The Board of Recreation meeting was called to order by Mark Mikulski, Chair, at 7 p.m.
Members present: Mark Mikulski, William Sereduck, Larry Fitzgerald, Mary Welch, and Mary Witham (arrived 7:10 p.m.)
Absent members: Frank Bainer and Michael Palmerie, Jr.
Also present: Christopher Moffo, director
Guests/Public Participation: Mayor Robert Chatfield and Gene McCarthy attended this meeting in order to discuss the proposed improvements to Hotchkiss Park, which are a new baseball field and a toilet facility. Due to the recent storm, which caused flooding issues throughout town, the Mayor stressed the importance of examining the drainage issues of the park before attempting to add another field. R. Chatfield discussed the two drainage systems and outflow areas currently in place at Hotchkiss Park, and raised the possibility of installing a new retention area to handle water runoff before building the field.
The Mayor, G. McCarthy, and the Board the discussed different possibilities for vehicle access to and parking near the proposed new field. Possibilities include building a road behind the wall and pine trees in back of Hotchkiss, leading to a parking lot, or allowing access to the baseball field from the back of the soccer field. R. Chatfield said that this second option would not provide enough parking for both soccer and baseball. W. Sereduck asked G. McCarthy to draw up an idea of a road and parking lot for the field. G. McCarthy wants to wait to get authorization, and then use aerial photos to draw up an idea. The topography of the land will also have to be measured in order to determine what materials are needed.
The proposed toilet facility was then addressed. G. McCarthy thinks they may need a new electricity pole, and that it should be relocated to a spot closer to Route 69 and the bakery. G. McCarthy can design, engineer, and oversee the building of the bathroom instead of purchasing a prefabricated building. The building is proposed to be 6' by 8' with a pitched roof. W. Sereduck inquired about permits. Building the bathroom will require a building permit and an electrical permit, as well as the installation of a simple electric heater. R. Chatfield suggested beginning construction on July 1. M. Witham suggested a goal of opening the facility before C. Moffo's summer camp is held at Hotchkiss. His camp runs July 31- Aug. 4.
The concession stand at Canfield Park was discussed. The Board has stepped in and taken ownership of the concession stand, in order to eliminate disputes over property contained within the building. This concluded Major Chatfield and G. McCarthy's business with the Board.
Gail Yacavone and Mary Beth Knobel, two representatives from the PTO, attended the meeting. They were also present last month, to request permission and help from the Board to purchase new playground equipment for Canfield Park. The equipment will be used by Algonquin School children during recess. The playground equipment costs $21,825, plus the cost of installation and peripherals, such as mulch and fencing. The PTO currently has no funding to put towards this project, and will be conducting a variet of fundraisers to collect money for it. The PTO is requesting funding from the Board to cover the fees for two of these fundraisers, a concert night featuring the band Eight to the Bar and an outdoor movie night. The band costs $1,350 and the rental of the movie screen costs $500, hence the PTO is asking for $1,850 from the Board of Recreation. L. Fitzgerald advised the PTO representatives that if the students at Algonquin School will be using the equipment for recess, it will have to be inspected and cleared by not only the town, but by Regional School District #16 as well. He suggested that the ladies find out from central office whether the school requirements differ from the town requirements, and if so, how. The Board pointed out that since the playground at Canfield is town property and not school property, the success of this project would be a win for everyone, regardless of its presence at Algonquin School. This makes it a project that the Board would like to be involved in. The goal of the PTO is to have this new playground installed by the beginning of next school year. Addressing how difficult it will be to raise all the money by that time, W. Sereduck inquired as to the possibility of buying it in parts, in the event that the PTO does not raise all of the necessary money for some time. The people who donate to the cause will expect to see some results. G. Yacavone said that they have a meeting with an equipment representative on Tuesday, but since they are working with a sale price, she assumes the deal applies to the whole set only. The Board assured the PTO representatives that the ground will be leveled for the entire set even if they don't have the necessary money raised to buy the whole set at once. M. Knobel requests that they get the area for the playground marked off before their meeting on Tuesday. This concluded the PTO representatives' business with the Board.
Approval of Minutes:
The May 24, 2006 minutes could not be approved at this time, as there were only two members of the Board present at this meeting that were also present at the May meeting. Approval was postponed to next month.
Program Director's Report:
C. Moffo reviewed his report with the Board, (see attached report)
C. Moffo adds that the bus trip to Yankee Stadium went very well, and all who attended seemed to have had a great time.
C. Moffo informs the board that tonight was the last night of floor hockey, and one of the participants cut his chin and had to get a couple of stitches. Board discussed the possibility of getting facemasks or softer sticks for the next floor hockey program. C. Moffo reported that he attended the most recent Prospect Youth Services meeting, and is concerned that Prospect Youth Services is planning programs too similar to those being held by the Board of Recreation. It was agreed that this issue should be discussed among the groups and rectified if necessary.
C. Moffo is concerned that only 28 participants have registered for his new USI Multi Sport Camp, which begins at the end of July. The Board suggested additional methods ol advertisement for the camp. C. Moffo intends to run an ad in the Waterbury newspaper, in the Saturday "Prospect" section run by Kathy Halloran and/or in the Sports Section. C. Moffo also intends to send out more flyers to students, despite the fact that he's already done so numerous times.
Correspondence/Payment of Bills:
Bills were reviewed and discussed.
Motion made by M. Witham, seconded by L. Fitzgerald to pay the bills. Unanimous.
Old Business:
The Board Discussed the Budget and looked at how much money remains for each program. Members of the Board discussed changes the wish to make for next year's budget, namely the budget for the basketball programs should be cut down, as there is a sizeable unused balance to date for basketball.
New Business:
W. Sereduck suggests that the Board calculate how much money in the budget can be spent by the end of the month, and buy the heater and panels for the Hotchkiss Park bathrooms, as well as possibly paying for the electricity pole, before the end of June.
The Board discussed the Hotchkiss Park Bathrooms. People have been complaining about both the lack of bathrooms and the fact that they cannot yet use the concession stand.
C. Moffo brought the issue of vandalism to the board's attention, saying that vandals had recently lit the basketball court on fire, melted the siding on the concession stand, and thrown rocks at the concession stand door. The Board discussed possible actions that could be taken to lessen vandalism, such as sending Police Explorers to the park, without uniform, to check on the activities going on there.
The Board discussed {he concert fundraiser for the PTO and agreed that it would create good P.R. for the Board of Recreation. The Board would want to have the bathrooms open by then, but would still need portable toilets to accommodate such a large amount ol people. The Board discussed the logistics of holding the concert at Hotchkiss Park, including possible power sources. The Board decided to help the PTO get started with their project, pay the fees for the fundraisers, and be uninvolved beyond that. Motion made by M. Witham, seconded by L. Fitzgerald, to contribute $1,350 for concert fundraiser and $500 for outdoor movie night fundraiser, for a total of $1850, not to be paid back, to the PTO for Canfield Park playscape fundraisers. Unanimous.
C. Moffo informs the Board that the safety fence around the storm drain at Canfield Park is a hazard and may cause injury. The fence needs to be replaced with something else. W. Sereduck suggests placing a large rock over the drain and planting flowers around it.
Motion made by W. Sereduck, seconded by L. Fitzgerald, to adjourn. Unanimous. This meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Mikulski, Chairman