Richter Park Authority

RICHTER PARK AUTHORITY MEETING MINUTES Richter Park Authority Office Tuesday, March 15, 2022, 6:00 PM In compliance with Connecticut General Statute § 1-225, these minutes are being provided for informational purposes and are subject to approval of the Richter Park Authority Board of Directors at its next regular meeting. Chairman Pete Siecienski opened the meeting at 6:02 PM. Members present: Pete Siecienski, George Radachowsky, John Priola, Leroy Diggs, Al Mead, Bob Eberhard, Bob Eberhard, Judy Griemsmann and Paul DiNardo. Also present: Karen Madaus, Business Manager, Jonathan Pinto, Head Golf Professional, Rob Dorsch, Golf Course Superintendent and Bobby Bria, Musicals at Richter. Absent: Wendy Grispin and Dave Lajoie. Public participation none. Approve minutes of previous meetings Mr. Mead made a motion to approve the minutes from the February 15th RPA meeting. Mr. Diggs seconded. Mr. Eberhard and Mr. Priola abstained. Motion passed unanimously. Correspondence Joe Forget, Assistant Pro, wanted to thank the RPA for the $500 to help him pay for attending the PGA show this year. Arts Association The spring schedule is set and Ms. Griemsmann passed copies out to the RPA. Musicals at Richter Auditions are being scheduled for the end of April and we are still in need for a Technical Director. In The Heights will run on weekends from 7/1 to 7/16. Sound of Music will run on weekends from 7/22 to 8/6. Preliminary plans for the stage have been received and construction will begin in around a month. MAR raised $4,500 on Fairfield Giving Day. MPC-Richter House No report FORe There was a Zoom meeting last week. The balance in the bank is just over $15K. The Memorial Walk was discussed today as well as signage in the back of the 10th tee. June 4th is National Trail Day The fundraising breakfast will take place in the fall. Mr. Priola asked about the status of the Memorial Walkway. Mr. DiNardo gave an update. The possibility of a yardage book was discussed as a fundraiser. Mr. Priola stated that FORe should join Fairfield Giving Day in the future. Business Manager’s Report The President’s Day weekend sale went very well. Advance Tee Time and outing bookings are increasing as Richter is getting ready to open. Head Golf Professional The President’s Day sale was very successful. We made $65K in 2020, $91K in 2021 and $125K in 2022. We currently have a league every Monday – Thursday, typically starting at 4:00pm through a good part of the season. Some Pro Shop merchandise, as well as the new golf carts, are still delayed. There is an uptick in shipping costs right now. Would like to implement a “$2/round temporary fuel surcharge”. Mr. Mead made a motion to approve the temporary fuel surcharge. Mr. Priola seconded. Some discussion ensued. Motion passed unanimously. Grounds and Greens The front bathroom in the Richter House has been gutted. Harry Kuhn will donate the vanity, etc. and it will be installed next week. The ceiling may need to be touched up a little. The mold will be remedied from 3/28-3/30 in the morning; the first Arts show will be Sunday, 4/3. The tee leveling project is going great and the sod was put down today. By Thursday morning, the entire front 9 will be sodded. All sodding will be done by next Tuesday morning. Sod is in 1200lb rolls rather than smaller squares. The last step is a 10-ton roller. We are not yet ready to open as there is still snow on the course that needs to melt. Mr. Priola stated that we need signs on 4, 11 and 1 to stop walkers before we open for the season. Financial report This year, we don’t have the financial pressure to open quickly. Mr. Priola posed the question about continuing the President’s Day sale in the future. Mr. Mead made a motion to place the financial report on file. Mr. Eberhard seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Glenn Nanavaty will be coming at the end of March for the annual audit and will present his final report to the RPA at the May meeting. Finance Committee Report No report. Old business Awaiting meetings with City and State Historical agency regarding Richter House. New business None. Chairman’s Comments/Report This is a volunteer board – Mr. Siecienski wanted to thank all of the members of the RPA. Mr. DiNardo stated that the MAR and RAA calendars should be on the Men’s Club website. Ms. Grispin was nominated to be a Superior Court judge and will need to retire from the RPA. Mr. Mead made a motion to adjourn at 7:12 pm. Mr. Priola seconded. Motion passed unanimously.