Recreation & Parks Commission - Minutes - 05/28/2024

Waterford Recreation and Parks Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
May 28th, 2024 @ 4:30 pm
Waterford Community Center
The Recreation and Parks Commission held a regular scheduled meeting on May 28th, 2024 at the 
Waterford Community Center. Meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m. by Program Coordinator, T. 
Cieplik and a quorum was established.
Members in attendance:    L. Beaney, M. Gwudz, R. Erricson, T. Santos, E. Murphy, N. Scheiber, T. 
Stino, J. Gregg
Members Absent:  R. McNamara (Director), M. Chiappone
Staff: T. Cieplik (Program Coordinator), E. Sullivan (Office Coordinator)
Guests:  Laurie Wolfley – R.I.S.E. Representative
Approval of Meeting Minutes :
April 23rd, 2024 - (Motion #1):  R. Erricson made a motion and J. Gregg seconded to approve the April 
23rd meeting minutes as amended.  Under Approval of Meeting Minutes the word spelt should be 
changed to spelled.  Under Staff Reports the word warrant should be changed to warranty, the word may 
should be capitalized and changed to May.  The word wresting should have an “l” in it to be spelled 
wrestling and under Representative Reports the O’Neil Theater should have two l’s to be spelled as 
O’Neill Theater.  So voted 8/0
Public Comments:
Laura Wolfley – Waterford RISE Representative shared that they will be having an event in the 
Community Center dining room on Saturday, June 15th from 10 am – 12:30 pm to discuss and share with 
the community what Juneteenth holiday is all about.  Waterford RISE is asking for the fees to be waived 
for this community event.  (Motion #2)  E. Murphy made a motion and N. Scheiber seconded to approve 
that the fees be waived for this event.  So voted 8/0
Correspondence:
None
Staff Reports:  
Director - R. McNamara (reported by T. Cieplik in absence)
Current budget expenditure $1,141,157.  General Fund revenues $200,914 and Special Revenue is an 
approximately at a $76,500.00 balance. Civic Triangle updates:  Trash cans and benches finalized and in
the process of quotes and purchasing.  Our major problem currently is we are using decoys and other 
deterrence to keep the geese off of the walk. We have discussed with the engineer and other companies 
in regards to solutions or materials we can use to remove the poop from the walkway.  It will be a 
pressure wash with fan tip to help remove some of the poop. All contractors are still on schedule to finish 
in early July with the grand opening of the pond on August 9th the day before the town parade.  They 
have finalized the contract with Building One to include our evening and daytime hours in the next 
contract so that we will be covered for anytime an employee out and the staff will have the appropriate 
background for the use of cleaning supplies and industrial cleaning experience.  Maintenance:  
Congratulations to Josh Therrien for his promotion to Forman.  The previous foreman, Scott Olson has 
decided that he was not able to commit to the expectations of the position and has returned to a 
maintainer position.  Installing new dune fencing at Waterford Beach Park. We are also installing mulch 

and fixing gardens throughout the town.  We will be transitioning to the Board of Ed for field days and 
graduations.  We are moving most of our operations down to Waterford Beach Park, the Connex box and
most things up at the Vets Garage have been transferred down and we will be transitioning to move down 
there by the end of this week. We are working with
Senior Services on a community garden in the back of the community center that will be maintained by 
senior volunteers.  The Fiscal Year 25 budget has been approved through all boards.  (Motion #3)   T. 
Santos made a motion and R. Erricson seconded allow the Director to perform any necessary in and out 
of transfers to reconcile the budget before the end of the year on June 30th, 2024.  So voted 8/0.  Town 
Hall basketball courts have been approved at the first stage with the Board of Selectmen the previous 
projects at Town Hall and Leary were combined into one and we are asking for an additional 
appropriation to complete the Town Hall basketball courts with post tension concrete.  Youth Lacrosse 
Update – incident happened during lacrosse practice where a participant received a concussion.  Anti-
bully and cyber-bully information was made available.  Making sure that they are following the bylaws, 
proper clearance protocol and the concussion protocol.  This will be discussed with the Youth Sports 
Council to make sure all are being followed across all sports so it is universal. 
Project Coordinator – T. Cieplik
Gatehouse opened this Memorial Day weekend and the beach was full.  We are in full swing with 
Playground planning and onboarding.  We have been attending Parade planning meetings for August 
10th.  Summer booklet will be mailed this week and registration starts June 2nd for programs running 
July/August.  All gatehouse and playground personnel have been hired.  We are still accepting 
applications for lifeguards
with the lifeguard certification class ongoing we are hoping to get a few more.  The change in the annual 
maintenance schedule and closer dates for the pool are to close around the end of school for 2 weeks 
and be ready to open by summer programming July 1st.  A new punch card system installed for staff at 
pool.  To date we have had more online sales for beach stickers then all of last season.  Summer 
concerts have been booked and we will have 10 weeks of summer concerts starting on June 19th.
Committee Reports:

Nominating - None

Personnel – Assistant Director still over in Human Resources for review.

Youth Sports Council – Proper forms must be submitted or fields and spaces will not be allowed 
for use.

Long Range Planning – None

Policies and procedures – T. Santos and E. Murphy have received the electronic copy and will 
look it over and make changes as needed.  
Representative Reports:

Board of Ed – None

Board of Finance – None

Historical Society – None

O’Neill Theater – T. Santos will forward emails to N. Scheiber so she can communicate with them 
for

Senior Services – None
Adjournment:
(Motion #5):  Made by R. Erricson and seconded by J. Gregg to adjourn the meeting.  So voted 7-0.
Meeting adjourned at 5:10 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Sullivan
Recreation and Parks Commission