MINUTES
RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
April 6, 2022
Present: Deborah Martin — Chair, Pam Stocking —Vice Chair, Jessica Knapp (at 10:10 am, when back from shopping for Easter supplies in Kingston), 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 considering that Jessica Knapp was coming from shopping for the Department (4 of 6 members present at that time).
The minutes of the March 16, 2022 meeting were reviewed and considered for approval when Jessica came; Jessica Knapp made a motion to approve the minutes, Pam Stocking seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously.
CHAIR PRESENTATION — CURRENT NEWS/UPDATES
a) Deb Martin presented the idea of an Art Show in June, with kids creations
— Recreation Dept. Director Ashley Sweeney stressed that the activity has to be first approved by the Town Board; a proposal would be needed before the June Town Board meeting; she suggested that a better idea could be to have the show around July 23rd, when there would probably be a Farmers Market, the activities can be combined and get more attendance.
b) Parking lot / Road sign — Deb Martin also indicated that the “Youth Commission” sign towards the Community Center should be changed or updated.
Ashley Sweeney presented her (written) DIRECTOR’S REPORT; among the highlights:
• Adult paint classes — were amazing, with great attendance. There were two classes held on March 24th; feedback received afterwards was wonderful. Thanks to Bethany Dennin for being the instructor for the classes. She is planning to do 2 more adult classes in April as long as approval is received from the Town Board.
• Easter activities — help from Commission members needed that day (to count about 1500 plastic eggs for the Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 9). Help is needed on that day too! Deb will be the Easter Bunny, Ashley is running the hunts, Bethany will need help with jobs under the pavilion (Cyndy Lampman to come around 11 am if she can).
• Bunny photos (at the Community Center) — several appointments still available, people have to call to sign up; more advertising is needed.
• Earth Day — two Saturdays were chosen for cleaning the roads, April 23rd and April 30th. Trying to have the annual Pizza Party for volunteers on April 30th (Ashley and Bethany will contact Chris Hewitt to see if he will make again pizzas in the oven behind the Community Center).
— orange bags will be distributed to the public starting April 18th. Call the Recreation Dept. to sign up and adopt a road.
NEW BUSINESS — UPCOMING EVENTS
• May — something different is planned for May this year; hoping to do an outside Barbeque at the Town Park on May 20th. It has to be approved by the Town Board.
• Summer Program — registration in person planned for Monday, May 2nd. Forms would be posted online as of April 8th, 2022.
The program will return to its old format. Pending approval from the Town Board (at the April 7th meeting).
• Sports Equipment Drive — Recreation Dept., in collaboration with the local Little League, is starting to take donations today; April 20th will be Open house for people to get what they want.
OPEN ISSUES / DISCUSSIONS — was the next point on the agenda:
• Deb and Commission members discussed more the idea of a local art show (to have about 5 really good artists, exhibit for 1 day; how to hang art, if insurance is needed); she is going to contact art teachers
• Commission Name — the potential addition of the word “Youth” to the Recreation Commission name:
— Manuela mentioned the Public Hearing on April 28th regarding the Local Law to “Establish a Recreation Commission”; she expressed her opinion that the name of the Recreation Commission should keep the (old name/word) “Youth” for continuity with the town’s tradition and for other marketing reasons
— Deb said that “Recreation Commission” is an inclusive name and should be kept as is
— considering the many examples from the Town’s website where the “Recreation/Youth” combined name is still used, Jessica stressed that no matter the Town Board’s decision, everything (signs, website) has to match and be consistent with the new name to be adopted
— Manuela is going to have a personal statement at the April 28, 2022 Public hearing, not on behalf of the Commission.
NEW BUSINESS
— Rita Harkins has a walking tour for the American Heart Association planned for April 29 at 11 am.
— Easter Egg Hunt preparation — Hands-on help offered after meeting’s adjournment (counting the 1,500 eggs necessary for the Easter Egg Hunt).
The meeting adjourned at 10:25 am — Pam Stocking made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by Jessica Knapp and approved unanimously.
Next meeting takes place on May 18, 2022, 9:30 am, at the Community Center (in order to be able to offer hands-on help for the Barbeque on May 20th).
Submitted by
Manuela Michailescu
Secretary