Recreation & Parks Commission - Minutes - 09/22/2026

Waterford Recreation and Parks Commission
 Regular Meeting Minutes
September 22, 2026 @ 4:30 pm
Members in attendance:  E. Murphy, T. Santos, N. Scheiber, B. Kyne, T. Stino, B. Tuneski (Finance 
Liaison)
Members Absent: T. Burrows, E. Benvenuti
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 4:30 p.m. and a quorum was 
established.
Approval of Minutes:
Motion made by B. Kyne and seconded by N. Scheiber to approve the August 25, 2026 meeting minutes.
Vote:  5-0-0
         Motion:  Approved
Public Comment:
Members of the Abbiati family came to express their deep interest in a honoring their father with a family 
bench in front of the Waterford Community Center.  The family has been doing a water stop for 64 years 
during the John Kelly Road Race. The bench would be the ½ way mark of the race and a great location 
for those runners/walkers to rest and get a cup of water.  The Abbiati family plans to pay for the bench 
and a plaque in their family’s honor for all to enjoy.
Correspondence:
All correspondence was read.
Staff Reports:  
R. McNamara, Director – Director McNamara had a CIP meeting with First Selectman and Finance Director
and the end of Sept/Oct will be the scheduled install for pavilion at the children’s playground in the civic
triangle. The quote has been received for the Pleasure Beach Boardwalk that is still over the allotted 147k.
Planning to go back to engineer to design lower cost options. May have to go for an additional
appropriation. Leary Park playground met with the vendor and we are looking at an accessible playground
for 185k. To keep costs down we would be removing the old equipment ourselves. Maintenance has
caught up and doing a lot bagging at most locations. Ballfield renovations and winterization prep has begun
post Fall Ball. Planning to bring in a seasonal maintainer from April – September to keep us up to date for
next year so we do not have to pull anyone off ballfields. RTM subcommittee approved our plan to increase
our beach rates and will now be moved to the RTM. Recreation and Parks has taken over the War Park
brick orders and installation operation.
N. Clack, Program Coordinator – First Selectman’s Annual Pickleball Tournament was held on September
19, 2026 and was a huge success. Next year we will look for more sponsors and food trucks/bbq area for
viewers.
Programs are all running smoothly. Special Events are in place with Harvest Festival (10/10),
Addy’s Run 10/18), Trunk or Treat (10/18), Pearl Harbor Road Race (12/5) and Tree Lightings (12/11 &
12/12). The program booklet for winter/spring has been started. Printing is on a 2-1/2 week turnaround
time.
Aquatics has 4 full roster classes that have been delayed and rescheduled due to the lack of
lifeguards at the pool. It was recommended to send an email to parents of juniors and seniors for those
that want to take the course or have a job as a lifeguard.  B. Kyne offered to bring concern to the BOE.
Personnel:   All positions are filled

Youth Sports Council: T. Cieplik and N. Clack met with Basketball and there is change in leadership with
T. Thurlow and J. Miner. T. Stino would like to get a subcommittee meeting set up as soon as possible
and also for all to go see the Quaker Hill fields as a Commission.
Long Range Planning: No update
Policy and Procedures:
B. Kyne has offered to help work on the subcommittee.
A meeting will be
scheduled for October 27th at 4 pm.
Board of Ed: B. Kyne reported the BOE is happy with all the work our maintainers are doing around the
highschool.
Board of Finance: B. Tuneski reported all is going well.
Historical Society:  None
O’Neil Theatre:  No update
Senior Services: Senior Day at the beach
New Business:
Put on agenda for next meeting (October) - slate for elections and committees.
Adjournment:
Motion made by B. Kyne and seconded by T. Santos to adjourn the meeting at 5:30 pm.
Vote:  5-0-0
           Motion:  Approved
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Sullivan
Recording Secretary