Recreation & Parks Commission - Minutes - 05/24/2022

WATERFORD RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION

The Recreation and Parks Commission held their regular scheduled meeting on
Tuesday, May 25, 2021.  Chairperson Santos presided.

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Cs. Santos, Gardiner, Scheiber, Chiappone, Murphy,
Erricson, Hall

MEMBERS ABSENT:  Cs. Beaney

Guest:  Robert Tuneski, Finance Board Liaison

MOTION #1:  Made by Cs. Scheiber, seconded by C. Erricson to approve the
minutes of the March 23, 2021 and the Special meeting of April 13, 2021
meetings as received.  There was no April meeting due to a lack of a
quorum.  So voted 6-0.  C. Chiappone arrived late, therefore a change in
vote count.

STAFF REPORTS:   All reports are on file. The Director reported on the
revenue and expenditures as of the 30th of April.  Due to COVID, the beach
sales had a slow start but sales have picked up.  He reported that we will
have a new Maintainer I on staff starting June 14th and a summer maintainer
should be on board at that time.  Preparations for summer programs and
beaches have been in full swing.  The community center is open and many
programs are starting up again.  The pool will be open for swim times once
the staff is available.  The Mobi mats are in place at this time, along
with the sidewalk with new trees and shrubs.  We await for the new toilet
buildings which are being constructed. The Town’s staff will complete the
remaining work to be done.   The Utility Commissions’ staff has been
extremely helpful in this project. The new software, “RecDesk” is on line
for registrations and is working out well.  The Leary Park basketball court
reconstruction and the town hall court repairs are planned for the summer
of 2021.  The irrigation projects at Vet’s field and Leary Park will be re-
visited.  Director Flaherty spoke on the present budget balances for 2021
and will need to make some transfers in certain line items.  He has worked
with Environmental Planner to apply for a grant to fix the Jordan Mill Dam
Fishway.  The Marine Science from Waterford High is working on placing
signs for Dune Protection.

MOTION #2:  Made by C. Gardiner, seconded by C. Murphy to approve the Signs
for Dune Marsh Protection which staff and Town departments will approve
final wording. So voted 7-0.

MOTION #3:  Made by C. Gardiner, seconded by C. Erricson to approve the
request from the Director to transfer monies to complete the budget for
2021 in needed line items.  Discussion held.  So voted 7-0.

The Assistant Director reviewed his report with the members.  In addition
he reported on new garage doors at both maintenance buildings is being
completed.  DEF Electric Company has finished repairs to the repaired
gatehouse, light at Leary Park and garage door openers.  The Veteran War
Park is being prepared for Memorial Day observations.  He reported that
representatives from Youth Basketball would present a plan for travel
teams.  The grounds around the police station, Youth services, Public
Safety, schools have all been cleaned, seeded and mulched in preparation
for promotion days, graduations and summer programs.







Page 2 - May 25, 2021 Commission Meeting

The Program Coordinator reviewed her report and spoke about hiring the
summer staff.  Many changes have been made due to the Pandemic.  Summer
concerts are all set with the usual food trucks that are returning.
Program registrations have begun with a few already completely filled.  The
playgrounds are all ready to start the end of June with Covid 19
restrictions in place.

CORRESPONDENCE:

A Letter was received from Commissioner Bill Whelan.  He has resigned from
the Commission after completing 57 years of service to the town.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

      ~ Long Range Planning:  The Director reported that a committee would
be forthcoming for the plans for the Duck Pond, boardwalk area.

      ~ Policy & Procedures:  Work is continuing on updating the booklet
for policies and procedures

REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS:

      ~ Senior Citizen Mural Wall:  All the tiles have been finished.  Work
has started on preparations for the “wall” at this time.

      ~ Board of Education:  C. Hall will review the 1990.   Memorandum of
Understanding between the Board and the Commission.

The Chairman appointed C. Scheiber as representative to the Historical
Society

Discussion was held on the park lights at Mago Point.  The maintenance men
will remove two lamps from the park, as they are not working.

The Director reported that another survey for Pleasure Beach would need to
be done, according to the Town Attorney.  Plans are for Mobi pads to be
installed and the entrance to the beach area improved.

New signage will be installed in some of our parks.  One being the parking
for the tennis courts/pickle ball court at Waterford Beach.

A discussion was held on the proposed Alcohol Ordinance.  The Commission is
waiting for a final review that will go before the RTM, June 7, 2021.

The bids for the scorer’s booth at Cohanzie field came too high.  Different
plans are being made to do some of the work in-house.

MOTION #4:  Made by C. Erricson, seconded by C. Hall to adjourn.  So voted
7-0.  Meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.



Respectfully submitted

Ann Nolan, Secretary