February 12, 2013 - Town of Amherst

TOWN OF AMHERST RECREATION COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013
5:00 P.M., NORTHTOWN CENTER AT AMHERST
1615 AMHERST MANOR DRIVE
WILLIAMSVILLE NY 14221
PRESENT:
Bakshi, Sunil
Cavagnaro, Mark
Clair, Theresa
Schratz, Thomas (excused)
Schreck, Robert
Witter, Gary
Zolczer, April
GUESTS:
Jon Fulcher
Josh Heatley
Fran Knab
Robert Knab
Tammy Schueler
Mike Zekas
Skate Pk Representatives
Mary-Diana Pouli, Executive Director, Youth & Recreation Department (excused)
Anne E. Schiferle, Program Supervisor
Eric W. Guzdek, Recreation Specialist
Guy R. Marlette, Deputy Supervisor/Liaison to Youth & Recreation Department
CALL TO ORDER
A. Call To Order
1. The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Mr. Schreck.
B. Approval of Minutes
1. Mrs. Clair made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 8, 2013
Meeting and was seconded by Mr. Witter. All in favor. Motion approved
6 – 0.
PRESENTATION
A. The skate park representatives introduced themselves: Jon Fulcher, Josh Heatley,
Mike Zekas, Bob and Fran Knab and Tammy Schueler (mother of Alix Rice).
B. Mr. Marlette stated that the following issues need to be addressed:
1. Who will own the skate park
2. Financial and liability Issues
3. Long-term cost issues
C. A power point presentation was given. It showcased the history of skateboarding,
injury statistics, local injury study and sports injuries statistics.
D. It was noted that the Master Plan Criteria recommended two (2) to three (3)
modestly-sized parks. This one will be @18,000 square feet of concrete. The
City of Tonawanda has a skate park on State Street.

Commission Minutes February 12, 2013 Page Two
E. It was stated that $35,000 could come from the Tony Hawk Foundation.
Vandalism complaints would go to the park management.
F. A discussion followed regarding location, costs, liability and management of the
skate park.
G. The issue will be put on next month’s agenda.
OLD BUSINESS
A. Skate Park Request
This is tabled until after review of the issue.
B. Procedure for becoming a recognized user group
No new requests have come in yet.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Request from Northtown Automotive for signage
1. This request is for a sign facing the participants playing baseball near Diamond #1,
not motorists. It was noted that this request is outside the scope of the naming
rights agreement. A discussion followed regarding costs as there is an electrical
expense involved. Mr. Bakshi made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Clair, that Mr.
Guzdek address this issue with the Town Attorney and refer it back to the
Recreation Commission after that. All in favor. Motion passed 6 – 0.
RECREATION LIAISON REPORT – Guy R. Marlette – No report
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/YOUTH & RECREATION – Mary-Diana Pouli
(excused)
PROGRAM REPORT – Anne E. Schiferle
A. Winterfest was held on Saturday, January 26, 2013 at the Harlem Road
Community Center from 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. It was enjoyed by all with
many outdoor activities. There were approximately 300 in attendance.
B. Amherst Teen Idol was held on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at the Boulevard Mall
from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. There were thirty-seven participants. Fifteen
(15) finalists were selected and will compete in March.
C. Valentine Variety was held on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at the Clearfield
Community Center from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. There were approximately
fifty (50) participants.

Commission Minutes February 12, 2013 Page Three
D. A Mid-Winter Recess Camp will be held at the Harlem Road Community Center
and the Amherst Youth and Family Center at the Northtown Center from
February 19 – 22, 2013. Currently, there are limited openings at the Amherst
Youth and Family Center and none at Harlem Road.
E. There is also an Open Gym Program at the Clearfield Community Center from
February 19 – 22, 2013 from 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.
F. Summer program planning is ongoing and information for is being prepared for
the summer brochure.
G. Summer camp registration starts next week, Tuesday, February 19 th through
Friday, March 1 st, at the Youth & Recreation Office.
H. The accreditation Program for the Clearfield Afterschool Program is going well.
I. Some bands have been scheduled for the 2013 Summer Concert Series on
Tuesdays and Thursdays at Bassett Park. There will be opportunities for
sponsorship available.
J. ID Card Sales
1. There was no February Meeting in 2012 to compare sales. There have
been 1215 cards sold since last month.
FACILITIES REPORT – Eric W. Guzdek
A. The RFP for food and beverages at the Audubon Golf Course has been released.
B. A walk-through of the facility was held on February 25, 2013 for prospective
bidders.
C. The RFP for the golf pro has been done. Ms. Pouli has reviewed the proposal,
anticipating approval shortly and released in early March.
D. The ice resurfacers have been rebidded and re-ordered. Delivery is one (1)
month ahead of schedule.
E. Mr. Guzdek discussed the improvements to Rink One and the Feature Rink. The
cost is $279,000 including two (2) new sets of dasherboards. There was a
savings of $15,000. The feature rink will have a very clean look as everything
will be new and will keep true to the radius of the rink. The cost came in $11,000
under budget.
A. Mr. Schreck asked about the old ice resurfacers. Mr. Guzdek stated that they will
be available as back-ups. The current back-ups will be sold.

Commission Minutes February 12, 2013 Page Four
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
A. Mr. Schreck spoke about background checks and stated that Amherst Youth
Hockey does a background check on all adults.
LIAISON REPORTS
A. Baseball/Youth Softball – Mr Cavagnaro
1. Mr. Cavagnaro stated that he will ask the Mathewson/McCarthy Little League to
make a presentation in March.
B. Skating Club/Budget/UB – Mrs. Clair
1. Mrs. Clair apologized for last month. She will ask the Skating Club to make a
presentation in April.
C. Amherst State Park/Parks & Playgrounds/Special Projects – Mr. Schratz
D. Town Board/Press Reports/Lacrosse/Programs for the Disabled – Mr. Bakshi
E. Ice Hockey/NCAA Oversight/Personnel – Mr. Schreck
1. Mr. Marlette spoke about the fifth ice rink and hotel issues. He stated that the
timing is off.
F. Soccer/Football/Town Recreation Facilities/Adult Softball – Mr. Witter
G. Golf/high School Basketball/Racquet Sports – Ms. Zolczer
CORRESPONDENCE
PRESS RELEASES/NEWS ARTICLES
ADJOURNMENT
A. Mr. Cavagnaro made a motion to adjourn the meeting and was seconded by Mrs.
Clair. All in favor. Motion passed 6 – 0.