Somers Recreation Commission

SPECIAL MEETING

January 11, 2007

Members Present: Pam Coverdill, JJ Wassmuth, Karen Murdoch,

Colleen Maniscalco, Rick Lees, Chris Meunier

Non Members Present: Mike Provencher (Park Maintenance),

Jenifer Charette(Rec. Coordinator)

I. The meeting was called to order at 7:35 pm.

II. Review of Minutes: As this was a Special Meeting, there were no minutes to review.

III. Audience: David Pinney, (First Selectman), Kathy Devlin (Selectwoman), Ernie Allsup (Selectman), Bruce Urbon, Kim Urbon, Tom Mazzoli, Jim Maitland.

IV. Presentation: Jim Maitland of the Ellington/Somers Cooperative Tennis Program gave overview of proposal to establish competitive club for High school aged athletes which would utilize current tennis courts within Somers and Ellington; funding available through combination of USTA contributions, self-pay and fundraising efforts. A motion was made by JJ Wassmuth, seconded by Pam Coverdill to endorse the Ellington/Somers Tennis program. The vote to endorse the program was carried by 6-0.

V. Election of New Officers: David Pinney discussed the vacancy created by the resignation of former chairperson Tom Chilicki and called for a nomination of officers. Chris Meunier nominated JJ Wassmuth for Chairperson and Karen Murdoch seconded the motion. The vote to elect JJ Wassmuth as Chairperson was carried 6-0. JJ Wassmuth nominated Chris Meunier as Vice Chairperson and Karen Murdoch seconded the motion; all approved. JJ Wassmuth nominated Colleen Maniscalco as Secretary, with Karen Murdoch seconding the motion; all approved.

VI. Bills/Purchases: Bills and purchases were included in the Coordinator’s report along with an update of the most recent Recreation line-item budgets.

VII. Reports: Recreation packets were distributed to all members by Jenifer Charette, along with the Recreation Coordinator’s report for winter programs. Discussion followed regarding the possible need for a medical/liability release form for use in the fitness room. It was noted that $750 was left over from the Walmart grant for the fitness room, to be used for the purchase of additional equipment.

An update on the Boundless Playground was given by Mike Provencher, regarding the completion of the installation of the “wood chip ground covering”. There is a May 19, 2007 opening ceremony event scheduled with a rain date of May 20, 2007.

VIII. Old Business:

a. Long Range Recreational Study: Rec. Coordinator to get copies of the long range plans for Parks and Recreation Dept to the commission members.

b. STEAP Grant: David Pinney will check on timeframe for submissions for STEAP grants; playground improvements moving along as planned

c. CIP: Proposals for CIP will be reviewed on 1/13/07. Mike Provencher gave an update on the baseball field renovations (field 4), in regards to the new warning track which was implemented for safety. Plans for the irrigation system of the Firehouse athletic field were reviewed with the Fall season as being a potential target date of completion;

the expense may be offset by cost-sharing with the Fire Department.

IX. New Business:

a. Winter Programs: Refer to Rec. Coordinator Report.

b. Review of 2007-2008 Recreation Budget to be discussed and voted on

at the February 5^th meeting and submitted to BOS on February 6^th,

2007. JJ Wassmuth will meet with Jenifer Charette prior to this

meeting to review.

c. Discussion on the re-establishment of a Camp Committee and

a new Special Events Committee comprised of Commission members

to assist in some aspects of the Summer Day Camp and other

Recreation activities.

X. Correspondence: None reported.

XI. Adjournment : A motion was made to adjourn the meeting by Chris

Meunier, seconded by Pam Coverdill. The meeting adjourned at

9:25pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Colleen Maniscalso

Secretary

Somers Recreation Commission