MINUTES
RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
February 16, 2022 — via ZOOM
Present: Deborah Martin — Chair, Pam Stocking —Vice Chair, Jessica Knapp, Manuela Michailescu, Recreation Dept. Director Ashley Sweeney and Assistant Director Bethany Dennin.
Absent: Sandy Chipman, Tina Bergen Russell.
The meeting started at 9:33 am.
Chair Deb Martin presented the Agenda of the meeting and called the meeting to order after establishing that a quorum existed (with 4 of 6 members present).
The minutes of the January 26, 2022 meeting via Zoom (taken by Ashley Sweeney) were reviewed based on emails. Manuela Michailescu made a motion to approve the minutes, Pam Stocking seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously.
CHAIR PRESENTATION — CURRENT NEWS/UPDATES
Deb Martin discussed the Recreation Commission existing “Resolution” (By-Laws) from February 4, 2021 (on which the Town Board is working) and offered clarifications she got following the meeting she had — as a new Chairperson — with the Recreation Department’s director and assisant director, becoming more familiar with:
— the Calendar Year of Events and Activities and its programming (by month and year)
— the Department’s need for support from the Recreation Commission
— existing in-office overview and reports to the Ulster County Youth Bureau
Ashley Sweeney presented her DIRECTOR’S REPORT; among the highlights:
• Casino Trip — happening this coming Friday, February 18th. Bus leaves the Harold Lipton Community Center at 9 am and returns around 6 pm. Each person gets $25 free slot play and $15 for lunch. The cost of the trip is only $10 per person.
• Valentine’s Day Cards — sent to everyone on the mailing list they have, mainly seniors, wishing them a happy Valentine’s Day and also letting them know the Recreation Department director and assistant director are only a phone call away if needed for anything.
• Valentine’s Youth Paint Class — 12 participants to the first class on February 11th, which was awesome. Thanks to Bethany Dennin for teaching the class; she did a phenomenal job. We’re very proud of her. Thanks to Deborah Martin for helping out and to Manuela for taking photos (group photo was sent to and later on published in the Blue Stone Press).
The Department is looking forward to doing many more of these classes in the future, also with adults and seniors. Planning to do some extra youth classes on March 10th and then adult/senior class(es) on March 24th if all goes well.
NEW BUSINESS — UPCOMING EVENTS
• St. Patrick’s Day luncheon — to be held on Thursday, March 17th, with “to go” meals; distribution starts at 11:00 am (those willing to help to come between 9:30 and 10:00 am). There is a possibility of opening the Community Center to anyone who would prefer to eat their meal inside.
• Easter Egg Hunt — a traditional Egg Hunt in the Town’s Park is desired, possibly on April 9th. More to be discussed in March. Also, pictures with the Easter Bunny would be offered again this year.
• New York State mandate — the Governor extended the mandate so it’s possible that the March meeting would be via Zoom again.
OPEN DISCUSSIONS — was the next point on the agenda:
— Manuela mentioned two issues regarding the Recreation Commission Resolution the Town Board is working on:
a) the total number of Recreation Commission members (7 would be ideal for quorum reasons); suggestion was made for people to attend Recreation Commission meetings before applying for membership
b) a potential “adjustment” (addition of the word “Youth”) to the Recreation Commission name
Recreation Director Ashley Sweeney indicated that both points have been conveyed to Town Supervisor Mike Baden.
— Jessica stressed the uniqueness of our Commission saying that most similar Commissions are not attached to a Department.
— Ashley emphasized that while they love suggestions for new activities, those can be overwhelming sometimes.
— Deb asked about the air purification system, containers to be used for the St. Patrick’s luncheon and a coat show (eventually organized mostly by the Commission).
— Bethany indicated that a new town resident (from Texas) was looking for a Bingo place; she asked if Commission members can be at the Community Center if something like this is organized.
— Jessica talked about the possibility of renting space and early-evening classes.
— Deb talked about seniors getting lonely at night and stressed that if we start an activity, we have to finish it (as it happened with the Quilt show at the Heritage Day 2021; she plans a fiber art show for Heritage Day this year).
— more suggestions regarding Heritage Day: kids to learn something; involve 4H kids; parking lot to be more attractive; more people to be kept around the Community Center.
— Jessica asked if the mixed jelly-bean guess jars are desired for Easter Egg Hunt — the answer was yes.
— Manuela indicated that Commission members should watch the Town Board meeting when the RC Resolution is discussed.
— Jessica added that part of the existing Resolution refers to the Department (and this makes it unclear for the Commission).
— Ashley clarified that Deb should be the spokeperson for the Commission.
— thanks were conveyed to Jessica for her 12 years of service as Chair.
— Pam concluded that we are on the right track and progress has been made.
The meeting adjourned at 10:34 am — Jessica Knapp made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by Pam Stocking and approved unanimously.
Next meeting takes place on March 16, 2022, 9:30 am, via Zoom or at the Community Center (pending Town Board decisions).
Submitted by
Manuela Michailescu
Secretary