12 Van Tassel Drive

Gales Ferry, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Parks, Recreation & Senior Citizens

Commission

Meeting Minutes - Final

Chairman

Kenneth J. DiRico

Special Meeting - Hybrid Format

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

7:00 PM

Parks & Recreation/Senior Citizens

Center

REMOTE MEETING INFORMATION

Topic: Parks, Rec, and Senior Commission Meeting

Time: Jan 17, 2024 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

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CALL TO ORDER

Vice Chairman Cobb called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. at the Ledyard Senior Center.

II.

ROLL CALL

Commissioner Jessica Cobb

Present

Commissioner Loretta Kent

Commissioner Norma Sokolski

Commissioner Margaret Anne Harding

Commissioner Paula Crocker

Commissioner Carol Ann Schneider

Chairman Kenneth J. DiRico

Commissioner Lucrezia Finegan

Commissioner Charles Gallagher

Excused

Absent

MOTION to seat alternative Commission member Carol Schneider in place of Commission

member Lucrezia Finnegan.

A motion was made by Commissioner Sokolski, seconded by Commissioner Finegan, that this

be Approved and so declared. The motion carried by the following vote:

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Norma Sokolski

RESULT:

MOVER:

Margaret Anne Harding

SECONDER:

Cobb Kent Sokolski Harding Crocker Schneider

AYE

DiRico Finegan

Gallagher

EXCUSED

ABSENT

In addition, the following were present:

Scott Johnson, Parks, Recreation & Senior Center Director

Jessica Buhle, Town Councilor

Frank Cometa, Ledyard Resident

John Gowitzki, Ledyard Resident

III.

RESIDENTS & PROPERTY OWNERS COMMENTS

Mr. Cometa, stated that there are 180 people playing pickleball and they are requesting three

things from the Parks and Recreation Department.

1. Key for outside container to store nets.

2. Indoor playing time in the school gyms. Maybe even later in the day at 9:00 pm.

3. Permanent pickleball courts. He stated that the tennis courts were not used much.

Mr. Gowitzke stated that the fence on the back wall needs to be repaired. It is in need of a

bottom rail, and the scratch marks and cracks should be addressed.

Mr. Johnson responded that pickleball in the gyms could not happen until at least March due to

Basketball. He also stated that we have to be out of the buildings by 9:00 p.m. Space is the

issue. He also stated that he has received a quote to build 2 courts in between tennis court and

playscape for FY25 budget and will submit to Town Council.

Mrs. Buhle stated that adding lights to the court would enable them to play later in the day if the

weather was good. She suggested automated lights which would be easier at the Community

Center but would be a hard sell for capital improvements. She suggested doing fundraising for

ongoing costs.

Mr. Cometa stated that he appreciated all that Parks and Recreation has done to support

pickleball supplying balls, nets etc.

IV.

MEMBER COMMENTS

Ms. Harding asked if we can talk about the senior exercise room.

Mr. Johnson responded that this is a special meeting and we can only discuss items on the

agenda.

REPORTS

Director’s Report

Mr. Johnson reported that they are still dealing with a staffing shortage.

Hired Courtney as the office assistant. Although she was not the most qualified nor had the most

experience, she had stepped up when there was no staff and had done an excellent job. Mrs.

Crocker echoed those words and said that she felt Courtney was doing an excellent job, pleasant

and very helpful.

Matt from Colchester was given and accepted an offer for Assistant Director. He has worked

with ADA programming which will be a big help to us. He will begin on February 20th as he

was to finish up all things he had started at his present position

Brochure is due next week and is being worked.

There are good numbers for the programs. Things are being toned down a bit right now due to

basketball. Youth leagues are bursting and it is hard to find the space needed to run the

programs.

Motion to accept the Directors Report

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Loretta Kent

RESULT:

MOVER:

Carol Ann Schneider

SECONDER:

Cobb Kent Sokolski Harding Crocker Schneider

DiRico Gallagher Finegan

AYE

ABSENT

VI.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION to approve the Parks, Recreation & Senior Citizens Commission regular meeting

minutes of October 17, 2023

Discussion

Ms. Harding stated she did not understand what the rain gardens were.

Mr. Buhle responded that the rain gardens are sponsored by the Eastern CT Conservation district

and are native plants to help with things like the erosion of Highland Lake. The have been put in

Erickson Park and did receive some grant money from the Ledyard Rotary Club. Three gardens

have been completed and all four gardens have been mulched.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Norma Sokolski

RESULT:

MOVER:

Carol Ann Schneider

SECONDER:

Cobb Kent Sokolski Harding Crocker Schneider

DiRico Gallagher Finegan

AYE

ABSENT

VII. OLD BUSINESS

Boy Scout Skate Park Project Proposal

Mr. Johnson stated that he is currently looking for direction from CIRMA, the Town's Insurance

carrier. Mr. Johnson is researching possible increased cost to the Town's insurance policy for

additional liability. Mr. Johnson stated that signs can be installed to "skate at your own risk" but

this would not prevent an individual from filing a lawsuit.

CONTINUE

RESULT:

Discussion regarding recreation space within subdivisions

Mr. Johnson suggested that the letter from Jessica Cobb be sent to Land Use Committee to be

advocated and then sent to the Town Council for tracking.

