Recreation & Parks Commission - Minutes - 01/23/2024

Waterford Recreation and Parks Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
January 23, 2024 – 4:30 pm
Waterford Community Center
The Recreation and Parks Commission held a regular scheduled
meeting on January 23, 2024th, 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: L. Beaney, M. Chiappone, R. Erricson, J.
Gregg, M. Gwudz, E. Murphy, N. Scheiber, T. Stino
Members Absent: T. Santos
Staff: R. McNamara (Director), T. Cieplik (Program Coordinator), E.
Sullivan (Office Coordinator)
Guests: R. Tuneski - Finance Liaison, B. Hogarty – Little League and
Basketball President
Approval of Meeting Minutes:
(Motion #1) - Made by Richard Erricson and seconded by J. Gregg
to approve the minutes of the November 28th, 2023 regular
meeting. So voted 8-0
Public Comments:
None
Correspondence:

Sean Kane sent a holiday card and note to say Quaker Hill Tree
lighting was a huge success. Ryan Marshall Foundation sent a card
with a donation of $2,000 that goes towards youth sports. We
received a letter of appreciation and information on Waterford
historic cemeteries from Theresa Kegley who is also hopeful to get
some volunteers to help with the upkeep of Howard Cemetery and
also Harris Cemetery. M. Gwudz shared she may have an Eagle
Scout that would be willing to help. James Kegley sent a letter with
a $100 Donation for maintenance of the Jordan Cemetery on
Mullen Hill Road or any other cemetery location in Waterford.
Apology letters were received from juveniles that would like to
have access to the community center after an incident. Two of the
letters were hand written and one was typed. There was 6 months
to a year given where those involved are not able to come to the
community center and 2 months have passed.. M. Chiappone and
M. Gwudz thought community service may lessen the time they are
out and a proposal will be discussed at our next meeting for 2 of the
individuals. FOI Request email was forwarded from Attorney Avena
requesting documents and 3 documents were sent already we will
wait for the update.
Staff Reports:
Director - R. McNamara
Haley Ward has finalized their plan for the Pleasure Beach
accessible path. The plan currently sits in review with other town
departments. Funding request has been submitted CIP plan. Quotes
submitted for post tension concrete surfacing throughout town,
Jordan Park House parking lot improvements, playground and
equittable access to our parks.. Maintainers have been working hard
on leaf removal at all Town and BOE properties and remove holiday
decorations throughout Town. Wood deliveries for those in need
have been ongoing and busy. Spring early order is completed for
fertilizers and seed for
BOE and Town properties. The kitchen has been rated at a higher
level by Ledge Light and is no longer included in the public rental.
T. Wheeler from Senior Services is in charge of the kitchen. We are
looking at putting together a list of food trucks to cater so rentals

have some options. Dominion property meeting with Waterford
Little League was decided that the Cannons are not be able to use
that field use but have other facilities such as Leary and Quaker Hill
available. Waterford Little league only can use the Dominion field
and also has the first priority for field use such as Dedrick and
Leary. There are 75-80% Waterford children on the Cannons.
Recreation Basketball had and incident with 2 participants and it
was reviewed by Mr. Macrino (Oswegatchi Principal), R. McNamara
and T. Cieplik and there was nothing on the video that was
malicious or in the wrong. It ended up on facebook and a
diciplinary written warning for 1 child was given and the parents
received a suspension from the games from the following Tuesday
thru Sunday which involved 1 game. It was decided that there will
be a board member attending the games in the future. Youth Sport
Council-Co-sponsored annual contracts will be instituted and
discussed at the February meeting. Board of Selectman Budget
Hearing will be on Monday, February 5th at 4pm in Town Hall. Our
concert series contracts have been secured with a few open spots
left. There is a plan to extend to have an event at QH and the Civic
Triangle. We are also looking to possibly do some fundraising with
the sale of summer concert t-shirts. Our seasonal staff letters for
return and onboarding will begin in February for our summer
programs and services.
Project Coordinator – T. Cieplik
Winter programs has 507 registrations and still incoming. 40+
programs for January-May. Aquatics is running at near capacity for
lessons. Onboarding of the swim aids for upcoming swim programs
next month and creating summer hiring plan with E. Sullivan.
Aquatics and Pool has had changes in the AM Lap swim and moved
to 5:30-6:30am after reevaluation of school safety polices. Pool
parties are booking on Sundays until Late March and then will start
to book on Saturdays. Programming for people with special needs
and there is a large interest in Southeast CT with other towns to
work together on programming to meet the needs and not duplicate
programs. M. Gwudz shared that Best Buddies is someone to contact
as they are involved with all ages. Our special events –Pearl Harbor
Road Race had 80+ Registrants and was a great success and our

42nd annual race. The annual tree lightings were very well
attended with over 400 in attendance with a DJ, Santa, volunteers
lending there time to make it magical for all. Quaker Hill tree
lighting – December 9th. Upcoming Special Events are the February
11th Valentines Dance, March 30th Egg Hunt, May 19th Family
Kayak Regatta and Summer Concerts starting in June. Programming
has been a success and classes are full and running strong. There is
a great interest for more indoor Pickle ball opportunities.
Committee Reports:
Nominating - None
Personnel – committee will meet to discuss the position of Assistant
Director.
Youth Sports Council – Meeting is being set up for February.
Long Range Planning – In the works with the CIP - R. McNamara
will email to J. Gregg.
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 – No Reports
Historical Society – working with them at least monthly
O’Neil Theater – None
Senior Services – None
Properties:
Rock wall is being put in at the duck pond and the rail and walks
will continue thru March. The lighting installed and adjoining walks

poured during the spring while the street scape is getting done.
Phase 2 is still in the design/development stages..
New Business:
(Motion #2): Made by N. Scheiber and seconded by R. Erricson to
approve the request from Safe Futures waiving of fees for the WHS
Pool events on Feb 11, May 12th, and June 15th or 22nd. So voted
8-0
Review of the FY25 Operating budget: Budget increased by $90K.
The Assistant Director position will go in place for July of 2025 and
we are also looking to have 1 seasonal park maintainer for 5
months (April – August). The majority of our Utilities budget was
transferred to Public Works budget.
(Motion #3): Made by N. Scheiber and seconded by R. Erricson to
approve the FY25 Operating Budget for submittal. So voted 8-0
Adjournment:
(Motion #4): Made by R. Erricson and seconded by T. Stino to
adjourn the meeting. So voted 8-0.
Meeting adjourned at 5:42 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Sullivan, Office Coordinator
Recreation and Parks Commission