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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025_09_10 Recreation Commission Minutes TOWN OF MAMARONECK RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES September 10, 2025 PRESENT: James Druker, Chairman Graham Gutter Darren Moss William Paonessa Susan Sigel Brian Welsh ALSO PRESENT: Jill Fisher, Superintendent of Recreation Vicky Laoutaris, Assistant Superintendent of Recreation Toni Barnes, Commission Secretary Jaine Elkind Eney, Town Supervisor Jeffery King, Town Board Liaison Robin Nichinsky, Town Board Member EXCUSED: Joyce Callahan CALL TO ORDER: The meeting held at the Senior Center; 1288 Boston Post Road was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Commissioner Druker. ACCEPTANCE OF MEETING MINUTES: On a motion by Chairman Druker, seconded by Commissioner Sigel, the Meeting Minutes of June 10, 2025, were unanimously approved as amended. The Meeting Minutes of August 12, 2025, were unanimously approved. CARPINO STEFFENS FIELDS: Ms. Fisher reminded the Commission that there was a motion made at the July meeting to revisit the use of the fields during the winter months. Commissioner Druker stated there is much desire in the community for the fields to be open during the winter and with the eventual future replacement of the fields, now is a good time to experiment. Commissioner Paonessa disagreed with allowing use of the fields during the winter season and shared his experience and concerns this would have on the dormant grass. After much discussion, a motion was made by Chairman Druker and approved to keeping the fields open for school use this winter on a one-year experiment basis. Commissioner Paonessa opposed. Commissioner Paonessa inquired if the fall treatment was still necessary if the fields were going to be open over the winter. After some discussion, this issue was tabled until the October meeting when more information would be made available. SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE: Ms. Fisher reported the following: 1. A copy of the approved fall facility requests for use of the Carpino-Steffens fields from Ms. Bari Suman and Mr. Simon McCarthy were enclosed for review. 2. Registration for most fall programs began on August 19th. The brochure is available online, and we will continue to send out monthly newsletters by email. Enclosed is a copy of the September Newsletter. Brochures were made available at the meeting. 3. Skating School registration will begin on September 16th 4. The ice rink will be hosting the annual Skating School Open House on September 14th. Participants will be provided with a free introduction of the Learn to Skate program. Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes September 10, 2025 - Page 2 SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE CONTINUED: 5. The Wednesday Freestyle Skating session scheduled to begin September 10th has a current enrollment of 1 . Last year at this time, we had 7 enrolled. The Sunday morning Freestyle Skating Program began on September 7th with a current enrollment of 4. Last year at this time, we had 5 registered in the session. Ms. Fisher will continue to keep Commission updated on these enrollment numbers. Walk-ins and guest coaches are allowed. 6. Daily Public Skating Sessions begin on Saturday, September 27tn 7. Fall tennis programs began the week of September 8th 8. We held our last outdoor Movie in the Park on September 5th with a showing of "If'. 9. The Annual Fall Food Truck Festival is scheduled for Saturday, October 4th from 12:00 —4:00 P.M. at Memorial Park. 10.The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the Hommocks Park Ice Rink for the Painting Project sponsored by the New York Rangers and Benjamin Moore Paints is scheduled for September 13th. Program flyer was enclosed. 11.The annual maintenance to the fields was completed on schedule by Landtek on August 18th. The fields opened for play as scheduled on September 2nd. A video of the field conditions was provided. 12.There was a slight delay with the re-opening of the ice rink for the season. We were waiting for a replacement motor for the dehumidifier. Without a working dehumidifier we could not paint and lay water sprays to build new ice as planned. The new motor was received and installed on September 3rd, and work has resumed. This delay resulted in a loss of approximately $17,000 in ice rental revenue. Rob Lunde was hired as a consultant to help us with painting the new ice projects. Photos of this process were shared. 13.For capital budget and planning purposes, LaBella Associates has been asked to provide a plan for creating shade at Memorial Park that can be phased in over two years. Cost estimates would include recommended tree plantings with their root barrier system along with free-standing cantilever shade structures. 