Recreation Commission Meeting – November 21, 2005

Present: Denise Brennan, Mike Prevoznik, Gary Webb, Duke Smith, Catherine Bakewell, Celia Flynn, Dede Conlan, Mark Prusina, Bob Wilson, George Jackson, Scott Richards, Ed Kubliski

Absent: Mike Davies, Debbie Bednar, James Smith

DIRECTOR'S REPORT:

CAPITAL BUDGET: Gary Webb and Mark Prusina attended the meeting to help facilitate communication and decisions regarding the budgeting of our capital and maintenance expenditures and requests throughout the year.

Gary distributed the 2006 Historical Capital Budget. The budget outlined capital expenses from 1999 to 2010. The question was asked "how do items get allocated into the budget?" Discussion ensued regarding upgrading or building a better facility at Birchwood. Gary explained that the first step would be to hire an architect. Duke asked about the idea of placing a prefab unit and much discussion followed. Gary looked into a prefab unit for the police Dept, but found it difficult to get a bid. Prefabs in commercial areas can be difficult.

George brought up that replacing the Railroad ties with a stone wall is currently in the budget and probably as a commission we should weigh our requests, because the probability of approval for both jobs would not happen given the tight budget. Gary mentioned that a concession stand at Birchwood would actually only be used for about two months of the year and the costs would be high. Bathrooms are essential but the concession has never been profitable. Committee members agreed that we should prioritize our needs for recreation before we make capital requests. Grants might be an alternative place to find funding for recreational requests, particularly regarding our parks and lakes. Handicap facilities are needed and funding might be found to support this.

MAINTENANCE: Denise should go directly to Mark to make any maintenance requests. Action is prioritized by urgency. George mentioned that permanent electricity needs to be installed out to the Gazebo at Island Beach and the mooring scheme needs implementation. Members voiced their concern about the rise of vandalism around town and how to respond effectively. Mark mentioned that the schools are looking into placement of surveillance cameras at targeted locations. Members asked whether the~ town's park and lake areas could hook into or utilize the school's system.

Recreation Commission Meeting - November 21, 2005

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ACTION ITEMS:

1. Gary Webb and Denise to discuss policy of use of Rec facilities by non-residents with Borough counsel. We need guidance on whether non-residents should be able to use certain rec facilities at all (even for a fee), as well on whether non-residents who pay a fee should be allowed to use certain rec facilities during non-supervised hours. Dede and Denise will gather data concerning non-resident usage of facilities.

2. Denise, Gary and Mark to work to ensure there is a good communication flow among themselves and the Commission concerning capital and maintenance projects. Denise and Dede to compile a written list of scheduled maintenance and capital projects with delivery dates which the Commission can monitor going forward.

3. Mark and Gary need to be invited to future Commission Rec facility tours.

4. Gary and Denise will document and communicate the rules around use of the "rec trust funds" and determine need to further communicate such rules to rec groups. Gary and Denise to develop report on each program, its participant level, fees charged and the balance of fees, and report same to Council.

5. Gary to advise Commission on where opportunities may lie for grant money for rec facilities/activities. Bob Wilson volunteered to serve as the Rec Liaison to work on grants.

6. Gary and Denise to gather more information on prefab units and present same to Commission.

7. Denise and Mike to present proposal for Commission approval on increasing rec facility and program rates. The goal is to make rec more self-funded while continuing to increase the quality of rec programs offered.

8. Mike and Denise to work with Gary on 2006 operating budget and report back to Commission at December meeting.

Next Meeting: Tuesday, December 20, 2005 - DPW BUILDING