Recreation & Parks Commission - Minutes - 08/22/2023

Waterford Recreation and Parks Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
August 22 nd, 2023 – 4:30 pm
Waterford Community Center
The Recreation and Parks Commission held a regular scheduled meeting on August 22nd, 2023 
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, R. Erricson, J. Gregg, M. Gwudz, E. Murphy, N. Scheiber, 
T. Stino
Members Absent :  M. Chiappone, T. Santos
Staff:  R. McNamara (Director), T. Cieplik (Program Coordinator), and E. Sullivan (Office 
Coordinator)
Guests:  R. Tuneski - Finance Liason; L. Wolfley - RISE
Approval of Meeting Minutes :
(Motion #1) - Made by R. Erricson and seconded by L. Beaney to approve the minutes of the 
July 25th, 2023 regular meeting.  So voted 5-0-2 abstain
Public Comments:

L. Wolfley, member from RISE (Residence for Inclusion and Social Equity) joined the 
meeting to find out what our vison, mission and goals and if Waterford Recreation and 
Parks takes diversity, equity and inclusion into consideration.  R. McNamara let her know 
we 100% provide every single opportunity to every individual.  T. Cieplik will forward the 
new logo and also the vision and mission statements. 
Correspondence:

Thank you letters from Connie Murphy about swim program, Shirley Brockway for use of 
pavilions, Paul Cascio for the cleanup at Ridgewood Park, Joseph Mariani (American 
Legion) for maintenance of high school fields, and Kim Allen (Finance Director) 
information in regards to the wifi at the gatehouse and thank you for helping with the new 
financial policies.
Other Correspondence:

None
STAFF REPORTS:
Director R. McNamara – Current budget expenditures:  Munis reports spending of $304,225 / 
General Fund revenues: Munis reports revenue of $36,671 and Special Revenue is $26,000.  

Haley Ward has finalized their plan for the Pleasure Beach accessible path. The amount came 
in exponentially higher than previously expected and quoted ($145K). Working with Hinding and 
Classic for post-tensions court replacements.  Basketball Court Repair Bids to be opened 
August 29, 2023 with the Purchasing Agent.  Civic Triangle project plans have begun with tree 
removal and dredging/de-watering to occur once path is cleared to put mats down for machines 
to perform work.  Waterford Beach Park Design Plan we are awaiting changes to design from 
engineer. Considering the relocation of the gatehouse.  Looking into Big Belly Assessment for 
solar compacting trash cans. First Selectman is working with Economic Development 
Commission with the Alcohol Nip Beautification Fund. Our maintenance staff has almost 
completed the data collecting for the assessment.  Community Center HVAC software 
improvements approved. New position will be in budget for Assistant Director.  Finalizing Turner 
benches for Mago Point and Hamler bench is almost ready for WBP to put in.  Two boat storage 
lockers for pickleball equipment at both WBP and Leary locations are in and also nets.  
Established meeting with baseball minds in town to review transition between levels and how to 
provide best opportunities next meeting will be August 31st.  Aquatic operations being looked 
into and R. McNamara would like to discuss with M. Gwudz futher.  Harvest Festival October 7th 
if any interest in having a table or being involved please let us know – T. Stino is looking into a 
truck for fall pictures at the event.  Maintenance is handling all of the request and last minute 
emergencies and got the parade prepped to host double the activities and double the parade 
participants. Working on changing the seasonal next year April to September - we need 
additional maintainers.  The lack of volunteers for the Quaker Hill ballfields will require more 
manpower.  We will slowly begin transitioning to the WBP garage to allow for the Arnie Holmes 
pond work and Civic Triangle phases to proceed. A temporary road will be installed off of Rope 
Ferry to gain access.  Herb Davis family donating a granite bench to the Historical Society at the 
Jordan Park green. (Motion #2) N. Scheiber made a motion and E. Murphy seconded to accept 
the Bench from the Davis family contingent that it is within our bench policy and codes for 
memorial benches.  So voted 7-0.  At Quaker Hill School there will be an electronic display 
board installed which will be a nice addition.
Program Coordinator T. Cieplik – Waterford parade was very successful and we came in 
contact with all departments at some point during the day.  Concerts have been going very well 
with great attendance and weather has been very cooperative.  Fall Brochure went out on 
August 12th with some mistakes we have been fixing but classes are expected to fill up.  
Programs will run September to November.  Scheduling fields for Youth Football and Cheer are 
busy.  American Legion looking to schedule at WHS field and Babe Ruth scheduled to use Leary
this fall.  Playground summer program was up 37% from last year and finished 2 weeks ago.  
Things went well, lots of positive feedback, no major issues and we have a lot of incoming 
feedback from parents and will compile data.  We have a lot of programs that have done great 
this summer and will look into running them again.  The new 3v2 basketball we would like to run 
this fall there were 65 kids registered this summer and it runs very well when 15 per age group 
show up.  The new 5th-8th grade volleyball clinic at Clark Lane was a success and was run for 
the first time and was run by coach Jackie Bono with several volunteer staff and there were 24 
participants.  The new Fitter Faster swim clinic hosted at our pool had 96 slots available with 90 
filled.  The instructor for the program was former Olympian swimmer Tucker Dupree.  Has won 
many medals at the Paralympic games over the past decade and holds several US and World 
records.  The Dog Park committee is up and running and has had two meetings so far.  There is 
a positive attitude and energy of 10 key volunteers who are looking to do some fundraising 
events as early as October.
Upcoming events - Harvest Festival October 7th, Pearl Harbor Day Memorial Masters Run 
December 3rd,  Tree lightings - December 8th at Jordan Park House and December 9th at Quaker
Hill Green.  Something new this year is Bright Lights and Spirted Nights town wide holiday 
decorating of homes.

Committee Reports:

Nominating - None

Personnel - None

Youth Sports Council – discussed in Program Coordinators report

Long Range Planning – 2020-2025 plan that will need updating soon.  R.McNamara and 
J. Gregg will meet to do 2025-2030 before next commission meeting.

Policies and procedures – None
Representative Reports:

Board of Ed – None

Board of Finance – R. Tuneski shared there are a lot of in-series and out of series 
transfers happening

Historical Society – (501c3) Nevin’s cottage will be repaired

O’Neil Theater – None

Senior Services – None
Properties:

Work on all properties is ongoing with the school opening soon is the focus.
Old Business:

None
New Business:

None
Adjournment:
(Motion #3):Made by R. Erricson and seconded by J. Gregg to adjourn the meeting.  So voted 
7-0.
Meeting adjourned at 5:28 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Sullivan, Office Coordinator
Recreation and Parks Commission