Recreation & Parks Commission - Minutes - 07/27/2021

The Waterford Recreation and Parks Commission held their regular meeting on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, 4:00 p.m. in the 
Community Center.  Chairperson Santos presided.
MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:  Cs. Santos, Hall, Scheiber, Murphy, Erricson, Gardiner, Beaney, Elci
MEMBER ABSENT: C. Chiappone.
STAFF:  Director Flaherty, Assistant Director McNamara, Program Coordinator Sullivan
GUESTS:  Charlie Sedell from the Historical Society
MOTION #1:  Made by C. Gardiner, seconded by C. Scheiber to approve the minutes of the June 22, 2021 meeting as 
received.  So voted 8-0.
The Chair introduced new commissioner Steve Elci.  She also introduced Mr. Charlie Sedell.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC:  Mr. Sedell who works with the Historical Society spoke to the members of his interest
in working with the Recreation and Parks Commission in different projects. He has recently given a class on welding to 
the maintainers.
CORRESPONDENCE:
~ Letter from the First Selectman re:  beach stickers for Veterans and Seniors.
~ A revised list for Commission members
A discussion was held regarding free beach stickers for Veterans and Seniors, requested by the First Selectman. The 
Director will do research on this request and report to the Commission at a future meeting.
STAFF REPORTS:  All reports were placed on file.  In addition, the Director thanked the staff for their assistance while 
he was on vacation.  He discussed the end of budget year 2020-2021.  He reported on the progress of the work being 
done at the Arnie Holmes Park, the Jordan Green and all the schools, with clean up and plantings being added in.  The 
two new bathrooms at Waterford Beach Park are in place and in good working order.  Additional work continues to 
complete the surrounding areas.  We have received many happy resident compliments with these additions. The 
Commission has received another donation from the Gardiner Foundation for the children’s park in the Civic Triangle. 
We are still waiting for Invoice Cloud to set up with RecDesk.  We are waiting for the final plan on Pleasure Beach and 
we hope to start work on the entrance path in the fall.   The Parks Foundation is looking for volunteers.  He has met 
with the First Selectman on our Capital Improvement Plan for the Basketball Court repairs, a needed equipment 
storage building and other projects.  He thanked Kerry for her years of dedicated service.  The Commission felt strongly 
that it would be advisable to have a new person in place in order to be trained, prior to Kerry’ retirement.  The 
Commission instructed the Director to write a letter of thanks to the Utility Commission due to all the help they 
provided in the beach bathroom project.
The Assistant Director reported the different projects, which have been completed, such as the gate at Grimsby Beach, 
clearing the areas around the pond, helping with the irrigation system at the high school, repairs to the lights at Vets 
Field.  He reported on the request to place a bench for a former lifeguard.  He reported that Ryan Miller, a seasonal 
maintainer has returned, making a staff of eight maintainers.  
The Program Coordinator reported that the summer playground program is going well with the children adhering to 
wearing masks.  A few programs were canceled due to lack of sign-ups.  The pool programs are all back on schedule but
the attendance has been lower than usual. The beach staff is working out well with the lifeguards have training classes 
each week.  She hopes to get a manual finished for the Program Coordinators position in the department.
Programming planning is underway with online registration planned.

July 27, 2021 – Recreation and Parks Commission Meeting
REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS:
C. Scheiber reported that the Mural Committee is ready to get the mural placed in the lobby of the 
Community Center.
OLD BUSINESS:  A discussion was held on the donation of a park bench and where it should be placed.
MOTION #2:  Made by C. Ericson, seconded by C. Murphy to move this request off the table.  So voted 8-0.
MOTION #3:  Made by C. Gardiner, seconded by C. Erricson, to approve the placement of the memorial park bench for 
a former lifeguard at Pleasure Beach.  Discussion held.  So voted 8-0.
A discussion was held on the proposed Food Truck Festival or September 11, 2021.  It was suggested that a later date 
would be better.  The Commission also asked the Director to inquire about a proposed plan for the Jordan Park House 
re-purposed as a coffee shop.
MOTION #4:  Made by C. Erricson, seconded by C.Murphy.  So voted 8-0.  Meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann Nolan, Secretary
Recreation and Parks