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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013_08_06 Recreation Commission Minutes TOWN OF MAMARONECK RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES August 6, 2013 PRESENT: James Druker, Chairman Robert Morello William Paonessa Rita Plansky Terry Rainaldi Susan Sigel EXCUSED: Amy Siskind ALSO PRESENT: Jill Fisher, Superintendent of Recreation Stephen Altieri, Town Adminstrator Jaine Elkind Eney, Town Board Liaison Eileen Puleo, Commission Secretary Joanne Aquilino, Recreation Supervisor Maria Ellin, Camp Monroe Director Haydee Colon, Camp Monroe Assistant 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 VFW, 1288 Boston Post Road, was called to order at 6:05 P.M. by Commissioner Rainaldi. ACCEPTANCE OF MEETING MINUTES: On a motion by Commissioner Plansky, seconded by Commissioner Rainaldi, the Meeting Minutes of June 11, 2013 were unanimously approved as submitted. SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE: Ms. Fisher reported the following: 1. A copy of a letter from Beth Boyle complimenting the Hommocks Camp Director is enclosed. 2. Summit Soccer Camp begins the week of August 12t". Currently there are 54 players registered. 3. Junior Development Tennis Camp continues until August 15t". Enrollments to date stand at 162. 4. Due to inclement weather, 1 of the 4 Outdoor Concerts in Memorial Park had to be rescheduled. Sponsorships this year for the concerts totaled $4,750. 5. "Madagascar 3", this year's Movie in the Park, was moved indoors to the ice rink due to the excessive heat on Friday, July 19t". Capital One Bank of Larchmont once again sponsored this event at $2,500. 6. The first ice rental at the Hommocks Park Ice Rink is scheduled for September 9t". The rink is scheduled to open to the public on Tuesday, October 1st 7. The 2012 Fall-Winter Recreation Brochure has gone to the printer and is scheduled to be out to residents the week of August 12t". Program registration is scheduled to begin on Monday, August 26t" Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes August 6, 2013 - Page 2 SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE CONTINUED: 8. The Hommocks Playground and Pre-School camps conclude on Friday, August 9t". Focus will then turn to evaluating all programs for the 2014 budget. 9. The pool will be opening to the public at 11:00 am starting Monday, August 12th since camps have ended. 10. A total of 109 children participated in swim lesson programs and 111 swimmers joined our Competitive Swim Club. Since the swim team has gotten so large we are considering new hours of 8:00 am — 11:00 am. This will also help with the scheduling of the other camps that visit the pool. 11. With 3 weeks left after camp ends we are offering a variety of weekly programs. Soccer, Lego, Multi-Sports, and Kayaking. 12. Participation in the adult Zumba program has declined. It has been moved to a new night and a lower price in hopes that registration will pick up. 13. With the Kayaking program being successful, we have added a youth and adult session for the Fall. 14. Our new Multi Sport Program had 22 participants enrolled in session 1. Session 2 and 3 has 53 enrolled. 15. Our Summer Sizzler program has 16 participants enrolled. 16. We have teamed up with the New York Rangers this fall to promote the sport of hockey. The Future Rangers Program will run from September 15th to October 2nd Participants will receive a Future Ranger Jersey and Certificate of Completion. On Saturday, October 5' for 5 to 10 year olds we will be holding a Try Hockey For Free Day. All participants will receive a NY Rangers hockey stick. 17. Our Scuba instructor, Bradley Gaiser who owns Aqua Visions Scuba is closing up his store and moving to Florida. We are looking for a new instructor to fill this position. 18. Our new Aqua Zumba class had 14 participants. We will be adding another session for the fall. 19. Golf Instruction programs, under the direction of Head Pro Charles Meola, were very successful. A total of 78 participants enrolled this summer. Lessons will continue this fall. 20. Work has begun on the 2014 budget. Budget discussions will most likely be held at the September 10th commission meeting. 21. The Hommocks Pool will be closed September 3' to 8' for post summer cleaning. 22. Rob Lunde has been busy this summer painting inside the ice arena. As soon as camp ends, improvements will be made in the main bathrooms. This will include new paint, sinks and floors. 23. Landtek is scheduled on August 23'to aerate, overseed and fertilize. 24. Positive feedback was received on the Memorial Park tennis courts. Permit sales were up from last year. 25. The RFP is out for the Energy Performance Contract, several representatives are touring the facilities. The deadline is September 6t" 26. The HVAC maintenance agreement for the Hommock Park Ice Rink expired on July 315t We have extended it only for 9 months due to the renovations that will start in May. REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF CUT HUT AGREEMENT: Paula Jackson, MYHA Board of Directors, has requested a two year extension on their lease for the Cut Hut. With the Ice Rink closing in May, the board has granted a one year extension at the rate of$1,000 for the season. On a motion by Commmissioner Morello, seconded by Commissioner Paonessa, the request was unanimously approved. Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes August 6, 2013 - Page 3 SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE CONTINUED: REQUEST FOR RENTAL OF THE CARPINO-STEFFENS FIELDS: Westchester Soccer Club has requested use of the Carpino-Steffens fields on Sundays from 9:00 — 11:00 am. Sid Ings from Larchmont Youth Soccer has agreed to let them have the 2 hours on Sunday mornings at the rate of$125/hour on a one time trial basis. On a motion by Commmissioner Morello, seconded by Commissioner Paonessa, the request was unanimously approved. EVALUATION OF 2013 CAMP SEASON: Camp Monroe: Mrs. Maria Ellin, Director of Camp Monroe, stated that her 100 campers had 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 Social. Parent Comments: • I feel like I've gotten to know everyone well. Loved Visiting Day! • Increase the age to 7 so both my boys could attend. • Both boys love it. I will be sending my younger boy again next year. • Comfortable nurturing environment created by excellent staff and diverse activities. • Add afternoon swimming at the Hommocks Pool. • Pool visits, longer hours and field trips. • Staggered drop off and pick up times. Mrs. Ellin recommended that: • Having 4's, 5's and 6's was great. • I need a sign that states "Camp is in Session". Perhaps seeing the sign in view might slow down some of the motorists from speeding on Weaver Street. 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: Mrs. Ellin thanked Haydee Colon for all of the help given this year. She also thanked the Unit Leaders and Counselors for all their hard work. "It has been a pleasure working for the Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Department". Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes August 6, 2013 - Page 4 EVALUATION OF 2013 CAMP SEASON CONTINUED: Camp Central: Ms. Pam Triano, Director of Camp Central informed the Commission that Camp Central enjoyed another successful summer. The Central site was wonderful and this year, camp started curb side drop off and pick up. 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 (Crazy Hat Day, Ice Pop Day, Carnival Day and the end of Camp Sing-A- Long). Parent Comments: • This year the curb side drop off and pick up worked out very well. • Staggering the times so they could get from one camp to the other camps. • Maybe have a laptop so we could e-mail the parents. 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. • My Staff, My Assistant Charlene for all they do to make this camp run so well. • 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 2014. Hommocks Playground: Mr. T.J. Ostruzka, Director of the Hommocks Playground stated that he and his staff were given the responsibility of keeping 393 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. During the heat wave they were in a Hazy, Hot and Humid schedule which limits the outdoor activities and takes advantage of the air conditioned rink. Special events included: out of camp trips, Crazy Hat Day, D.J. Day (2), Day Rock, Treasure Hunt, Ice Pop Day, Pizza Fridays, Color Wars/Camp Olympics, Carnival Day, Camp BBQ, Pajama Day, Hawaiian Shirt Day, Halloween in July 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: • Administrative staff has a great attitude, enthusiasm, and are very professional. I think they take their jobs extremely seriously and I appreciate it. The camp is well run and I feel comfortable leaving my child there. Thank you! • Pick up/drop off method is fabulous &very well organized. Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes August 6, 2013 - Page 5 EVALUATION OF 2012 CAMP SEASON CONTINUED: Hommocks Playground continued: • Overall the facility is great. I love that the camp student body can remain inside on the hot, hazy and humid days. • Very polite and engaging counselors. Overall staff attitudes are fun, professional and courteous. • My kids come home tired and happy and each has a ton to say each day, you can't beat that as far as reviews go. Recommendation: 1. For the 2014 camp season the recommendations parents had were good ideas, but not necessarily realistic. Parents requested we incorporate a formal swim instruction in our daily swim block. We believe that the swim instruction offered by the Recreation Department is adequate. In addition, the time allotted for swimming, after changing, is not enough time for proper instruction. 2. An interesting idea that parents came up with was to place a police officer at the intersection of Boston Post Road and Hommocks Road. It will give the cars making a left onto Hommocks Road a longer window to make that turn. Thank you to: • Joanne Aquilino for another great season 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. We make a great team. • 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. Final Thought: The Hommocks Playground camp continues to grow and improve. I am excited to say that we have accomplished my personal goal of sending campers home safe, tired and dirty. I look forward to another successful summer in 2014. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Commission, on a motion by Commissioner Rainaldi, seconded by Commissioner Plansky, the meeting adjourned at 7:50 P.M.