WITHDRAWN

RESULT:

Discuss the need for Pickleball infrastructure and how to meet the demand

Mr. Johnson stated that Pickeball would be discussed later on the agenda during the Fiscal Year

2025 budget.

CONTINUE

RESULT:

MOTION to approve the Rules and Procedures.

This item was referred to the Administration Subcommittee for review prior to the next meeting.

CONTINUE

RESULT:

VIII. NEW BUSINESS

MOTION to approve the Parks, Recreation & Senior Citizens Commission 2024 meeting

schedule. In addition, the following subcommittees may hold special meetings as needed.

Administration

Facilities

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Margaret Anne Harding

RESULT:

MOVER:

Carol Ann Schneider

SECONDER:

Cobb Kent Sokolski Harding Crocker Schneider

DiRico Gallagher Finegan

AYE

ABSENT

MOTION to approve the Parks, Recreation & Senior Citizens Department Fiscal Year 2025.

Discussion:

Mr. Johnson stated there are plans to hire a gym monitor for the Middle School and

Gales Ferry School. This would be a cost savings for the department. Parks & Rec

would then only incur a three hour cleaning fee on Monday from the Board of Education

for gym use.

Mr. Johnson stated that there is an over abundance of teams this year in soccer, football,

baseball and the cost of field upkeep is going to increase. Mr. Johnson added that there

is no charge to the Youth Leagues for use of the fields.

Ms. Crocker asked if Seniorcenterct.org is worth the money we pay for it. Ms. Crocker

stated she would monitor the emails that come in and make a recommendation about the

site.

Mr. Johnson stated that revenue received for programs is placed in the special revenue

account. This can be challenging to track a balance as fees are always going in and out to

pay instructors, overhead, and Senior Center fees. Mr. Johnson added that 20% of class

fees are for overhead. Mr. Johnson stated that all fees remain in the special revenue

account to cover programming and are not transferred to the Town.

Mr. Johnson stated there will be a slight increase to the cost for the MyRec software due

to increase in yearly revenue fun through the system. This is due to adding the senior

programming to the system.

Ms. Buhle inquired if there were any major items that Mr. Johnson would like to see in

the budget that were not included. Ms. Buhle added she believes it is valuable for the

taxpayers to know what items Mr. Johnson would like to see included in the budget that

were not important enough for this year. Mr. Johnson responded that there are many

things that we would like but there is not room in the budget this year. Mr. Johnson

shared there is already $29,000 increase to the proposed budget and there is not room to

cut any of those increases.

Discussion ensued regarding what items should be in the budget vs. capitol plan.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Norma Sokolski

RESULT:

MOVER:

Carol Ann Schneider

SECONDER:

Cobb Kent Sokolski Harding Crocker Schneider

DiRico Gallagher Finegan

AYE

ABSENT

MOTION to approve the Parks, Recreation & Senior Citizens Department Fiscal Year 2025

Capitol Budget.

Discussion:

Mr. Johnson stated the fill in material for playscapes is a more expensive option up front,

but will save money in the long run, it will prevent maintenance from being an issue.

Mr. Johnson stated that park automation (locks for doors) will improve building security

and ease of access and also reduce staff hours. For example, staff will not have to be

called in to open or close bathrooms every day.

Mr. Johnson stated the Blonder's basketball court will receive maintenance to prolong the

life of the court. This court also requires cleaning.

Mr. Johnson shared that the pickleball courts would be located behind the Gales Ferry

Community Center. There will be some site work and tree trimming required. Mr.

Johnson stated he does have some funds budgeted for tree trimming this year. These will

be concrete courts. Mr. Johnson also shared that pickleball is currently the fastest

growing sport in America.

Parks and Recreation has run out of storage space for the items needed to run the

programs. Mr. Johnson stated he was researching Conex containers for storage. Mr.

Johnson stated this would be helpful for storage especially in the summer to store and

transport items for summer camp. Ms. Cobb mentioned that Mr. Johnson should consult

with Planning and Zoning as she believes the regulations regarding shipping containers

have changed.

Ms. Kent asked if Mr. Johnson could justify why so much is spent on football and who

uses the concession stand at Judge Crandall field. Mr. Johnson responded that Parks and

Recreation owns the building at Judge Crandall field and the building is falling apart and

Baseball and Football use the concession stand. The concession stand is in rough shape

from years of neglect. Mr. Johnson stated that the Parks & Recreation budget supports

all Leagues. Mr. Johnson estimates that approximately $200,000 is spent per year to

support all leagues.

Ms. Cobb suggested working to plan more than just one year ahead and working towards

a long term plan. It was suggested that an outside firm be hired to create a Parks master

plan with would include that would identify the needs within the community.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Norma Sokolski

RESULT:

MOVER:

Margaret Anne Harding

SECONDER:

Cobb Kent Sokolski Harding Crocker Schneider

AYE

DiRico Finegan

Gallagher

EXCUSED

ABSENT

IX.

ADJOURNMENT

Ms. Crocker moved the meeting be adjourned, seconded by Ms. Schneider.

The meeting adjourned at 9:21 p.m.

VOTE: 6-0 Approved and so declared