June 12, 2021

The Lee Town Board met for a Special Meeting on Saturday, June 12^th, at the Lee Town Hall and was called to order at 12:05 PM.

Present were:  Supervisor John Urtz, Town Clerk Sharon Mortis, Councilmen Jamo Jones, Karl Matt and Alan Trombley.

Unable to Attend:  Councilman Shawn Finster

The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the fate of the summer Youth Program after learning the current coordinators respectfully decline to oversee the 2021 season at this late determination.

At the June 8^th meeting the board rescinded its May motion to cancel the Youth Program and voted to open the program due to the loosening of COVID restrictions. 

On June 9^th postings were placed on the town website and Facebook page advertising that applications were being accepted; additionally, the Town Clerk emailed Ashley Engle & Jessie Mastracco, Program Coordinators, of the Boards decision to run the program starting a week later than usual.

Ashley & Jessie immediately emailed back with regrets that due to the short notice, they would be unable to direct the program up to the deserving standards.  Preparation typically begins in April each year for the July program and starting in June wouldn’t allow time for the hiring & planning process.

Eileen Urtz attended this meeting to communicate to board members the volume of paperwork that needs completion prior to a counselors start date.  The application must be approved by the county as it is a civil service position, there is also paperwork to apply for NYS Retirement if desired, among several other forms and identifications to be provided; this is the reason the hiring process starts months prior to the date the program begins.

Town Clerk Sharon Mortis noted things that the board may want to consider addressing as result of the pandemic if/when the children are gathered:

·        Revising registration to a more detailed form, includes waiver.

·         Parent/guardian must stay with child until cleared.  (Temp checks)   No drop-offs.

·         Consider writing policy addressing safety & hygiene for attendants to reference.

Board members listened to the information and discussed the options of cancelling the program or advertising for 2 coordinators to stand-in for Ashley & Jessie for 2021.  Councilmen Jones and Finster (by letter) offered to help any way they can. 

A motion was made by Jamo Jones, seconded by Karl Matt and carried to advertise for 2 recreational attendants to oversee the program, which will be modified to be 5 weeks, beginning 7/12 through 8/13, references required.  Resumes to be sent to Town Clerk no later than 6/19.

Roll Call:  Jones – Aye; Matt – Aye; Trombley – Aye; Urtz – Aye

A motion to adjourn was made by John Urtz, seconded by Karl Matt, and carried.
Roll Call:  Jones – Aye; Matt – Aye; Trombley – Aye; Urtz – Aye

Meeting was adjourned at 12:50 PM.