Recreation Committee, September 20, 2016
Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes
September 20, 2016
Members Present: Melissa Staiti, Robin Grady, Lisa Post, Nancy Owens, Erin Bradbury
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Denise Morano, Recreation Director
Angela Greene, Recording Secretary
Lisa called the Recreation Committee meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Minutes:
A motion was made by Melissa and seconded by Nancy to accept the minutes of the
April 12, 2016 meeting.
The minutes of April 12, 2016 were approved 4-0.
Director’s Report:
Summer:
Denise handed out a packet of the general summer information and went over the numbers. More than 47,000 people went to the pool and the average daily attendance was more than 700. The weather was a contributing factor in these numbers. The overall number of children enrolled in the programs has remained consistent during the past 3 years. The revenue from the pass sales, classes and All Day Program has also remained steady. The jump in the total revenue received from 2014 to 2016 is attributed to the number of day passes sold, again, weather related. Overall it was a great summer with no major incidents considering the volume of visitors.
The lifeguard staff did an outstanding job watching over the swimmers and non-swimmers, and keeping all pool patrons safe. Denise had numerous compliments about the staff that were involved in the classes. Many commented that even though the staff are young they were very professional, enthusiastic and dedicated.
Nancy asked about revenue going down every year. Denise said that that is because the numbers in swim team and field sports registrations had gone down. Melissa and Robin started brainstorming and suggested possibly trying an obstacle course for next summer.
The pools were covered last Wednesday.
Programs:
Registration for the Before and After School Programs was held August 1, and all 3 elementary schools have maximum enrollment. There are 52 children registered at each school for the morning and after school programs. We are caring for 312 children daily. Denise has hired 8 new staff members to fill the vacancies left by graduating seniors. There was a major malfunction during the registration which resulted in a lot of confusion and anxious parents. The online system overloaded with so many parents logging on and trying to pay at the same time, everyone was pushed to a wait list. After frantic calls to the myrec people, we were able to get things figured out by day’s end. Melissa asked about changing the numbers in the future. Denise said it’s too difficult to find additional staff for the morning programs, and taking care of 52 children is more than enough for the staff.
The licensor from the Department of Early Education and Care is in town this week to review all the paperwork, staff files, children’s files, etc. and make visits to Dawson, Davis Hill and Mayo Schools to renew the license to operate these very popular child care programs.
Adult Classes: We have advertised numerous classes for the fall session. Denise went over the new class numbers: Butts and Guts on Tuesday evenings, 8 enrolled; Fit Camp on Monday mornings – 3 enrolled; Barre/P90X on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings – 22 currently enrolled. Denise went over the returning class numbers: CCYO on Tuesday and Thursday evenings – 28 enrolled; Gentle Hatha Yoga on Wednesday mornings – 12 registered; Hatha Yoga on Tuesday and Thursday mornings – 24 registered; Yoga for Every “Body” on Thursday evenings – 10 registered. We had to cancel the following classes because of low enrollment: Flex Time; Group Strength and Flexibility Training; Candlelight Yoga on Friday evenings. We are hoping to get a couple of the cancelled classes going again with more advertising.
Denise went over the numbers for the children’s classes: A Babysitter’s Training class is scheduled for Thursday, October 20 for 11-14 year old boys and girls. The class is sold out with 15 registered and there is a wait list with 6 children. A Junior’s Cooking 4 – week program is scheduled for Thursday evenings, beginning October 27. This is for 10-14 year old boys and girls – 4 currently enrolled. Denise added that they will not be using a stove or oven on the premises for this class.
Lisa asked about Women’s volleyball. Denise said that she has been emailing with Brian McCarthy and gym teacher Ashley Leblanc. She said that Ashley informed her that they have received all new equipment and they are still in the process of going through it and figuring out how to set everything up.
Miscellaneous:
The 275th Committee is having its’ last event on Saturday, September 24. Fireworks will be held at the former CRA (now Holden Baseball) field at 8:30. There will be a DJ and the boy scouts will be selling hamburgers and baseball will be selling hotdogs from 7:00 p.m. until the display.
Denise has been told that no information has come forth from the Winter Festival Committee, which means we might be back to our original “Santa’s Arrival To Town” annual event. Santa is scheduled for Saturday, December 3 at 5:00 p.m. Please plan on attending and helping out.
Lisa asked if anything came about with Tim Ethier coming to a meeting to discuss the topics of voting for technology for Holden schools and preserving open land in Holden. Denise said that money was approved at the Town meeting in May for Holden elementary schools technology. The Town Open Space Preservation Stabilization Fund was also approved.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
The next Recreation Committee meeting will be held on October 11, 2016 @ 7:00 p.m. at the Recreation Office.