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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009_08_11 Recreation Commission Minutes TOWN OF MAMARONECK RECREATION COMMISSION Meeting Minutes August 11 , 2009 PRESENT: James Druker, Chairman Robert Morello William Paonessa Rita Plansky Amy Siskind ALSO PRESENT: Jill Fisher, Superintendent of Recreation Ernie Odierna, Town Board Liaison Mary Ellen Faulkner, Commission Secretary Joanne Aquilino, Recreation Supervisor Jennifer Williams, Senior Recreation Leader T.J. Ostruzka, Director Hommocks Playground Bruno Duarte, Assistant Director Hommocks Playground Pamela Triano, Director Central Pre School Charlene Farrell, Assistant Director Central Pre School Maria Ellin, Director Monroe Pre School EXCUSED: Maura Devaney Terry Rainaldi CALL TO ORDER: This special meeting of the Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission, held at Palmer's Crossing Restaurant, 1957 Palmer Avenue in Larchmont was called to order at 6:10 P.M. by Chairman Druker. ACCEPTANCE OF MEETING MINUTES: On a motion by Commissioner Morello, seconded by Commissioner Plansky, the Meeting Minutes of June 9, 2009 were unanimously approved as submitted. SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE: Ms. Fisher reported the following: 1. Summit Soccer Camp begins the week of August 17th. There are currently 118 participants registered. 2. Junior Development Tennis Camp had an outstanding year. 302 players were registered compared to 250 in 2008. 3. The final Outdoor Concert in Memorial Park was held on Monday, July 27th. We had another very successful outdoor concert season. 4. Due to inclement weather, the Movie in the Park had to be moved inside the ice rink. 5. The first ice rental at Hommocks Park Ice Rink is scheduled for September 8th The rink is scheduled to open for public skating on September 27th 6. The Fall/Winter Recreation Brochure is scheduled to be delivered to residents the last week in August. Program registration is scheduled for Monday, September 14th 7. Summer aquatic programs end shortly and will begin again in October. Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes August 11, 2009 - Page 2 SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE CONTINUED: 8. The Extended Day Program has 91 campers enrolled to date. Last year there were 83 at this same time. 9. A check has been received from Badger Swim Club for their use of the Hommocks Pool. They were billed for 70 hours at $75 per hour for a total of $5,250. 10. As of Monday, August 17th, (since camps are over) the Hommocks Pool will open at 10:00 A.M. 11. Following Labor Day, the Hommocks Pool will be closed from September 8th to 13th for cleaning after the busy summer season. 12. The custodians hired to keep the locker rooms at the Hommocks Pool did a great job again this year. Not one complaint was received. 13. The deadline for bids to be returned for the new Ice Resurfacing Machine is August 19th 14. A draft of the Hommocks Park Ice Rink Feasibility Study should be received by the end of August. A copy will be available at the September meeting for Commission review. 15. As a follow up to the June meeting, Rob Lunde, Rink Manager, was unsuccessful in soliciting renters for the Monday afternoon ice time. Therefore, the Monday 12:30 to 2:30 public session will continue to be offered. 16. Rob Lunde and his staff have been busy preparing the rink for the 2009-2010 season. They have spent a lot of time personally renovating the rink entrance way which includes installing wainscoting on the walls, trim around the doors, new signage, window treatments in the cashier window, new ceiling lighting fixtures and painting. They are also working with an interior decorator, who is a rink patron offering to donate her time and services. Some of the lobby improvements will include new paint colors, awnings over some of the roll-up windows, new signage and publicity displays. 17. Rob Lunde reached out to Larchmont Nurseries, who has agreed to donate their services and materials in helping to improve the aesthetics of the exterior of the ice rink building. Larchmont Nurseries has provided this service in front of the Larchmont Post Office, Police Department and Mamaroneck High School property. Their proposal is to create a planting bed with trees, shrubs, perennials and grasses over the next two years. They will also maintain the area when necessary. All labor and materials will be donated by Larchmont Nurseries. We will be responsible to provide peat moss and organic fertilizer and a sign for the nursery indicating the donation they made, at an approximate cost totaling $500. 2009-2010 FALL/WINTER PROGRAM FEES: On a motion by Commissioner Paonessa, seconded by Commissioner Morello, the following program fees were unanimously adopted. Lifeguard Training Resident $350 Non Resident $400 Volleyball Resident High School Student $ 35 Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes August 11, 2009 - Page 3 2009-2010 FALL/WINTER PROGRAM FEES CONTINUED: Fall Adult Tennis Tune-Up Resident with Town Tennis Permit $190 Resident without Town Tennis Permit $200 Zumba 1 night $ 13.50/night 2 nights $ 12.00/night Hommocks Park Ice Rink Birthday Party Package Resident per person $ 12.00 Resident per person with skates $ 13.00 General Public per person $ 13.50 General Public per person with skates $ 15.00 BADGER SWIM CLUB REQUEST TO USE HOMMOCKS POOL: Mr. John Collins of the Badger Swim Club has requested the use of the Hommocks Pool for the 2009-2010 school year. Ms. Fisher informed the Commission that she had only one complaint from a resident during Badger's use of the pool last year. On a motion by Commissioner Plansky, seconded by Commissioner Paonessa, the Commission unanimously approved Badger Swim Club request for the use of the Hommocks Pool. Ms. Fisher was authorized to set the days, times and space for this usage. 