HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021_02_02 Recreation Commission Minutes TOWN OF MAMARONECK RECREATION COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
February 2, 2021
PRESENT: James Druker, Chairman
Graham Gutter
William Paonessa
Rita Plansky
Terry Rainaldi
Susan Sigel
Brian Welsh
ALSO PRESENT: Jill Fisher, Superintendent of Recreation
Rob Lunde, Ice Rink Manager
Jaine Elkind Eney, Town Board Liaison
Vicky Laoutaris, Recreation Supervisor
Eileen Puleo, Commission Secretary
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting held via Zoom was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Chairman Druker.
INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMISSION MEMBER:
Ms. Fisher introduced new Commission Member, Mr. Graham Gutter. The Commission
welcomed Mr. Gutter to the Recreation Commission.
ACCEPTANCE OF MEETING MINUTES:
On a motion by Chairman Druker, seconded by Commissioner Paonessa, the Meeting
Minutes of December 16, 2020 were unanimously approved as amended.
SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE:
Ms. Fisher reported the following:
1 . The winter session of programs are currently underway. A list of all program
offerings with current enrollment numbers are enclosed for review.
2. The Rye Figure Skating Program is not renting ice at this time due to low
enrollment numbers.
3. Registration for spring programs will begin on Tuesday, February 16th. Fliers for
spring programs are enclosed.
4. The fall session of Recreation House Hockey concludes on February 6th. This
program had an enrollment of 84. The spring session is scheduled to begin on
February 9th with 85 currently enrolled.
5. Enclosed for review is a report on the Hommocks Pool public swim attendance
numbers from October 27th — January 28tn
6. We are planning on offering a modified camp program this summer. The
Westchester County Health Department has stated that summer camps are
permitted to operate under several new guidelines, and regulations. Protocols
will include limits on capacity, the creation of camper/staff pods, enforcing
screening protocols, and mask wearing.
7. We have been informed by the School District that Central School will be
provided as the site for Camp Rockingstone program this summer. The Teen
Travel Camp will not be offered this summer due to COVID-19 restrictions.
8. Current photos of the ice rink locker room renovations are enclosed for review.
The estimated date of completion is early March.
Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
February 2, 2021
SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE CONTINUED:
9. On Friday, January 22nd, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, announced
high-risk high school sports can proceed starting February 1st. Mamaroneck
High School Hockey will resume, and will be renting ice thru mid-March. We
have shared our facility protocols with the school district, and they will be sharing
their protocols with us.
10.The following Capital Projects for 2021 have been approved: Renovations to
Memorial Park Playground, and the purchase of a new Zamboni. Ms. Fisher will
continue working with Town Engineer, Robert Wasp to re-initiate the park project.
Mr. Lunde will follow up on current pricing for the new Zamboni.
11 .The installation of the solar panels on the Hommocks Park Ice Rink roof is
scheduled to begin in the next four to six weeks.
12.Maria Gallagher, Assistant Superintendent is now officially retired. The
Recreation staff will share in Ms. Gallagher's current program responsibilities.
13.We are waiting on the final invoices for the ice rink compressor replacement
project. Upon receipt, the insurance company will provide a final determination
of what is being covered. Ms. Fisher will update the Commission when those
final numbers are available.
14.Steve Altieri, Town Administrator is retiring at the end of March after 38 years of
service. Recruitment is underway for Mr. Altieri's replacement. I am hopeful that
the next Administrator also has the understanding of the importance and value
that recreation plays in the community.
SPRING ICE RENTAL RATE:
Chairman Druker, stated that he received a phone call from Mr. Brendon Collins,
President of Mamaroneck Youth Hockey Association requesting a discount for the
spring ice rental rates. Mr. Collins pointed out that they spend over $300,000 a year on
ice rental fees as one of the main users of the rink, and would like a discount for the
spring. Mr. Collins stated that a lot of parents are currently hurting financially. Mr.
Lunde, Rink Manager has discounted a limited number of hours for Mamaroneck Youth
Hockey spring ice rental fees in the past.
Mr. Lunde informed the Commission that this season there are limited sources of
revenue coming into the rink. There is still no public skating, skating school or freestyle
time. The Town is planning on continuing its house hockey program up until June. Mr.
Lunde has been given discretion in discounting spring ice rates in the past and has
done so on a limited basis. Mr. Lunde has proposed discounting the spring ice rental
fee by $100 for this season. This would reduce the spring fee to $425 an hour. After
further discussion, Chairman Druker made a motion to discount the spring ice rental fee
to $450 per hour for all ice rentals for the spring season which runs April 1 st through
June. All in favor.
Commissioner Sigel expressed her disappointment with the lack of other programs such
as the figure skating program not taking place at the ice rink. Mr. Lunde explained that
due to the fact that we did not have ice time for the figure skating program at the
beginning of the season that skaters, and instructors made commitments at other
facilities. We hosted a cooperative program with the Rye Figure Skating Club for
freestyle time but due to lack of interest, and low enrollment they will not be continuing
to rent ice from us.
Mr. Lunde stated that since there is more availability of ice time in the spring, and we
can now charge a lower spring ice rental rate, we are planning on offering our own
Freestyle ice skating program for the spring season.
Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
February 2, 2021
CHAIRMAN'S UPDATE:
Chairman Druker, stated that he has been asked by Mrs. Nancy Seligson, Town
Supervisor to join the Long-Range Planning Committee for the Town.
Chairman Druker informed the Commission that Mr. Ralph Engle has reached out to
him with a suggestion to build a playground on the field across the street from Memorial
Park. Mr. Engle feels this is a beautiful piece of grass that is being underutilized.
Chairman Druker asked the Commission to take a look at this space and envision
whether a children's playground would be suitable for this site.
2021 RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING DATES:
On a motion by Chairman Druker, seconded by Commissioner Plansky, the
Commission unanimously adopted the following meeting dates for 2021 :
March 9th
April 6th
May 11th
June 8th
July 13th
August 10th
September 14th
October 12th
November 9th
December 7th*
* At the Hommocks Park Ice Rink.
All meetings will begin at 7:15 P.M. at the Senior Center, 1288 Boston Post Road in
Larchmont, except where noted.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the Commission, on a motion by
Chairman Druker, seconded by Commissioner Sigel, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10
P.M.