| Hancock Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 8 July, 2010 Meeting was held in the lower meeting room Hancock Town Office. Those in attendance: Jeffrey Wilder (chair) Kary Shumway Charlie Kerwin Cindy Hixson Guests: Katherine Cousins (waterfront director), Donna Cody Jeff called the meeting to order at 6:32. Jeff asked Katie Cousins, the town’s new waterfront director, how things were going at the beach. Katie reported that there were no specific problems, and felt things were going well. Jeff asked her if she had any additional equipment needs. Katie asked when the head restraint device that is used with the new backboard would arrive. Jeff told her that he had just ordered a different model as the first one ordered was backordered. The new model should be delivered within a week. Katie also said that only 7 kids had signed up for the first session of swimming lessons. She said that the lifeguards were all doing a good job. The guards are using the small storage closet to lock up their equipment as the shed is being left open for the main street construction workers to use the bathroom. Donna Cody spoke and expressed disappointment in the way Katie had handled a few specific situations at the beach in which kids had broken beach rules. Katie explained that she had been hired to enforce the rules and was very committed to keeping things safe. A few individual situations were discussed in which Donna felt that Katie was being too strict. Her opinion was that the guards should be readily available if indeed there was a dangerous situation, but there should be more flexibility if parents are present and swimming with their children. Katie responded to each of Donna’s concerns by stressing that she was concerned with a child’s safety in each of the specific situations. Jeff mentioned that Katie had been hired to be more visible and to be stricter regarding the beach rules. In the past few years, as the previous waterfront director was not spending any time at the pond other than to teach lessons. It was felt that the new director should have more of a “presence” at the beach. Committee members discussed the situation after Katie and Donna left the meeting. Charlie mentioned that he had also heard a couple of complaints from other parents regarding the way rules were being enforced. There was a general feeling that Katie was being “too strict” and was too quick to blow her whistle. It was agreed that parents and that Katie should try to reach a “happy medium” with parents and the enforcement of the beach rules, but safety should never be compromised. Jeff will pass this on to Katie. Kary discussed plans for the 3 on 3 basketball tournament set for Old Home Day. It was agreed that it would be better to have the tournament in the afternoon. He presented a flyer and all agreed that it was o.k. to distribute. The minutes of the meeting of the June meeting were approved as written. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at: 7:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jeffrey Wilder |