Bethany Parks & Rec Gets $29K For Extended Day Program, Sets Department Goals

BETHANY, CT — Bethany's Park & Recreation Department will receive $29,000 in grant funding to help support tuition assistance, materials and supplies for its Extended Day Program, which began the school year with 80 students enrolled in after care and 35 in before care.

Park & Recreation Director Nicolle Vigneron told the commission Sept. 23 that enrollment was starting strongly. The previous school year ended with 85 students in after care and 46 in before care. Additional employees have been hired, particularly for the morning program, although staffing and daily call-outs remain the program's biggest challenge, she said.

The commission met at Bethany Town Hall, with Chair Jennifer Galik, Vice Chair Jaime Guthrie and members Tracy Johnson, Patricia Ryan and Tom Norton attending. Justin Lopes was absent.

Vigneron said the department is considering hiring a "floater" who could serve as a daily substitute. Staff is also developing a monthly calendar of activities and celebrations for students and families.

Four after-school programs — two baking sessions, soccer and painting — were at capacity. Tennis was scheduled to begin with spaces still available. Staff also discussed the possibility of busing students to the tennis courts because of the program's early start time and potentially moving the program to a later time in the spring.

Commission Begins Setting Longer-Term Goals

Commissioners also discussed several possible Park & Recreation Department goals, including a 5K trail run and offering community events for all ages two or three times annually.

Vigneron and Assistant Parks & Rec Director Michael Centoni said they would like to investigate grants for lakefront cleanup, expanding the annex building so department offices could be relocated there and increasing security in the building.

Commissioners discussed coordinating with town management on longer-term building maintenance, including cleaning, painting, weeding and mulching, and determining responsibility for the work.

Vigneron also said she would like to add another full-time employee to help with programming. She raised the possibility of planned shutdown periods to allow the building to receive a deep cleaning and reduce staff burnout.

Commissioners were asked to consider the proposals before continuing the discussion at their October meeting.

Galik, Guthrie Re-Elected To Leadership Posts

The commission unanimously voted to keep Galik as chair and Guthrie as vice chair.

Johnson nominated Guthrie, with Galik seconding the motion. Ryan then nominated Galik to continue as chair, with Guthrie seconding. Both motions passed unanimously.

No one was nominated for secretary. Commissioners agreed to revisit the position in October when the newest member is expected to attend. Vigneron suggested reviewing town policies to determine whether a Park & Recreation Department employee could serve in the role.

Norton was welcomed as a new commission member. Galik said she would follow up with Lopes, who is also joining the commission, about the meeting schedule.

Bethany Hoops Registration Opens Oct. 6

Commissioners added Bethany Hoops to the agenda during the meeting.

Vigneron reported that Craig Behun was in line to be formally hired as the program coordinator after handling the role for the past several years. Registration is scheduled to open Oct. 6.

The Board of Selectmen has approved the application for Tom Dunn Scholarships, which will be available to interested families, Vigneron said.

Games and practices will be held Monday through Friday this year. The change is expected to reduce costs because weekend rentals carried higher expenses associated with bringing in custodial staff. The commission plans to review Bethany Hoops policies and procedures in October. No formal action was taken.

Trunk Or Treat, Harvest Festival Participation Approved

The commission unanimously approved participating in the town's Oct. 30 Trunk or Treat event after a motion by Guthrie and second by Johnson.

The commission also unanimously approved providing a raffle basket for the Harvest Festival. Guthrie made the motion and Johnson seconded.

Meanwhile, the department is seeking more responses to an adult programming survey. Only one response had been received as of the meeting. Vigneron and Centoni said they planned to distribute the survey through MyRec and post it on town and department websites and social media. Commissioners also discussed promoting it at the Harvest Festival and Trunk or Treat and offering a raffle to participants.

The commission unanimously approved its June 24 and Aug. 6 meeting minutes as amended. The meeting adjourned unanimously at 7:39 p.m. The next commission meeting is scheduled for Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m.