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2008-06-11 ., RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES June 11, 2008 RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING VVednesday, June 11,2008 NEXT MEETING JULY 9TH, 2008 AT SCHLATHAUS PARK CALLED TO ORDER: 7:00 PM The regular meeting of the Town ofVVappinger Recreation Commission was held June 11,2008 at Schlathaus Park, 126 All Angels Hill Road, Town ofVVappinger, Dutchess County, New York. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Ralph J. Holt. Also present was Scott Cheney, Recreation Director. Commission Members present were Gary Trudell, Bruce Lustig, and Max Dao. . The minutes of the May 2008 meeting were. approved with no corrections. INCOMING CORRRESPONDENCE: 1. A letter was received from Colleen Diesing expressing her dismay about not being asked to coach a girls' softball team this year. Her letter was accompanied by letters of recommendation from four different parents. In reply from us, a . letter was sent to Dawn Dorian, head of the girls' softball league asking her to please handle this situation within their organization and not to involve . Recreation in ma~ing any final determinations in this matter.'. Mr. Holt would like to be informed as to the outCome. 2. Letter and application from Parks & Trails New York announcing a training session to be held on July 15th and 16th. In this training session you willleam how to assess the accessibility oJ trails in our region. Mr. Holt asked if anyone would like to attend. He also mentioned that he would be attending a Rail Trail meeting next week. The Town portion ofthe trail is 4 Y2 miles and will be maintained in part by our Maintenance Dept. and in part by the Highway Dept. Mr. Lustig questioned with all the work that Maintenance does with so small a staff how are they going to be expected to maintain the Rail Trail. Mr. Holt admitted that, in general, the concept is that maintenance only mows grass. Many have no concept of the variety of jobs we do. Three of our personnel are used ONLY to open, close and clean the bathrooms at Castle Point, Reese Park and Robinson Lane. 3. A maintenance application has been received from Maxwell Dolenk asking for maintenance work for this summer. A request to hire him was sent to the Town Board meeting on June 9th. Mr. Dolenk began work today, June 11, and is replacing Alex Pilouris.. 4. A letter was received from Al Roberts, Town Attomey, which included correspondence pertaining to the Dutchess Rail Trail Maintenance Agreement. Also included is the Intermunicipal Agreement outlining the scope of service and Insurance Requirements. 1 " RECREA nON COMMISSION MINUTES June 11,2008 ~ 5. A memo was received from Dour Haan, Playground Safety Inspector, outlining what still needed to be done before the camps open this summer. Since that notice proper mats and Fibar have been placed under all swings and the slide at Martz Field. It is proj ected that the other three playgrounds will be done before the camp season opens. Over 300 children have already signed up for camp and it is expected that the June 20th registration will bring in over 100 more. 6. A letter and resume were received from David Hongash requesting employment in our Maintenance Dept. 7. A fax was received from Bill Frazier of ADT with their proposed estimates for the installation and monthly fees for the security system to be put in place at Camwath Farms. Installation cost will be $45,880.70 and the monthly monitoring charge will run $219.08. When this estimate was done under the previous administration the quote was about $18,000.00 dollars. No acceptance of this package has yet been made. 8. An estimate was received from Hudson Valley Pavement for the four (4) tennis courts ,on Pye Lane. To completely re-do the four courts he has 'estimated $91,175.00. However, he states that for $10;000 to $15,000 less he could grind down the cracks, fill in those areas with asphalt, then cover the entire court with two inches of asphalt and top it off with the paint surface and lines. Instead of replacing the fence they could straighten and 'paint it so it would give a better appearance. Bob Grey's estimate on this job was around $200,000. 9. A resume was received from Richard D. Bishop showing interest in the Recreation Director's position being vacated by Scott Cheney in the fall. A copy is included in Mr. Holt's packet. 10. A carbon copy of a letter was sent to Recreation from Al Roberts indicating that two (2) checks were received by the Supervisor's Office, each in the amount of $1,409.38 for the two young men who vandalized Rockingham Soccer Fields. Mr. Holt was hoping that he could get some Community Service hours from these young men to help with Recreation maintenance needs. 11. Faxes received from Garrick Sales with price of$19,445.76 for a New Holland MC35 mower and one from Hudson Pontiac Buick with a price of $29,000 for a GMC Sierra 2500 4-wheel drive truck. Copies given to Ralph Holt. Mr. Holt indicated that three of the mowers we now own are in need ofrepair or out of service. J ohn Youngman is able to repair most of these problems for only the cost of parts. OUTGOING CORRESPONDENCE 1. A letter and field usage application was sent to Kathy Corrigan for the use of Schlathaus Park for June 28th. Since the request was never sent back to us we have no further information as to the type of event planned. 