HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-10-07 - Parks and Rec Advisory Council Meeting Minutes MINUTES OF THE VILLAGE OF RYE BROOK PARKS
AND RECREATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
938 KING STREET
RYE BROOK,New York 10573
October 7, 2014
Convene Meeting:
Parks and Recreation Advisory Council Chairman Jamie Schutzer called the meeting to order at
8:OOpm.
The following Members of the Parks & Recreation Advisory Council were present:
Advisory Council Members:
Chairman Jamie Schutzer, Adam Berman, Frank Carbone, Traci Erenfryd, Brian Funtleyder,
Steve Ketchabaw, Scott Tillison, Adam Zahl
Absent Parks & Recreation Advisory Council Members:
Christopher Dutra
Recreation Department Members:
Robert Bertolacci, Parks and Recreation Superintendent
I. Minutes:
a. Approve July 8, 2014 Minutes:
Chairman Schutzer asked for a motion to accept the September 9, 2014 Minutes. Committee
Member Berman made the motion to accept the September 9, 2014 Minutes and Committee
Member Funtleyder seconded the motion. The September 9, 2014 Minutes were approved and
accepted.
II. Public View Points:
Committee Member Zahl posed a question. He asked what the protocol is for subletting field
space at Rye Brook Athletic field. Superintendent Robert Bertolacci informed the council that
the Rye Brook Recreation is permitted to authorize usage of the facility. The Village is aware of
an incident between soccer and another entity. That incident was dealt with prior to the next
week.
Chairman Schutzer said Travel Baseball uses Garibaldi Park on Friday afternoons for practice.
He said that the soccer players who play in the outfield make it a bad situation for people using
the baseball field. He said the soccer players refuse to move their game and could cause an
altercation if the two parties cannot come to an understanding. Superintendent Bertolacci
advised Chairman Schutzer to call the Rye Brook Police Department and let them handle the
issue.
Council Member Erenfryd said that she saw the sign for Halloween in the Park and stated that
we should advertise our major programming at that location all of the time. Superintendent
Bertolacci stated that we advertise all of our special events at that location; however, we don't
want to overwhelm our presence to the shopping center.
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III. Superintendent Report:
A. Fall Programs:
Superintendent Bertolacci stated that the Thursday Floor Hockey program is a combination of
kindergarten and 1St graders, as there was not enough of either to do the program on a
Wednesday or Thursday. In addition, there was a Lacrosse program added on Thursday to take
the place of one of the floor hockey programs.
Superintendent Bertolacci said that the basketball numbers as of today were good. They consist
of the following breakdowns:
2-3 Boys - 47 kids - 6 teams
2-3 Girls - 30 kids - 4 teams?
4-5 Boys - 68 kids - 8 teams
4-5 Girls - 33 kids - 4 teams
6-7 Boys - 60 kids - 6-7 teams
6-7 Girls - 29 kids - 3-4 teams
8-9 Boys - 36 kids
10-11 Boys - 19 kids
Superintendent Bertolacci stated there is an issue with too many coaches in the 4-5 boys'
basketball. There are 28 parents that have expressed interest in coaching. Council Member
Tillison asked how we were going to decide the coaches. Superintendent Bertolacci stated
myself, Kyle and Janice were going to sit down and go over the list. Any coaches from that list
who we've had issue with in the past will be removed. There will be two coaches permitted on
the bench for games and two coaches assigned to each team by the Recreation Department. The
remaining parents with interest can let the coaches assigned to the team know that they would
like to help out as alternates.
Superintendent Bertolacci stated that the Teen night trip to Lake Compounce is scheduled for
October 25th. There is limited space as of today remaining. We are looking at Bridgeport
Adventure Park or Long Island Adventure Park for the next Teen trip for November 22'
B. Halloween in the Park:
Superintendent Bertolacci said Halloween in the Park is scheduled for October 17th and 18th.
There will be two hayrides to go around the park and there will be a movie going on while the
people wait in line for the hay ride. We have volunteers for Friday night from the Manhattanville
Hockey team and volunteers from the SUNY Purchase Baseball team for both nights.
