Rec program rehires 3 counselors
Toolbox
By SANDI SWITZER HERALD CORRESPONDENT - Published: April 23, 2009
WALLINGFORD – Three summer recreation program employees will be returning for another five weeks of fun in the sun with local youngsters and children from neighboring communities.
The Wallingford Select Board has decided to hire three counselors from last year's program for this summer's adventures.
The decision was made after hearing concerns from recreation committee members who indicated it was too late in the year to hire new individuals willing to develop their own summer program.
Committee members suggested the board should allow last year's employees to return for another summer with the program they had already established.
The program included organized games, sporting events, crafts, fishing and hiking in the mornings and swimming at nearby Elfin Lake in the afternoons.
Approximately 30 Wallingford youngsters, nine from Clarendon, four from Danby and three from Shrewsbury participated last year, according to recreation committee Chairman Keith Shelvey.
Cheryl Maniery, who helped design the program and volunteered her time, described the counselors as experienced and respectful young adults "well-versed" in child care.
She added they had already "passed up other job opportunities" to return to the Wallingford program.
Board members had voted at a previous meeting to spearhead the application and hiring process and set wages for summer recreation employees.
The board's decision was made after concerns were voiced that counselors were paid between $15 and $20 an hour and several did not reside in town.
There was also discussion the town should be engaged in a "fair application process" for anyone interested in the jobs.
However, recreation committee members indicated it would take too much time to hire new employees who would then have to develop their own program.
Committee members added they would be willing to make salary concessions as a result of the board's concerns. It was also pointed out the fees charged for the program would cover salaries.
"This was a great program last year and there's no need to reinvent the wheel," Select Board Chairman William Brooks said in response.
Board members later entered executive session to discuss personnel issues. After emerging from the closed-door meeting, officials reversed their previous vote and agreed to rehire three counselors and set wages at $12, $15 and $17 an hour.
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