MINUTES
YOUTH COMMISSION MEETING
March 14, 2018
The meeting started at 9:40 am.
Present: Sandy Chipman, Jessica Knapp, Pam Stocking, Recreation/Youth Dept. Director Ashley Sweeney and Assistants to the Recreation Director Bethany Alongi Dennin and Rita Harkins.
Absent: Manuela Michailescu
The minutes of the February 21, 2018 meeting were reviewed. Pam Stocking made a motion to approve the minutes, Sandy Chipman seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously.
Ashley Sweeney presented her (written) Director’s Report; among the highlights:
• St. Patrick’s Day luncheon — Friday, March 16th, 11:30 am to 1 pm (those willing to help to come around 10 am). At that moment 71 people signed up at that time and preparations have begun.
• Basketball Program — Finishing up on March 16, 2018. Had to be extended due to inclement weather and school closings. Kerhonkson School now requiring someone to stand at the door during the duration of basketball and volunteers are needed to do that…
All coaches and officials involved with the league have been given background checks at this point.
• Summer program — Many trips have been booked already. The Town Board is allowing us to travel further than 70 miles for two of our trips this year (one to Via Aquarium in Rotterdam and one to The MiSci Museum in Schenectady). The only stipulation is that a back up plan must be provided in case the bus has a mechanical failure. IWaiting for response from a local bus company
Registration will begin on April 2nd for Town of Rochester Residents and Non-Residents will be accepted beginning April 16th. We expect to fill up quickly. Still looking for male counselors — preferably over the age of 18. We have called the high school and spoken to the Honor Society. We are waiting to hear back from them. We are also going to speak to someone at Ulster County Community College and see if they have any suggestions. Jessica Knapp suggested asking former Baseball coaches that we’ve had or looking into local 4-H groups to see who they could suggest.
UPCOMING EVENTS
• Easter Egg Hunt — March 24th, starting at 12 noon (by age groups)
All goodie bags and eggs to be counted at the next meeting on March 14.
• Harold Lipton Community Center’s Dedication Ceremony — March 31st at 11 am. It’s a public event; light refreshments to be served.
• Earth Day clean-up — April 14th and April 21st.
Anyone who would like to help out should call and sign up for a road in the Town of Rochester. Bags can be picked up at The Recreation Department office. A pizza party is scheduled at 2pm on April 21st at the Community Center for all the volunteers. Councilman Chris Hewitt was called to see if maybe he would be willing to make pizzas in our oven outside, as in the past…
For the rest of the meeting Youth Commission members offered hands-on help to the Department in filling up goody bags for the Easter Hunt.
The meeting adjourned around 10:50 am. Next meeting takes place on April 18, 2018, 9:30 am at the Community Center.
Submitted by
Rita Harkins