Recreation Department makes a splash at village meeting

MILLERTON — The village’s Recreation Department is in ship shape, according to Rec Director Jenn Parks. Parks appeared before the Village Board on Monday, July 20, to give an update about the summer program.

Thus far, the day camp is going well, she said, adding that it has a total of 61 registered campers, down from last year’s number of 108. But Parks isn’t worried.

“I don’t think there’s a camp around that’s fully enrolled,� she said. “We raised our prices and the economy [is in a recession]. Still, I think the prices are pretty fair. It turns out to be $1 or something an hour for parents to have us watch their kids.�

The program is getting ready for its camp out, which is coming up this week. The camp also had a recent trip to the beach and another set for Zoom Flume; both are big hits with the campers.

Parks did say that a parent questioned the splash pad, which is the area for young children where they stand and water flows and splashes, but it’s not a kiddy pool. A few years ago it was shut down due to a state-wide scare of an infectious bacteria. The village has never reopened its splash pad, as it would have cost upward of $80,000 to get the UV filter necessary to kill the bacteria. Instead, the pad now stands near the pool as a reminder of what it once offered to the children too young to swim.

“Our option is to spend $80,000 on a UV filter or turn our splash pad into a wading pool,â€� Parks said. “I think we lose a lot of  business because parents with little kids don’t come to the pool.â€�

Trustee Yosh Schulman asked whether anyone had priced out the cost of the UV filter today, which he said may have  gone down in price and be more affordable for the village if it wants to reconsider fixing the splash pad.

The mayor, however, said it was more than just the cost of the one part.

“It’s more than just the filter,� Mayor John Scutieri said. “There’s the installation cost, etc. You’re right [Jenn], I would love to see a wading pool option.�

Parents Victor and Lydia Kaczor were on hand, contributing to the discussion. They were in favor of the wading pool.

“There’s quite a bit [of support for the wading pool],� Lydia Kaczor said. “There’s nowhere to take my little guy, except the park, which is completely in the sun, when my two other guys are in the pool.�

Scutieri said that roughly three years ago architect Ray Nelson examined the splash pad. His opinion was that the pad was not deep enough to turn into a wading pool. Scutieri said he would revisit the topic with Nelson.

Parks then said there’s $500 in the Recreation Department’s budget for engineering services. That line is seldom drawn from; now would be a good time to do so, she said.

“Can we change it to a wading pool? Is that doable? We need to find out,� Parks told the board. “Maybe at this point, maybe UV filters aren’t as expensive anymore, or maybe you can get them used.�

Kaczor again spoke in favor of pursuing a wading pool or anything that younger children could make use of.

“I think adding a [working] splash pad or wading pool would be a big positive,� she said. “We are constantly there and it would be a big plus.�

“The splash pad is on our agenda every year, but it’s an expensive project,� Scutieri said.

Victor Kaczor suggested the village ask for donations, as he said “there are a lot of wealthy people around here.�

The mayor explained to him that the village can’t ask anyone for money, as it raises money through taxes. He did say, however, that the village can start acting on the matter by calling in its engineers, to see what can and can’t be done with the existing splash pad.

Latest News

Water main cleaning in North Canaan

NORTH CANAAN – Aquarion Water Company today announced a water main cleaning project in the company’s North Canaan system. The project is scheduled to take place from Monday, April 1 through Tuesday, April 16, and is being undertaken to ensure customers in North Canaan continue to receive the highest quality water.

The cleaning for April 1 and April 4 (subject to change) will take place on the following streets:

Keep ReadingShow less
Tuning up two passions under one roof

The Webb Family in the workshop. From left: Phyllis, Dale, Ben and Josh Webb, and project manager Hannah Schiffer.

Natalia Zukerman

Magic Fluke Ukulele Shop and True Wheels Bicycle Shop are not only under the same roof in a beautiful solar powered building on Route 7 in Sheffield, but they are also both run by the Webb family, telling a tale of familial passion, innovation and a steadfast commitment to sustainability.

In the late ‘90s, Dale Webb was working in engineering and product design at a corporate job. “I took up instrument manufacturing as a fun challenge,” said Dale. After an exhibit at The National Association of Music Merchants in Anaheim, California, in 1999, The Magic Fluke company was born. “We were casting finger boards and gluing these things together in our basement in New Hartford and it just took off,” Dale explained. “It was really a wild ride, it kind of had a life of its own.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Robert Cray’s soulful blues coming to Infinity Hall

Robert Cray

Photo provided

Blues legend Robert Cray will be bringing his stinging, funky guitar and soulful singing to Infinity Hall Norfolk on Friday, March 29.

A five-time Grammy winner, Cray has been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and earned The Americana Music Awards Lifetime Achievement for Performance. He has played with blues and rock icons including Albert Collins, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton and many more.

Keep ReadingShow less