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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010_08_10 Recreation Commission Minutes TOWN OF MAMARONECK RECREATION COMMISSION Meeting Minutes August 10, 2010 PRESENT: James Druker, Chairman William Paonessa Rita Plansky ALSO PRESENT: Jill Fisher, Superintendent of Recreation Ernie Odierna, Town Board Liaison Mary Ellen Faulkner, Commission Secretary Joanne Aquilino, Recreation Supervisor T.J. Ostruzka, Director, Hommocks Playground Bruno Duarte, Assistant Director Hommocks Playground Pam Triano, Director, Central Pre-School Charlene Farrell, Assistant Director, Central Pre-School Maria Ellin, Director, Monroe Pre-School Don Kerr, President, Mamaroneck Youth Hockey Association EXCUSED: Robert Morello Terry Rainaldi Amy Siskind CALL TO ORDER: This special meeting of the Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission, held at the VFW Lodge, 1288 Boston Post Road in Larchmont was called to order at 6:10 P.M. by Chairman Druker. ACCEPTANCE OF MEETING MINUTES: On a motion by Commissioner Paonessa, seconded by Commissioner Plansky, the Meeting Minutes of June 8, 2010 were unanimously approved at submitted. SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE: Ms. Fisher reported the following: 1. Summit Soccer Camp begins the week of August 16th. Currently there are 125 participants registered. 2. Junior Development Tennis Camp had another outstanding year. Current enrollment is 278. 3. The final outdoor Concert in Memorial Park was held on Monday, August 2nd The department received a total of$6,300 in donations for the concerts and $2,500 for the movie. This was all due to the hard work by Maria Gallagher. 4. The first ice rental at the rink is scheduled for September 13th. Public skating is scheduled to begin on Friday, October 1st 5. Work on the 2010-2011 Fall-Winter Brochure has begun. The goal is to have it available on line for the public by August 23rd. Post cards will be mailed the week of August 16th. Program registration is set to begin on Monday, September 13tn Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes August 10, 2010 - Page 2 SUPERINTEDENT'S UPDATE CONTINUED: 6. The Hommocks Playground and Pre-School Camps conclude on Friday, August 13th. The department will then focus on evaluating all summer programs after the camp season is over and recommending any changes for next year. 7. All aquatic programs (except Scuba) have ended. Fall aquatic programs will begin again in October when the pool reopens. 8. The Extended Day Program had 56 campers enrolled this year. 9. A check has been received from the Badger Swim Club for their use of the Hommocks Pool. They were billed for 104 hours at $75 per hour for a total of $7,800. 10.Beginning on Monday, August 16th, the Hommocks Pool will open to the public at 10:00 A.M. on weekdays. 11.There were a total of 143 participants in swim lesson programs and 77 on the Competitive Swim Team this summer. 12.A simple 3 day black topping job of the parking lot behind Hommocks School caused a power outage at the outdoor pool complex for 2 days on June 28th and 29th 13.Work has begun on the 2011 budget. Staff has been directed to have their 2011 budget reflect a 5% decrease in expenses from 2010. 14.The Hommocks Pool will be closed September 7th until approximately October 9th due to a window replacement project. 15.The mechanical room at the ice rink was vandalized this summer. The police are currently investigating this matter and the extent of the damage to some of the mechanical equipment where the compressors are kept. 16.Bari Suman and Sid Ings were informed of the Commission's approval of their request to waive the late summer maintenance due to the field shortage issue caused by construction of the new turf field. When they were told that the Town would take our turn to close and bring the fields back, which would mean that the fields would be closed the spring of 2011 they rescinded the request. Ms. Suman and Mr. Ings were also informed that extra work and extended rest are inevitable and will need to be done during the 2011-2012 season. They agreed and suggested that a spring closure would work best for them. This would allow them the time they would need to make alternate plans. Therefore, the new plan is that when the late fall maintenance is performed in November, 2011 the fields will be closed until late June, 2012. PROGRAM FEES: On a motion by Commissioner Paonessa, seconded by Commissioner Plansky the Commission unanimously approved the following fees: Program Fee Rollercoaster Workshop $75/resident $85/non resident Make It & Take It Workshop $160/resident $170/non resident Kayaking $125/resident Pet First Aid $45/resident $65/non resident Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes August 10, 2010 - Page 3 PROGRAM FEES CONTINUED: Fall Junior Tennis Instruction $80/resident permit holder $90/resident non permit holder $105/non resident Introduction to Tennis $90 Pee Wee Tennis $60/resident $70/non resident Individual Tennis Lessons $105/resident permit holder $115/non resident permit holder $130/non resident Zumbatomics $70/non resident Zumba $10/session additional charge for non residents LETTER OF REQUEST FROM DAWN IVY SCHINDELMAN: The Commission