February 25, 2021
Recreation Commission Minutes
Call to order: Jessica Knapp 9:45am
Present: Jessica Knapp-Chair, Pam Stocking-Vice Chair, Manuela Michailescu, Sandy Chipman, Deborah Martin, Ashley Sweeney-Recreation Director, Bethany Dennin-Assistant Recreation Director, Rita Harkins-Assistant Recreation Director.
Approval of Minutes: Deb Martin made a motion; Sandy Chipman seconded. Minutes from last meeting (February 2020) approved. Meetings have not been held in a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Verbal Director’s Report: Ashley Sweeney
• Discussion about how COVID has affected the Recreation Department in the last year and what we have been able to do as alternative/safe options to our usual events and programming.
Ulster County’s “Project Resilience”-town employees, including the Recreation Department participated in delivering hot meals to people throughout the Town of Rochester.
St. Patrick’s Day to-go meal, Halloween “Trick or Treating” Drive Thru and Virtual Costume Contest, Thanksgiving to-go meal, Holiday Lights Drive Thru.
Recreation Department launches a YouTube channel. We’ve done a summer youth series, a cooking series, a historic series…etc.…
• Valentine’s Day 2021-The Recreation Department handed out themed goody bags & flowers to patrons of the Town of Rochester Food Pantry two days during the week leading up to Valentine’s Day.
• St. Patrick’s Day-We will be distributing to-go meals on March 17th. People who sign up can choose to pick up their meal at the Harold Lipton Community Center or have it delivered to their home. The Town of Rochester Senior group has donated $350.00 towards the purchase of corned beef.
• The Youth Commission recently has had a name change. The Town board has passed a resolution to now call it the “Recreation Commission.” I believe the change makes sense. Although, the commission was created for youth it does much more. We have always focused on the entire community, not just one aspect of it.
Members of commission agreed that this change makes sense.
It was suggested that we asked to have the information about the commission changed on the town’s website.
Thank you to the town board for recognizing all we do.
Jessica would like a copy of the resolution. Ashley will make sure she gets it.
• Discussion about Easter events-Easter Bunny tours town, town-wide Easter egg scavenger hunt (suggested by Jessica), pictures with the Easter Bunny at the Harold Lipton Community Center (schedule an appointment.)
• The Commission is saddened by the loss of friend and town historian, Alice Schoonmaker. She was a staple in this community and her presence will be missed greatly.
• Deb Martin asked about gardening at the Community Center. When it starts, she would like to be involved and work with Carole Metsger who usually does it.
• Jessica asked about possibly doing a virtual ceremony for Memorial Day at Veteran’s Park. Maybe on our YouTube channel.
Meeting adjourned: 10:35am Pam made the motion, Jessica seconded.
Next meeting: April 15, 2021 at 9:30am.
Minutes submitted by: Ashley Sweeney (Recreation Director)