2. A letter was sent from Ralph Holt to Neave Landscaping requesting that their employees not use the Airport Drive parking lot or our porta-johns, as they have left neither in very good condition. 2 .'" RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES June 11,2008 3. Invitations were sent to the Supervisor and Town Board, inviting them to the Memorial Day Ceremony at Schlathaus Park. The ceremony, as always, was very movmg. 4. A letter was sent to Israel Babooram verifying that he gave the Town 10 hours of community service by working at Carnwath Farms. 5. A letter and form was sent to Allstate Insurance in regard to the claim resulting from Kristi Salvador hitting and knocking down a lamp post at Robinson Lane. This claim has been forwarded to Marshall and Sterling and the lighting company has been called for estimates for a replacement pole. 6. A letter was sent to Bill Farrell from Ralph Holt asking that the Little League matter involving Joe Capogrosso and Mark Joao be handled by the Little League organization. Mr. Holt asked for a letter outlining the disciplinary actions taken in this matter. 7. A letter was sent from Ralph Holt to Tom McDougall of Super Stop & Shop requesting help, as in the past, for our Playground End-of-Summer Picnic. NEW BUSINESS 1. Help for registration on Friday, June 20, 2008 is needed. Mr. Holt asked for all to please sign-up to help at this registration. Our last registration is always a VERY busy one. RECREATION DIRECTOR'S REPORT Mr. Cheney ~egan by explaining that all plans are in place to bring the camp directors and counselors on board. One orientation meeting has been set for both new and returning workers. First Aid / CPR and R TE classes are set to accommodate those wishing to.take these courses. The Dept. of Health requires that we hire a Water Safety Instructor for our Swim Program. Jared Trumpetto, our WSI from last year, may not be able to work for us for the whole summer, therefore, I have put out feelers for someone to fill that position should he not be able to complete the summer. Mr. Cheney stated that he is still trying to lock in facilities for our Theater Program. Wappingers schools have been asked but as yet we have no firm commitment. He suggests that for next year, should we decide to continue this program, that the County Players Theater in the village might be the perfect solution as it is not used during the day in the summer. GARY TRUDELL'S REPORT Mr. Trudell began by stating that he has visited Quiet Acres, his assigned camp, to check it for any hazards or small repairs. He noted that the Maintenance crew has mowed and weedwacked the park and painted the playground equipment and the picnic tables. He also noted that the porta-john was not yet in place, but Mrs. Manning assured him that it was ordered and would be delivered the following week. One of the legs on the swing structure was not fully in the ground and needed to be fixed. Also, Mr. Trudell check 3 RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES June 11, 2008 ... Spook Hill and found that several swings need to be replaced. Mrs. Manning stated that they came in two days ago and will be done soon. And, as always, the graffiti on the wall needs to be painted over. That is always a high priority when the graffiti is suggestive in any way. Mr. Trudell mentioned meeting with the Greenway Committee to discuss the new trail he had planned for Carnwath. Joe Ennesser of Greenway said that the plan was a good one and to go ahead with it as planned. He asked that he be supplied a map of that trail so that he could incorporate it into his literature. Bob Sheridan is working with Mr. Trudell to supply mulch for the portions of the trail that are already cleared. Another meeting is planned to include Supervisor Colsey, Ralph Holt, Joe Ennesser and Gary Trudell. It was discussed that Mr. Trudell could use help with the completion of the trail and it was suggested that we put in an application to receive help from the inmates at Downstate Correctional Facility as has been done in the past. Mrs. Manning will supply Mr. Trudell with the application. He also suggested that an invitation be sent to the trail columnist in the Poughkeepsie Journal to spotlight the trail and Carnwath. Mr. Trudell and his wife Marion have been volunteering by the planting and the upkeep of the flower beds at Camwath. Mr. Baisley, a resident whose property adjoins Call1wath has begun to mow the fields that will help Mr. Trudell greatly. . The discussion turned to the appearance of Carnwath in regard to the mowing that needs to be done. Mr. Holt stated that he knows as well as anyone the task ahead for the Maint<;:nance crew. Right,now the priorities are the playgro.unds and getting them ready for Summer Camp as well as the regular maintenance of Robinson Lane and Airport Park. Mr. Holt would like to see a full compliment of men being able to work for four hours on Saturday mornings, so that they can work uninterrupted. Now that the fence has been moved the roadway is no longer blocked. The Town Board has decided to get estimates for a "quick fix" roof that will not cost as much as the complete new roof that was discussed last year. The roadway that runs past the mansion will be widened so that there will be two lanes to allow better access to the rear of the property. In September the Sports Museum will be holding a reunion of the Poughkeepsie Brewers. Over 200 people are expected as well as catering, vendors, and newspapers and TV coverage. Much of the work that needs to be done will be completed before this event. The ball field at Carnwath needs to be mowed so that it can be used for additional parking for this event. At previous meetings the possibility of a concert to held at Carnwath was discussed. The original plan was to have it in August, after the playgrounds were finished. The problem with that time frame is that Recreation is fully involved in the planning of Community Day along with the fact that Mr. Holt is on vacation. The possibility of an October event was discussed as an alternative. Mr. Trudell said that the property is magnificent at that time of year and the possibility of oppressive heat will be passed. 