking Lot now falling under his responsibility. Mr. Bugbee reported that the Sound View Parking Lot alone requires about 20-25 hours a week of his time. The Parking Lot has been a money-maker for the
Town, and over the past four years the Parking Lot has averaged $85,240 in receipts yearly.
There was much discussion, and the consensus was that Glynn McAraw would draft a letter to the Board of Finance regarding Mr. Bugbee's compensation. Mr. Bugbee will give Ms. McAraw the information she will need with regard to his duties and the hours involved. The Parks and Recreation Commission will request to be placed on the December agenda of the Finance Committee.
The Commissioners had nothing but praise for the job that Mr. Bugbee does.
6. Public Comment - None
7. Adjournment
John Flower moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 PM and Bob Dunn seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
The next Parks and Recreation Commission meeting will be held on 2 December 2010 in the Second Floor Conference Hall at the Old Lyme Town Hall.
Respectfully submitted, ~
Mary Ellen Garbarino
Recording Secretary
(filling in for Doris Johnson)
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