Recreation Committee, January 9, 2018

Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes

January 9, 2018

Members Present:   Erin Bradbury, Robin Owens, and Melissa Staiti

Members Absent:    Lisa Post, Robin Grady

Others Present:       Denise Morano, Recreation Director  

                     Teresa Brown, Recording Secretary

Guest:                       Angela Greene

Erin called the Recreation Committee meeting to order at 7:16 p.m.

Minutes:   Motion made by Erin Bradbury and seconded by Robin Owens to accept the minutes of the November 14, 2017.  The minutes of November 14, 2017 were accepted unanimously.

Director’s Report: 

Before/After School Programs – All 3 schools are at maximum capacity – 52 children in the morning and 52 in the afternoon.  There has been movement and we have been able to fill the openings with children from the wait list.

Adult Programs - A new session of programs started last week.  Belly Dancing has 8 registered; Big Ball-CCYO currently has 11 registered; Butts & Guts – 11 registered; Gentle Hatha Yoga – 8 enrolled; Hatha Yoga – 18 registered.  The following classes will start within the next 2 weeks: Barre-Bell – 3 currently registered; CCYO – currently 7 enrolled; Line Dancing – 4 enrolled; Rope Burn, Strength and Core; Unwind Flow Yoga – 5 registered; Yoga for Every Body – 7 registered.

Children’s Classes – We have scheduled a Kids Cake Decorating class during February vacation on Tuesday, Feb. 20.  Also planned is a Babysitter’s Training class on Thursday       Feb. 22nd to accommodate the kids that were placed on a wait list.  A Babysitter’s Training class was held in December and reached maximum capacity with 18 students, and a wait list with 11.  We also have a Kid’s Yoga class starting this week with 7 registered.

Miscellaneous - Denise met with the Holden Youth Sports League representatives last week to discuss the field assignments for the spring, summer and fall.  Davis Hill fields #1 and #2 (large soccer fields) will be off-line during the spring and summer to do some much needed maintenance.  Mountview and the Light Department fields will be back online, so she was able to move teams around to accommodate the loss of the Davis Hill fields.  Denise coordinates 18 fields.   Because of the heavy usage, they get tired.   It is necessary to swap the availability of the fields and give them time to rest and rejuvenate.  Last year the Light Department field was off line, this year it is beautiful.  Erin asked how this information was received.  Denise reported is was well received by the Leagues.

Santa donations totaled $101.25.  Thank you to the Committee members and your families for your dedication and all your hard work. Denise has sent thank you notes to Santa, Pastor John and the Landmark.

Pool – The Selectmen have proposed to eliminate the daily non-resident pass, and increase the fees of a season pass to families, individuals, nanny’s and non-resident pass holders as a way to make up the difference in  the loss of revenue from the non-resident day passes. They feel that over the last several seasons crowding conditions have become an increasing concern and often a deterrent to residents using the town pool.

The Board of Selectman’s proposal has raised many concerns.  Committee members feel that their proposals could be detrimental to the reputation of the Recreation programs.  There is uncertainty as to how the changes would be accomplished /implemented, as well as the social effect on the community as these changes benefit a very small group. 

The pool has the capacity to hold 843 people in the water at one time.  This has never happened.  Also the non-residents make up a very small percentage of the daily attendance.  In a recent survey conducted by the Recreation department there was not one complaint of overcrowding at the pool nor has anyone ever complained to Denise or the lifeguards.  All things considered the Committee feels there could be a better solution without denying people the opportunity to use the pool.  An increase in the non-resident daily pass to $15.00 will be cost prohibitive to some, which could potentially decrease the numbers.

Erin Bradbury made a motion; to oppose the elimination of non-resident daily pass and to modify the fee from $10.00 to $15.00, seconded by Melissa Staiti.  Vote Unanimous.

Motion made by Erin Bradbury seconded by Rob Owens to adjourn at 8:20 p.m. 

The next Recreation Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday February 13, 2018 @ 7:00 p.m. in the Recreation Office.