Recreation & Community Services Commission

RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION NOVEMBER 17, 2022 MEETING 5:30 PM MINUTES RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION – In attendance: Mahrang Danish, Rogers Pylant, Kristen Jensen, Jeanette Blackwell, Sowgol Zakarian, Matt Fraulino Absent: Philip Pessina, Dan Deconti, Lincoln Everest Staff: Cathy Lechowicz, Director AGENDA: Call Meeting to Order: Meeting called to order at 5:41 pm Agenda: Motion to amend the agenda by Kristen Jensen and seconded by Mahrang Danish. Approved unanimously. Public Hearing: No members of public in attendance Approval of the Minutes: Amendment to October Minutes. Date is incorrect. Actual date is October and not September. Motion to approve amended October Meeting Minutes by Mahrang Danish and seconded by Kristen Jensen. Approved unanimously. Department Reports: Senior programming has been very busy. Thanksgiving Early Bird dinner on 11/18. Continues to have significant new members. Biannual renewal of all members is starting in January for 2023-2024. Recreation had a fundraiser at Mondo’s for Unified Theater on Tuesday, 11/15. Planning continues for Rec Center’s opening. Toy drive has begun for holidays. Unified Theater production is happening in December. We have partnered with Prof Gallito basketball. Registration has gone through the Rec Department. 275 kids are registered for the league. We had great response to volunteers for coaches. OLD BUSINESS: Recreation Center update - We are hopeful that the opening date for the Rec Center will be January. Pool floor is the main issue right now. Roof drain that went under flooring caused the clog in October. They were able to fix that quickly. Uncertainty about when the flooring in the pool will be ready. Goal remains to have the whole building open in January. If necessary, temporary certification of occupancy will have to be issued for the useable rooms. ARPA funding - Director Lechowicz had a meeting with Mayor and finance. Order going by application date and urgency. Should find out more in 60-90 days. Director Lechowicz will put in another application for capital needs from ARPA. She will then push them over to capital non-recurring request if not approved. Budget Planning – Nothing significant to report. Veterans Pool – framed out entire pool. Concrete should be poured soon, weather dependent. It will be open for swimming summer 2023. Project moving along. NEW BUSINESS: Commission Vacancies – Two vacancies and two recommendations. Mayor would need to appoint the commissioners. Two have reached out to become commissioners. Andrea Dallas - Newer resident of Middletown. She has two children in the schools and an elderly parent who is a member of the senior center. Harold Panciera is a retired Middletown teacher, ran girls basketball league, who would also love to stay involved. They meet the requirement for the political parties of the Commission. Mahrang Danish made a motion to approve the names. Kristen Jensen seconded. Approved unanimously. 2023 Calendar – Continue to meet the third Thursday of the month at 5:30. We do not typically meet in July and August, but they are on the calendar in case they are needed. We will continue to offer the hybrid option. Mahrang Danish made a motion to approve calendar. Kristen Jensen seconded. Approved unanimously. MISCELLANEOUS: Unified Theater show will be December 8-10, Middletown High School Theater. Information will be on social media. CRIDDERS is a show put on by deaf individuals on December 11 at Middletown High School Theater as a fundraiser for Unified Theater. Director Lechowicz will send out information on toy collection and Unified Theater shows to the Commission. ADJOURNMENT Rogers Pylant made a motion, Mahrang Danish seconded. Meeting adjourned at 6:23pm.