4 RECREA nON COMMISSION MINUTES June 11,2008 MAX DAO'S REPORT Mr. Dao asked, if when considering the trail, any thought had been given to handicapped accessibility. A friend of his works in Recreation at the Castle Point Veterans Hospital and Mr. Dao asks permission to investigate the possibility of a program for the handicapped, possibly basketball, with games held at the area schools. Mr. Holt agreed that that was a wonderful idea and that the prospect should be looked into. Mrs. Manning pointed out that last month's minutes (May) included the name of a handicapped gentleman looking for such a program. Mr. Dao went to Martz Field, His assigned park, to check out its condition. He hesitated to wander around the park as there were children playing and he was afraid that his intentions there could be taken incorrectly. He suggests that shirts and ill badges be supplied to the Commission members so that if a commission member is approached they could supply the proper documentation. Maintenance employee Vincent LaVacca's main job is to mow, weedwack and care for the grounds of Martz Field. Mr. Dao woul~ like to contact him and give him his phone number so that if any" concerns arise about the park he can be contacted directly. BRUCE LUSTIG'S REPORT Mr. Lustig states that Rockingham Park is coming along nicely. The outskirts have been mowed and the new grass, where the fields were tom up by vandals, is getting tall. Mr. Holt said that the new grass has been mowed once already and JVB Landscaping would be back in a few weeks to check for spots where the gra~s has not taken. Mr. Lustig suggests that in the dry heat of summer that a fire company be contacted to water the field from the creek to keep it from drying out. Mr. Lustig stated that a well has been dug at Airport Park but they wil,1 need a pump and a tank to make it possible to water the fields as needed. . . THE CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Carnwath is now open since the fence has been moved. The offices in the administration building, including the conference room, can now be used for meetings. The upstairs level has seven large rooms that are slated to be used for the caretaker. Because of our plans having the offices downstairs and a residence upstairs we have been informed that a sprinkler system would have to be installed throughout the entire building. It is also possible that the two cannot be mixed in the same building. This would have to be checked with the County. The cost may preclude the use of the building. Mr. Holt explained about the roofing that is planned for the Mansion. The two small roofs will be relatively inexpensive to repair even though they might have to be done again in a few years. The main roofis fairly secure and does not need a lot of work. Vanguard will be sending bids for the work to be done, both the makeshift repair and the complete reconstruction of the three roofs. 5 RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES June 11,2008 .. For Community Day, we are well under way with our plans. We have four marching bands so far, the fireworks are set up and the inflatable and mechanical ride companies have been secured. Mr. Holt would like two more bands to complete the parade. This year we intend to cut back on the number of trophies we award. In past years the recipients have already left the grounds and don't stay to pick up their trophies. It is our plan to have ribbons to present to each child that marches so that they have a keepsake of their participation. Mr. Holt said that there is still a possibility that the Senior Center will be moved to Camwath. He will be meeting with Charlie Barola, the chef that was interested in using the chapel for weddings, to see if he wants the equipment or if any of the equipment in the kitchen is even usable. The cafeteria is in decent shape. An office could be put at the end of this room for the Senior Director. Handicapped parking is available between the Mansion and the dormitory building. When using the ramp by the museum the seniors would have a long walk to the elevator that will get them to the lower level. The roads to access Carnwath are not "Senior friendly". The bathroom would need to be re-done, including an ADA approved bathroom facility. But, no final decision has been made as yet. Mr. Holt is still trying to encourage the use of thechapd for weddings with Charlie Barola. If this comes to pass Camwath would then have an incoming revenue and could help to pay for itself. The.deal previously planned fell through because Mr. Barola's lawyer heard that construction would be necessary on the roof and that would not make f?r a pleasant sight to someone spending $80,000 to $100,000 on a wedding. . Eileen Manning Recreation Secretary 6