Recreation Advisory Board

CITY OF NORWICH Recreation Advisory Board Minutes – May 29, 2013 Members Present: Robert Spayne, Chairman Ray Stewart Mark Bettancourt Members Absent: John Iovino Others Present: C. Roger Moss, Recreation Director Thomas Dougherty Victoria Abele 1. Call to Order - The meeting was called to order at 6:01p.m. 2. Approval of Minutes – Motion: R. Stewart, 2nd M. Bettancourt. Approved unanimously 3. Old Business a. Renovations to Recreation Building i.) Director Moss updated the board on a meeting held with DPU regarding costs to replace heating and cooling systems conversion. The conversion will be to propane which could be changed out to natural gas if a line is run by the building. ii.) Also reported on the bid for window replacement – Bill Block, Purchasing Agent, informed Director Moss low bid came in at $31,298.00. We are waiting for B. Block to check references of the low bidder. iii.) 24 Seasonal Employees for Summer Camp have been offered positions. The HR Director requested a breakdown in ethnicity – 6 African Americans and 2 Asians. Camp is schedule to start June 24, 2013. There are 3 lifeguards not returning from last year and a new Head Lifeguard has been hired. All 4 seasonal maintenance staff will be returning – 3 have already started. iv.) “Take Me Fishing Grant” – R. Moss informed the Board that there was a fishing derby May 11, 2013. There were 65 children in attendance. The grant ends in July. He hopes to have a Loaner Program at the Mohegan Park Beach and Thayer’s Marina to promote fishing. v.) Budget 2013-14 – Director Moss informed the Board that he met with the City Manager, City Comptroller and H.R. Director earlier in the day (May 29th). He was informed that the City Council was not happy with the proposed budget and therefore cuts were going to be made. Effective July 1, 2013 the Administrative Secretary position would be eliminated. This position is held by Victoria Abele. She would have bumping rights within her union. Effective September 1, 2013 the Recreation Director’s position would also be eliminated. The maintenance staff would be moved to Public Works Department. Director Moss sent an emailed to find out when this would take place. He also inquired if he will have an operating budget. Also the Senior Citizen Director position will be eliminated effective September 1, 2013. They want to combine the Recreation Department and the Senior Citizen’s Department. A new Director’s position would be created. vi.) Chairman Spayne is calling a special meeting to be held June 4, 2012 at 6:30 pm with league directors, parents and participants in Rec. programs.  4. New Business a. The scoreboard donated by the Norwich Rotary has been delivered. 5. Concerns of the Board – Chairman R. Spayne asked about Fitzgerald Field access. T. Dougherty explained the situation went to court and no decision has been made at this time. The field has been used for practices this spring. Also no vandalism is occurring on the concession stand. 6. Adjournment – R. Stewart made a motion, M. Bettancourt 2nd for adjournment at 6:55 pm. Passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Victoria Abele, Administrative Secretary Norwich Recreation Department