PARKS COMMISSION

February 12th, 2014

7:00 P.M.

PRESENT: Tom Battaglia, Roger Pacos, A.J. Balch, Ryan Meredith,Evie Sievert, Dave Giambrone, and Janet Nalbone

Meeting called to order by A.J. Balch at 7:04

A motion was made by Roger Pacosand seconded by Janet Nalboneto approve theNovember, 2013 minutes. All in favor.

Old Business

Winter Program Review:

  • We had 71 total registrants
  • Wrestling 29
  • Grade 2-4 Basketball 27
  • Grade 5-8 Basketball 15
  • Ice skating had tremendous numbers, possibly due to a better time slot (10:45-11:45 this year, 9-10 in 2012-2013). Peak number was during Christmas week with 115 people on the Sunday. Average attendance for all the dates were between 40-50 people.
  • Average attendance for wrestling and grade 5-8 basketball was under 15. Grade 2-4 basketball often had 20-25 people.
  • Next year, we will discuss moving Grade 2-4 basketball off of Mondays to avoid conflicts with holidays.
  • There were no participants registered for both basketball and wrestling, so scheduling both on the same day shouldn’t cause any issues (assuming we will still be able to use the Wheelock Gym).

New Business

Spring / Easter Program:

  • Will be held on Saturday, April 12th at Fredonia Elementary school – Time TBD
  • Nels Cremean (In Jest) will be entertainment again this year.
  • Tom will order gift bags and new plush toys for attendees this year
  • Any other ideas for gift bags should be communicated to Tom ASAP
  • Laona Easter Egg hunt will be on Saturday, April 19th.

Initial Summer Planning:

  • Gazebo Concert Series – 7 Dates booked
  • 7/2 – Cassadaga Area Band - $250
  • 7/9 – Farina & Friends - $475
  • 7/16 – Kokomo Time - $500
  • 7/23 – Rustic Ramblers - $375
  • 7/30 – New Horizons Band - $250
  • 8/6 – Dave Golando Big Band - $700 (*Booked after our meeting)
  • 8/20 – Dixiecrats - $475
  • Open Dates – 6/25 & 8/13
  • One less concert date this year (8/27)
  • Hope to use money for an additional movie night in RJP
  • Also will provide a rain date to use if necessary
  • Rick Davis from the Opera House approached Tom about the possibility of bringing in a band for the series as part of a “community outreach” grant, which if secured, could pick up approximately 25% of the cost. He will get us more details as they become available. (NOTE: Rick wasn’t able to book band. August 27th will remain an open/rain date).
  • Emergency Cancellation Proceedures
  • Due to the severe weather experienced this winter, Tom has registered the department with WIVB-TV (Channel 4 Buffalo)
  • Emergency cancellation will be announced on the “crawl,” in addition to our traditional outlets of WDOE and our Facebook page.
  • Summer Program
  • Applications will be sent out to last summer’s staff in March
  • Applications will be made available to new applicants in April
  • We possibly will need a new summer coordinator. If necessary, Tom will fill the position with an individual from the returning staff.
  • Playground use by outside groups
  • Evie would like to use the Laona Playground during Attic and Sellar Days.
  • Permission must be obtained by the Town Board, but it’s important for Tom to be notified so he can be sure the facility is clean and ready to be used.

For the Good of the Order:

  • Motion to adjourn by Roger Pacos and seconded by Ryan Meredith.
  • Next meeting will be on March 5th, 2014 at 7:00 PM at Village Hall.

Minutes submitted by Evie Sievert