Recreation & Community Services Commission

RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION January 21, 2021 MEETING 5:30 PM MINUTES RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION – In attendance via WebEx: Lincoln Everest, Winfred Lee, Philip Pessina, Jeanette Blackwell, Dan Deconti, Ed Dypa, Anthony Jaskot Absent: Kristen Jensen, Matt Fraulino Staff: Cathy Lechowicz, Director AGENDA: Call Meeting to Order: Meeting starts at 5:30pm. Sal Uccello made a motion to amend the agenda. Seconded by Councilwoman Blackwell. Mr. Uccello requested to add discussion about a PRIDE event in collaboration with the LGBTQIA commission at the skating rink. Public Hearing: no members of the public Approval of the Minutes: December minuts approved – motion made Councilwoman Blackwell, seconded by Sal Uccello Department Reports: Program Updates Senior Dept Held our first vaccination clinic! More details below. Continue to offer exercise classes. Major focus is on vaccinations. Recreation Dept Participated in Magic in Middletown – part of the Car Cruise, pictures with Santa and story time of Polar Express with Councilman Pessina. Toy Drive has been a major focus this month. So many people and organizations have contributed to make it a success. Application deadline was on Monday 12/14 but we will try to meet any need that is identified, so long as we have toys. Mostly virtual programs early in the new year. Holiday Hustle happening now – a way to keep folks active, allow us to promote local businesses and organizations. January Joy Building Updates Had the bid meeting on Tuesday 12/8. Open bids on 12/29 and hopefully get work started as soon as the weather thaws in early spring. OLD BUSINESS: Update on Rec Center – nothing major to report NEW BUSINESS: Update on Veterans’ Pool planning – continue to have planning meetings. There will be a public presentation on January 13th at the Public Works Commission meeting. We will be pushing out this opportunity to all those that have engaged with the pool in the past. Meeting Dates for 2021 (attached) – motion made by Ed Dypa, seconded by Kristen Jensen. MISCELLANEOUS Question about rink attendance – it has been moderate. Best weekend was Thanksgiving. We will continue to look for ways to promote it. Question about if we check in with seniors during a Nor’Easter – Director Lechowicz said we don’t have a specific mechanism to do that, we are limited by some of our infrastructure (i.e. software). We are actually looking into a new software that will better serve our respective constituents (seniors and recreation). The new one for Seniors will actually allow us to make phone calls more easily through the system. ADJOURNMENT Ed Dypa made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Winn Lee.