Minutes
Present: Joe Dolan, Vanessa Alward, John Board, Linda Mitchel, Kate Schwartz, Barbara Ryhmaun
The meeting was called to order by Joe Dolan at 7:50 pm in the conference room of the Redding Town Office Building.
Those present introduced themselves and provided a brief summary of why they are interested in a teen center for Redding.
ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON, RECORDING SECRETARY & MEETING SCHEDULE
Chairperson: Linda Mitchel nominated Vanesssa Alward to serve as Chairperson. The nomination was seconded by John Board. There were no other nominations. Vanessa Alward was approved by unanimous vote to be Chairperson.
Recording Secretary: Joe Dolan nominated Kate Schwartz to be Recording Secretary. The nomination was seconded by John Board and unanimously approved.
Meeting schedule: following discussion, the following motion was made.
Motion: move that the Teen Subcommittee meet the second Wednesday of each month at 7:45 pm.
Board, Schwartz. Approved. Unanimous.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The approval of minutes of the previous meeting was tabled to the next meeting.
DISCUSSION OF SURVEY FOR TEENS AND PARENTS
Discussion of formatting a survey of needs and wants for parents and teens followed. Mrs. Alward suggested a person she knows who is willing to formulate a survey and tabulate the results. It was determined that the subcommittee should gather additional information before proceeding with a survey.
DISCUSSION OF OTHER TOWN’S TEEN CENTERS
The subcommittee members will gather information about the teen centers in other area towns. Information sought will include:
Types of programs offered
- Age group served
- Cost to the kids/participants
- Funding for facility and programs
- History of initial funding
- Supervision, full time or part time
- Utilization rate
- What works and what doesn’t work
- Governing body
Mr. Board and Mrs. Alward will finalize the list of questions or areas of interest and circulate it to the subcommittee members.
Subcommittee members volunteered to survey the following towns:
- Bethel, Kate
- Monroe, Vanessa
- Easton, Joe
- Ridgefield, Linda
- New Canaan, Barbara
- Wilton, John & Joe
- Trumbull, Vanessa
- New Britain, John
- Westport/Weston, Linda
- Danbury, John
- Newtown, Vanessa
- New Fairfield, Barbara
The information will be gathered for discussion at the next meeting.
Mrs. Alward will also contact the Director’s Club (a club made up of area directors of teen centers) to attend their monthly meeting.
DISCUSSION OF FUNDING IDEAS
Tabled
DISCUSSION OF LOCATION IDEAS
Tabled
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: move to adjourn the meeting. Board, Dolan. Approved. Unanimous.
The meeting was adjourned by 9:09 pm
Submitted by Mary Maday, Recording Secretary
NEXT MEETING, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2015, 7:45 PM
Additional information:
This is motion creating the subcommittee.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Selectmen empower a subcommittee to study the feasibility of establishment and implementation of a teen center in Redding, with a report and recommendation by March 1, 2016. Karvelis, Thompson. Approved. Unanimous.