Recreation & Community Services Commission

RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION JUNE 15, 2023 MEETING 5:30 PM MINUTES RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION – In attendance: Philip Pessina, Jeanette Blackwell, Harold Panciera, Andrea Dallas, Sowgol Zakarian, Dan Deconti, Kristen Jensen, Mahrang Danish (arrived 5:34pm) Absent: Lincoln Everest, Rogers Pylant, Matt Fraulino Staff: Cathy Lechowicz, Director AGENDA: Call Meeting to Order: Meeting called to order at 5:33pm Public Hearing: No members of public in attendance Approval of the Minutes: Councilwoman Blackwell made a motion to approve minutes of May meeting. Kristen Jensen seconded. Approved unanimously. Department Reports: Senior Center is having a very busy time for programming. Back Again Board Game Café and Alzheimers Association had an event for the Senior Center members. Seniors had a great time and enjoyed playing games from their childhood. Large range of events happening this month. Hiring process has started for front desk position. Testing for the 55 applicants will be 6/23 and then interviews will happen for everyone who passes test. Recreation is also hiring for evening custodial/pool position. Interviews will happen week of 6/20 for the 22 applicants. Preparing for summer camps. Staff trainings for counselors/staff: safety things, Narcan training, QPR training. Nurses are almost full-time at all camps. OLD BUSINESS: Recreation Center: maintaining exercise and evening programs. During the day, camps will be at the Rec Center (Camp Safety, Teen Quest, Aftercare for all city-run camps). Drop-in indoor pickle ball sessions for summer months, in addition to outdoor pickle ball. ARPA Funding: Andrew Ivans, Middletown native, who also works for aquatics, has been hired to help facilitate the ARPA Funding. Veterans Pool: Life guards are being trained now. Only 50% of those taking the course will pass. Idea of doing a bootcamp throughout the year so that potential guards are ready for the summer. No public guarding at Crystal Lake this summer. Veterans Pool: safety first and accessibility are our primary goals. The pool will open daily to the public at 2:45pm, after lessons and campers’ visits. Ability test for campers and campers receive a colored bracelet. Life vests will be available for campers who need them. Splash pad open 10am-7pm. NEW BUSINESS: Sports grants In future, more questions should be asked. Do all the programs even need the money? Spend the next few months making the process very clear, no exceptions. Every field must be completed. Going forward, the leagues must understand that there is an expectation that the forms are filled in in a particular way. If the application is not complete, it will not be reviewed. If there is an individual looking for financial aid for a personal achievement, they need to go directly to the Common Council for an appropriation. The sports grants are for recreational leagues. Proposed amounts: Ahern Whalen League $5,700 Middletown Youth Soccer $,5000 Middletown Youth Lacrosse $8,300 Middletown Football and Cheer $10,500 Middletown Youth Baseball and Softball $10,500 Total: $40,000 Andrea Dallas made a motion to accept these proposed amounts. Dan Deconti seconded. The Rec Department is facilitating the Prof Gallito league now so it doesn’t seem appropriate to use the sports grant funds internally. Dir Lechowicz may be asked about this at the Council Meeting. Approved unanimously. Summer Schedule Commission has not met in the summer months, historically, There will not be another meeting until September, unless there is a reason. Dir Lechowicz will reach out, if there is any need. Councilwoman Blackwell made a motion to take the summer off. Andrea Dallas seconded. Approved unanimously. MISCELLANEOUS: 6/16 at noon there will be a flag raising ceremony for Juneteenth. Juneteenth Parade on 6/19 at 11am, stepping off from Spring St, going south on Main St. Next meeting is 9/21. ADJOURNMENT Andrea Dallas made a motion, Kristen Jensen seconded. Meeting adjourned at 6:19pm.