PRESENT: Chairperson-Susan Goldman, Shannon Craley, Lee Morgan, Jarod Smith, Kim Taylor
STAFF: Rob Blick, Director; Mary Jo Dix, Director of Extended Day Programs; Val Zebrowski, Recording Secretary.
The meeting was called to order at 7:45 p.m.
The Commission took up Item 5.1, Extended Day.
Mary Jo Dix presented an update on the Extended Day Program. The program experienced unexpected and unprecedented growth at the beginning of the school year. Numbers of participants in the Frequent Flyer program nearly doubled, and it became necessary to stop taking new registrations for the program. While the families that could not be accommodated came up with creative solutions for their after school child care issues, the Commission felt that steps should be taken to form short term solutions as well as begin thinking about next year. Some suggestions for the short term included collaboration with other agencies, such as the Wilton YMCA, local churches and the Education Connection. Education Connection works locally to develop solutions for after school child care and activities. Brainstorming with everyone involved, including
parents was also suggested. The Commission will explore ideas on how to adjust the program for next year so that more families can be accommodated. Ms. Dix will send out a mailing in which she asks participants what their anticipated needs will be for the next school year. Mr. Blick will contact the Education Connection, the town of Easton and the Wilton YMCA to develop possible cooperative arrangements. Ms. Goldman will speak with board members from the Redding Boys and Girls Club to see if they can be of any assistance.
The minutes from June 25, 2007 were unanimously approved.
Mr. Blick presented a draft of a sign warning of the possibility of the presence of ticks. The Commission decided that the sign would not be necessary to display on the playing fields, but that they would be helpful on the trails at Topstone Park.
PUBLIC COMMENT/LETTERS/CORRESPONDENCE: There was no public comment.
DIRECTORS REPORT: After reviewing the Directors Report, the Commission discussed sending a letter to the Redding Soccer Club Board of Directors with regard to lack compliance with field scheduling requirements.
Ms. Morgan asked that final numbers on the number of Topstone passes and camp enrollment be provided.
FINANCE COMMITTEE: No update.
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION COMMITTEE:
Quality Assurance efforts continue. Forty completed QA surveys have been received. The Commission discussed how best to compile the results. Ms. Craley asked that QA reports be provided by Mr. Blick on a regular basis. The next topic to be discussed will address the camp program, then perhaps the afterschool sports programs.
TOPSTONE PARK ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE: No updates.
ORGANIZATION/PERSONNEL: No updates.
ATHLETIC FIELDS COMMITTEE: No updates.
COMMUNITY CENTER/GROUNDS COMMITTEE: No updates.
WEBSITE: No updates.
POLICIES AND MANUALS: No updates.
NEW BUSINESS: No updates.
The regularly scheduled Park and Recreation Commission Meeting on September 24th was cancelled.
The meeting adjourned at 9:21 p.m.
Submitted by vaz
9/24/2007
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