14.Following last month's presentation, Rob Wasp, Town Engineer, reached out to Mr. Aaron Golembiewski, Drain/Turf Talents, to arrange for a site visit at the Hommocks Fields. A date for this visit has not yet been established. 15.The Town Board has requested the Town Administrator to contact Mr. John Sorochan, regarding his availability to consult on the Hommocks Fields. Mr. Sorochan is a leading expert on turfgrass science and management based out of the University of Tennessee. 16.There is new grant available from T-Mobile for $50,000 that is under review. There are a few projects that might qualify for submission, but the Memorial Park shade project is one option. 17.The Town Board awarded the bid for the Senior Center Renovations at their July 15th meeting. Work has already begun on the yellow room and porch and is expected to be completed by year end. Alternate locations have been secured, including the Community Room at the ice rink to host some of the senior programs during this time. A copy of Rob Wasp's memo outlining the award of the bid was enclosed. 18.The outdoor pool complex is now closed for the season. The indoor pool is currently closed until September 15th while the school district conducts post summer cleaning and completes the outstanding locker rooms renovations. EMAIL REQUEST FROM MR. JAKUB SUCHY REGARDING FREESTYLE SKATING: An email request from Mr. Jakub Suchy regarding the freestyle skating procedures was reviewed. Chairman Druker stated that when fees are reviewed in the future, he would like to see proposals include a larger differential between resident and non-resident rates. Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes September 10, 2025 - Page 3 EMAIL REQUEST FROM MR. JAKUB SUCHY REGARDING FREESTYLE SKATING CONTINUED: A summary of last year's Freestyle numbers, revenue, and a comparison to potential ice rental options, prepared by Matt Angst, Hommocks Ice Rink Manager was provided for review. Revenue from the 2024-25 Freestyle sessions totaled $26,800. If the ice was rented, potential revenue would have been $42,787.50. Commissioner Sigel expressed concern that it would not be fair to eliminate Freestyle sessions in favor of exclusively renting the ice for hockey and suggested consideration of a punch card. Mr. King inquired about current enrollment. Ms. Fisher reported that currently there is one person enrolled on Wednesdays and four enrolled on Sundays. Mr. King stated that he would like to re-visit these enrollment numbers next month. After much discussion, Chairman Druker moved to defer further discussions and decisions regarding the Freestyle skating program until the next meeting. Ms. Fisher will reach out to Mr. Suchy and inform him that his concerns are being carefully reviewed by the Commission. POOL SURVEY REPORT: A copy of the Pool Survey Report was shared. Completion rate of the surveys was 71% with over 1200 submissions. The completed surveys included past, current, and non- users of the facility. Approximately 66% of current users reported they are willing to pay an increase for the annual membership fee for pool renovations in the amount of $100 or more. Respondents reported that they would use the pool more if there were a larger outdoor pool with a greater variety of water depth options. A consistent complaint was the displeasure with the current pool roof enclosure. REVIEW PROPOSED 2026 CAPITAL PLAN REQUESTS: The proposed 5-year Capital Plan for the Recreation Department was reviewed. Mr. King noted that six of the ten items included in the proposed 2026 Capital Plan are related to the ice rink. He inquired about contact with the Rangers to determine whether the Town may be eligible for a donation to support capital improvement projects. Ms. Laoutaris, Assistant Superintendent, will inquire about any options available. Commissioner Gutter expressed concern regarding available space, emphasizing that even if funds were raised, the question remains as to where these projects could be constructed. Mr. King suggested replacing the Hommock's Rink and building two levels: with a rink at the bottom and a recreation center above. Mr. King proposed to start a subcommittee to have something tangible by the spring to put before the Board for funds projected for 2028. Commissioner Gutter agreed. CAMP OVERVIEW: Ms. Laoutaris provided an overview of each summer camp. Camp Rockingstone had 36 children. The Hommocks Camp had 272 campers. The Teen Travel Camp had 95 kids in each session. JEFFERY KING, TOWN BOARD LIAISON UPDATE: There was no update. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Commission, on a motion by Chairman Druker, seconded by Commissioner Sigel, the meeting adjourned at 9:00 P.M.