|
ENFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING
OCTOBER 16, 2002
A Special Meeting of the Enfield Town Council was held in the Music Room of the Prudence Crandall Elementary School, Brainard Road, Enfield, Connecticut on Wednesday, October 16, 2002. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Vayda at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL-CALL - Present were Councilmen Hall, Jones, Mangini, Strom, Tait, and Vayda. Councilman Kaupin entered at 7:10 p.m. Councilmen Edgar, Egan, Fiore and Tallarita were absent. Also present were Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Town Clerk, Suzanne F. Olechnicki; Recreation Supervisor, Mary Keller.
Chairman Vayda stated Councilmen Egan and Fiore are attending the Senior Citizens Building Committee this evening.
Present from the Enfield Board of Education were Board members Kenneth Hilinski, Joyce Hall, Roger Jones, Thomas Osborn, Sharon Racine, Lynn Scull, Nicholas Sinsigalli, and William Thomson. Also present were Superintendent, Dr. John Gallacher; Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Anthony Torre; Director of School Facilities, Arthur Pongratz; John F. Kennedy Middle School Principal, Timothy Neville
DISCUSSION RE: INDOOR RECREATION - SCHOOL POLICY USE
Chairman Vayda stated the purpose of this discussion is to clarify issues concerning indoor recreation and the school use policy.
Members of the Indoor Recreation Committee, Lynn Scull and Cindy Mangini, provided a Committee update.
Councilman Mangini stated the charge of the Indoor Recreation Committee was to identify indoor recreation priorities and determine how school facilities could be used to accommodate recreational needs. She noted tasks included looking at the following areas:
" Summarizing a priority use order for groups using the facility
" Municipal groups
" Outside organizations
Ms. Scull stated the Committee consulted with their Board Attorney as concerns "cleaning up" this policy and making it more workable. She noted they realized that the language of the policy is ambiguous and they are still reviewing this policy.
Mr. Osborn stated another item discussed with the attorney had to do with how they charge for the use of the facilities, and this area is still being reviewed.
Ms. Scull noted they also have to look at this policy in terms of administrative feasibility. She stated their administrators have been brought up to speed that they should be looking at this policy and following the same guidelines from building to building. She noted staff has some concerns with the administrative regulations in this policy and that is being reviewed further.
Mr. Thomson stated the attorney is going to provide a sample policy which will be compared to the policy currently in place.
Mr. Sinsigalli stated another item to consider is the Equal Access Act and the impact that it has on the use of facilities. He explained this deals with having to treat groups equally. He pointed out they have to be cautious they do not end up in a situation where they become subject to a lawsuit because they are in violation of this act. He stated they have to be sure that when they make any changes, they're not "stepping on anyone's toes. Chairman Vayda questioned whether that changes the priority of the groups, and Mr. Sinsigalli stated he would not expect a great change in the policy.
Councilman Hall questioned if the Policy Committee considered coming up with one central individual for contact rather than individual principals. Mr. Osborn stated that would not be addressed under the policy, but rather that is more of an administrative issue. Councilman Hall stated the principals know the schedules in their individual schools, but schedules vary from school to school.
Councilman Kaupin suggested a computer program that contains all the different schedules.
Councilman Strom stated she recognizes each principal has to schedule for their individual schools, but is it possible that each school could contact a central person so that if someone wanted to use a facility, they could call that one individual rather than calling each and every school. She went on to point out that the school expansion referendum was promoted by telling the public the new gymnasiums would be made accessible to the public.
Ms. Racine stated perhaps schedules could be available on a centralized computer program.
Mr. Hilinski stated his belief this could be centralized, however, he feels the principals still have to retain their autonomy.
Ms. Scull agreed stating centralization might just be a matter of technology.
Chairman Vayda stated without creating a huge bureaucracy or costly system, there could be a limited process whereby individuals could learn about the availability of a building. He stated his belief no one needs to be burdened, and this should be a fairly simple process.
Mr. Sinsigalli agreed and stated they could look into this to see what would be involved.
Councilman Strom questioned when custodial overtime fees kick in. Mr. Hilinski stated if the custodian is already present, there is no charge, however, if a group creates more work for the custodian, there will be a charge.
Dr. Gallacher pointed out sometimes a building might not be available, particularly an elementary school because a custodian might not want any more overtime.
Councilman Strom questioned whether a custodian has to be present if a group, which might not necessarily be an organized group, wished to use a building. Mr. Neville pointed out security is an issue they have to consider.
Mr. Sinsigalli stated they would look into the logistics of having a centralized information system.
It was agreed by the Board of Education members that they would get back to the Town Council in a couple months.
Councilman Hall took this opportunity to express her appreciation to the Enfield Board of Education for accommodating the wrestling program.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION #6206 by Councilman Jones, seconded by Councilman Strom to adjourn.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #6206 adopted 7-0-0, and the meeting stood adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
|
|
|