2004-09-14
~
'.""
RECREA nON COMM. MEETING
SEPTEMBER 14, 2004
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
PRESENT: RJ.H., N.C., S.R, lC., lE., RF., E.K.
NO MINUTES FOR APPROVAL
COMMENTS FROM GUESTS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. Request to use Robinson Lane Rec. Area from the Mid Hudson Road Runners
Club on September 18 & 19. Also check for $100.00.
2. Letter to Skip Rottkamp from June Ellen Notaro thanking him for meeting on July
15 to discusSand observe the Swim Lessons program. The program received an in
compliance.
3. Memo from Vince Fabiano, Legislative Aide requesting a list of all phone
numbers including cell phones that are functioning in dept. ASAP
4. Memo from the Dutchess Co. Youth Bureau to participate in the November 6th
Kid's First Fair at Galleria Mall from 10-2.
5. Letter to Town Supervisor and Town Board inviting them to the West Point Jazz
Concert on August 12th.
6. Copy of a letter sent to the Town Board regarding the Castle Point Recreation Site
Well Testing Results.
7. Letter to Skip Rottkamp from Mary Anne Wood regarding summer programs
8. Letter to Skip Rottkamp from Sara Merando regarding summer programs.
REPORTS
N.C.
RF.
S.R
E.K.
lC.
RJ .R.
lE.
OLD BUSINESS - Halloween
NEW BUSINESS - Schlathaus Race on October
Christmas
..
".
MEETING ADJOURNED
NEXT MEETING
OUTGOING CORRESPONDENCE
I. Thank you letter from the seniors to:
Laura Montefusco- Community Outreach Coordinator for information on
Homelnstead Senior Care.
Elizabeth Walsh Thom- American Red Cross for information on
"Preparing for Emergencies"
2. Thank you letter from Skip Rottkamp to A. C. Moore for supplying materials for
our family Fun Night and for the help from Connie and Eric for making it a
special night.
3. Accident Report from Jeremy Fikar - stung by bees at Robinson Lane 8/31/04
4. Memo to Vincent Fabiano from Peggy Roe listing all recreation department
phones.
5. Fax to Poughkeepsie Journal What's Up column with information on the
Aerobics Program and Mohegan Sun Trip.
6. Fax to Wal-Mart's Kellilyn Robinson - Application for Grant Funding Seniors
Christmas Party
7. Letter to New Hackensack Fire Company requesting a person for the Color Guard
for 9/11 Ceremony and to borrow chairs for Community Day.
8. Letter to Valerie A. Hunter enclosing the Seasonal Summer Form - For Summer
Employees for the Town for 2004.
RECREATION COMM. MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 14, 2004
NEXT MEETING OCTOBER 5, 2004
The regular meeting of the Town of Wappinger Recreation Comm. was
held on September 14,2004 at Schlathaus Park, 136 All Angels Hill Road, Town of
Wappinger, Dutchess County, New York
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Ralph J. Holt at 7:00 p.m.
with the following persons present: Nancy Cito, Senior Citizen Director and
Commission Members Joseph Ennesser, Ronald Friedman and Ellen Korz.
There were no minutes available at this meeting.
CORRESPONDENCE
A request was received to use Robinson Lane Recreation Area on
September 18th and 19th from the Mid Hudson Road Runners Club. We also received a
check in the amount of$100.00 and a certificate of insurance will be forthcoming.
A letter was received from June Ellen Notaro addressed to Mr. Rottkamp
thanking him for meeting with her on July 15th to discuss and observe the swim lessons
program. The letter stated that the program received an in compliance.
A memo was received from Dutchess County Youth Bureau to participate
in the November 6th Kid's First Fair at the Galleria Mall from 10-2.
We received a copy of a letter sent to the Town Board with the Castle
Point Recreation site Well Testing results.
Letters were received from Mary Anne Wood and Sara Merando regarding
the summer programs. Mr. Rottkamp will follow up on both of these letters.
OUTGOING CORRESPONDENCE
1. Thank you letter from the seniors to:
Laura Montefusco- Community Outreach Coordinator for information on
Homelnstead Senior Care.
Elizabeth Walsh Thorn- American Red Cross for information on
"Preparing for Emergencies"
Recreation Comm. Minutes
September 14, 2004
2. Thank you letter from Skip Rottkamp to A. C. Moore for supplying materials for
our family Fun Night and for the help from Connie and Eric for making it a
special night.
3. Accident Report from Jeremy Fikar - stung by bees at Robinson Lane 8/31/04
4. Memo to Vincent Fabiano from Peggy Roe listing all recreation department
phones.
5. Fax to Poughkeepsie Journal What's Up column with information on the Aerobics
Program and Mohegan Sun Trip.
6. Fax to Wal-Mart's Kellilyn Robinson - Application for Grant Funding Seniors
Christmas Party
7. Letter to New Hackensack Fire Company requesting a person for the Color Guard
for 9/11 Ceremony and to borrow chairs for Community Day.
8. Letter to Valerie A. Hunter enclosing the Seasonal Summer Form - For Summer
Employees for the Town for 2004.
