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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011_08_09 Recreation Commission Minutes TOWN OF MAMARONECK RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES August 9, 2011 PRESENT: James Druker, Chairman Robert Morello William Paonessa Rita Plansky Terry Rainaldi EXCUSED: Beth Boyle Amy Siskind ALSO PRESENT: Jill Fisher, Superintendent of Recreation Ernie Odierna,Town Board Liaison Mary Ellen Faulkner, Commission Secretary Joanne Aquilino, Recreation Supervisor Maria Ellin, Camp Monroe Director Pam Triano, Camp Chatsworth Director Charlene Farrell, Camp Chatsworth Assistant Director T.J. Ostruzka, Hommocks Playground Director Bruno Duarte, Hommocks Playground Assistant Director This special meeting, held at the Weaver Street Firehouse, was called to order at 6:10 P.M. by Chairman Druker. ACCEPTANCE OF MEETING MINUTES: On a motion by Commissioner Rainaldi, seconded by Commissioner Paonessa, the Meeting Minutes of June 14, 2011 were unanimously approved as submitted. SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE: Ms. Fisher reported the following: 1. Applications for the use of the Carpino-Steffens Fields have been approved for: • Larchmont Junior Soccer League • Mamaroneck Schools 2. The Mamaroneck Youth Hockey Association has requested that their contact for the Cut Hut at the Hommocks Park Ice Rink be extended for 2 years. 3. Summit Soccer Camp begins the week of August 15t". Currently there are 93 players registered. 4. Junior Development Tennis Camp continues until August 11t". Enrollments to date stand at 259. 5. Due to inclement weather, 2 of the 4 Outdoor Concerts in Memorial Park had to be rescheduled. One was moved to the following night and the other was rescheduled for Monday, August 8t". Sponsorships this year for the concerts totaled $3,200. 6. "How to Train Your Dragon", this year's Movie in the Park, was held on Friday,July 22nd Capital One Bank once again sponsored this event at $2,500. 7. The first ice rental at the Hommocks Park Ice Rink is scheduled for September 12t". The rink is scheduled to open to the public on Saturday, October 1st 8. The 2011 Fall-Winter Recreation Brochure has gone to the printer and is scheduled to be out to residents by August 31st. Program registration is scheduled to begin on Monday, September 12t" Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes August 9, 2011 - Page 2 SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE CONTINUED: 9. The Hommocks Playground and Pre-School camps conclude on Friday, August 12t" Focus will then turn to evaluating all programs for the 2012 budget. 10. All aquatic programs have ended, except Scuba. Fall aquatic programs will resume in October. 11. This camp season 50 children came to camp early for our Breakfast Club; 10 stayed for the Extended Day Program and 9 more took advantage of the Total Camp Experience (Breakfast Club, Day Camp, Camp Trip and Extended Day). 12. A total of 137 children participated in swim lesson programs and 101 swimmers joined our Competitive Swim Club. 13. Kayaking (offered jointly with the Village of Mamaroneck) begins on August 15t" 14. Golf Instruction programs, under the direction of Head Pro Charles Meola, were very successful. A total of 88 participants enrolled this summer. Lessons will continue this fall. 15. Work has begun on the 2012 budget. Staff has been directed to reduce expenses by 3%. Budget discussions will most likely be held at the September 13' Commission meeting. 16. The Hommocks Pool will be closed September 6' to 11'for post summer cleaning. 17. The renovations to the VFW building are still not completed; however the new expected completion date is scheduled for September 6th. Future Recreation Commission meetings, as well as many department programs will be held there in the future. 18. Correspondence to Meryl Rubenstein, Assistant Superintendent for Business Operations for the Mamaroneck School District, regarding the continued request for an explanation for the pool invoicing procedures was discussed. We cannot make any cuts to the pool budget until actual costs are known. 19. There is nothing new to report regarding the planned renovations to the Hommocks Park Ice Rink. 20. The Hommocks Parking lot reconstruction is ongoing. Playground arrival and dismissal procedures have worked well using the back entrance. 