Recreation & Parks Commission - Minutes - 03/28/2023

Waterford Recreation and Parks Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
March 28, 2023 - 4:30pm
Waterford Community Center
The Recreation and Parks Commission held their regular monthly meeting on March 28, 2023 at
the Community Center.  Meeting was called to order at 4:31pm by Director Ryan McNamara and
a quorum was established. 
Members   in   Attendance: K. Hall, R. Ericson, J. Gregg, N. Scheiber, E. Murphy, L. Beaney, T.
Santos
Members Absent:  M. Chiappone, S. Elci
Staff:  Director R. McNamara, Program Coordinator T. Cieplik
Approval of Meeting Minutes:
Motion #1:  Made by R. Ericson and seconded by E. Murphy to approve the minutes of the
March 7, 2023 special meeting. 
So voted 7-0
Correspondence:

Director McNamara read a letter from Eastern CT Hematology & Oncology (ECHO)
requesting use of the Veterans softball field for the day on May 21, 2023 and a letter from
Mitchell College requesting use of the Waterford High School pool on May 15, 2023
from 1:30pm-4:30pm. 
Motion #2:  Made by R. Ericson and seconded by J. Gregg for Eastern CT Hematology &
Oncology (ECHO) to use Veteran’s Field for their Spring Fling Softball game all day on May
21, 2023 and waive the fee.
So voted 7-0
Motion #3:  Made by R. Ericson and seconded by E. Murphy to approve the use of the
Waterford High School pool by Mitchell College on May 15, 2023 from 1:30pm-4:30pm and
waive the fee.
So voted 7-0
Public Comment:
Jim Auwood; represents the pickleball community.  He stated that 8-10K people played
pickleball this past year. He attended the meeting in support of pickleball. He also attended the
Board of Finance Monday night. Director McNamara stated that the Town’s new website has
information regarding pickleball in Town. 
Staff Reports:
Director McNamara – Steven Elci has resigned from the commission.  The final Board of
Finance (BOF) meeting was last night (Monday). The BOF had questions regarding the
information on electricity: 10-11K was spent in previous years, this year was 2K.  Director of
Finance is looking into it and will get back to Director McNamara.  Shared updates regarding the

budget. Gathering specs for court surfacing repair. A meeting will be held next week to go over
CIP’s.  Jim Erikson will be providing Director McNamara quotes for Pleasure Beach, dog park,
and parking lot at Jordan Park House.  Town has new website. The Recreation & Parks
Department is working on updating and adding information to the site. The Town has a new
payroll system; ADP replaced KRONOS. The maintenance department has been working on the
fields for the spring season.  They were fortunate to have 35 volunteers helping with this effort.
Fertilizing program for the Town of Waterford and the Waterford Public Schools. The
supplemental wood program is coming to an end.  Director McNamara and Program Coordinator
Cieplik introduced an idea for a new logo and motto (Play:Relax:Explore)for the Recreation and
Parks Department to the commission members. The commission discussed design, color, and
format.  Director McNamara and Program Coordinator Cieplik will come back to commission
with updated format and ideas. The commission continued discussion from their last meeting to
swap the pool table and computer rooms in the Community Center for space and accessibility
purposes.
Motion #4:  Made by N. Scheiber seconded by J. Gregg to approve the two room locations to be
swapped. 
So voted 7-0
Program Coordinator Cieplik – One-thousand-dollar grant received from Community Foundation
for Eastern CT.  One-thousand-dollar grant given to Waterford Ambulance.  It will be used for 2
AED’s; one at Spera Field and the other at the Little League South/Football field.  Working on
the Spring Program Booklet, had lunch/networking with the Rotary Club.  Easter Egg Hunt will
be on April 8.  Working on Summer Concert Series.  There will be a person that will be working
on the sound system at the concerts. 
Committee Reports:
Nominating - Commission members signed up for the various committees.  Director McNamara
has the list.  It will be distributed at the next commission meeting.  K. Hall left for meeting at
5:10pm
Personnel – going over minimum wage schedule.
Youth Sports Council – waiting to hear back from First Selectman Brule and the Town Attorney
regarding usage of Dominion property and it being rented out.
Representative Reports:
Board of Education – None
Board of Finance – None
Historical Society – None
O’Neill Theater – None
Senior Services – None
Properties:
Old Business:
Room changes at Community Center discussed earlier in the meeting.

New Business:
Recruitment:  Director McNamara is discussing incentives to recruit new hires. The idea of
offering new hires the opportunity to purchase a Town beach pass at the same cost that a Town
resident pays.
Motion #5:  Made by R. Ericson seconded by E. Murphy that newly hired full time employees
have the opportunity to purchase a beach pass at the resident rate.
So voted 6-0
Picnic Tables and trash cans for beaches and Town Hall.  Director McNamara showed the
commission pictures of trash cans to replace the old trash cans.  Commission will discuss further
at next meeting. 
Motion #6:  Made by R. Ericson, seconded by N. Schreiber to adjourn the meeting. So voted 6-
0.  Meeting adjourned at 5:38pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Traci Santos, Commission Member
Recreation and Parks Commission