discussed a letter requesting a special fee for the Hommocks Pool for single parents has been received from Dawn Ivy Schindelman. Since the permit fees have been adopted for the current season, the Commission cannot change the fee structure at this time. However, they will take Ms. Schindelman's request into consideration when considering fees for the 2011-2012 season. Mr. Don Kerr, President of the Mamaroneck Youth Hockey Association: Mr. Kerr came before the Commission to discuss the elimination of the subsidy for renting ice at the Hommocks Park Ice Rink that the Mamaroneck Youth Hockey Association was given since taking over the travel program. Mr. Kerr thanked the Commission for taking the time to discuss this matter with him. He informed the Commission that • 90% of MYHA players are residents and pay taxes to the town • A fee increase would be a hardship to many families • That MYHA is a feeder program for the MHS Hockey team Chairman Druker explained that the Commission was under pressure from the Town Board to increase revenue. Commissioner Paonessa suggested that MYHA might be given a discount if they pre- paid for their ice rentals. Chairman Druker thanked Mr. Kerr for coming and promised him that the Commission would have a healthy and fair discussion about his request. Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes August 10, 2010 - Page 4 2010 SUMMER CAMP EVALUATIONS: CENTRAL PRE-SCHOOL Ms. Pam Triano, Director of Central Pre-School stated that her campers had a fun summer. They enjoyed many special events that included: Red, White & Blue Day; Crazy Hat Day; Backwards Day and Sing-A-Long Show. Some of these events will be changed next year. Ms. Aquilino pointed out that Central is the only facility that has no air conditioning, which made for a very hot summer for campers and the staff. Some parents found parking at Central School an issue this year, and dropping their children off difficult. Recommendation for next year is to have a campsite with parking. Murray would be a nice site. Ms. Triano thanked the Recreation Department for the opportunity to work at Camp Central. MONROE PRE-SCHOOL Mrs. Maria Ellin, Director of Monroe Pre-School informed the Commission that Monroe campers had a great summer. They enjoyed many special events such as: Crazy Hair Day; Treasure Hunt Day; Parent Visiting Day; the Annual Art Show and are looking forward to the Ice Cream Sundae Party planned for Friday, the last day of camp. Parent Comments included: • Extend camp hours until 3:00 P.M. • Give preference to campers who have attended Camp Monroe • Have registration on line • Camp Monroe is a great facility Recommendations: • Install sidewalks on Weaver Street • Stagger schedule for "pick-up" and "drop off" • Purchase a larger refrigerator for the second floor to store lunches Mrs. Ellin then thanked Joanne for everything she does for her and making time to visit. She also thanked Jill for visiting the campsite and checking to see if anything is needed, Mike Orchanian for taking good care and keeping the facility clean, the office staff for always being helpful and the Sheldrake Staff who are always available to help. Mrs. Ellin concluded by thanking her staff for all their hard work and the Commission for giving her the opportunity to be the Director of Camp Monroe. She is looking forward to returning in 2011. Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes August 10, 2010 - Page 5 2010 SUMMER CAMP EVALUATIONS CONTINUED: HOMMOCKS PLAYGROUND Mr. T.J. Ostruzka, Director of the Hommocks Playground began by thanking his Assistant Director, Bruno Duarte for all of his help this summer. They make a good team. Hommocks Playground had 420 participants this summer. The largest attendance on any single day was 392, daily attendance average was 350. Two, optional, out of camp trips were planned for each grade which included: Playland, Norwalk Maritime Aquarium, My 3 Sons and Sport Time. This was the first year for the Breakfast Club. Campers arrived at 8:00 A.M. and were provided a healthy breakfast. It was convenient for parents who needed to get to work. RECOMMENDATIONS: Purchase a digital camera and a small photo printer to keep at camp. Mr. Ostruzka thanked Joanne for guiding and motivating him to become better. He also thanked the office staff for all the hard work they do to keep the camp going. He feels that the Hommocks Playground continues to grow and improve. He is excited that every day they accomplish his personal goal of sending campers home safe and tired. He is looking forward to another successful summer in 2011. TEEN ESCAPE Because the program director, Ms. Alison Dunkley has graduate school on Tuesday evenings, Ms. Aquilino gave her report. Teen Escape had 17 participants (5 boys and 12 girls) Favorite trips included: Lake Compounce, Six Flags, the Boardway show Wicked and Medieval Times. Not So Favorite Trips: Circle Line, Ripley's Believe It or Not and Ellis Island/Statue of Liberty. Suggestions for Next Year: • Longer trips • Paintball • Rockclimbing • Extend camp to 10th graders ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Commission, on a motion by Commissioner Paonessa, seconded by Commissioner Plansky the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 P.M.