HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018_08_07 Recreation Commission Minutes TOWN OF MAMARONECK RECREATION COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
August 7, 2018
PRESENT: James Druker, Chairman
William Paonessa
Rita Plansky
Terry Rainaldi
EXCUSED: Nathalie Orans
Susan Sigel
ALSO PRESENT: Jill Fisher, Superintendent of Recreation
Stephen Altieri, Town Administrator
Jaine Elkind Eney, Town Board Liaison
Vicky Laoutaris, Recreation Supervisor
Eileen Puleo, Commission Secretary
Maria Ellin, Camp Monroe Director
Pam Triano, Camp Murray Director
TJ Ostruzka, Hommocks Camp Director
Bruno Duarte, Hommocks Assistant Camp Director
This special meeting, held at Vintage 1891 Kitchen, 2098 Boston Post Road, Larchmont was
called to order at 6:15 P.M. by Chairman Druker.
ACCEPTANCE OF MEETING MINUTES:
On a motion by Commissioner Paonessa, seconded by Commissioner Plansky, the Meeting
Minutes of June 12, 2018 were unanimously approved as amended.
SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE:
Ms. Fisher reported the following:
1. Applications for the use of the Carpino-Steffens Fields have been approved for the
following groups:
• Ms. Bari Suman, Mamaroneck School District
• Ms. Anita Babikian, Larchmont/Mamaroneck Football Club
• Mr. Matthew Popoli, Westchester Soccer Club
2. A copy of an email from Ms. Bari Suman was enclosed regarding the Early Morning Swim
program format and the new hourly pool rate schedule. The current hourly pool rate
will remain in effect until January 1st to coincide with our budget year.
3. The Youth Kayaking classes will resume the week of August 20th.
4. Due to inclement weather, the July 23rd outdoor concert was postponed until Monday,
August 6th. This concludes our concert series for this summer.
5. The 2018/2019 fall-winter Recreation Department brochure was mailed out to
residents. Program registration is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, August 22nd.
Many fall programs will start the week of September 17th.
6. The Hommocks and Pre-School Camps conclude on Friday, August 10th. The enrollment
numbers were as follows:
Hommocks Camp—442 Pre School Camp—81
Breakfast Club— 151 Camp Monroe— 76
Extended Day— 108
Teen Travel Camp—72
Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
August 7, 2018 - Page 2
SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE CONTINUED:
7. Our summer swim lessons had 43 participants enrolled and our Competitive Swim Team
had an enrollment of 107 swimmers. The swim team won 2 out of their 5 meets.
8. Our late summer sports camps have a current enrollment of 87. This includes First Play
Golf, Golf Squirts, First Play Tennis, Multi Sports and Sport Squirts.
9. We will be hosting another Outdoor Movie in the Park on Friday, September 7th. We
will be showing "Toy Story" on the big screen.
10. Our 2nd Annual Food Truck Festival is scheduled to be held on Saturday, October 20th
from 12:00 pm —4:00 pm at Memorial Park. This event is in cooperation with the Town
of Mamaroneck Fire Department. We hope that you can all attend.
11. The Early Morning Swim program will be offered in the fall season. This program will
need to be revisited during the 2019 budget process.
12. The Summer Sizzler fitness program had 19 participants.
13. The Aqua Jog &Aqua Zumba programs had an enrollment of 20 participants.
14. The invitations for Camp Monroe's Annual Young Artists Show and the Pre-School Camp
Sing-Along are enclosed.
15. The 5th Annual Invitational Swim Meet was held on Friday,July 13th against Lake Isle. It
was a well-attended evening with lots of families enjoying the activities.
16. The summer Tennis Lessons will finish up the week of August 13th. The fall session of
lessons are scheduled to begin the week of September 17th.
17. Our Chess Camp, Brick Kids and Mad Science Workshops scheduled for the last two
weeks of August have 45 participants currently enrolled.
18. We are working on a free Pickleball Clinic this fall to help promote the game.
19. Work has begun preparing the 2019 budget. Budget discussions will most likely be held
at the September 11th commission meeting. We have been asked to work within a
2.5% increase over last year's budget.
20. The pool will be opening to the public at 11:00 am as of Monday, August 13th since
camps have ended. Labor Day hours will be: Saturday and Sunday 10:00 am —8:40 pm
and Monday 10:00 am —6:40 pm. The pool will be closed for post summer cleaning,
September 4th—9th.
21. Landtek is scheduled for Monday, August 27th to aerate, overseed, topdress and
fertilize the Carpino-Steffens Fields.
22. The first ice rental at the Hommocks Park Ice Rink is scheduled for Monday, August
20th. Rob Lunde and Mike Gibson have been busy turning the floor over for our first
rental. Public skating will begin on Saturday, September 29th.
23. Weston & Sampson was hired to conduct a study on the outdoor pool complex to
develop a proposal for a potential splash pad and outdoor facility improvements. The
outdoor pool complex was built in 1997.
24. The rink concession expansion project is a little behind schedule. A copy of the bid
specifications is enclosed. Bid packets will go out next week. Hopefully, this project will
be completed by early October.
25. Weston & Sampson is a little behind on the locker room/shower addition proposals.
Ms. Fisher will keep the Commission informed on the status.
Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
August 7, 2018 - Page 3
EVALUATION OF 2018 CAMP SEASON:
Camp Monroe: Mrs. Maria Ellin
Mrs. Maria Ellin, Director of Camp Monroe, stated that her 75 campers are having a wonderful
time this summer.
The camp day is broken into 7 periods each day. Daily activities include: rotation of specialists,
snack time, arts & crafts, water table play and sprinklers, and lunch. Special Guests included:
visits by the Town of Mamaroneck Police Department, Fire Department and the Volunteer
Ambulance Corps. Special Events consisted of Crazy Hat Day,Treasure Hunt Day, Hawaiian
Luau, Summer Birthday Party, Field Day, Ice Cream Sundae Party, Pizza Friday, Ice Pop Day and
the end of camp Art Show.
Parent Comments:
• "I am very happy with the time expansion for this year".
• "This is the best camp, I love it. I wish he attended when he was four".
• "I liked the pick-up and drop off procedures. It was very well thought out".
• "My son loves it all. He told me as soon as camp ends this summer to sign him up
again".
• "My daughter enjoyed every day of camp. At pick up she is always excited about her
day and shares a lot about her experiences, friends and events".
Thank you to:
• Jill Fisher—"For always making an appearance on Opening Day to see how we are all
doing or if we need anything".
• Vicky—"For always being available and helpful and always making the time to visit Camp
Monroe".
• Office Staff—"Michelle and Eileen, thank you for all the hard work you do every day".
• Michael Orchanian— "For keeping the facility clean".
Final Comments:
It has been a great camp season. I would like to thank all of you for giving me the opportunity
to work at Camp Monroe. I look forward to another camp year in 2019.
Pre School Camp: Ms. Pam Triano
Ms. Pam Triano, Director of Pre School Camp informed the Commission that campers enjoyed
another successful summer.
The camp day is divided into 30 minute periods. Daily activities include: water play tables &
sprinklers, music, arts & crafts, playground, snack time and gym activities. Special Guests
included: visits from the Town of Mamaroneck Police Department, Fire Department and the
Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Special Events included: Crazy Hat Day, Ice Pop Day, Carnival Day
and the end of Camp Sing-A-Long.
Parent Comments:
• "Christina from Sheldrake Nature Center was great".
• "Art was very creative. Bonnie did a great job being creative".
• "Parents would like photos of the children emailed home".
• "We received a lot of positive feedback from parents".
Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
August 7, 2018 - Page 4
EVALUATION OF 2018 CAMP SEASON CONTINUED:
Suggestions for next year:
• "Pizza Day was very successful and would like it to continue".
• "Survey Monkey was an excellent source to use. Parents loved it".
Thank you to:
• Vicky—"for visiting camp and checking to see if anything was needed".
• "My Staff and my assistant Angela for all they do to make this camp run so well".
• "The office staff, Michelle and Eileen for all their help".
Ms. Triano was happy to have had another safe and successful summer and looks forward to
another camp year in 2019.
Hommocks Camp: Mr.TJ Ostruzka
Mr. TJ Ostruzka, Director of the Hommocks Camp stated that he and his staff were given the
responsibility of keeping 442 campers safe and active.
The camp day was comprised of six, 45 minute blocks. Activities include: arts & crafts, dance,
sports, swimming, game area, black top, field time and rink time. These activities change
depending on the day.
Special events included: Trips to Playland, Sportime and My 3 Sons. Special Events included
activities such as: Crazy Hat Day, Mad Science, Magician, Team Jersey Day, Superhero Day,
Hawaiian Shirt Day, Tie Die Day, Pajama Day, Ice Cream Wednesdays,Treasure Hunt, Ice Pop
Day, Pizza Friday's, Camp Field Day, Carnival Day, Camp BBQ/Western Day,Talent Show,
Halloween in July and DJ Bruno. New this year— Frisbee Friday, Fencing, Powerhouse Game
Show Day.
The Hommocks Camp was also visited by the Town of Mamaroneck Police Department and Fire
Department and the Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
Parent Comments:
• "Thank you for caring and being so organized with drop-off and pick up of campers".
• "My daughter loves Camp! She always loves the counselors and it's a great experience".
• "I think the camp is terrific—this is our first year and we have been extremely pleased".
Recommendations:
• "Parents would like to see more pool time and more space within the pool".
• "Raise fees in order to provide more on site entertainment".
Thank you to:
• "Vicky—thank you for always being there when we had questions, supporting us and
always finding a way to make things work".
• "Bruno, for another wonderful summer that would not have been possible without your
help".
• "Thank you to the office staff at the Recreation Department. Thank you for all the hard
work you do every day to keep our camp going".
Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
August 7, 2018 - Page 5
EVALUATION OF 2018 CAMP SEASON CONTINUED:
Final Thought:
"I am proud of the direction that the Hommocks Camp is moving toward. We have
incorporated new activities and made the camp experience more diverse and engaging for the
campers. Although we have made changes, I am proud to say that we have not strayed from
my goal of sending home campers safe, dirty and tired. I cannot wait for 2019".
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the Commission, on a motion by Chairman
Druker, seconded by Commissioner Plansky, the meeting adjourned at 7:40 P.M.