The Board of Recreation meeting was called to order by Mark Mikulski, Chairman at 7 p.m.
Board Members Present: Frank Bainer, Larry Fitzgerald, Mark Mikulski, Mike Palmerie, Mary Welch and Mary Witham
Absent Members: William Sereduck
Also Present: Christopher Moffo, Program Director
Public Participation:
Dr. Thomas Patavino, 60 Waterbury Road, Prospect presented a proposal for a floor hockey league program for boys and girls 6 to 12 years of age. He would need a room the size of half a basketball court, two nets, foam pucks and sticks. This program would be held one night a week from 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Open discussion followed regarding Algonquin School as the possible location to run the program. Dr. Patavino commented that he would like to donate his time to the community by instructing/coordinating this program.
Motion made by M. Witham to approve the October 13, 2004 minutes. Motion seconded by M. Palmerie. L. Fitzgerald, M. Mikulski, M. Palmerie, M. Welch and M. Witham approve. F. Bainer abstains. Motion carries.
Program Director’s Report:
M. Welch thanked C. Moffo for having the fields prepared for the Woodland Regional High School Senior nights. He did a great job having the tables set up and the area ready.
M. Welch asked C. Moffo to have bleachers set up at the ice skating rink area for people to use.
Motion made by M. Mikulski to return to public participation. Motion seconded by M. Welch. Unanimous
Lynn Mohlenbrock, 383 Matthew Street, Prospect – physical education teacher at Algonquin School. L. Mohlenbrock stated that she is interested in teaching swim lessons and discussed having swim clinics for the children. She is currently one of the coaches for the Hamden Swim Team, which is similar to the Cheshire Water Devils. She would like to begin a swim clinic in the spring as well as begin the process to form a competitive swim team, which would be a feeder program into the Woodland High swim team. Most other schools in the area have feeder programs. As a gym teacher she is constantly asked when Prospect is going to have swim instruction program as well as other swim programs. She would like to begin an eight-week program beginning in April. After July 4th begin swim lessons which would be done by age group and level of ability per individual. A lifeguard is required to be present at all instructional classes. Swim meets generate a good amount of revenue and in the long run the program pays for itself. Lynn expressed that she would like to see the actuality of swim meets in the future. For instructional swim the charge would be $60 per person for a six-week session. Lynn stated that she would investigate pricing and get back to C. Moffo.
Motion made by M. Witham to return to the Program Director’s report. Motion seconded by F. Bainer. Unanimous
There was an open discussion regarding the UCONN Women’s Basketball bus trip to Rhode Island on Saturday, February 5, 2005. The Board asked C. Moffo to find out if there was a drop-dead date if 50 tickets did not sell. However, the Board felt confident that the tickets would sell and instructed C. Moffo to have flyers distributed to the Recreational Basketball teams at Long River and Community School as well as at Woodland High School.
C. Moffo stated that he received a phone call from a woman who is interested in running a Toddler playgroup during the day. This program would probably be held at the Meeting Place. The Board asked C. Moffo to have her present a proposal at the next Board of Recreation meeting.
C. Moffo reported that Frank Coelho and Larry Fitzgerald would be running the 4th and 5th grade basketball program at Community School. There will be an instructional basketball clinic for the 3rd grade level.
Correspondence/Payment of Bills:
Bills reviewed and discussed.
Motion made by M. Mikulski to pay the bills. Motion seconded by F. Bainer. Unanimous.
Old Business:
M. Mikulski reported that W. Sereduck has spoken to a company that is putting together a pricing package for the Restroom facility. The pricing package will include a breakdown of pricing depending on what services they will be providing. They can serve as a general contractor, install the restroom facility or they can do the entire job. All information will be presented at the December meeting.
New Business:
M. Welch thanked C. Moffo for coming to Community School to be interviewed by Lindsey Hawthorne, reporter for the Community Connection school newspaper. The subject of the interview was the ice skating rink.
The Board discussed the pros and cons of the floor hockey program that was presented by Dr. Patavino. C. Moffo will check into the availability of Algonquin School and submit a school use form. Providing the school is available the program will begin in January. There will be a $15 charge for residents and $20 for non-residents. C. Moffo will order the necessary equipment.
Motion made by L. Fitzgerald to begin a Floor Hockey program beginning January, 2005 at Algonquin School. M. Witham seconded the motion. Unanimous.
Meeting dates for 2005 were reviewed and discussed. All regular meetings will be held the second Wednesday of each month, commencing at 7 p.m. at the Prospect Town Hall.
Motion made by F. Bainer to approve the 2005 meeting dates. Motion seconded by L. Fitzgerald. Unanimous
M. Welch questioned how many hours C. Moffo has been putting in per week. C. Moffo stated that he has been putting in 40 – 45 hours each week and has been keeping a journal of all hours.
Mike Palmerie questioned the balance in the budget under park development. M. Mikulski asked C. Moffo to get an updated balance from the Mayor’s office as well as a run down of what bills have been paid out of Park Development for work that is being done.
Motion made by M. Palmerie to adjourn. Motion seconded by F. Bainer. Unanimous
This meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
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Mark Mikulski, Chair