Recreation & Community Services Commission

RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION January 20, 2022 MEETING 5:30 PM MINUTES RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION – In attendance via WebEx: Philip Pessina, Jeanette Blackwell, Matt Fraulino, Sal Uccello, Ed Dypa, Anthony Jaskot Absent: Dan Deconti, Kristen Jensen, Lincoln Everest Staff: Cathy Lechowicz, Director AGENDA: Call Meeting to Order: Meeting called to order at 5:37pm Public Hearing: No members of public in attendance Approval of the Minutes: Motion to approve December Meeting Minutes by Councilwoman Blackwell seconded by Anthony Jaskot. Approved unanimously. Department Reports: Program Updates Senior Dept Tests being distributed for people with symptoms or close contact Masks to be distributed drive-through 1/21. Two masks/senior resident. All registered seniors received robocall and posted on Facebook. General drive-through distribution at high school on 1/22, 12:00-2:00pm. Recalibrating programs - currently no programs with eating, per Covid precaution Recreation Dept Paused youth program 3 weeks post-holiday for Covid precaution. Programs resume 1/24. Camp registration starts 2/1. Due to schools, difficult to solidify locations. Rely on Office of Early Childcare guidance for safety protocols. NEW BUSINESS: Sports Grants Received 8 applications by the submission date of 1/14. Copies of applications will be available for commission by 1/24. Interviews will be done at next meeting 2/17 via WebEx. Questions are standard. Commission can ask additional questions. Grants will be awarded after next year’s budget is approved. Meeting to be recorded for anyone who cannot attend the interviews. 2021 budget for sports was $40,000. Councilman Pessina idea of increasing this to $60,000. Budget Mayor asked for flat budget by 2/18, with wishlist of 1-3 things the department needs, and where a city/department money can be saved. Chairman Pessina added that sports grants would be a high need area because children are spending too little time outside and too much time in front of screens. No solid wishlist yet. Director Lechowicz said capital expenses now fall under wishlist. For example, the department used revenue to replace older vehicle. Department will have “true wishes” vs “capital expenses.” OLD BUSINESS: Community Assessment Project Update Survey now has 750 responses. Basic results, but 50% of respondents are new to Recreation services, so a lot of new input. Verbal input has also been taken into account. Recreation Center Building Committee Update Committee meets third Tuesday of the month. Contractor has been awarded initial $1.5M bid and they have started their work. Large planning meeting 2/1 to coordinate work with contractors and subcontractors for specific timeline for when administrative offices will open. Building will open in phases. Pool is high priority for swim lessons, camp swimming, water safety, as well as adult population. Goal is June. Middle school building committee will meet with Recreation Center Building Committee to close out contract with contractor from middle school. Fire alarms need to be made functional during construction. Boiler alarm went off 1/16 because oil had run out. Tank refilled, but pipe had burst. Oil tank to be checked every Friday afternoon. Riverfront Update Councilwoman Blackwell reported that second community workshop was 1/11. Over 100 participants. Participants were pleased that they were heard, both practical and recreational functions. Planning process is fluid and people can add ideas on the web survey, which will change week of 1/25, or at the storefront. Two main groups of interest: recreation site and destination site. Meetings have been held with CVH leadership, Meadow Meat. Plan to meet with DOT and Lt Gov Bysiewicz.. Councilman Pessina expressed his amazement at how the Riverfront project is all coming together. Development of districts very fascinating. Mr. Dypa asked if there will be enough free parking, for seniors especially. Blackwell said issue of transportation has come up at every meeting, so much thought is going into a lot of this, how to balance fewer vehicles but also having it accessible. MISCELLANEOUS After 30 years of service, Ed Dypa is resigning. Councilwoman Blackwell, Matt Fraulino, Councilman Pessina, and Anthony Jaskot thanked Dypa for his model service. Director Lechowicz thanked Dypa for all he has advocated for the seniors, especially. ADJOURNMENT Councilwoman Blackwell made a motion, Mr. Dypa seconded. Meeting adjourned at 6:27pm. Senior and Community Center is Wheelchair Accessible. *If you require special accommodations for any meeting, please call the ADA Coordinator at (860) 638-4542 (voice) or (860) 638-4812 (TDD/TTY), or the Town Clerks Office at (860) 638-4910 at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled meeting. Cc: Town Clerk