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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025_04_08 Recreation Commission Minutes TOWN OF MAMARONECK RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES April 8, 2025 PRESENT: James Druker, Chairman Joyce Callahan Darren Moss William Paonessa Susan Sigel Brian Welsh EXCUSED: Graham Gutter ALSO PRESENT: Jill Fisher, Superintendent of Recreation Vicky Laoutaris, Assistant Superintendent of Recreation Jeffery King, Town Board Liaison Eileen Puleo, Commission Secretary Meredith Robson, Town Administrator CALL TO ORDER: The meeting held at the Senior Center; 1288 Boston Post Road was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Chairman Druker. ACCEPTANCE OF MEETING MINUTES: On a motion by Chairman Druker, seconded by Commissioner Paonessa, the Meeting Minutes of March 11, 2025, were unanimously approved as amended. HOMMOCKS FIELDS DISCUSSION: Chairman Druker opened the meeting providing a recap of the discussions that took place over the prior joint meetings regarding the Hommocks Fields. Chairman Druker reminded members that for the past 20 years, the Hommocks Fields have been closed on Wednesdays to allow the fields time to rest as studies have shown and as recommended by professionals in the field. Due to the continual outcry from the shortage of fields, the Mamaroneck School District has made the request that the Recreation Commission open the fields on Wednesdays and allow field usage seven days a week. Both the school district and community believe that opening the fields an additional day will not result in any significant damage. After much discussion, Chairman Druker made a motion that for 2025 only, subject to a full review at the end of the fall season, to make the fields available on Wednesdays until the end of November to the school district and youth leagues with the usage to be worked out between them and the expense apportioned on the same established basis. The Commission unanimously approved the request. Chairman Druker introduced the second request by the School District to allow the fields to remain open for their use during the winter season between the months of December through March. After much discussion, the Commission unanimously made the decision to defer until the July meeting to resume discussions. By delaying this decision, the Commission can use this time to assess and evaluate the current conditions and can carefully decide about any potential winter use. This would also allow time for the review of any proposals and pricing forthcoming from Woodard and Curren. Ongoing monitoring and updates of the current field conditions will be provided regularly. Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes April 8, 2025 - Page 2 Moved by Chairman Druker, the Recreation Commission unanimously agreed to enter into Executive Session. Mr. King and Ms. Robson were invited to remain. Moved by Chairman Druker, the Recreation Commission unanimously agreed to resume the Regular Meeting. MEMORIAL PARK SHADE Chairman Druker expressed his displeasure and concern over the lack of progress on providing additional shade at Memorial Park. Chairman Druker reminded the Commission that this issue has been ongoing since the previous year, and no new shading solutions have been implemented to date. Ms. Robson provided an update that a contract is currently in place with Labella Associates to develop a mini master plan for shading at the Memorial Park Playground. Their report is expected in June. Based on their report, unless a recommendation is minor and can be easily accomplished this year, funding for the shade improvements is anticipated to be included in the 2026 Capital Projects budget. HOMMOCKS POOL GRANTS: Chairman Druker inquired about clarification of the two grants that were applied for in early 2021. Ms. Robson explained that one grant is designated for a design of the outdoor space at the Hommocks Pool and is available to be used. The other grant is for the construction of the pool project. The Town is still awaiting construction estimates from Weston & Sampson, which are necessary to move forward with the project. While the grants have not yet expired, the Commission expressed concern and uncertainty about the timeline, questioning when the grants are set to expire, especially since no funds have been used to date. It was noted by Ms. Robson that these grant funds are dedicated solely to the pool project and cannot be reallocated for other uses. SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE: Ms. Fisher reported the following: 1 . Program registration for summer programs and camps has begun. Current camp enrollment numbers are as follows: • Hommocks Camp — 182 • Camp Rockingstone — 23 • Teen Travel Session 1 — 95 • Teen Travel Session 2 - 74 2. The Memorial Park Tennis Courts opened for the season on Saturday, March 29th. Spring tennis programs began the week of April 7th. Current tennis enrollment numbers are as follows: • Youth — 51 • Adult — 41 3. Landtek performed the annual spring maintenance on Wednesday, March 20th The first scheduled use of the fields was Sunday, March 30th 4. A copy of the April Newsletter was enclosed for review. 5. The 5K Run & Lil' Bunny Hop is scheduled for Sunday, April 27th. The current registration numbers are as follows: • 5K Run — 177 • Lil' Bunny Hop — 110 6. Session 5 of Skating School concludes on May 2nd with an enrollment of 288. There is one more session which begins on May 9th Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes April 8, 2025 - Page 3 SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE CONTINUED: 7. The spring session of New York Rangers Learn to Play Hockey program has 70 participants enrolled. 8. The Senior Center hosted a traditional St. Patrick's Day luncheon with 101 seniors participating. Photos were enclosed. 9. The Senior Office Assistant position in the Recreation Department is currently vacant. This is a Civil Service position, and the current list is being reviewed for interviews. 10.The Hommocks Pool Survey has been well received and will be available for a period of 3 weeks. Ms. Fisher will keep the Commission updated with the results. 11.The RFP for grass cutting services was due on March 26th. The Town received 4 proposals which are currently being reviewed. 12.The Senior Center renovations are back out to bid for the third time. Ms. Fisher will keep the Commission updated after the bids have been reviewed. 13.Currently, there is no update on the shade study at Memorial Park. LETTER RECEIVED FROM MR. JIM BARNARD: Ms. Fisher reviewed a letter from Mr. Jim Barnard requesting that the Recreation Commission consider eliminating the tennis permit and guest fees for students attending Mamaroneck School District, provided they show valid school ID. Mr. Barnard expressed his concern that the current permit system creates a barrier for students who prefer to play spontaneously. Currently, the Youth Permit (ages 5-16) is $125, the Adult Permit (17 & older) is $160, and the Daily Walk-on Fee is $10 for youth and $15 for adults/seniors. After further discussion, a motion was passed with 6 members for and 1 against denying Mr. Barnards request. It was felt that the existing Daily Walk-on Fee provides sufficient access for youth players without requiring them to purchase a full permit and that this system supports spontaneous play. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Commission, on a motion by Chairman Druker, seconded by Commissioner Welsh, the meeting adjourned at 8:40 P.M.