HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-01-23Dryden Recreation and Youth Commission
January 2019 Meeting Minutes (DRAFT)
23 January 2018 at 7:00 PM
Dryden Town Hall
Members present: David Peck (Chair), Paula Klaben, Claudia Haferkamp-Wise, Diane
Pamel, Rhonda Kowalski
Liaisons present: Marty Conger (Dryden Recreation)
Community members present: Joanne Holland (pending DCS representative)
The meeting was called to order at 7:06 PM.
November/December Meeting Minutes: In the absence of a quorum, no business was
conducted during the November/December meeting.
Introductions: D. Peck (Chair) introduced Rhonda Kowalski as a new member of the
commission and welcomed Joanne Holland who will be representative from Dryden
Central School District pending Town Board approval. Additional new member, Patrick
Bruner, was unable to attend.
Members of the commission introduced themselves.
DRYC Organization: D. Pamel nominated D. Peck for chair. P. Klaben seconded.
Approved by acclamation.
Town Board report: No report
Dryden Recreation: M. Conger provided and update on Recreation Department
programs.
• Travel basketball has started. Dryden hosted the kick-off tournament for both
boys' and girls' basketball.
• There are 46 kids in the Shooting Stars program. The Boys Varsity and JV players
are sharing their practice time on Saturday mornings and running the program.
• There are 11 kids in the youth volleyball program.
• Received a $500 grant from Walmart
• Looking for volunteer coaches for the track and field program which will start in
mid-April. Practices will be one night per week. Kids will participate in the Junior
Olympics in Ithaca.
• Dryden Recreation was approved for the Pitch Program. The proposal is for funds
for shelving in the new storage building that will be built this Spring.
• The department came in under budget last year and received grants from Dicks
Sporting Goods (lacrosse and basketball) and Target (soccer) and the United
Way for the summer camp.
• New programs in 2018 included the Dryden Community Summer Camp, Color
Run, 3 -on -3 Dairy Day basketball tournament, Reindeer 5k, Harlem Wizards
basketball game, and installation of the Fit Trail.
Dryden Recreation has been approached by a yoga instructor who wants to
offer a yoga class on Tuesday mornings using the courtroom. There is concern
about the proposed time and location. D. Pamel suggested that we
recommend doing it at Montgomery Park in the summer.
M. Conger shared that she had sought guidance from Jason Leifer (Town
Supervisor) and D. Peck regarding retaining the person who currently schedules
bands for the Music in the Park series at the VFW. There is concern over a legal
issue not related to her involvement with the town and some complaints about
the bands that have been booked in the last couple of years. After some
discussion, the commission recommended asking the manager at the VFW to
take over booking the bands.
Considering doing a Mother/Son event and looking at different ideas for it.
D. Pamel asked about planning for summer camp. M. Conger stated that they've
already started discussing camp plans and staffing. Director and a couple of the
counselors are returning.
TCYSD report: J. Johnson was unable to attend the meeting. D. Peck read the notes
from the written report.
D. Peck provided some background on the programs offered by CCE's Rural Youth
Services and encouraged members to read the reports submitted from the OURS and
Dryden Youth programs.
M. Conger asked about the Tompkins County park grant. Last year, K. Servoss had
suggested the commission pursue creating a "pocket park" along the Rail Trail. In
November, the County legislature an intent to create a grant that municipalities could
use for improvements or development of park space. M. Conger stated that the
Recreation Department had used the Etna park a lot for soccer in the fall and noted
that it needs work. The playground is old, and the equipment is unsafe. The park could
use some landscaping. When Dryden Rec used the park for soccer, neighbors came
over or contacted the department because they were happy to see it in use. After
discussion, the commission felt that our focus should be on rehabilitating the Etna park
and that we should seek a grant for that purpose. Even if we are not able to secure a
grant, we should work with stakeholders towards improving that park.
D. Pamel shared about the Tompkins County Tourism Community Celebrations grant.
The desire is to tie the various the events that centered around the tree lighting in
December into a more focused community celebration. There have been meetings
with several stakeholders (Dryden Historical Society, the Village of Dryden, Town of
Dryden, and some local businesses). There is a lot of interest and many suggestions for
things to do as part of the day. D. Pamel expressed hope that the commission would
take part.
D. Peck brought up a survey sent by TCYSD for measuring their service to the
municipalities. There were some questions about terminology used in the survey and
what we were being asked to measure. D. Peck will request clarification.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM.
Recreation Department Report
January 2019
Recreation Office:
• Updating social media page along with mass emails for upcoming events.
• Vouchers for invoices and referees completed.
• Spring programs are being scheduled.
• The department will be presenting for the Achieving Youth Results Pitch Program on March 13th
at the Hotel Ithaca.
• Spring flyer is ready for print.
Youth Travel Basketball- (Boys and Girls)
• Boys teams participated in the Candor Basketball Tournament 2/15-2/17
• Teams will continue to practice and play games until the second week in March.
Karate -
0 Session #3 started 1/30
• Dryden School bus is transporting children from Dryden Elementary to VFW.
• 8 children enrolled in the Advanced class and 7 in the Junior.
Shootine Stars -
0 Program ended 2/9/19
• 46 children attended
• The help from the JV and Varsity boys' basketball team was a wonderful addition.
Youth Vollevball —
• Program ended 2/2/19
Youth Wrestline-
• Children have participated in 3 tournaments (meets)
• Dryden will be hosting 2/23/19 at Dryden High School.
• Weigh in at lam. Wrestling at 8am
Father Daughter Dance — February 91h
• 84 attended
• $321.13 total for expenses (food, DJ, decorations, flowers)
• $690.00 in registration fees
• Volunteers to help during the event, cupcakes donated by Karris's Cakes, and vases for flowers
borrowed from Dryden VFW.
Lacrosse
• Skills and Drills Clinic to be set up at TC3.
• Meeting with ULA to have Dryden join this year. We will be partnering with Ithaca to help the
number of players needed for Dryden.
• Working with TO to host home ULA games at their campus.
-Marty Conger