Recreation & Parks Commission - Minutes - 06/25/2024

Waterford Recreation and Parks Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes 77!) JUL -A/P 3 09
June 25*, 2024 @ 4:30 pm
Waterford Community Center , wrest: ©: of) Li Coup
TOWN CLERK
The Recreation and Parks Commission held a regular scheduled meeting on June 25", 2024 at the Waterford
Community Center. Meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m. by Program Coordinator, T. Cieplik and a quorum
was established.
Members in attendance: M. Gwudz, R. Erricson, T. Santos, E. Murphy, N. Scheiber, T. Stino, J. Gregg
Members Absent: R. McNamara (Director), M. Chiappone, L. Beaney
Staff: T. Cieplik (Program Coordinator), E. Sullivan (Office Coordinator)
Guests: Laurie Wolfley — R.LS.E. Representative; Robert Tuneski (Finance Liason), Rick Muckle (Selectman),
Robert Avena (Waterford Town Attomey)
New Business:
(Motion #1): R. Ericson made a motion and N. Scheiber seconded to move New Business up to the first agenda
item for discussion. So voted 7/0. Beach admission changes on holidays and weekends due to the amount of people
and traffic. Discussion was held to put things in place for a safer environment and a manageable beach. On
Juneteenth we had a full beach with over flowing parking and it seems to be happening more and more. The
bathrooms had to be shut down and for the concert that evening we had 20+ firemen and numerous volunteers
there to help us also. We need to fairly assess the demands for all and have come up with suspending the day park
at the gate on holidays and weekends. Both residents and non-residents who have a parking pass for the season
may enter provided there is parking - the maximum capacity is 300 cars.
(Motion #2) T. Stino made a motion and R. Erricson seconded to approve the wording and follow thru the
actions discussed by Attorney Avena and noted below. So voted 7/0.
Thereby move, due to the unusually early high demand for parking at Waterford Beach Park this summer season
that temporarily, payments for day parking passes for all beachgoers will not be accepted at the beach gate house
for holidays, Saturdays and Sundays. Drop off and pickup for day walkers and bikes will continue to be available
at the beach gate house. This policy will only affect summer holidays and weekends, regular non holiday weekday
passes will still be available at the gate house. Point of sale passes will not be sold at the gate on the 4th, 5th, 6th or
7th of July. Parking is limited to 300 vehicles, when this number is reached all vehicle entry regardless of prior
purchased passes will be stopped until space is deemed available.
Ridgewood Park has been overflowing with cars parking on it when Ocean beach is full. There have been
numerous complaints now that the beach season is back in full swing. (Motion #3) J. Gregg made a motion and T.
Stino seconded to give the Waterford Public Works Department the ability to put up NO PARKING signs around
Ridgewood Park and for Waterford Police Department to enforce it. So voted 6 yes/I no.
Approval of Meeting Minutes:
(Motion #4): R. Erricson made a motion and J. Gregg seconded to approve the May 28", 2024 meeting minutes.
So voted 7/0
Public Comments:
Laura Wolfley — Waterford RISE Representative gave a big thank you to the commission for the use of the
community center to hold an event on the awareness of Juneteenth, which was held on Saturday, June 15" to share
and discuss with the community what Juneteenth holiday is all about.
Correspondence:
None