21. The Carpino-Steffens Fields are scheduled to be seeded, fertilized, aerated and top dressed on Friday, August 26t" 22. The 2 staff members sharing the clerical position in the office have not worked out as expected. Interviews are being conducted for a new full-time staff member. It is hoped that someone will be hired and trained prior to fall registration. EVALUATION OF 2011 CAMP SEASON: Camp Monroe: Mrs. Maria Ellin, Director of Camp Monroe, stated that her 100 campers has a wonderful time this summer. The camp day is broken into 7, thirty minute periods. Daily activities include: arts & crafts, sprinkler, snacks, playground and lunch. Special events included: visits by the Town of Mamaroneck Police and Fire Departments and the Volunteer Ambulance Corps, as well as Parent Visiting Day, Crazy Hair Day,Treasure Hunt Day, Summer Birthday Party, Field Day, Art Show and the end of camp Ice Cream Sundae. Parent Comments: • Camp Monroe is perfect! Shady, nice playground, cool indoors. • Have drop-off start at 8:50 A.M. • Playground equipment needs improvement. • Everyone at camp is awesome—accessible and friendly. Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes August 9, 2011 - Page 3 EVALUATION OF 2011 CAMP SEASON CONTINUED: Camp Monroe Continued: Mrs. Ellin recommended that: • Playground be upgraded - bigger slide and monkey bars. • Continue hiring outgoing/motivated counselors. Thank you to: • Joanne Aquilino for getting whatever was asked for. • Jill Fisher for visiting and checking to see how things were going. • Michael Orchanian for making sure that the facility is clean and safe. • Office staff for typing newsletters and final report. Final Comments: Staff, parents and campers working together made for a great season. Ms. Fisher and Ms. Aquiliano think that the Department should consider having only 5 year olds and 6 year olds (whose parents feel may not yet be ready for the Playground program) attend Camp Monroe. Camp Chatsworth: Ms. Pam Triano, Director of Camp Chatsworth informed the Commission that Camp Chatsworth enjoyed another successful summer. The Chatsworth site was wonderful. The camp day is divided into 25 minute periods. Daily activities include: fitness, music, arts & crafts, water play, playground, snack time and story time. Special events included: visits from the Town of Mamaroneck Police and Fire Departments and the Volunteer Ambulance Corps, as well as Special Fridays (Backwards Day, Crazy Hat Day, Ice Pop Day, Show &Tell Day, Carnival Day and the end of Camp Sing-A-Long). Parent Comments: • Nice mix of counselors (older &younger) • Extend camp day by one hour • Loved the specialists Thank you to: • Joanne Aquilino for always being there. She's the best! • Jill Fisher for visiting camp and checking to see if anything was needed. • The office staff for all the help. Ms. Triano was happy to have had another safe and successful summer and looks forward to another camp year in 2012. Hommocks Playground: Mr. T.J. Ostruzka, Director of the Hommocks Playground stated that he and his staff were given the responsibility of keeping 413 campers safe and active. The camp day is comprised of 6, forty five minute blocks. Activities include: arts & crafts, dance, sports, swimming, game room, black top, field time and rink time. Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes August 9, 2011 - Page 4 EVALUATION OF 2011 CAMP SEASON CONTINUED: Hommocks Playground continued: The Hazy, Hot and Humid schedule limits the outdoor activities and takes advantage of our air conditioned rink. Special events included: out of camp trips, Crazy Hat Day, Disco Day, Day Rock, Treasure Hunt, Ice Pop Day, Pizza Fridays, Color Wars, Carnival Day, Camp Bar-B-Que, Mardi Gras Day and the end of camp Talent Show. Hommocks Playground was also visited by the Town of Mamaroneck Police and Fire Departments and the Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Parent Comments: • Another great year at the Hommocks Playground thanks to T.J., his staff and the air- conditioned ice rink. • Scholarships are extremely appreciated and allowed children experiences they would otherwise not be able to have. Recommendation: For the 2011 camp season, the rear of the Hommocks Ice Rink was used for arrival and dismissal. The response from the parents was overwhelmingly positive. The staff would like to continue this practice next year and would like to have a tent for the waiting area to keep the campers cool. Thank you to: • Joanne Aquilino for another great season (almost in the books) and once again guiding and motivating us to always become better. • Bruno Duarte for another great summer that would not have been possible without his help. Ms. Fisher suggested that camp fees should remain (if possible) at the same level next summer. Chairman Druker asked if a survey could be done of 3 and 4 year old parents to see if they would be interested in a longer camp day and if the cost impacts their decision on whether or not to send their child to camp. Ms. Aquilino suggested that a discount camp fee (like the one offered for the Playground) for multiple children attending the same camp be offered for the pre schools. A survey will be done and Ms. Aquilino will do a cost analysis of the pre-schools. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Commission, on a motion by Commissioner Pasonessa, seconded by Commissioner Plansky, the meeting adjourned at 8:10 P.M.