Recreation & Parks Commission - Minutes - 01/26/2021

The Waterford Recreation and Parks Commission held Special Zoom meeting on Tuesday, January 26, 
2021.  Chairman Santos presided.
MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:  Ch. Santos, Cs. Scheiber, Gardiner, Murphy, Erricson, Beaney, Chiaponne, 
Hall.
MEMBERS ABSENT:  C. Whelan
STAFF:  Director Flaherty, Assistant Director McNamara, Program Coordinator Sullivan
GUESTS:  First Selectman Robert Brule, Town Attorney Robert Avena,  Abby Piersall, Director of Planning, 
Michael O’Connor, Students: Sophie Marcille, Megan Jones, Jimmy Kilcomons, Gary Gampbell, John 
Zimmerman, Adele Chadwich, Joe Moran, Finance Board Liaison Robert Tuneski, RTM Members Sally 
Ritchie, Susan Driscoll.  Public Works Director Gary Schneider.
MOTION #1:  Made by C. Erricson, seconded by C. Gardiner to approve the minutes of the November 4, 
2020 meeting.  So voted 9-0
MOTION #2:  Made by C. Gardiner, seconded by C. Scheiber to approve the minutes of the Special 
Meeting on December 9, 2020.  So voted 9-0.
Chairman Santos introduced Michael O’Connor from Waterford High School, and eight students who 
presented an overview plan for the Waterford High School Sea Level Rise Mitigation Kayak Launch Project 
for Waterford Beach. The title of the presentation was Salt Marsh Mitigation Project.  A question and 
answer period was held.  The Chairman invited Mr. O’Connor back to the Commission when they have 
more information and plans.
Chairman Santos introduced two new Commission members:  Melissa Chiaponne and Lucas Beaney.
CORRESPONDENCE PLACED ON FILE:
             ~ Appointments and Resignation
             ~ Request from WH teacher, Michael O’Connor, re: Civic Triangle/Waterford Beach plans
             ~ E-Mail from Finance Director, re: additional funds to Recreation and Parks CNR budget
             ~ Thank you letter
             ~ Proposed changes to Code of Ordinances 12.08 re: alcohol permits for town parks & recreation
              areas
             ~ Civic Triangle improvements
             ~ Waterford Beach fees
STAFF REPORTS:  The Director spoke to the members regarding the rules and regulations for the Corona 
Virus.  The wood program has received 65 requests for wood as of this date.  He reported that the beach 
bathrooms project is nearing completion.  The Assistant Director reported on the work in the Civic 
Triangle, clearing trails, brush, etc.  The maintainers are keeping all parks and fields in top condition and 
keeping up with the wood orders also the clean-up of the maintenance building in the center of town.     
The Program Coordinator reported that has been working on program plans for the summer booklet that 
will go out to print this week.  She also reported on the success of the New Years’ Eve fireworks.

Page 2 – Special Meeting 1/26/2021
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
~ Personnel:  The vacant Maintainer I position is in the process of being filled.
~ Long Range Plan Planning:  The Director thanked the First Selectman and the Planning Director 
   for their assistance in the Waterford Beach Park sidewalk and bathroom projects.
NEW BUSINESS:
~ Proposed changes to Code of Ordinances 12.08 re: alcohol permits for town parks and recreation 
areas.
First Selectman Brule spoke to the members regarding the decision to change this Ordinance allowing 
beer and wine sales and consumption permitted at the Town Civic Triangle and grass field areas at 
Waterford Beach Park.    A lengthy discussion was held on the proposed changes of the Ordinance.  No 
action was taken at this time.
~ REP for Town Center Park Improvements:  Pond, Boardwalk and Trails.
The Town Planning and Director spoke to the members on the RFP for Town Center Park Improvements:  
Pond, Boardwalk, and Trails.  A discussion was held with questions and answers from the members.  
MOTION #3:  Made by C. Murphy, seconded by C. Erricson to approve the RFP for Town Center Park 
Improvements:  Pond, Boardwalk, and Trails.  So voted 8-0-1 abstention by C. Gardiner.
~  Proposed Beach Fees to be approved by the RTM Recreation/Health/Environmental Committee.
Commission Proposed Fee Including Tax
RTM Public/Health/Recreation/Environment
(Including Tax)
Resident First
$ 25.00
Resident Additional
$ 11.00
Non-Resident
$125.00
Waterford Senior (65+)
$ 11.00
Resident Weekday
$   3.00
Non-Resident Weekday
$ 25.00
Resident Weekend/Holiday  
$   6.00
Non-Resident Weekend/Holiday
$ 25.00
Non-Resident Picnic Weekday
$   8.00
Non-Resident Picnic Weekend/Holiday 
$  11.00
MOTION #4:  Made by C. Scheiber, seconded by C. Gardiner to approve the beach fees as presented.   So
Voted 9-0.
MOTION #5:  Made by C. Gardiner, seconded by C. Erricson to adjourn.  So voted 9-0.  Meeting adjourned 
at 5:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Ann Nolan, Secretary, Recreation and Parks Commission