Town expects to have rec programs this summer

RHINEBECK, N.Y. » Town leaders are expressing determination about offering youth recreation programs this summer after having to cancel last year’s due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The town hopes to start hiring staff for the programs in June, starting with a camp director, at $20 an hour, and aquatics director, at $15 an hour,

Councilman Allen Scherr said.

Programs will be developed in accordance with COVID-related health regulations and safety protocols, and the number of participants is expected to be below capacity.

“The state is about to issue guidelines for operating pools and camps,” Scherr said at a recent videoconference meeting of the Town Board. “This is the time of year we start looking at hiring and how we’re going to operate.”

Town Supervisor Elizabeth Spinzia said the programs will need to be planned with the assumption that children will not have been immunized against COVID.

“We’ve also asked that they (program organizers) come up with a plan which is [for participation] that is about 50 percent of normal,” Spinzia said.

In other summer recreation matters:

• The board approved buying a central controller system for the town pool for $4,770 from Frey Technologies.

• Spinzia said the proposed kayak launch at Rhinecliff Landing is expected to cost less than the anticipated $5,000. “It’s going to be a lot less than what we thought because we don’t need an additional piece of dock,” she said.