C. Pine Ridge Park Wall/Basketball Court:
Superintendent Bertolacci reported the wall at Pine Ridge Park is completed.
Superintendent Bertolacci said the basketball court was mistakenly not included in the paving
bid and will be rebid shortly. If favorable prices are received, then the project will take place this
fall, otherwise it will wait until the spring.
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IV. Baseball Sub-Committee Report—Scott Tillison:
Committee Member Tillison said he needs to call a meeting prior to the November meeting. He
would like to expand interleague play. He would like to merge the Rye Brook and Port Chester
leagues at some point and asked what the Superintendents thoughts were. Superintendent
Bertolacci stated that at the current time, he is not interested in giving up the little league
program, but stated that given the potential numbers in the major league program this year, a
heavier reliance on interleague play may be necessary. Council Member Tillison stated that the
edges of the ball field baselines need to be addressed before someone gets hurt. When they did
the sod, the Parks Department left the edges too high. Superintendent Bertolacci stated that they
would be addressed as soon as possible. Council Member Tillison also requested that the infield
be cut shorter because the grass is growing quicker in the infield. Council Member Tillison also
asked if the equipment boxes behind the backstop be moved off of the fence to lessen the bounce
off of the backstop on a passed ball.
V. Basketball Sub-Committee Report—Brian Funtleyder:
Committee Member Funtleyder stated there is an issue with too many coaches in the 4-5 boys
where there are 28 parents that have expressed interest in coaching. He recommends that there
are 2 coaches per team for drafting purposes and 1 alternate coach. Committee Member Tillison
stated that he would like to see some version of Silent Sunday which is done by travel soccer.
He stated that it gets the kids to communicate on the court better instead of looking back for
coach's instruction. Committee Member Funtleyder stated that the Recreation Department is
looking into better referees. Committee Member Berman stated that it is important that these
referees take control of the game and know the rules. Committee Member Ketchabaw stated that
the Manhattanville basketball team will volunteer to HELP the coaches run the practices and it
will be a good experience for the kids to work with college ball players. Committee Member
Ketchabaw also talked about a Zero tolerance policy across the board for players, parents and
coaches for basketball etiquette. He stated that it is tremendous for the Hockey program.
Committee Member Funtleyder stated that Committee Member Ketchabaw will distribute the
Zero tolerance policy to Superintendent Bertolacci and he will forward to the Basketball Sub-
Committee and the Grievance Committee.
VI. Grievance Sub-Committee Report—Adam Zahl:
Committee Member Zahl said he would like to review the Code of Conduct with the sub-
committee on what is a grievable offense and who can file a grievance. Committee Member
Zahl stated that the Grievance Sub-Committee would also like to take a look at the Zero
Tolerance policy.
VII. Playground Sub-Committee Report—Traci Erenfryd:
Committee Member Erenfryd stated that she met with Superintendent Bertolacci and discussed a
plan of action. She stated that Superintendent Bertolacci met with two companies to date and
have received plans for what they suggest for the existing space in the playground area. He is
also meeting with a third company on Thursday. Superintendent Bertolacci has stated that he
would like to invite these companies to the next meeting on November 4th to present their ideas
for the playground. Chairman Schutzer suggested the next Advisory Council meeting take place
on November 4th at 7:00pm and we invite these three companies to present their plan in half hour
segments.
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VIII. Old Business:
There is no Old Business.
IX. New Business:
Pitching Net
Chairman Schutzer suggested that the Village purchase pitching nets or L screens to protect the
coaches that are pitching. He said this issue was brought to light when a coach was hit and killed
while doing batting practice and as a coach, am very concerned. Chairman Schutzer would like
the Village to ask Travel Baseball for usage of their pitching nets which are at the fields for Little
League usage. Superintendent Bertolacci stated that he will talk with Travel Baseball prior to
next month's meeting.
X. Adjournment:
Chairman Schutzer asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Committee Member Berman
made the motion to adjourn the meeting and Committee Member Tillison seconded the motion.
All approved and the meeting adjourned at 9:15pm. The next meeting of the Parks and
Recreation Advisory Council will be held on November 4, 2014 at 7:00pm.
Minutes Prepared by: Robert Bertolacci,
Parks and Recreation Superintendent
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