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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-09-16Dryden Recreation Commission Minutes of the Se tember 16 2009 Meeting Present: Melissa Bianconr', Larry Hinkle, Monica Knight, Jason Leifer, Dan Schmohe, Don Scutt, Steve Stelick, Jr., Sharon Todd, Vicki Wilkins, Lisa Stelick (guest) Excused: Elsie,Gutchess Absent: Eric Hicks 1. The meeting was called to order at 7,00 p.m. 2. Minutes. A motion was made by V. Wilkins, seconded by D. Schmohe, to accept the minutes from the 8/16/2009 meeting as written. The motion carried (L. Hinkle, M. Knight, D. Schmohe, S. Todd, V. Wilkins: yes; D. Scutt: abstention). 3.. Interim Secretary. Like other town boards, DRC requested that a person be hired to take minutes. S. Stelick and J. Leifer will look into including the hourly rate in next year's Town budget. M. Bianconi offered to cover the cost for the remainder of the year. She will investigate possibilities of funding and people. 4. Recognition of Guests. Lisa Stelick was welcomed as a guest to the meeting, t ' 5. Recreation Department's Monthly Update. M. Bianconi presented the following updates: • Montgomery Paris: The Dryden Village Board approved the Town Recreation Department's proposal.to purchase new-basketball systems for the park. Chain vs, cloth nets were discussed. A. Pierce will be meeting with the Village to discuss who will install the systems. The Village seems open to future plans that would incorporate park standards for multiuse courts with lines. • Youth Programs: Fall sports are going well, with 42 flag football and 27 flag cheerleader registrants_ New Programs' 1) The Fall Foliage bus trip targeting older adults-is being reconsidered in order to avoid duplication of services (i.e., another agency's bus'trip is also scheduled for the first week of October). M. Bianconi is looking into offering an alternative trip to Elmira for a play andlor Letchworth State Park. 2) A Mother /Son Fall Harvest Dance is being planned for November 7 in the Dryden Village Board Room. 3) On October 24, TC3 is hosting an event in conjunction. with Sustainability Week. M. Bianconi asked Henry -Slater to be a speaker, and she will host a table where community members can sign up for winter programs at a reduced rate simply by registering paperless. • OtherAdult Opportunities: M. Bianconi is attending Dryden Senior Meetings once a month to network and assess additional recreational needs of this segment of the population. 6. Town Board Monthly Update, J. Leifer and S. Stelick presented the following update: • Recognition of T. Sherwood: A plaque was presented to T. Sherwood at the Sept. 9 Town Board meeting in recognition and appreciation of her contributions to DRC. • M. Knight's appointment: With a unanimous vote, the Board responded positively to DRC's recommendation to appoint M. Knight as DRC's Community Association Representative. • Capital Reserve Fund: The Board voted unanimously in favor of the resolution to establish a Recreation Capital Reserve Fund, with $250,000 as the initial deposit. Suggestions for sustained funding will be considered in the upcoming budget process. 7. Dryden Central School District Liaison Monthly Update, L. Hinkle presented the following updates: • Softball Field Conditions: L. Hinkle led a discussion regarding communication strategies with the school district, spurred by recent press over the softball field conditions. He reminded the Commission that Superintendant Sherwood went out on a limb to let the Recreation Department, and no one else, use the softball fields_ Custodians and groundskeepers were tied up much of the time with building construction, etc., and email requests were probably not responded to. Commission members reminded each other that when individual members are outspoken on issues, such as field conditions, they still represent DRC; our roles cannot be separated from us as individuals. The Department, not separate citizens, needs to be the conduit when communicating with the District. It was suggested that one person (such as L. Hinkle or M. Bianconi) communicate directly with the superintendant. When L. Hinkle realized that the Department pays for use of the fields, he recommended that a letter or "contract" be drafted with expectations spelled out for both parties. For example, while players are expected to not swear, drink, etc, on school grounds or go in school buildings, the Department has the right to withhold payment if certain expectations are not met (e.g., safe field conditions), citing implications for liability. • Task Forces: Starting in November, L. Hinkle will be chairing a Special Committee for Youth Development and Extracurricular Activities for the school district, He envisions a task force membership composed of parents; students; a member of the Town Board or Youth Commission: a DRC member; counselor; physical education teacher; and special education teacher. The Board of Education's (BOE) resolution spells out the tasks the group is charged with; one goal would be to partner with community organizations to add programs. L. Hinkle urged Commission members to think about their interest level in the committee as well as suggestions and relevant ideas. The Committee will be responsible for submitting a report at the May BOE meeting. Also, Ralph Boettger and Dale Sweet will co -chair a second task force: an Advisory Committee on the Scope and Funding of Athletics in the Dryden Central School District, M. Bianconi expressed interest in serving on the Youth Development Task Force with A. Pierce serving on the Athletic Task Force. 8. Community Centers Monthly Update, M. Knight reported that she has reached out to the all the community centers and will attend their board meetings. 9. Old Business. a. Recreation Master Plan: Prioritizing Implementation, M. Bianconi reiterated that our input and feedback on priorities for park improvement/establishment is needed, no later than Monday, Concerns were raised regarding naming a specific central location for a possible park and/or community center, most felt that speaking in generalities would be better at this stage of the process in case land values, etc. are affected. b. Dryden Old Home Days 2009, M. Bianconi referred the Commission to a report that was emailed summarizing the committee's wrap -up meeting. 10. New Business. a. Dairy Days: When asked what the Rec. Department's role in Dairy Days is, M. Bianconi responded that she sits on the committee and provides whatever help is needed, including serving as a vendor at the event. b. Wrestling toumament L. Hinkle wondered whether the Rec. Department had gotten its wrestling tournament on the calendar at the school; M. Bianconi reported that the tournament will be moved to TC3 this year. c. Day- to -day "hassles' D. Scutt asked M. Bianconi to highlight her most pressing day -to -day "hassles." She responded that lack of administrative help is her top "hassle° for tasks such as making fosters, spending time answering questions, etc. Lack of software (e,g., RecTrac, RecWare, Filemaker Pro) is a dose second, and is quite expensive, A truck is also badly needed to transport equipment, supplies, etc. 11. The meeting was adjourned at 8:07 p.m. (D. Scutt motion, S. Stelick second, unanimously carried.) The next meeting will be held Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 7:00 p.m, at the Community Cafe. [NOTE: rescheduled to October 28 due to lack of a quorum.] Respectfully submitted, Sharon Todd DRC Chair