Richard Reed, T. of Northeast

Bob Mead, started from Webatuck Board

Brian Murphy, Rec., Town of Amenia

Justine Winters

Steve Wate, T. of Northeast, Webatuck alumnae

John Merwin, Town of Northeast, Teacher, Ski Club

Recreation Commission

January 21, 2004

Webatuck Central School

6:00 PM

History of Recreation Committee - Many years ago, was recreation commission mostly organized for ski groups, but had no formality, so fell into disuse.   School system helped maintain ski club for dual communities. Three years ago, began process for creating legal strcture.  Joint commission best to meet goals.  Legally necessary for 3 municipalities to have own commissions.   Now just dot i’s, cross t’s.

 Now have document (Richard Read played clerk to it), “Inter-Municipality Articulation Agreement for a Joint Recreation Commission between Amenia, Millerton and Northeast”.  Now issues such as liabilities, legal issues.  Did have reasonable agreement between committee members.  Document has been improved as proofed it against insurance, lawyers.  This new document has been approved by T. of Northeast.  Village of Millerton’s attny had few concerns as Amenia’s lawyer.

 Document approved by T. of Northeast, excepting that included on page 2.  Is contingent upon other two municipalities’ approval of it as well.  Each must pass a public law in own municipalities, then pass it together..

 Reviewed the document:  Page 3:  What does law mean so others later can understand the intent?   Recreation has no distinct definition.  Does not just include ball sports.  Will not take over existing facilities, programs.  Skiing by the way, is an activity being done under school district, not by specific municipalities.  Also, extend activities from school district to community at large.  Community could bring idea to committee and they would decide if will sponsor.  If so, each municipality can participate equally, at low, same cost.  Others can raise money if they want to, we are not responsible though, but commission can solicit from three communities, take money.

 How divide cost of insurance?  Now, seems we have agreed to for first year actual cost of insurance and divide three.   Should not be astronomical first year.  Ideas of activities will bring forward ideas, we decide how to fund it, commission take on resonsibilities of due diligence.  Commissions will vote independently.  If one municipality pulls out, the law ceases.

 Page 12:  Audit of Inspection has been changed to less severe wording.  Now must pass this document by two other municipalities as is, or suggest changes, then start public law process in 3 municipalities.  Can be modified, added to over time.  First thing is to get it to their lawyers.   Village of Millerton has adopted 3.10.  Richard Reed was thanked for work.  Gary Murphy is lawyer, parent, has been very helpful heretofore, kept people informed, hardest thing is to get all three municipalities represented at meetings.

 Get back to Richard Reed of any changes by Feb. 1, 518-789-8200

John Scuteri, H:  518-789-9284, day 789-4641; Scutieri@aol.com

Public Hearing on Feb. 17, 2004.

 Ski club - J. Winters - G. Murphy drafted a letter in October 2003 to try to get ski club up in January.   Goal was to get this approved by end of year.

 Could not deal directly w/ Catamount in Nov. as commission not available by then.   Etc., Two municipalities did not return their forms because insurance questions caused delays.  This is expected to be the final year for school district to sponsor ski club.   All understood it would die if commission would not take it over by then.

 Gary Murphy and/or John Scutieri and Bob Meade will attnend Amenia wksp mtg. Feb. 12.

 Next meeting Feb. 26, 6-7 pm unless Amenia does pass it.

 Need input of changes, but don’t want to go to another version.

 Do we need to meet until ready to adopt local law?  Makes more sense to meet after local laws.

 Other attorneys have had hard look, appx. $1,300 per municipalities.

 Joint commissioners should come back together w/ status report at end of season, here are what looking at next year, then budget insurance accordingly.  We will probably come up with list of activities proposed, then work with insurance to get annual quotes. 

 Notes submitted respectfully by

 Vicki Doyle