Parks & Recreation

Director's Report

 

East Lyme Parks and Recreation Commission

Regular Meeting

September 4, 2008

 

Present:           Robert Pfanner

                        William Willetts

                        Charles Fenick

                        Ed Dzwilewski

                        Jackie Curry

                        Milan Keser

                        Roger Nadeau

                       

Also Present:   David Putnam, Director of Parks and Recreation

                        Bret and Melissa Perry

                        Beth and Chelsea Horton

                                               

1.  Call to Order.  Chairman Pfanner called the East Lyme Parks and Recreation Regular Meeting of September 4, 2008 to order at 7:05 p.m.

 

2.  Public Delegations. 

 

     a.)  Service to Youth Award Presentation – Bret Perry.  Mr. Putnam reported Mr. Perry was nominated by Mr. Taylor and Beth Horton for the Service to Youth Award.  Mr. Putnam felt Mr. Perry deserved this award.  Mr. Perry was presented with an award and his name will be placed on a plaque at Veterans’ Field. 

           

3.  Approval of Minutes of August 7, 2008.    Mr. Pfanner asked for additions, deletions or corrections to the August 7, 2008 East Lyme Parks and Recreation Regular Meeting Minutes.

           

MOTION:       Mr. Dzwilewski moved to approve the August 7,

                        2008 East Lyme Parks and Recreation Regular

                        Meeting Minutes, as presented.  Seconded

                        by Mrs. Curry.  Mr. Pfanner abstained from

                        voting.  (6-0-1) Motion carried.

 

4.  Director’s Report.  (See attached reports).

 

            Mr. Putnam informed Commission members Fred Hollendonner who served on this Commission for over 18 years passed away.

 

            Mr. Dzwilewski stated he would like to nominate Fred Hollendonner for the Service to Youth Award.  Mr. Keser stated he would like to be on the Service to Youth Award Committee to consider this award. 

 

MOTION:       Mr. Dzwilewski moved to nominate Mr. Hollendonner

                        for the Service to Youth Award.  Seconded by

                        Mr. Dzwilewski.  (7-0) Unanimous.

 

            Mr. Nadeau suggested developing a Lifetime Achievement Award. 

                       

5.  Communications.  There were no communications.

 

6.  UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

            There was no discussion of unfinished business.

 

7.  COMMITTEE REPORTS 

 

            There were no committee reports.

 

8.  NEW BUSINESS

 

            Mrs. Curry recommended signage on AMTRAK beach to alert those swimming that there is no lifeguard on duty.  Mr. Putnam reported he has been working on signage at various locations.

 

            a.)  Facility Request Form from Randon C. Sturm representing NE Moves Mortgage/Caldwell Banker requesting use of McCook Point Park Pavilion, September 18, 2008 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

            Mr. Putnam reported Mr. Sturm has asked that last year’s reservation fee be used toward his rental based on his use last year.

 

MOTION:       Mr. Fenick moved to approve the Facilities

                        Request Form from Randon C. Sturm to use

                        McCook Point Park Pavilion on September 18,

                        2008 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., but that no fees

                        will be waived.  Seconded by Mr. Willetts.

                        (7-0) Unanimous.

 

            b.)  Bridebrook Park Basketball Court Quotes.  Commission members reviewed three proposals for coating on the basketball court at Samuel Peretz Park.  Mr. Putnam recommended the low bidder Vermont Recreational Surfacing & Fencing.

 

MOTION:       Mr. Keser moved to award the bid from

                        Vermont Recreational Surfacing & Fencing,

                        Inc. for coating the basketball court at

                        Samuel Peretz Park in the amount of $16,739.

                        Seconded by Mr. Nadeau.  (7-0) Unanimous.

 

            c.)  Sign/Banner Application from Candy Shapiro representing Niantic Main Street requesting that a banner be placed on Liberty Green for the Holiday Stroll & Home for the Holidays.

 

            Mrs. Curry stated she is in favor of promoting the downtown merchants.

 

MOTION:       Mrs. Curry moved to approve the sign/banner

                        application from Niantic Main Street to

                        place a banner on Liberty Green for the

                        Holiday Stroll & Home for the Holidays event.

                        Seconded by Mr. Dzwilewski.  (7-0) Unanimous.

 

9.  FYI

 

            Mr. Putnam made available to commission members vendor bills and the program budget.

 

10.  ADJOURNMENT

 

MOTION:       Mr. Dzwilewski moved to adjourn the East Lyme

                        Parks and Recreation Regular Meeting of September 4,

                        2008 at 7:40 p.m.  Seconded by Mr. Willetts.  (7-0)

                        Unanimous.

 

 Respectfully submitted,

Frances Ghersi, Recording Secretary

 

 

Director’s Report

September 4, 2008

 

McCook Point Park:

  • We had a tremendous year as far as Beach Sticker Sales were concerned we took in $83,175.00 an increase of over $3,000 compared to last year.  All categories saw an increase in the amount of stickers/passes sold.
  • Lifeguards remained on duty through August 17th it is becoming more difficult to keep guards on with colleges and universities starting earlier than Labor Day.  Gate Attendants and Boardwalk Attendants remained on duty through the Labor Day Weekend.
  • With the weather iffy for Saturday the Cookin at McCooks Music festival may be moved to an indoor location.
  • We received the Beach Groomer earlier last week and have been using on the two beaches.
  • Hole in the Wall Parking Lot Project has come to a stand still no construction activity has taken place since early August.  Construction crew is expected back sometime next week.  Bathrooms have been a great addition to the Beach and Boardwalk users.

 

Athletic Facilities:

  • All fall sports are underway.  Pee Wee Football had their first game last Saturday.
  • We have been without water at Peretz Park due to a water leak we were able to finish repairs today and will be back up and running tonight.
  • Men’s Softball Program is in the middle of Playoffs with the end of the playoffs next week.  We had 18 teams participate this year.
  • Quotes for the re-surfacing of the Basketball Courts at Peretz Park are included in your packet for approval.
  • I will be attending the Little League Executive Board meeting on Monday Sept. 8th to review field maintenance and projects.

 

Miscellaneous:

  • Fall brochure was mailed to homes in Mid-August we continue to receive many favorable comments.
  • Re-dedication ceremony for Cini Memorial Park was conducted on Friday August 15th, approximately 50-60 attended.
  • The department was saddened to learn of the passing of long time Commission member Fred Hollendonner he served for over 18 years from Jan. 1982 through July 2000.