Recreation Committee, October 14, 2014
Recreation Committee Minutes
October 14, 2014
Members Present: Lisa Post, Erin Bradbury, Melissa Staiti, Robin Grady, Nancy Owens
Members Absent: none
Others Present: Denise Morano, Recreation Director
The meeting was called to order by Lisa Post at 7:00 p.m.
Minutes: The minutes from the September 9, 2014 meeting were approved and accepted unanimously.
Director’s Report: Denise reviewed the number of children enrolled in the Before and After School Programs, and noted that we have 24 more children enrolled now than we did last year at this time – 286 vs. 262. Erin asked about the number of children on the wait list, and how they could be addressed. Denise explained that increasing capacity would be difficult because of the number of “older” staff it would require to do this. You can’t have 16 and 17 year old staff members oversee the Programs. Numerous comments were made about the number of new housing developments that are going up all over town, and what impact will these have on student enrollments at the schools. The current adult classes have good participation, and a new session will begin in early November. Denise said the wrestling program for children will be held in the new studio in our new facility, but this was the first mention of this program that they had heard of. Flyers were supposed to go to all the children in the schools, but no member could recall seeing one. Denise will look into it. Everything is in place for Santa’s arrival on Saturday, December 6 at 5:00 p.m. Members will meet at the First Congregational Church at 3:00 p.m. The Recreation Department will be moving to the former Police station, and we hope to have a lot of new classes. We want to reach out to the kids at Wachusett to see if we might be able to form a sort of partnership with them. Many of them are quite talented and might be able to offer some instruction to young kids during the school day, such as arts and crafts, dancing, music, tennis, etc. Melissa asked whether the current instructor’s would have their classes in the studio, and was told that they will have that option. Erin asked about finding someone to teach CPR classes because of the need for these. Lisa asked about planning an “open house”, and it was decided it would be best to do something like this in the spring. Davis Hill and Dawson Schools have gone through relicensing and Mayo will go through this process soon as well. Having all 3 schools done at the same time will save a lot of time, energy and paperwork. Denise announced that DeeAnne is retiring after 5 years working in the department, and that Angela Greene has been hired as the new Senior Clerk.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
The next meeting of the Recreation Committee will be held on November 12 at 7:00 p.m in the Recreation office at 1420 Main St. If unable to meet there, members will be notified.
The minutes of the October 14, 2014 Recreation Committee were submitted by Denise Morano, Recreation Director.