January 22, 2008 7:30PM - 9:00PM
Attendees: Michael Di Silvio, Peter Ruffner, Angela Egan, Legislator David Denenberg, Warren Vanderwater, Ken Nersesian, Don Paulson, George Brennen, Lucie Dean, Ted Fulton, Barbara Richko, Carla
Powell, Wayne Edwards.
Michael Di Silvio opened the meeting at 7:30pm by greeting all attendees and informing the members of Barbara Deleon's offer to step down as Corresponding Secretary. After a brief discussion we accepted
her offer with the hope that she will continue as a member. Michael DiSilvio will respond to Barbara and we will begin a search for her replacement.
Angela Egan presented the financial information: Current balance $10,300.58. We are waiting for the final $5,000 grant check form the Nassau County Youth Board (NCYB) and will submit the final report and
vouchers for the $10,000 NCYB grant which ended 12/31/2007.
Also discussed was the recent vandalism of the gazebo and steps that we must take to make repairs. Ken will contact the contractor for an invoice and to press the urgency of making the repairs.
Legislator David Denenberg discussed general information related to expected improvements to Tackapausha Preserve and questions were asked regarding local cleanup issues. Carla Powell (President of the
Seaford Chamber) discussed her "Enhancement Project" initiative . She was asking for a volunteer to join the effort and for us to alert her to areas in Seaford that need to be enhanced. Carla also suggested we
contact the South Bay newspaper for advertising as it reaches everyone in Seaford.
Ted Fulton discussed the progress on getting a new electronics sign for the high school. We will await their further negotiations with a contractor and revisit. A request for a speed sign on Seamans Neck Road
in front of the high school will be sent to the Town of Hempstead.
George Brennen of the Lions Club asked for assistance in the Blood Drive on February 2nd at the High School 8:00AM - 3:30PM.
Don Paulson discussed the Two Guys and A Gal performance will jointly host at the American Legion on March 9, 2008.
Barbara Richko requested Guitar Hero and Dance Revolution be purchased for the FNL activity Nights. We approved it's purchase.
February 2008 7:30PM - 9:00PM
Attendees: Michael Di Silvio, Warren Vanderwater, Ken Nersesian, Don Paulson, Lucie Dean, Les Degen, Katie Sastri
Ken Nersesian indicated the Gazebo repairs should be done soon and that he is communicating with the contractor to assure it's timely completion. We will ask for additional materials for back up in the
event of further vandalism to the gazebo. The anticipated cost of repair is $450.00. Our next project is to repair the benches and secure them to the ground. We will also inform Carla Powell of the
Chamber to include the gazebo maintenance to the beautification project they are working on. We will also contact Angie Cullin's office for an update on the sign.
Upcoming events were mentioned: Rachel's Challenge (March 1), SEPTA Hawaiian Luau (March 7) and FNL(April 4).
Michael DiSilvio distributed several logos that the High School students created for the Wellness Council. We gathered comments which will be submitted to the class for further changes.
Don Paulson agreed to contact a Boy Scout looking to do a project at the Tackapausha Museum to see if we want to get involved with the project.
We agreed to sponsor 26 t-shirts for the CDC teams who will be competing in March.
We will update the Wellness computer and provide it to the new secretary.
Michael DiSilvio
April 29, 2008 7:30PM - 9:00PM
Attendees: Michael Di Silvio, Ken Nersesian, Peter Ruffner, Angela Egan, Don Paulson, Michael Ragon, Richard Di Blasio, Coleen Graziose, Barbara Richko
Michael Di Silvio opened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. by greeting all members. Angela Egan presented the Treasurer’s Report. The current balance is $11,561.72.
Michael Di Silvio reviewed the April Friday Night Live and declared it a success. The Guitar Hero portion of the evening was well-received by the students. Barbara Richko later reiterated this. Ken Nersesian
indicated he will try to acquire another guitar for use at future FNL events. Barbara Richko, Ken Nersesian, and Michael Di Silvio discussed ongoing preparations for the June FNL. The June event will have a
carnival theme.
Michael Di Silvio, Ken Nersesian, and Michael Ragon discussed a Guitar Hero event with prizes on the high school level. Michael Ragon will discuss this possibility with Mr. Romeo from the high school.
Mr. Ragon thanked the Wellness Council for its donation toward the new electronic sign at the high school. He let the group know that the cost of the sign has been covered through the Wellness Council and
various other groups. He anticipates the sign will be installed by the end of the school year. Angela Egan gave Michael Ragon the check for the sign. Mr. Ragon said he may tie in the dedication of the sign
with another high school event. Mr. Ragon will get back to the group with a completion date.
Richard Di Blasio discussed the proposed 2008-2009 school budget. He indicated the budget is just more than $51 million with a budget to budget increase of 4.8% and a tax levy of 4.7%. Proposition 2 seeks
to reduce bus mileage to .8 of a mile. He informed the group that staff levels will be increased slightly. Full day kindergarten has been included, as well as a 7th grade volleyball team, and a new assistant
track coach. The budget hearing is on May 8 at 7:30 p.m. and the vote takes place on May 20. Richard Di Blasio reported that the energy conservation work through Johnson Controls has begun. The middle
school floors and bleachers have been refurbished. Michael Di Silvio thanked Richard for the school board’s hard work, particularly the Johnson Controls contract and the successful bond proposal.
