Recreation & Community Services Commission

RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MARCH 21, 2024 MEETING 5:30 PM MINUTES RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION – In attendance: Jeanette Blackwell, Leslie Spatola, Harold Panciera, Rogers Pylant, Andrea Dallas, Kristen Jensen, Sowgol Zakarian Absent: Mahrang Danish, Lincoln Everest, Dan DeConti Staff: Cathy Lechowicz, Director AGENDA: Call Meeting to Order: Meeting called to order at 5:30pm Public Hearing: No members of public in attendance. Approval of the Minutes: Leslie Spatola made a motion to approve minutes from January 18th, 2024. Andrea Dallas seconded. Approved unanimously. Department Reports: Recreation and Senior Department Report- It will be a challenging budget year. We were asked to submit a flat budget with a wish list. Last year, we had not fully opened the rec center, so our budget was an educated guess. This current fiscal year, we may need to ask for an appropriation, but it should be offset by revenue. We are providing more space and services because we can operate during weekdays, year round swim lessons, etc. Minimum wage will rise every year on January 1st, as per CT state statue. It’s hard to balance, putting it on the consumer vs absorbing into budget. We want to make things affordable and accessible. ARPA funding helped replace kitchen equipment at the Senior Center, after a good decade of use. It’s been wonderful! Rec center was able to get new doors as well. Continue to work with library and arts & culture office to offer programs and excursions. Biggest challenge is we can use the money until the end of 2026, but it has to be encumbered by the end of this year. We are working hard to make those plans and figure out the best way to spend that money. Senior lunch program is back up and running as of March 11th! Very positive responses. Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 23rd, will be held inside. There is an open position within the department for Budget Analyst, it is now open to the public. Serves both rec and senior center. OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: Resignation of Matt Fraulino Moved out of town, no longer eligible to serve. Commission has party balance (majority up to 7 seats, minority party up to 5 seats). Matt was registered Republican. The seat can be republican or unaffiliated. Historically it is a mayoral appointment, usually post the opening on social media. There is a recommendation of a very active senior who fits the criteria. If there are any other recommendations please let Cathy know. Sports Grants Packets Online version is fabulous! Still perfecting the application, but progress is great. City of Middletown historically allocates $40k each fiscal year to support local youth recreational organizations. Already looking towards next fiscal year. We do this early so that when Common Council finalizes their budget in May, which goes into effect July 1, we are ready in our June meeting to make the formal resolution, to be able to cut the checks for the organizations. We have the opportunity tonight to review the applications. Discussion ensued on applications. Director Lechowicz will follow up with organizations with questions the commission has. MISCELLANEOUS: Next Saturday, March 30th, Director Lechowicz and Karen Nocera will be receiving an award from Representative Kai Belton at the Women’s Herstory Lunch Reception. Congratulations! ADJOURNMENT Leslie Spatola made a motion to adjourn, Andrea Dallas seconded. Approved unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 6:40 pm.