Recreation & Parks Commission - Minutes - 08/25/2026

Waterford Recreation and Parks Commission
 Regular Meeting Minutes
August 25th, 2026 @ 4:30 pm
Members in attendance:  E. Murphy, E. Benvenuti, T. Santos, N. Scheiber, B. Kyne, M. Sheehan,
B. Tuneski (Finance Liaison)
Members Absent:  T. Stino, M. Chiappone, T. Burrows
Staff:
R. McNamara, T. Cieplik, N. Clack, E. Sullivan
Call to Order and Establish a Quorum:
Chairman E. Murphy called to order the regular scheduled meeting at 4:32 p.m. and a quorum was 
established.
Approval of Minutes:
Motion made by N. Scheiber and seconded by B. Kyne to approve the July 28, 2026 meeting minutes as 
amended with the spelling of Tracy Santos be changed to Traci Santos.  Also removing the following 
sentence - E. Benvenuti will give the contact information for EB to T. Cieplik.
Vote:  6-0-0
         Motion:  Approved
Public Comment:
None
Correspondence:
Thank you letters were read.
Staff Reports:  
R. McNamara, Director – Civic Triangle children’s playground will begin the install the end of September
thru mid-October.
Director McNamara met with the vendor for the quote and design of the Leary
playground and is pending review. There was a discussion with Three Bells Marina in regards to a Save
the River, Save the Hills kayak trail on the Niantic river.
T. Cieplik, Assistant Director – Brett Arnold will be the New Aquatic Director and has already begun taking
over the responsibilities. Make up concert for Nick Bosse and the Northern Roots will be our final summer
concert on August 26th. 1st Selectman’s Pickleball Tournament will be on September 19th at Leary Park.
Harvest Festival will be on October 10th at Waterford Beach Park.
N. Clack, Program Coordinator – Summer programs have come to an end and new sign-ups for the fall
have begun. There will be a new Strength & Sculpt class starting in October and the Fall Run Club will
now start and end at Waterford Beach Park. There has been communication with O’Neill, Harkness and
Camp Harkness to create fun, safe, scenic routes
Personnel:   All 3 Maintainer II positions have been filled and the new Aquatics Director has begun.
Youth Sports Council:    A meeting will be scheduled.
Long Range Planning: CIPs have been updated and R. McNamara will send out to Commission
Policy and Procedures:  Ongoing updates
Board of Ed:  Meeting will be held this week and B. Kyne will get info to T. Cieplik
Board of Finance: B. Tuneski reported they are going over Capital review and inquired about the band
stand for WBP
Historical Society:  Some work is being done inside the buildings (ie: light fixtures)

O’Neil Theatre: Look into getting quarterly updates/reports. E. Murphy will get the contract to circulate to
Commission.
Senior Services: None
New Business:
A Fee Waiver Request Form for the Thames Stamp Club on 10/17/2026 was discussed.
Motion made by E. Benvenuti and seconded by T. Santos to deny the fee waiver request form for the
Thames Stamp Club due no insurance and lack of criteria being met.
Vote:  6-0-0                    Motion:  Denied
A Fee Waiver Request Form for the Thames River Garden Club on 5/7 & 5/8/2027 was discussed.
Motion made by N. Scheiber and seconded by B. Kyne to approve the fee waiver request form for the
Thames River Garden Club contingent upon providing insurance.  
Vote:  6-0-0
Discussion of the 2027 beach stickers were discussed. 
Motion made by B. Kyne and seconded by E. Benvenuti to approve the fee schedule for the FY2027 beach
stickers as discussed.  
Vote:  Unanimous      Motion:  Approved
Adjournment:
Motion made by B. Kyne and seconded by T. Santos to adjourn the meeting at 6:02 pm.
Vote:  6-0-0
           Motion:  Approved
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Sullivan
Recording Secretary