Ken Nersesian spoke about the Gazebo. He indicated that the spindles were fixed and then broken again. A sign from the town indicating when the park closes was installed, but was pulled up soon thereafter.
The benches in the area have been secured. The plan for landscaping around the area has fallen through, so Ken mentioned the need to find someone new to do it. Don Paulson indicated he will get in
touch with an Eagle Scout candidate regarding the landscaping project.
Peter Ruffner told the group the bids will come back for Washington Avenue Park on June 9. He also indicated that Seaford Little League may discuss use of the park for next year.
Michael Di Silvio mentioned the Hot Chocolate Run. The date is December 6. He anticipates the group will begin to gather sponsorships in June.
Peter Ruffner spoke about National Trail Day. After discussions with Wendy Albert from Tackapausha Preserve, the date for the event will be June 7. He will secure permission to have a Barb Que on the
grounds after the event. There was a discussion about the location of the clean up. Flyers announcing the event may be handed out at the Memorial Day parade. Angela Egan will reach out to the Harbor
and Manor student councils to ask for help. The Key Club will also be contacted.
Peter Ruffner gave an update on the Library Festival. There are four groups involved, including the Wellness Council.
Michael Di Silvio told the group he would send an e-mail out to determine which members of the group would be marching in the Memorial Day parade.
Michael Di Silvio received an e-mail regarding the development of commercial property on Merrick Rd. and Willoughby St. He will refer the person who wrote the e-mail to the town. The group is still waiting
for the final versions of the Wellness Council
logo. It will be decided before the school year is over.
May 20, 2008 7:30PM - 9:00PM
Attendees: Michael Di Silvio, Peter Ruffner, Sharon Jonas, Warren Vanderwater, David Denenberg
In Angela Egan's absence, Michael informed everyone that the 2007 tax return has been filed. In addition, we can expect to receive the Wellness computer and files shortly and we will look to upgrade it for a
reasonable fee. The computer and files will be then be in the possession of our new recording secretary - Coleen Graziose.
The logo contest is complete and the winning logo has been selected. We will meet with the computer class that designed the logo and present them with a check for $250.00.
David Denenberg informed us of the difficulties surrounding grants in today's environment and assured us that he would work to secure future funds to the Council. He applauded us on our use of funds and
gave praise to the activities of our organization. He encouraged us to apply for a 501c3 designation and offered to refer a person who may assist us in the process.
The gazebo continues to be vandalized despite our pleas to the Police to increase patrols of the area. A sign was erected by the Town of Hempstead "No in the park after Dark" and No Skateboarding",
however it was removed three times and had to be replaced. It is now standing as of today.
We were invited to walk on the Memorial Day Parade and encourage all to meet at Verity Plaza on Memorial Day at 9:45AM to march. We will then have a brief ceremony at the Word War l Memorial.
Sharon Jonas will investigate if we can get replacement shrubs at no cost. If not we will remove the dead shrubs and plant smaller ones before memorial day. Don Paulson will have Boy Scouts landscape the
War memorial as well as the memorial at the Middle School.
Friday Night Live is set for June 6th. It will be a carnival theme and we will continue the popular Guitar Hero contest.
National Trails Day is set for June 7th, 9AM-Noon followed by a BBQ. We need to advertise. We need a volunteer as a point person so that we can manage the event from the museum entrance while others
do the actual cleanup.
The Library Summer Concerts begin soon and the Wellness Council will be a co-sponsor of the August 16th concert. It will be held at the gazebo starting at 7:30PM!
Michael Di Silvio
June 17, 2008
Attendees: Michael Di Silvio, Ken Nersesian, Warren Vanderwater, Angela Egan, Coleen Graziose
Michael Di Silvio indicated that the June 6 Friday Night Live was a success. All of the activities were well received by the students. The Wellness Council will be sponsoring four FNL events in the upcoming
school year. Michael Di Silvio and Ken Nersesian acknowledged Barbara Richko’s effort and hard work in making the FNL evenings a success.
The group went on to discuss the gazebo at the Seaford train station. Michael Di Silvio indicated that he will replace two of the spindles. He noted that other spindles are bent and six are still missing. Ken
Nersesian has been in touch with the Amish Barn and has ordered additional replacement spindles. He will follow up on the order.
Coleen Graziose was given applications to be completed for the use of Seaford School District facilities. These forms will be completed and submitted to Patty Farrell in the district central office. It was
determined that Coleen Graziose will not need to use the old Wellness computer. It was suggested that the computer might be donated to a needy family. Michael Di Silvio will e-mail the four building
principals to determine whether there is interest in the computer.
Michael Di Silvio and Angela Egan will be completing forms to obtain a $3000 grant from the Department of Health.
A motion was made and carried to send $25 to the Wantagh/Seaford Citizen to sponsor a published list of graduating seniors in the paper.
The latest insurance bill for the Wellness Council will be paid by Angela Egan. Michael Di Silvio and Angela Egan will be filling out forms to apply for a grant from Senator Fuschillo.
Correspondence was received indicating there may be outstanding grant money that was awarded to the Wellness Council in the past that has yet to be collected. This will be investigated further.
The Wellness Council will be filing a tax return. The organization may seek to file a 501©)(3) in the future. A discussion ensued regarding the need for an attorney to help complete these forms.
The meeting was closed at 8:40 P.M.
Coleen Graziose