SENIOR CITIZEN REPORT
Mrs. Cito mentioned that the seniors won first place for their float in the
Community Day Parade. They really put a lot of time and work into setting up the float
and they are to be commended.
Mrs. Cito also mentioned that the seniors won 12 awards at the Dutchess
County Fair for their exhibits. Of the 12 awards they received 2 best of shows. She said
that she was very proud of their work. The bus trip to the fair had 35 seniors participate
and all had a great time. The trip was held on a Wednesday from 10-2 which was a quiet
time at the fair and nice for the seniors to walk around.
On Friday, September 10th, there was a speaker on Reverse Mortgages
from the Bank of New York.
Mr. John Beale from the Office of the Aging came and spoke with the
seniors regarding the senior picnic that was held in July at Robinson Lane and also spoke
about transportation issues in the Town. He suggested that the Town get a van for our
own transportation. This would be a big issue - we would have to get volunteer drivers
and a lot of other issues would have to be discussed.
Mrs. Cito mentioned that they will be holding a senior barbeque on
September 22nd and it will be held indoors in the big meeting room. The maintenance
guys will be doing the cooking. At this picnic Mrs. Cito will honor the seniors who won
prizes at the County Fair and also those who worked so hard on the senior float for the
Community Day parade.
2
Recreation Comm. Minutes
September 14, 2004
On Friday, September 24th at 11 :00 a.m. there will be a speaker from
Dutchess County Tourism.
The AARP driving class on September 16th and 17th is all filled up. The
charge for the seniors for this class was $10.00.
The men have been asking to have the bocce court cleaned up so that they
can play. We will have the maintenance men see what they can do.
Mrs. Cito mentioned that she has enhanced the monthly birthday party.
This month she had balloons, they sang songs and played games. All had a great time.
The Senior Craft Fair is scheduled for October 220d from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
in the Town Hall meeting room.
MR. ENNESSER'S REPORT
Mr. Ennesser mentioned that he will discuss with Mr. Tompkins about
taking out the docks on October 3rd. He would also like to have the guys work on the old
docks that are at the Barn during the winter so that they can be put across from Reese
Park.
Mr. Ennesser mentioned that he spoke to Supervisor Ruggiero about the
bathrooms at Reese Park and was told to go ahead with the project so that we can get the
grant money. He has spoken with Mr. Paggi about this and he will be assigning an
engineer to make up the papers to go to bid.
He mentioned that the forms are in at Reese Park for the concrete work
and we are waiting for Craig O'Donnell's men to be available to do the work.
He mentioned that the sign for Carnwath is in process. He would like to
meet with Mr. Tompkins and Mr. Holt to see where it will be placed. Hillman Signs will
be putting it together. We already have 2 cedar posts for it at the Barn.
Sign Language is now ready to turn the signs around at Schlathaus Park.
MR. FRIEDMAN'S REPORT
Mr. Friedman asked about the walking trail at Robinson Lane. Mr. Holt
said that it was given as a task to the Highway Department over a year ago and so far
nothing has happened. All that has been done was to measure the perimeter of the park
and it is one (1) mile. We will have to ask the Supervisor what the status is on this.
3
Recreation Comm. Minutes
September 14,2004
Mr. Holt mentioned that the following is paving work that should be done
and must be put in the 2005 budget.
1. The road at Reese Park. It was mentioned that Mr. Tremper might
have money in his budget for that work and he mentioned that he will
speak with the Highway Superintendent about doing this.
2. Spook Hill parking lot should be paved.
3. Robinson Lane should be paved. We have patched it enough.
4. We still have to pave all the way back to the playground unit at Martz.
We are in violation of the ADA. We probably have to do the same at
Spook Hill.
COMMUNITY DA Y
Mr. Ennesser commented on the great job that was done for Community
Day. Mr. Holt said that there was a lot of work that went into getting everything in order.
The reviewing stand looked great. Mr. Ennesser commented that the maintenance guys
did a super job. The crew we have is as good as we've had in years and we have to take
care of them.
Mr. Friedman mentioned that he and other people that he spoke to were
disappointed that there wasn't any food on Saturday Night.
Mrs. Korz mentioned that there were some people who questioned why we
had it for two days. There were pros and cons for each and we will have to discuss this
before next year.
Mr. Holt mentioned that the scout troops that ran the inflatable rides made
$2,000.00 and they have been asked to donate y.. of that to the Town. The mechanical
rides had Rotary sell their tickets and it is estimated that they may have cleared at least
$5,000. We are hoping that they will also donate something to the Town.
MRS. KORZ' REPORT
Mrs. Korz reported that she has contacted the witches (judges) for the
Halloween Party and Mrs. Snowden, Mrs. Holt and Mrs. Delisa are able to judge. Mrs.
Cito said that she will contact A.C. Moore to get something for a donation. Mrs. Roe
mentioned that she has not received anything other than the gift from the Renegades.
Mrs. Korz will follow up on some of the vendors. She said they tell her that they will
send something and then they don't. She said that she has to keep going back and beg.
She still has to go to Meadowbrook to place the order for the refreshments
and decorations. Mrs. Roe asked if she had contacted Kevin Gough to see if the 24th was
okay and Mrs. Korz said that it was. Mrs. Roe said that she would need a contract so that
we can obtain a P.O. Mrs. Korz said she thought that the fee was $300.00.
