Recreation & Parks Commission - Minutes - 03/26/2024

Waterford Recreation and Parks Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
March 26, 2024 – 4:30 pm
Waterford Community Center
The Recreation and Parks Commission held a regular scheduled
meeting on March 26, 2024, at the Waterford Community Center.
Meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m. by Chairman E. Murphy
and a quorum was established.
Members in attendance: R. Erricson, T. Santos, M. Gwudz, E.
Murphy, N. Scheiber, T. Stino
Members Absent: J.Gregg, L.Beaney, M.Chiappone
Staff: R. McNamara (Director), T. Cieplik (Program Coordinator)
Absent: E. Sullivan (Office Coordinator)
Guests: R. Tuneski - Finance Liaison, Laurie Wolfley – R.I.S.E.
representative
Approval of Meeting Minutes:
There was not a meeting held in February. Special meeting minutes
from beginning of March were not included in the agenda packet
and will be available for review in the April meeting agenda.
Public Comments:
Laurie Wolfley, on behalf of Waterford RISE, would like to request
the Community Center space for a 5 part book discussion series.
Advertisement included for promotion. PC Cieplik will follow up
with availability and coordinate with Community Center

departments.
(Motion #1): Made by R. Erricson and seconded by N. Schieber to
allow use of the Community Center and waive any associated fees
for the book discussion series. So voted 6-0.
Correspondence:
No correspondence presented.
Staff Reports:
Director - R. McNamara
Moving forward in July with plans for Pleasure Beach access walk
and Stenger Farm walk and bathroom design plan. Waterford Beach
Park buildings and inventory needs for new facility. Maintenance
operations will be shifting to the WBP garage in mid-May.
Staff have successfully gotten through the budgetary process.
Approvals from the Board of Selectman and Board of Finance have
been received. Final board approval is RTM in May.
Maintenance has had setbacks with the weather; however, the staff
have been eager to get work done on ballfields and preparing
equipment for spring operations.
Leary ballpark french drain project is on hold due to weather
conditions and ability to get equipment in the area to finish the
work.
Board of education fieldwork and geese dropping removal going
well with new equipment attachments.
Clearing of branches and limbs throughout properties as well as
Historical Society Apple grove.
Installed a brand new meter pit on Rope Ferry Road while the park
was under construction. Big Thank You to the Utility Commission
for their assistance.

Meeting with contractor and BOE on review of Great Neck school
history and improvement options.
Looking to introduce a bench program for donating benches around
the newly established boardwalk to help offset project costs. The
Town is also looking to use some of the Beautification fund (alcohol
nip sale fund) to also alleviate costs for trashcans and picnic tables
in the park.
Update on moth exposure within the Community Center arts and
crafts rooms. Treatments were applied and recommendations
followed.
Applications for the Community Center daytime custodian were
reviewed. Interested in interviewing 4 out of the 8 applicants.
The Personnel subcommittee is ready to present the job descriptions
to the Commission at the April meeting for review and approval to
send to Human Resources and First Selectman.
Friends of Nevins Cottage is developing and R&P will be providing
oversight and assistance for obtaining funds for property
improvements and uses of the building.
T. Santos inquired about the Civic Triangle Committee’s
involvement with new bench program and designs.
Project Coordinator – T. Cieplik
Thank you to the maintenance crew for their work towards getting
fields ready for the programs and co-sponsored groups.
Current programming being extended further due to demand and
interest. Space is biggest issue in meeting the need.
Easter Egg Hunt info for the weekend event at WBP.
Focusing on summer staff and returning employees. Early insight
has roughly 80% returning staff, and recruiting has already begun.
Lifeguarding remains a priority in positional promotions. M.Gwudz

mentioned having about 7 students being certified at the end of the
semester and will get their information to PC Cieplik.
Water Safety event in May at WHS pool.
Reported on Neil Hoelck tournament. Volunteers have really done
an excellent job in running the tournament for over 40 years.
Working with youth sports groups for data on use of facilities and
fields. Some groups are more difficult to track down this
information, so staff is hoping to work with volunteers to help dial
in those efforts. Staff have requested statistics that are not currently
available from the groups.
Solar eclipse event being collaborated with Harkness Park on their
waterfront and WBP.
Committee Reports:
Nominating - None
Personnel – will present Program Coordinator and Assistant
Director job descriptions in April.
Youth Sports Council – February minutes out to the groups. Next
meeting in June.
Long Range Planning – In progress.
Policies and procedures – T. Santos and E. Murphy need to look
over now that it is computerized.
Representative Reports:
Board of Ed – None
Board of Finance – R. Tuneski mentioned the budget being
approved. Asked L. Wolfley about the BOE budget passing and
congratulations.
Historical Society – communication ongoing with needs and

coordination. N.Scheiber having difficult time getting in touch with
group.
O’Neil Theater – None
Senior Services – SS meets at same time as our meetings but N.
Scheiber visiting the Community Center multiple times during the
week. Happy to report the folding chair legs were repaired.
Properties:
Arrangements with Building One custodians are working out nicely
in the interim at the Community Center. Awaiting the seasonal
weather change to determine how well the HVAC has been
repaired.
New Business:
(Motion #2): Made by N. Scheiber and seconded by T.Stino to
approve the request from ECHO Oncology for waiving of fees for
the Veterans field on Sunday, May 19th to host a fundraiser for The
ECHO Cancer Foundation. So voted 6-0
Director McNamara introduced policy adapting a “hold” policy for
rental of the Community Center. Will continue review with the
Finance Director to finalize the policy with process for collecting
any damages over the 25% hold.
PC Cieplik reported on Lion’s club use of Community Center for
Super Soup event and craft show
Adjournment:
(Motion #4): Made by R. Erricson and seconded by N. Scheiber to
adjourn the meeting. So voted 6-0.
Meeting adjourned at 5:18 pm

Respectfully submitted,
Ryan McNamara, Director
Recreation and Parks Commission