MINUTES
SENIOR & YOUTH RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
December 11, 2024
Present: Marjorie Bogert, Melissa Guimaraes, Jessica Knapp (late, 10:07 am), Deborah Martin/Chair, Manuela Michailescu, Ashley Sweeney/Director of the Recreation Dept., Bethany Dennin/Assistant Director-Recreation Dept.; Cleo and Farrah Gebert also participated and helped with the preparations for the Holiday Breakfast on December 13th.
Absent: Pam Stocking.
The meeting started at 9:40 am. Chair Deb Martin called the meeting to order after establishing that we have a quorum (with 4, later on 5 out of 6 members being present).
The Minutes of the November 20, 2024 meeting were reviewed — Marjorie Bogert made a motion to approve them, motion was seconded by Melissa Guimaraes and minutes were unanimously approved.
Ashley Sweeney presented the verbal DIRECTOR’S REPORT; among the highlights:
• Thanksgiving Luncheon — on Friday, November 22nd, was great, extremely well attended; 181 meals were served, including some deliveries. Thanks to all volunteers for serving. Thanks to Jeffrey Lipton and Gary Palmer for the turkeys donations.
• Youth Holiday Party — on December 6th; more than 35 people signed up, about 75 came; kids enjoyed the visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, the presents, the refreshments and The Magic Hall.
The “Sue Matson Distinguished Youth Award” was presented to Cleo and Farrah Gebert at this event.
• Holiday Wreath Workshop — on December 9th, was well attended and successful. Thanks to Bethany Dennin for being the instructor and to “Marshall’s Tree Farm” for donating the greens.
• Basketball Clinic — was the biggest ever, with 26 kids.
NEW BUSINESS — UPCOMING EVENTS (from the Director’s Report)
• Holiday Pancake Breakfast — December 13th, 10 am—12 noon. The “Mary Lee Friend of Youth Award” will be presented to Peter Nelson at this event; Deb Martin offers to say few words about him.
• Adult Paint Class — on January 27th, 2025; sign ups as of January 2nd, 2025.
CHAIR’S REPORT
Chair Deb Martin started the discussion about the leadership positions in 2025 as this is her last meeting as Chair; it was agreed after discussion, that since Pam was unable to attend meetings, it made sense for both Deborah and Pam to step down at this juncture. Deborah will talk to Pam and convey the Commission’s thanks for her many years of serving as Vice Chair.
After discussing different options, Commission members decided to make the following recommendations (for Recreation Dept. Director Ashley Sweeney to convey to the Town Board for their Organizational meeting in January 2025):
— Marjorie Bogert as Chair of SYRC
— Manuela Michailescu as Vice Chair
Commission members expressed thanks to Deborah Martin for her 3 years of serving as Chair (2022, 2023 and 2024).
The rest of the meeting was hands-on help for the Holiday Pancake Breakfast on Friday, December 13th.
ADJOURNMENT
Marjorie Bogert made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by Melissa Guimaraes and approved unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 10:40 am in thanks to: Jeffrey Lipton and Gary Palmer (Thanksgiving), Bethany Dennin and Marshall’s Tree Farm (Wreath Workshop), Pam Stocking and Deb Martin (years of service as Vice Chair and Chair of SYRC).
Next meeting takes place on January 15th, 2025, 9:30 am, at the Community Center.
Submitted by
Manuela Michailescu
Secretary