4
Recreation Comm. Minutes
September 14, 2004
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
We have a couple of trips scheduled the first is a trip to Mohegan Sun on
October 17th which Mr. Friedman will escort and the second is on November 13th to
Radio City Music Hall. Mr. Rottkamp asked if anyone would like to escort and Mrs. Cito
said she would.
Mr. Rottkamp mentioned that next month after he has had some time to sit
down with Kim and Clare he hopes to have some final numbers from the summer
programs.
He received a phone call from the Wappingers Central School District's
Ray Healy (Coordinator of Special Education) asking what the Town of Wappinger is
doing at the playgrounds for the "special need child." He invited Mr. Rottkamp to a
future meeting at Hollowbrook.
Mr. Rottkamp handed out an article about "Children at Risk" and asked
everyone to read the first three bullets which are as follows:
injury."
"An average of 15-20 children die each year as a result of a playground
"Over 190,000 children were treated in the emergency room due to an
injury sustained on a playground."
"The N.Y. Public Interest Group recently conducted an inspection of N.Y.
playgrounds and found that over 80% contain hazardous conditions that could result in
death or a debilitating injury."
In a couple of months, he would like to call together the "Safety
Committee" and come up with a concrete safety plan. This committee would consist of
each member of the committee who has a playground commitment and Mr. Haan, our
Safety Officer.
The following are the stats on the swim lesson program at Deer Hill for
this past summer:
· 7 weeks opened for lessons
· 5 lifeguards and 3 counselors
· 180 registered
· 253 total kids attended
· which means 73 signed up more than once
. 30 days oflessons
· 4 days closed because of rain
5
Recreation Comm. Minutes
September 14, 2004
· Again a very successful camp!
The aerobics program started tonight and because it was so popular last
year, we have started two levels - Level A and B. The 6:00 p.m. class (Level A)
is a low impact class and the 7:05 class (Level B) is high impact aerobics. For the
6:00 class, we had 17 register and the 7:05 class we has 20 women show up. We
know that we will have more register next week. Baton twirling starts in a
couple of weeks and volleyball starts in October. We are well on our way for the
fall programs.
Mr. Rottkamp mentioned that he gave out an evaluation at the end of the
summer program and he received only 15 responses. A couple had some complaints
and Mr. Rottkamp said that he looks into each and every problem and corresponds or
talks to parents/children involved. He said that most people he saw said that it was a
great year but they don't take the time to write it up. Mr. Holt mentioned that he had a
number of phone calls and they said that Mr. Rottkamp had done a wonderful job. They
were also happy with the swim program and the golf program.
Mr. Rottkamp said that it was an outstanding summer and our numbers
reflect this. The fishing camp was one of the biggest things that happened this summer.
The fishing camp was great and we would like to extend it next year. Mr. Ennesser
mentioned that he had talked with Ken Rose about stocking the pond at Ye Old Apple
Orchard next year.
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
Mr. Holt mentioned that there is a Craft Fair planned for Carnwath on
October 9th and a gala planned on December 3rd and 4th. There has been a tremendous
amount of planning that has already been done on these events. Now we are faced with
the problem that bricks are falling off the building known as the Carriage House and the
road going to the ball field will not be open for parking. This will pose a problem for
parking cars. At this point we are planning on going up by the Administration Building
and down to the ball field. This is only a one lane road and it will be dangerous if we
don't have traffic control.
The second problem is that the last time we were in the mansion to discuss
decorations; there was a heavy odor in the building which was stifling. Now that the
building was being heated all things are coming to life and growing. We also have
paint and plaster falling from the ceiling and walls. Tomorrow there is a group going
into the buildings to test for asbestos and air quality. If they find asbestos in the building
we won't be able to use it. We had lined up a firm to go down there and clean the
building and they don't want to do it because there are also dead birds on the upper
floors.
6
Recreation Comm. Minutes
September 14, 2004
Next Monday we have to present a plan to the Supervisor for the 2005
budget. A meeting is scheduled with Mr. Rottkamp and Mrs. Cito to review their
portion of the budget and Mr. Holt said that he has input from Mr. Ennesser. If anyone
has any input, please get it in as soon as possible. Last year we put in for a new play
system for one of the parks and it was taken out. This year we should do two.
We will be setting up a meeting with Mr. Rottkamp and Mr. Bisaccia to go
over the lights at Robinson Lane. We will have to have more discipline next year with
the field usage. We would like Mr. Bisaccia to take over the scheduling.
We are progressing with the selling of the signs for the fences at Robinson
Lane. A letter has been sent out and hopefully Mr. Bisaccia is following up on them.
We need the signs for next year.
There are still two (2) openings on the Commission. We have sent in a
letter requesting that Mr. Gary Trudell be appointed and so far nothing has been done.
Mr. Chappas' term was also up last May and to date he has not been reappointed. We
still need one more person for the Commission. If anyone knows of anyone interested,
please have them send in a resume.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Ennesser
seconded by Mr. Friedman.
Peggy RoeaSecretary
7