Minutes

Wellfleet Recereation Committee Meeting Minutes

November 16, 2017, 7:00 P.M.

Wellfleet Elementary School

APPROVED

Present:  Rhonda Fowler, Kerry Cox, Christine Bezio, Becky Rosenberg, Angel Robinson, Michelle Olem, Suzanne Grout Thomas

Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM

Agenda items:  Budget, Recovery 349, playground construction, additional soccer offerings, additional items

BR opened the meeting with concerns reagarding the proposed budget for the recreation department.  Items of interest mentioned were seasonal employees hourly salaries, the Wellfleet Sk8park monitor position and the loss of seasoned counselors for the summer programs.  With the newly mandated minimum wage increase to $11.00/hour the proposed budget is a 16% increase from FY 2017.  Wellfleet has lost 5 seasonal summer councellors to other programs/employers due to lack of competive wages.  E.g.:  Wellfleet pays $14.50 for councellors with experience, Truro pays $16.00/hour.  The Town Administrator (TA) has proposed eliminating the Wellfleet Sk8park monitor and decreasing the year round part time Recreation department employee's hours in the off season.

A discussion was had regarding seasonal employee responsibilities should the Sk8park monitor position be eliminated, recruiting new seasonal employees, presence of Recreation Department at Job Fairs, CCCC, High School internships and housing concerns.  It was suggested that the Recreation Department head could/should sit down face to face with the Town Administrator for a frank discussion about the budget and that a letter, or letters, could be written to the Board of Selectman.  Discussion was then regarding Sk8park hourly coverage, rules and regulations.  It was suggested that an historical perspective be presented to the TA in the form of meeting minutes, incident reports, parental concerns etc when meeting with him.

MO was in attendance to discuss project Recovery 349.  Michelle Olem and Joan Zukas spearhead the effort concerning the opiate use/abuse within the town, recovery and prevention.  Discussion was held regarding the need for a teen center or community center; a meeting will be held on December 4, 2017@9:00 A.M., Preservation Hall for this endevour.  It was mentioned that questions were being drawn up by Lisa Brown for NRHS student for part of the Community Programming / Develpomental Comprehenive Plan.  The phrase "Community Center Without Walls" was suggested until a solution is found for the town.  BR reminded the attendees that Nauset Regional School Superintendant Tom Conrad encourages the use of schools for community programming. A discussion about using the COA, WES and other potential sites (temporary WPD housing) followed.

Construction of Playground at Baker's Field:  Monies were reallocated for the purchase of playground equipment for 2-5 year olds, playstructures/trucks.  The plan is also to replace the tent with a more permanent structure.

CB mentioned involving local soccer clubs for additional instruction as interest was expressed within the community per parental request.  Discussion will take place another time.  No additional items at this time.

Motion to adjourn:  Rhonda Fowler, Christine Bezio second.

Meeting adjourned:  8:26 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted, Christine Bezio