TOWN OF GRANBY
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
MINUTES
September 1, 2009
PRESENT: Edward (Ned) Allen, Chairman; Brigid Gunn, Vice Chair; L. Squire Bressor, Wayne Chapple, Kathy Ungerleider, Suzanne Yucha, Joe Zafian and Kay Woodford.
Chairman Allen called the meeting to order and confirmed a quorum at 7:31PM.
MINUTES
ON A MOTION by Suzanne Yucha, seconded by Wayne Chapple, the Board (7-0-0) approved the minutes of July 7, 2009 as presented.
PUBLIC SESSION
No one appeared before the Board.
OLD BUSINESS
A. GAFLAC
Nothing new to report.
B. BATH HOUSE
Mrs. Woodford reported that Jamie Klase of Public Works says needed repairs on the existing bathhouse are extensive. They include leaking roof and toilets, broken light fixtures, cracked cement on the ramps and settled wooden platforms at the bottom of the ramps – all issues outside of the normal maintenance costs of keeping the building going as it is.
Chairman Allen commented that the Board needs to bring these matters to the attention of the Selectpersons and Squire Bressor suggested that the Board invite the Selectpersons to tour the Bathhouse with the P&R Board, in order to encourage them to at least make the repairs in 2010.
Brigid Gunn inquired as to what the Day Camp did during the many rainy days this past summer and Mrs. Woodford replied that on two occasions the campers were bussed to a school and on the other days they struggled, using limited facilities available on site (the bathhouse and the pavilions).
Page Two
Parks and Recreation Board
September 1, 2009
The Board looked over a draft letter to the Board of Selectpersons asking them to revisit and reevaluate the priority of the Bathhouse project. Members offered suggestions on changes in the wording and ON A MOTION by Wayne Chapple, seconded by Squire
Bressor, the Board approved (7-0-0) sending an amended letter stressing the extensive repairs that are needed and the P&R Board’s offer to take the Selectpersons on a tour of the facility.
C. 225th CELEBRATION
Mrs. Woodford reported that she received the first donation today. Chairman Allen said he’d talked with the Hartland Fire Department Chief and was told they spent $6000 on their fireworks display, a sum he feels makes the 225th display “more feasible.”
In addition, Mrs. Woodford reported she and Chairman Allen have met with a technology expert and discussed his doing a web page that would provide information about the celebration.
The 225th committee will be meeting Thursday, September 3, 2009 at the Granby Senior/Youth Center.
D. 2009 Sounds of Summer Concert
About 100 people attended the August 6th Sounds of Summer Concert featuring Wayne Chapple’s band Evolution. Snack Shack profits were modest as only candy and beverages were sold. Many children enjoyed the pony rides.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Program Updates
- Mrs. Woodford commented that several summer camps were canceled due to low enrollment: Skyhawks Basketball for grades 1 & 2, both Mad Science camps, Kara Wolters Girls Basketball camp, and 1 of the 4 Bears Basketball camps.
- Other camps did very well. The enrollment in the Challenger British Soccer Camps was over 70. Both Playwell Technologies Lego Camps were full and over 100 girls registered for Kangaroo Field Hockey (but David Mike could accommodate only 82). The Field hockey camp for grades 3-8 had a record number of 33, becoming a real feeder program for Granby field hockey.
Page Three
Parks and Recreation Board
September 1, 2009
- There are 297 in this years Fall Youth Soccer program, down from previous years, however many registrations are coming in late. Mrs. Woodford said she has had some difficulty finding enough coaches. She has hired the Challenger British Soccer people to do two preseason clinics for coaches and to lead the Saturday sessions for Fundamental 5 and 6-year-old divisions. Division 1 teams will play their games in town and older divisions will have some out of town games with Windsor, Windsor Locks, Suffield and perhaps East Windsor.
- Two new cartoon art programs are being offered as well as a writing workshop for youth.
- A pre-school gymnastics program is another new offering this fall.
- Wrestling and field hockey at the intermediate schools resume in September and four American Red Cross Babysitting classes are slated for October and November.
- Offering another Playwell Technologies Lego Camp and a High Touch High Tech Science Camp is being investigated.
- Fall adult programs include drop-in basketball, ballroom dancing, evening Zumba dance classes at East Granby, special occasion dance classes and AARP Driver Safety.
- Mrs. Woodford has booked a bus trip in March to Washington D.C. to view the Terra Cotta Soldiers.
- Information about the Ski Sundown program will be distributed soon – Mrs. Woodford thinks she may be able to have the same pricing as last year.
- The Granby Youth Basketball program will be set up soon.
B. Town Parks Updates
Football practice at Ahrens Park has begun with the team being careful not to damage the rain-soaked turf on the baseball field.
Kathy Ungerleider mentioned receiving a Rovers Soccer e-mail concerning the new parking lot on Route 20. The Rovers are concerned about the youth using the unlit, steep path to the fields, and warn their teams, “use at your own risk.”
Joe Zafian reported loud music on occasion at night coming from Salmon Brook Park. Mrs. Woodford replied that no one has requested using the park at night and that the park is officially closed an hour before dusk, but the gate is not closed.
OTHER BUSINESS AS NECESSARY
Joe Zafian asked whether Public Works would be constructing a skating rink at Salmon Brook Park this winter and Mrs. Woodford said she would check.
Page Four
Parks and Recreation Board
September 1, 2009
The Board discussed holding another Holiday Decorating Contest this December. Several Board members felt last year’s event required a lot of work with little response from townspeople. The Board brainstormed about holding an activity in January, perhaps incorporating it with the skating rink or another winter activity. Chairman Allen will add this topic to next month’s agenda.
ADJOURNMENT
The next Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at 7:30 PM in the Senior Center/Youth Services Building, Activity Room #1. If you are not able to attend please remember to call Mrs. Woodford at 844-5356 or e-mail recreation@granby-ct.gov.
ON A MOTION by Squire Bressor, seconded by Chairman Allen, the Board voted unanimously (7-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 8:43PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Pat Ward
Recording Secretary
P&RBOARD\MINUTES Sept, ’09.doc
| 
