by Bea Peterson
The Town of Hoosick Board held a special workshop meeting on Thursday, March 20, to discuss the Town’s Summer Camp program. Supervisor Mark Surdam, Deputy Supervisor Jeff Wysocki and Councilman Bruce Patire were in attendance. Councilman Dave Sutton was out of town. Patire started the discussion by saying “I will not be surprised to not see the pool open.” This would definitely change the face of the Summer Camp as a good portion of the Camper’s days were taken up with swimming lessons and free swims. Another pool related issue regarding the Camp is keeping the youngsters away from the pool area while work is underway.[private]
The liner has already been removed from the pool and the pool has been scanned for in-ground deterioration. Laberge Group has been contracted to put the job out for bids and to work with the Health Department regarding any issues that may arise. Though the pool project is moving along, it has not been contracted out and no time line for project completion has been established.
The Board members were not that familiar with Summer Camp operations and wondered how many hours a day counselors can work. Surdam noted that it was not like the old days; today counselors have to make one on one trips to the restrooms with the campers. The members agreed it was essential to get the Castle playground cleaned up so it can be utilized. Patire said they should put out for bid removal of the treated lumber in the playground and get it out of there. Surdam said they were open to listening to all suggestions regarding the playground. A special item on the Town website reads:
Castle Playground Champion Needed
The “Castle Playground” that was a huge and wonderful community project 20 years ago is showing it’s age. The Town Board would like to put together a committee to discuss and review options for either updating or redesigning/rebuilding this area between the tennis/basketball courts and the Community Pool. Please contact Supervisor Surdam or Councilman Sutton if you are interested in helping with this project.
The Board noted that $8,000 has already been allocated for the playground cleanup and improvement. Surdam said, “it was a community project years ago and I hope it will be again.”
As for Summer Camp, Supervisor Surdam said, “we’ve got to have someone with programing experience so every day would be different.” Town Clerk Sue Stradinger said the Town has run a Summer Camp for 16 years. The Health Department has requirements that the Camp offer structure and variety. Last year 45 youngsters attended camp. They all agreed those parents need a place for the kids to go for the summer. Stradinger added that years ago the Fire Department, the Rescue Squad and the Sheriff’s Department would spend an afternoon with the campers. But now it’s not easy to find folks available during the day. She added that not every child is interested in sports. Patire said they need to sit down with Nick Downing, who ran the program last year, to have him lay out a program. Surdam noted he should have a little more adult supervision that he had received previously. Recreation Director Tom Margiotta can supply that, but he said he knows nothing about Summer Camp programming.
HAYC3 Director Aelish Nealon, who runs a Summer Camp for 20 children at the Youth Center, said there is not a lot of low cost programming available for the many parents that are struggling financially. “We’re talking about 45 kids,” she said. Stradinger noted most of the campers are in the 5 to 8 year old age group. “If you are not going to have a camp, you have to let people know,” she added. Camp is open to youngsters ages 5 to 12. Stradinger encouraged the continuation of counselor shadowing for teens 13 to 15 years old. She said it’s an important addition to the regular camping program.
The Camp usually runs for six weeks. It begins the week after school ends, which is June 27 this year, and ends August 15. At that time many of the counselors return to college.
The Board agreed if the Summer Camp program stops for a year, it will be ten times harder to get it going again. Margiotta said it is important to keep it going.
An issue regarding counselors using cell phones and taking photos of the kids at the pool was mentioned. Patire said they shouldn’t be using cell phones at all.
It appeared that Councilman Patire will talk with Downing and others to try to keep the program going. No final decision was made at this workshop.
HAYC3 Payments
At 5:45 pm a special meeting was held to approve payments to HAYC3. The three Board members voted yes to paying $14,000 to HAYC3 for salaries to staff working with Hoosick youngsters at the Youth Center. They also voted yes to the $10,000 payment to HAYC3, due annually for five years when HAYC3 agreed to take over the Armory.
Bronnie Powers told the Board, “that is a lot of money for taxpayers to give up, especially since HAYC3 charges for everything they do.” She felt it was an unfair use of taxpayer money. Patire responded that the minimum an engineering firm wanted to look at renovating the Armory or building a new Town Hall was $50,000. “At the time we felt the money was better spent to have HAYC3 get a solid foothold with the building.” The agreement was that the Town would give HAYC3 $10,000 a year for five years. Patire continued, noting that the Town has paid for Youth Center salaries since Leo McGuire was in charge.
Powers then added that the rent paid for the Armory was excessive. Patire responded that the rent was very inexpensive compared to a new or renovated building. “Right now we have one truck to replace, maybe two, then there is the pool and the playground.” He added, “money should have been set aside (for a new building) but it wasn’t. It’s a bad situation.”
Patire asked that the Town receive the names and salaries of those receiving the Town funds. He told Powers, “your concern, that you have to pay for everything… you should talk with HAYC3. You are not the first person to ask these questions.”
Supervisor Surdam added “I love the fact the the Town uses this old building. It’s right in the middle of our community.” Patire added, “I’m not going to complain.” [/private]