2009 SUMMER CAMP EVALUATIONS: HOMMOCKS PLAYGROUND: T.J. Ostruzka, Director of the Hommocks Playground, reported that they had another successful season. The Playground schedule consists of 6, forty five minute blocks daily. Activities include: arts & crafts, dance, sports, swimming, game room, black top, field and rink time. The schedule is flexible so that it can be changed due to the weather conditions. Recommendations for 2010: 1. Additional "theme days" 2. Additional sports equipments 3. Parents would like swim lessons Chairman Druker asked what kind of sports equipment is needed. Mr. Ostruzka believes a Wii game system would be a great benefit and give the campers another option. Ms. Aquilino informed the Commission that she is working on incorporating swimming lessons into the camp program. Mr. Ostruzka then thanked Ms. Aquilino for always remaining calm and her well timed words of encouragement. Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes August 14, 2009 - Page 4 2009 SUMMER CAMP EVALUATIONS CONTINUED: HOMMOCKS PLAYGROUND CONTINUED: He then thanked Bruno Duarte, Hommocks Playground Assistant Director, for another wonderful summer that would not have been possible without his help. He also thanked the office staff at the Recreation Department for all the hard work they do every day to help keep camp going. The Hommocks Playground continues to grow and improve. Mr. Ostruzka feels he has accomplished his personal goal by sending campers home safe and tired. He is looking forward to another successful summer next year. CAMP CENTRAL: Ms. Triano, Director of Camp Pre-School informed the Commission that Camp Central enjoyed another wonderful year. The camp day is divided into 20 minute periods. Activities include fitness, music, arts & crafts, water play, playground snack and story time. Special Events this year included: Stuffed Animal Day, Crazy Hat Day, Carnival Day, and their Annual Sing Along Show. This year, the children were treated to "Mad Science". A parent volunteer came to camp and helped the campers make play dough. Recommendations for 2010: 1. Encourage campers to provide their own snack. Children with allergies will be seated at a separate table. The Town will have to supply snack for those who forgot or are unable to bring one. 2. Eliminate Fitness Specialist. Have the Director and Assistant Director organize games and let counselors and C.I.T.s play the games with the campers. 3. Additional fans. Ms. Triano thanked Joanne Aquilino for being Camp Central's "daily angel", Jill Fisher for visiting and asking how they were doing, The Recreation Department staff for being the best and Charlene Farrell for being her right arm. Ms. Triano concluded by stating that it had been another great camp season and on behalf of Charlene and herself, she thanked the Commission for giving them the opportunity to work for such a great Recreation Department. CAMP MONROE: Maria Ellin, Director of the Monroe Pre-School stated that her 100 campers had a wonderful time. The Camp day is broken into 7, thirty minute periods. Daily activities include: arts & crafts, sprinkler, snacks and lunch. Special events include: Pajama Breakfast, Crazy Hair Day, Summer Birthday Celebration and their end of summer "Annual Art Show". Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes August 11, 2009 - Page 5 2009 SUMMER CAMP EVALUATIONS CONTINUED: CAMP MONROE CONTINUED: Mrs. Ellin had several children this year with special needs. These campers required extra attention, which worked this year because she had extra counselors. If children with special needs attend Camp Monroe, extra counselors will continue to be needed. Recommendations for 2010: 1. A larger refrigerator is needed to store the camper's lunches. Mrs. Ellin thanked Joanne Aquilino for always making time to visit. Jill Fisher for visiting on opening day, Michael Orchanian, Caretaker of the Sheldrake facility for always making sure that the rooms were cleaned. In addition she wants to thank, not only Mike, but all those involved in painting the downstairs rooms. The rooms look much brighter. She then thanked the Recreation Office Staff for all of their help. Finally she thanked the Recreation Commission for taking into account her concerns in dealing with upgrading and repairs needed at the Camp Monroe facility. Their support throughout the years has made a difference on the "new look" at Camp Monroe. Camp ran smoothly due to the hard work and dedication of the Unit Leaders and Counselors at Camp Monroe. Mrs. Ellin thanked the Commission for giving her the opportunity to work for the Town of Mamaroneck as Director of Camp Monroe. TEEN ESCAPE: Ms. Allison Dunkley, Director of the Teen Escape Program was unable to attend tonight's meeting, so Joanne Aquilino, Recreation Supervisor, gave her report. The Teen Escape Program began 1 week after the other camps started and met Monday to Friday for four weeks, five days each week. Participants are teens in grades 7 to 9. Trips Included: Great Adventure, lunch at Medieval Times, SHREK the Musical and a Mets baseball game. Recommendations for 2010: 1. Add lunch where available, which would increase trip budget. 2. Purchase another bus to expand the camp size. 3. Expand program to include 10th graders. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Commission, on a motion by Commissioner Paonessa, seconded by Commission Morello, the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 P.M.