Recreation & Parks Commission - Minutes - 09/23/2025

Waterford Recreation and Parks Commission
September 23rd, 2025 @ 4:30 pm
Waterford Community Center
The Recreation and Parks Commission held a regular scheduled meeting on September 23, 2025 at the Waterford 
Community Center. The Meeting was called to order at 4:32 p.m. by Commission Member, E. Murphy and a 
quorum was established.
Members in attendance:  E. Murphy, T. Santos, B. Kyne, T. Stino, T. Burrows, R. Erricson
Members Absent:  M. Sheehan, M. Chiappone, N. Scheiber
Staff:  R. McNamara (Director), T. Cieplik (Assistant Director), E. Sullivan (Absent)
Approval of Meeting Minutes:
Motion by R. Erricson and seconded by T. Burrows to approve the August 26th, 2025 meeting minutes.
Vote:  6-0-0
Motion:  Approved
Public Comment:
Mary Childs (Waterford Rise) thanked the Commission.  Three of her children are employed as lifeguards and 
thought it was very nice to give the lifeguards gift cards to Cowlicks and letter of appreciation.  She also thanked the
Commission for the support of Waterford Rise.  Laurie Wolfley (Waterford Rise) shared that Book Club been very 
successful.  
T. Burrows asked what the policies/criteria is for waiving of fees and a discussion ensued.
Motion by T. Stino and seconded by B. Kyne to move the new business of Waterford RISE up on the agenda for 
discussion. 
Vote: 6-0-0
Motion:  Approved
Laurie Wolfley, Waterford RISE asked to have the fees waived for use of the Community Center on Thursday, 
November 13th from 5-8 pm.
Motion was made by R. Erricson and seconded by B. Kyne to waive the fees for Waterford RISE to use the 
Community Center.
Vote: 6-0-0
Motion:  Approved
Correspondence:
Jess Wenzel thanked us for our lifeguards at the beach doing a wonderful job and assisting patrons.
Staff Reports:  
R. McNamara, Director –First Selectman’s Pickleball Tournament will be on September 20th at Leary Park. There are
new benches, trashcans, bathrooms have been painted, message boards will be installed, bike rack and an AED has
been ordered.
The focus is making the park available to everyone. We will be putting in concrete pads for trash cans and benches
at the War Park and the Town Hall basketball court area. Pavillion Plan is in place for location to be next to the
playground.  Plan and quote for Pleasure Beach and Stenger projects are in review.
Robotic field painter has proven to be very helpful and we are doing research into robotic mowers to support our
effort. Sod replacement for the baseball fields at Waterford High School and Leary will begin by end of September.
The new Program Coordinator will begin October 6th.
T. Cieplik, Assistant Director –We have had 5 years growth of programs since Covid, reflected in our Special Revenue
which has been very instrumental. Our pickleball tournament was very successful with 46 involved and 4 divisions.
Thank you to Donna Richards and First Selectman, Rob Brule. The ribbon cutting was done by our commission
members Ed Murphy and Nan Scheiber – thank you. Harvest Festival will be on October 11th from 11-1 for children

and family events and from 1-3 we will have the Cartells. Bob Kyne asked about our pool party numbers. T. Cieplik
responded that they are just launching.  PTO/PTAs and other non-profits are open. 
R. McNamara, Director left meeting at 4:58 pm for the BOS meeting
Page 2
September Commission Meeting
Committee Reports:
Personnel – New employee Nolan Clack will begin on October 6, 2025
Youth Sports Council – Meeting will be held in November
Policies and Procedures – McNamara, Santos and Murphy all meet monthly before the commission meeting
Representative Reports:
Board of Education – Bob Kyne will attend the next meeting
Old Business:
Bench donations for the Community Center area – T. Cieplik discussed placement of up to two benches and the
guidelines to that process. The Commission requested more information on the process and the discussion will be
tabled for the next meeting. R. Mcnamara will put together the guidelines.
New Business:
Bonnie Sullivan submitted a request to waive the fee for the use of Jordan Park Green to host the Guardians of
Democracy Indivisible Rally on October 18th.
Motion was made by R. Erricson and seconded by T. Burrows to not
waive the fee to use the Jordan Green.  
Vote: 6-0-0
Motion:  Approved
R. McNamara returned from BOS meeting at 5:33pm
E. Murphy left the meeting at 5:34 pm.
Several Commissioners voiced their concern regarding the scope of the event and process of approval. There was
further discussion and the commission wants answers for insurance, tax exempt/non-profit, and hold harmless.
R. Erricson left the meeting at 5:45pm
Adjournment:
Motion by B. Kyne and seconded by T. Stino to adjourn the meeting at 5:50 pm.
Vote:  5-0-0
Motion:  Approved
Respectfully submitted,
Tim Cieplik
Assistant Director