MINUTES
SENIOR & YOUTH RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
February 15, 2023
Present: Deborah Martin — Chair, Marjorie Bogert, Cynthia Lampman, Manuela Michailescu, Sandy Chipman, Recreation Dept. Director Ashley Sweeney and Assistant Director Bethany Dennin.
Absent: Jessica Knapp, Pam Stocking —Vice Chair.
With Marge Bogert being appointed by the Town Board, the Commission has now full membership and no vacancy (7 members, with terms expiring from 2022 to 2028, as per Town Supervisor Mike Baden’s clarification; Jessica Knapp, whose term expired in December 2022, has to re-apply).
The meeting started at 9:40 am.
Chair Deb Martin presented the Agenda of the meeting and called the meeting to order after establishing that we have a quorum (5 of 7 members present).
The minutes of the January 18, 2023 meeting were reviewed; Sandy Chipman made a motion to approve the minutes, Marge Bogert seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously.
Ashley Sweeney presented her (written) DIRECTOR’S REPORT; among the highlights:
• Paint Classes — two were held in the month of January, taught by our very own Bethany Dennin (adult paint class on January 25th and youth paint class on January 31st). Both classes filled up immediately and were the Recreation Department’s biggest classes yet.
— Two more adult paint classes were taught this week (one class was divided in two sessions because too many people signed up); in the future, it’s going to be one class per month.
• Valentine’s Day — kids in the After School program were able to participate in Valentine-theme painting.
• Line Dancing — may re-start at the end of April (as the instructor’s health issue is improving).
• Basketball — had a minor hiccup recently (a small vandalism took place at the school and a minor altercation in the parking lot). We were asked to have everyone who is involved with the program sign a code of conduct upon entrance to Kerhonkson Elementary School. So far approximately 350 signed, with more coming every day — it just goes to show how many people this program touches! Currently someone is stationed at the locked door every night to let people into the building. Security is going to be hired for next season. Ashley spoke already to Supervisor Mike Baden about it as this is becoming necessary because of the sheer size of the program.
• Bags to Benches Program — we will be receiving our second bench on Friday, February 24th at 10 am from the Rondout Valley Lions Club. Special thanks to Rita Harkins for all her help with sorting plastic for the last 3 months; she has been amazing!
Plastic will no longer be collected at the Community Center — the Environmental Conservation Commission (ECC) is taking over the program so people will have to contact them via email (see the Town’s website) to find out where the new location will be (maybe at the Transfer Station?).
• Embroidery Classes — doing well, with 7-8 people participating; Carole Metsger is teaching basics. Today is the 3rd class.
CHAIR PRESENTATION — CURRENT NEWS/UPDATES
• Sing Along — Deb Martin said she’d be happy to organize something, considering Sandy Chipman’s idea; maybe for Mother’s Day? After excercise classes? Or a gathering in the evening? Deb and Bethany would also try to have the piano repaired…
NEW BUSINESS — UPCOMING EVENTS (from the Director’s Report)
• St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon — taking place on Friday, March 17th, 11 am — 1 pm. Helpers are asked to please come at 9 am if possible. People started to sign up already.
• Easter Egg Hunt — Saturday, April 1st
• Easter Bunny Photos — Monday, April 3rd
• Earth Day — Saturday, April 15th and Saturday, April 22nd (with Pizza party for volunteers on that day, organized by ECC).
OPEN ISSUES / DISCUSSIONS — was the last point on the agenda:
• Events after April: Spring Fling Luncheon; Memorial Day; Summer Program; Heritage Day
— Heritage Day — discussions about ways to improve activities, especially children’s participation
— Deb believes making things at the Community Center is best; something people can take and go with? “Things brought to you by 4H,” for example
— Quilting? Embroidery?
— Deb proposes a Heritage Day mural — people come in and paint?
— Art Show with exhibits from local artists, paintings from the paint classes? (some of these are already hanged on the wall)
— Manuela proposed (in the past) having a map with activities/booths/points of interest to be visited, with a contest of “who is getting more stamps” from those places? (visits ending at the Community Center)
• Evening Adult Paint Classes — have been and may be considered in the future (for people who work during the day)
The meeting adjourned at 10:15 am. Cynthia Lampman made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by Sandy Chipman and approved unanimously.
Next meeting takes place on March 29, 2023, 9:30 am, at the Community Center (as help is needed at that time for the Easter Egg Hunt — on April 1st — preparations).
Submitted by
Manuela Michailescu
Secretary