Recreation & Parks Commission - Minutes - 12/09/2025

Waterford Recreation and Parks Commission
December 9th, 2025 @ 4:30 pm
The Recreation and Parks Commission held a special meeting on December 9th, 2025. The meeting was 
called to order at 4:32 p.m. by Director R. McNamara and a quorum was established.
Members in attendance:  M. Sheehan, N. Scheiber, T. Stino, T. Santos, R. Erricson, M. Chiappone
Members Absent:  T. Burrows, B. Kyne, E. Murphy
Staff:
R. McNamara, T. Cieplik, N. Clack, E. Sullivan
Approval of Meeting Minutes:
Motion by N. Scheiber and seconded by R. Erricson to approve the October 28, 2025 meeting minutes.
Vote:  6-0-0
Motion:  Approved
Public Comment:
L. Wolfey, Waterford Rise, wanted to say thank you for allowing them to use the space and the event 
they held had a great turnout.  Inquiring about the use of the Community Center Foyer to do a collection 
of non-perishable food for the Waterford Food Bank Saturday, December 20th from 8-12.
Motion by M. Chiappone and seconded by N. Scheiber to allow Waterford Rise the use of the foyer to 
collect food donations for the Waterford Food Bank on December 20th, 2025.
Vote:  6-0-0
Motion:  Approved
Correspondence:
The Recreation and Parks Department received thank you letters from Camel Athletics, Terri Brodeaur,
Ann Nolan, 
And Ocean Beach Park. Waterford Rise submitted a request for the use of the foyer for a food drive.
Waterford Regional Lions requested fees to be waived for the Spring Fling on March 21st, 2026.
Motion by T. Stino and seconded by R. Erricson to approve the fees be waived for the Waterford Regional
Lions Spring Fling contingent upon the forms being filled out appropriately.
Vote:  6-0-0
Motion:  Approved
Staff Reports:  
R. McNamara, Director – Civic triangle awaiting quotes for installing a message kiosk near the playground
for programs and updates. Pleasure Beach Boardwalk and Stenger Farm Dog Park/Walk access awaiting
quotes. Maintenance rented lift for a month to handle a fallen tree on Boston Post Road due to Public
Works tree truck was not available. Cost of tree removal vs cost of rental for a month was more cost
effective and we were able to help Utility commission clear several tree hazards and also clear around
Leary Park. Little League South has approval forms for permits to move forward with the shed replacement.
Leary Park Courts are under warranty for the discoloration. AEDs are being installed at Leary and Vets
parks. The water meters have all been removed and are being winterized. The Youth Sports Council
meeting was successful. Current challenges and checklists for budget submittals and data collection were
discussed.
T. Cieplik, Assistant Director – Special events are going nicely with Pearl Harbor being well attended on
December 7th and upcoming plans for weekend of December 12th with Waterford and Quaker Hill tree
lightings and the Waterford Community Band Holiday Concert. Scheduling of indoor activities for winter
time is always a challenge with limited space in schools. Met with R. McNamara and J. Mancini to discuss
the scheduling software and how to maximize use properly.

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December Commission Meeting
N. Clack, Program Coordinator - The winter program booklet went out first week in December. Pearl
Harbor Road Race went extremely well. Noted we should put signs out the day before the race so the
community is aware it will be going on and plan accordingly. Our social media Facebook has hit one million
views this year and the launch of Instagram has 200 followers in 2 weeks. We plan to do more interaction
with community highlights such as Youth Services and Youth Sports.  
Committee Reports:
Personnel – R. McNamara will be starting the process to bring another fulltime maintainer on in
January/February.
Youth Sports Council – Meeting was held and thank you to T. Stino for attending.
Long Range Planning – R. McNamara was able to review for the next five years
Policies and Procedures – Ongoing – Fee waivers to be implemented.
Representative Reports:
Board of Education – No update
Board of Finance – No update
Historical Society: R. McNamara met with the Historical Society to discuss some of the project around the
buildings that need to be cleaned up.
O’Neill Theater – 1.5 million donation and grant for improvements and structures. These will come thru
Recreation and Park and will be supervised by the building manager at Public Works.
Senior Services – R. McNamara reported that they will be getting new software for their van drivers.
Old Business:
New Business:
A discussion of how the commission would like to proceed with a scholarship in the memory of Thomas
Dembek.
There will be four $500.00 scholarships and 4 applicants that have given public service and completed the
application along with other criteria as outlined in the scholarship will be chosen
A motion was made by R. Erricson and seconded by T. Stino to have scholarships in the name of Thomas
Dembek.
Vote:  6-0-0
Motion:  Approved
Adjournment:
Motion by R. Erricson and seconded by T. Stino to adjourn the meeting at 5:25 pm.
Vote:  6-0-0
Motion:  Approved
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Sullivan
Office Coordinator