Recreation & Parks Commission - Minutes - 03/25/2025

Waterford Recreation and Parks Commission
March 25th, 2025 @ 4:30 pm
Waterford Community Center
The Recreation and Parks Commission held a regular scheduled meeting on March 25th, 2025 at the Waterford Community
Center. Meeting was called to order at 4:35 p.m. by Chairman, E. Murphy and a quorum was established.
Members in attendance:   J. Gregg, E. Murphy, N. Scheiber, T. Stino, T. Santos,
Members Absent:   M. Chiappone, R. Erricson, M. Sheehan
Staff: R. McNamara (Director), T. Cieplik (Program Coordinator), E. Sullivan (Office Coordinator)
Other: G. Ryan, P. Colonis, B Almeida, J, Almeida, D. Dickerson, S. Dickerson, H. Kyne, K. Joseph, B. Giegel, L. Luna, L.
Wolfley
Approval of Meeting Minutes :
Motion by N. Scheiber and seconded by J. Gregg to approve the February 25th, 2025 meeting minutes.
Vote:  5-0-0
Motion:  Approved
Public Comment:

Bob Kyne, Waterford resident, spoke regarding the aquatic morning lap swim and to advocate for funding so the
morning lap swim may continue in the FY26 and beyond. B. Kyne expressed his gratitude to Director McNamara in
modifying the pool schedule for the remainder of FY25. He was pleased to hear Chairman M. Patterson at the
March 5th, 2025 Board of Finance meeting note that the Board of Finance is working on special ledger requests and
is hopeful it is cleared by the Board of Selectman. Parks and Rec department can begin charging a pool fee to all
patrons as there are no ordinances keeping them from doing so. Waterford is the only public pool in Eastern CT
that does not charge a pool membership fee. The two life guards on staff for am swim is working out well. B. Kyne
shared that Chris Drew included a letter to strongly support the am lap swim but was not able to attend the meeting.

Peter Colonis, Waterford resident, thanked Waterford for 40 years of morning swim. He was in full support to keep
it going.

Gene Ryan, Waterford resident, had a question if there is more behind discontinuing am lap swim rather than just
financing? R. McNamara responded with it is a combination of both staffing and financing. We pay an incentivized
rate for a single hour to get lifeguards for morning swim. We will be formalizing a plan to keep hybrid in evening and
more weekend use.  

Dave Dickerson, Waterford Resident, spoke about legacy of the pool and some of the swimmers. Noted that there
were not proper documents and was concerned that the numbers might not really relate to who was really be in
attendance.  

Jen and Bob Almeda, Waterford Residents, Water Aerobics right after morning swim was such a great benefit and
wish it was offered. Not able to do because of time restraints with school start time. It is tough for seniors to drive
in the evening. They appreciate our effort in keeping morning swim going. T. Cieplik shared that they will be painting
at the pool and is waiting to hear from the engineer. Thinking it will be done in June/July and June 6th will be when
pool use ends for this to happen.

Bob Geigel, Waterford Resident, asked if there was any interest in having a disc golf course. He mentioned it is a
great sport and a 9 hole course runs approximately 20K. Also inquired about more road races and fun runs for
children.  He would love to volunteer.

Laura Lumak, Waterford Resident, shared she is open to ideas and to help support morning swim.

Laura Wolfley, RISE, Thank you for supporting RISE and the events they have been having here at the community
center has shown good attendance.
Correspondence:
Miriam Wagner from Waterford Library sent a thank you email to Park and Recreation grounds staff for helping with their
pollinator garden.
Staff Reports:  
Director - R. McNamara -Town Hall court renovations are moving along on schedule. Looking for May to do a grand opening
possibly have Mohegan Sun sponsor us and a “special” player come shoot hoops with 5th grade boys that won the
championship. Leary Court Renovations are a little behind. Pleasure Beach Boardwalk will be a fall project as additional
appropriation required to complete project, R. McNamara working with Finance Director. In February R. McNamara met
with the contractor about the Waterford Beach Park performance stage.
Maintenance has completed installation of

Community Garden behind the Community Center for residents and Food Bank and the pollinator garden at the Library has
started. The Barry Farm eagle scout signage has installed interior signs and the install of main sign should be this week.
The goose monitoring at the high school and middle school has been a lot and the Goosinator is working out great. We are
looking to purchase CityData software for park usage and tracking.
HB6952 Opposition and letter was sent to state
representatives.  There was a new bill in works regarding eliminating gas powered blowers and transitioning to electric
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Rec and Park Commission Minutes
which will not be cost effective for our maintenance department. Jim Greg asked when the park will be turned over to us?
There are LED lights that are broken and does the contractor cover these with warranties? Signage for all three entry point
locations have been ordered.
E. Murphy left meeting at 5:19 pm
Project Coordinator:
T. Cieplik - Second round of spring programing is starting and we are already above more than we were last year. Summer
program book in the process of being created covering July/August. Our Co-Sponsored programs have new presidents on
their boards. We have our summer staff hiring in progress for playground, swim aids, lifeguards, and gatehouse and
applications are coming in daily. At this time our lifeguard wage is on the low end compared to other towns and we are
aggressively recruiting to make sure staffing numbers hit targets. Most programing has moved outside but we still have
Youth Wrestling, and Cheer indoors through much of the spring as well as adult basketball. Community Center rentals are
on schedule to host 16 rentals by the end of April. After school drop in use is still high in the gym and constant use by town
groups utilizing space for board meetings and parents meetings
Committee Reports:
Personnel – Assistant Director position is with the labor attorney and we are looking at having that position filled by July 1st.
Youth Sports Council – Fields are getting ready for the spring season
Long Range Planning – Lots of pictures are being taken of what is happening this year and we need to reassess what need
to be replaced or buy new.  
Policies and Procedures – R. McNamara, T. Santos and E. Murphy met prior to the committee meeting and are going thru
page by page and updating the commission policy and procedures from 1994.
Representative Reports:
Board of Education – No update
Board of Finance – No update
Historical Society – Public works has taken down trees on Avery Lane.
O’Neill Theater – We have received their schedule of events and have some conflict with some of our summer concerts.
Senior Services – N. Scheiber will get them to update her information so she can get the updates.
Properties:
Director R. McNamara stated all the properties are doing well and we will be starting our spring cuttings and clean ups and
getting the ball fields ready for spring sports.   
New Business:
Lucas Beaney has resigned due to his new busy schedule he will not be able to make our meetings and give the committee
his full attention.
Adjournment:
Motion by N. Scheiber and seconded by J. Gregg to adjourn the meeting at 5:45 pm.
Vote:  4-0-0
Motion:  Approved
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Sullivan
Recreation and Parks Commission