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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025_10_14 Recreation Commission Minutes TOWN OF MAMARONECK RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES October 14, 2025 PRESENT: James Druker, Chairman Joyce Callahan Darren Moss Brian Welsh Graham Gutter Susan Sigel ALSO PRESENT: Jill Fisher, Superintendent of Recreation Vicky Laoutaris, Assistant Superintendent of Recreation Jeffery King, Town Board Liaison Toni Barnes, Commission Secretary Matt Angst, Hommocks Ice Rink Manager EXCUSED: William Paonessa 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 Moss, the Meeting Minutes of September 10, 2025, were unanimously approved as amended. FREESTYLE SKATING: Ms. Fisher resumed discussions on the Freestyle Skating program in response to Mr. Jacob Suchy's August 30th email. As requested, Matt Angst, Ice Rink General Manager presented new proposed fee options for the Freestyle Skating program for consideration. The current option (Option 1) for Freestyle Skating is either enrollment on Sundays, $475 for a 19-week session or Wednesdays, $275 for an 11-week session. There is an option to pay a $35 walk-in fee per visit. A new option (Option 2) would include selling punch cards. These cards would be accepted on either day. Customers would pay for 10 sessions and get 2 sessions free. Mr. Angst stated that Option 2 could increase revenue and will provide customers with greater flexibility at no additional cost. He recommended implementing this offer beginning with the next session scheduled to start on January 18th Chairman Druker called for a vote between Option 1 and Option 2. All were in favor of Option 2. Ms. Fisher will respond to Mr. Suchy regarding this adopted plan. Mr. King asked Ms. Fisher to include the Town Board with this follow-up. SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE: Ms. Fisher reported the following: 1 . Registration for Skating School began on September 16th. Current registration for session 1 is at 204. Last year's session 1 enrollment at this same time was 215. The rink hosted a Learn to Skate Open House on Sunday, September 14th that was well attended with 103 participants. Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes October 14, 2025 - Page 2 2. The Sunday morning Freestyle Skating program began on September 7th and currently has 12 enrolled. Last year at this time, we had 12 registered in the program. The Wednesday afternoon session currently has an enrollment of 4. Last year's Wednesday enrollment had 3. Walk-ins are allowed. As a follow up to Commissioner Sigel's prior inquiry, we collected a total of $40 from two guest coaches during the 2024-25 season. 3. A copy of the October Newsletter was enclosed. 4. Daily Public Skating Sessions began as of Saturday, September 27th 5. Fall swim lesson enrollments are as follows: Swim Lessons: 94 (8 adults) Last fall: 102 (20 adults) Dolphins: 41 51 6. The ribbon cutting ceremony for the Hommocks Park Ice Rink painting project sponsored by the NY Rangers and Benjamin Moore Paints was held on Saturday, September 13th. Photos from the event were enclosed. 7. The Fall Food Truck Festival was held on Saturday, October 4th from 12:00 — 4:00pm at Memorial Park. The event was a huge success. 8. We will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Hommocks Park Ice Rink this year and are planning a celebration event at the rink on October 26th from 12:00 — 3:00pm. 9. Fall tennis programs will continue through the end of October. 10.The pool re-opened for public swimming on Monday, September 15th and is now operating on the school year schedule. The district is still waiting on the arrival of benches for the locker rooms. Fall aquatic programs have resumed. Commissioner Sigel asked if the lanes could be put out when people are lap swimming. Ms. Laoutaris stated last week there were some broken lanes, however, we will follow up on the status of replacements. 11.The announcement from Town Supervisor, Jaine Elkind-Eney regarding the Hommocks Fields remaining open for the winter season was enclosed. 12.Enclosed was a copy of Landtek's Hommocks Field Maintenance Plan for 2025. The only scheduled treatment for the remainder of this calendar year is fertilization which will still take place as scheduled. Ms. Laoutaris shared drone video of the fields. Another video will be provided at next month's meeting. Commissioner Sigel inquired about what actions are being taken regarding the fields. Mr. King stated the Town Board is looking to identify the most productive solution regarding new technologies to provide optimum use of the fields. The Town Board is in the process of speaking with experts, to learn about the different possibilities, costs, and the best solution for the Town. Commissioner Graham requested that at next week's meeting to discuss a way to potentially have one turf field and preserve the grass field where grass could continue to grow. 13.Construction is on-going at the Senior Center. All activities and staff were relocated for 3 days during a planned asbestos abatement removal. 14.The Town is in the process of submitting a grant through NYSDOT for a new bus for the Senior Center. We currently have 2 buses in our fleet received this particular grant in the past. 15.According to Town Engineer, Robert Wasp, LaBella Associates will continue to speak with vendors/installers for the tree cell planters to refine their cost estimates. No additional updates were available for the meeting. 2026 RECREATION DEPARTMENT PROPOSED BUDGET: The Proposed 2026 Recreation Department budget was reviewed. Ms. Fisher stated that the budget still needs to be presented to the Town Board on October 23rd and is still subject to change. Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes October 14, 2025 - Page 3 2026 RECREATION DEPARTMENT PROPOSED BUDGET CONTINUED: This year the Town is focused on the overall rate of increase and trying to keep the tax levy as low as possible. The Recreation Department is projecting an increase of 1 .2%. After the budget review, concern was expressed regarding the budgeted expense of the Pool. Chairman Druker inquired if anyone followed up on the $1 million that the Town gave the school district towards prior renovations that was discussed during the previous meeting. Mr. King responded that there will be follow-up on this matter. Commissioner Graham inquired about the amount the Town is paying the school district annually for use of the pool. Ms. Fisher responded that the Town is charged an hourly rental fee. The Town pays for part-time staff which includes lifeguards, swim instructors, and pool managers to operate the pool as well as the summer lifeguard staff for the outside pool. Chairman Druker stated to possibly propose to the school to reduce our rent payment by $100,000 a year for 10 years. Mr. King stated that it could be possible and suggested sitting down with the school district and looking at all the services shared. The Town Board is hoping to address these issues in January. TOWN BOARD LIAISON'S UPDATE: Mr. King had no new updates for the Commission. CHAIRMAN'S UPDATE: Chairman Druker had no new updates to report. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Commission, on a motion by Chairman Druker, seconded by Commissioner Moss, the meeting adjourned at 8:25 P.M.