MINUTES
SENIOR & YOUTH RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
February 21, 2024
Present: Deborah Martin — Chair, Manuela Michailescu, Marjorie Bogert, Jessica Knapp (as of 9:52 am, via speakerphone), Recreation Dept. Assistant Director Bethany Dennin.
Melissa Guimaraes, who expressed an interest in joining the Commission, also attended.
Absent: Sandy Chipman, Cynthia Lampman, Pam Stocking.
The meeting started at 9:32 am.
Chair Deb Martin presented the Agenda of the meeting and called the meeting to order after establishing that we do NOT have a quorum (only 3 out of 7 members present at that time).
The Minutes of the September, October, November 2023 meetings and Notes of the December 2023 meeting to be approved the first time we have a quorum. The January 2024 meeting was canceled because of inclement weather.
Bethany Dennin presented the DIRECTOR’S REPORT; among the highlights:
• Adult Painting Classes — were held on January 17th (night skyline) and February 9th (tree and snow man), 2024, in the morning, taught by Bethany. Classes were well attended and participants enjoyed them very much.
Kids painting class(es) got postponed because of the weather/school closings, but one class would take place in March.
Next Adult Paint Class is scheduled for March 8th, 2024.
• Valentine’s Day Party — took place on February 14th, for the kids in the after school program (they were decorating cup cakes, having lots of fun).
NEW BUSINESS — UPCOMING EVENTS (from the Director’s Report)
• St. Patrick’s Day luncheon — on Friday, March 15th, 11:00 am—1:00 pm
Those who want to help please arrive by 9 am.
• NARCAN Training Class— at the Community Center, on Wednesday, March 20th, 2024, beginning at 10 am.
It will be taught by Ellenville Regional Hospital. Call the Rec. Dept. to sign up.
• Easter Bunny Photos — offered again this year, on March 25th and March 27th, at the Community Center.
People must make an appointment to see the bunny.
• Easter Egg Hunt — will take place on Saturday, March 30th. The hunt will begin at 12 noon SHARP.
Deb Martin is wanted again as the Bunny, if she agrees…
If you want to help hide Easter Eggs and get set up, we will begin at 9 am that morning.
CHAIR’S REPORT
• Deb Martin outlined 2 main goals for the Commission — membership and dishwasher
1. MEMBERSHIP — Clarify as soon as possible the resignation(s) situation — Cindy Lampman, Sandy Chipman?
As of February 20th, Cindy resigned only with Ashley/Rec. Dept. but NOT with Kate Gundberg.
Resignations have to be received by Town Clerk Kate Gundberg!
Melissa is welcomed and advised to apply to the Town Supervisor to become a member of SYRC.
2. DISHWASHER — considering that too much plastic is thrown away at our luncheons, a dishwasher would be a good addition at the Community Center. With a dishwasher, we could purchase inexpensive metal utensils to use for all events; a dishwasher is also important for sanitation and to alleviate the enormous amount of washing that is required for all events. We’d ask Councilwoman Erin Enouen for ideas and input.
Deb stressed that we should all make a better effort to recycle.
OPEN ISSUES / DISCUSSIONS — was the last point on the agenda:
• Jessica mentioned that the Seniors Group may help financing the dishwasher project.
Jessica also said that she emailed to all Commission members the “Climate Smart Community Task Force” Resolution (from 2021).
• Manuela thanked Councilwomen Charlotte Smiseth and Erin Enouen for proposing — at the January 2024 Organizational meeting of the Town Board — to designate her “town photographer” as a sign of appreciation for documenting all town events.
• Manuela mentioned that the clear plastic collection done by ECC (at the Transfer Station) was stopped till April, which is very inconvenient. Ashley and Bethany (with help from Rita Harkins) deserve congratulations and thanks for collecting those plastics during the years, which resulted in obtaining 2 benches; their great accomplishment proves that this work can be done with proper cooperation between ECC and Transfer Station town employees. Definitely an area where recycling improvements can be made.
The meeting adjourned at 10:25 am.
Marjorie Bogert made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by Manuela Michailescu and approved unanimously.
Next meeting takes place on March 27th, 2024, 9:30 am, at the Community Center (to offer help for the Easter Egg Hunt on March 30th).
Submitted by
Manuela Michailescu
Secretary