Woodbridge Recreation Commission – Special Meeting - Town of ...

Woodbridge Recreation Commission – Special Meeting 3-6-2007
In Attendance:
Commissioners:
Stan Gedansky - Chairman
James McVeety
Andrea Weinstein
Janet Hershman
Board of Selectmen Liason
Chris Dickerson
Recreation Director
John Adamovich
Pool Director
Theresa Burr-Bahner
Mr. Richard Moss
Mrs. Bernadette Bahner
Meeting called to order at 7:05pm
Pool Director Theresa Burr-Bahner spoke about her concerns regarding the actions of
pool patron Mr. Richard Moss. Ms. Burr-Bahner stated that she had talked to Recreation
Director John Adamovich about Mr. Moss throwing pool toys out of the pool when they
float into his lane. Mr. Adamovich told her to explain to Mr. Moss if it happened again,
he would be asked to leave the pool. On Thursday, March 1 st , Ms. Burr-Bahner told Mr.
Moss that if he acts that way again, he would have to leave the pool. Mr. Moss became
angry and threatened to report her to the 1 st Selectman, blamed the lifeguards for not
taking the pool toys out of the pool. Ms. Burr-Bahner explained to him that the
lifeguards were not responsible for pool toys. Ms. Burr-Bahner stated that Mr. Moss
screamed at her. As it was past 6pm, Ms. Burr-Bahner then asked Mr. Moss to leave
because free swim was over. Afterward, Mr. Moss walked up to a car and yelled at Mrs.
Bernadette Bahner.(Theresa’s mother) Mrs. Bahner called Theresa on her cell phone and
asked Theresa to call the police. Mr. Moss left. Ms. Burr-Bahner stated that the
lifeguards had concerns about Mr. Moss’ actions and she was concerned about patrons
and staff.
Mr. Moss responded that this had been blown out of proportion. He swims for health
reasons. He stated that on Tuesday, Febuary 27 th , pool toys floated into his swim lane.
He asked the lifeguard to keep things out of his lane – the lifeguard shrugged his
shoulders. Mr. Moss then stated that he took the pool toys out and threw them under the
bleacher seats. On Thursday, March 1 st , when he was leaving, Ms. Burr-Bahner came up
to him and stated that he hit, or came close to hitting a little girl with a pool toy. He
stated that Ms. Burr-Bahner threatened to throw him out. Mr. Moss said he would go to
the 1 st Selectmen’s office. Mr. Moss said that he felt Ms. Burr-Bahner was threatening
when she asked him to leave. Mr. Moss left without a word. He went to the Recreation
office and the door was locked. He saw Ms. Burr-Bahner’s car outside and saw a woman
on a cell phone inside. He saw it was not Ms. Burr-Bahner. Mrs. Bahner rolled down her

window and told him to stay way from her daughter. Mr. Moss stated that he went to his
car. Mr. Adamovich made arrangements for Mr. Moss to swim at the JCC for a week and
he has had no problems there. Mr. Moss stated that he threw pool toys under seats so
they didn’t come back into pool. Police came to his house and police report is not
accurate in his opinion. Mr. Moss claims no one was near when he threw toys out of the
pool. He does not know the 1 st Selectman personally and has never met him. He never
threatened to get Ms. Burr-Bahner fired. He wanted to get the situation straightened out.
Mrs. Bahner stated that she will seek counsel on this matter. Then Mrs. Bahner said she
was not on the phone with Ms. Burr-Bahner when Mr. Moss approached the car but with
someone else. Mrs. Bahner stated that she saw a man throw a bag on the sidewalk. Mr.
Moss came over to the car. Mrs. Bahner said she was Ms. Burr-Bahner’s mother. Mrs.
Bahner hung up the phone and then called her daughter. She had no knowledge of the
incident in the pool area at this time. Mrs. Bahner asked Woodbridge Police Officer
Lynch not to arrest him.
Mr. Moss replied that Mrs. Bahner was on the phone with Ms. Burr-Bahner. Mrs. Bahner
asked him “do I know you? Can I help you?” Mr. Moss replied “no, I thought you were
Theresa.”
Ms.Burr-Bahner stated that she has never had a problem in 8 years working in the pool
area and 1 year as Pool Director. Her first responsibility is the lifeguards. The lifeguards
are responsible and well mannered. She never had an incident or accident. In Free
Swim, 1 st priority is the kids. Ms. Burr-Bahner stated that the lifeguards are very
responsible but feel uncomfortable with Mr. Moss and patrons feel uncomfortable with
him. Her job is to take care of any risks. Ms. Burr-Bahner stated that there were no
problems in the summer with hundreds of kids. She prides herself on having responsible
lifeguards. Ms. Burr-Bahner feels that Mr. Moss would be a risk to patrons and staff.
Mr. Moss stated that he spoke with Joe Hellauer on Friday morning about this incident.
Mr. Gedansky will speak with Town Counsel on this.
Mr. Adamovich will talk to the JCC about extending Mr. Moss’ use of their pool in the
interim.
Meeting adjourned at 7:50pm.