HomeMy Public PortalAbout20090513 - Youth Commission - Meeting Minutes Hopkinton Youth Commission
Minutes of meeting – May 13, 2009
Present : Linda Katz, Brian Eberlin, Kim Harvey, Kim Hesse, Cheryl Perreault, Jane Roche, Ken
Johnson, Cody Johnson, Taru Kinnenun, Nadine Stewart
The meeting was opened at 7:00 PM in basement of town hall. The March and April minutes were
approved.
Jane Roche reported for “beFree”. Successful dance with SADD. Progress being made with
students not being afraid to publicize the events are beFree – attendance is great. Interest in a
spring coffee house but no good time open. Will start fall social events earlier as now can use
church and gym on a Saturday night. Request has been made with principal to use office space
again next year – School Council approved – now up to superintendent. Good green bracelet
campaign around school vacation. Program on drug use at Middle school on Thursday.
Nancy Lagasse will work with social events for middle school next year. Kim Hesse will contact
her about also doing YC Early Release day programs next year.
Ron Foisy reported on In Control driving program. There was not enough interest to hold a
Hopkinton day this May – 30 reduced fare slots still available to Hopkinton residents during the
summer. Next organized Hop. Day will be in fall. Discussion followed on best way to reach
parents with this info – ListServ or E Flier. Concerns over how effectively this is reaching parents.
Ron hopes to have students who have gone through the program market it to others
Kim Hesse reported on Early Release Day programs – May event at PINS cancelled due to lack of
sign ups – Cody Johnson re-enforced it was a nice day and winter would be a better time for such
an event. May program at church cancelled due to lack of volunteers. This raises the need for
volunteer recruitment to both the Youth Commission and its’ sub-committees. Programs at the Y
remain a good idea but have to be solidified.
Cody Johnson reported as Middle School student liaison ( note: she needs to be replaced next year)
Around the World event is this Thursday – concern over communication to parents and the public?
Ken Johnson reported on progress on the skate park. Bose raffles raised $800 (limited by school
only ticket sales). The Marathon Committee has donated $5k. Next step is purchasing materials.
Out-reach made to Garden Club to beautify gardens…Brian expressed Parks and Rec concern that
past attempts have resulted in flowers being destroyed. Ron suggested they invite 1st
Congregational Church to work on skatepark.
Ken, Taru, and Kim Harvey’s terms will expire in June. They will contact selectman’s office to
continue. Brian will no longer be Parks and Rec – a new liaison should be appted after the election.
Nadine stressed the person should be able to attend Youth Commission meetings as we are so
closely linked. Brian will apply for open member at large slot.
Linda Katz shared that some high school students are going to start a garden for community
services to feed the needy. They are approaching the Garden Club and Weston Nurseries for help.
Linda Katz reported that she and Ann Schneider will again chair Martin Luther King Day of
Giving. They will try to delegate and assign sub-committees this year.
Cheryl Perreault reported on a School Age Mental health conference she attended. She will write
an article for the paper on this. Emphasis was on stress and its’ impact on youth. She will also
share the materials with Jill Leach and Jane Gomes at the high school. The Needham Youth
Commission and schools were a model demonstrating collaboration and its’ effectiveness.
Possible speakers for Hopkinton in Fall are Robert Brooks on resiliency or possible speaker
Principal McCarthy heard recently.
The operating budget was reviewed. It was agreed to separate out the beFree money into a
revolving account. Dorothy will insist on this with Town accountant. Approved - $299.19 to cover
“beFree” past expenses. Also approved moving $279 past rental fees for facilities from YC to
beFree. $1237 remaining in youth commission 2008-09 budget. beFree presented a “wish list” of
things needed, including a lap top – this will be particularly important if they don’t have an office
next year. Approved transferring $1000 to befree to fund some of the wish list. Agreed to release
$250 to Linda Katz to pre-buy fleece for MLK Day. That leaves a balance of about $200 in our
budget until June 25th. Any money spent has to be submitted for reimbursement on a town hall
form, signed by Ron and Nadine, and submitted to town hall.
Discussion followed on the Youth Commission’s need for visibility. Ron suggested purchasing
small ads in the Independent. This discussion will continue at June meeting. The needs for a
volunteer and/or student to produce regular articles and publicity for the commission needs to be
pursued.
The proposed tobacco bylaw being submitted to the Board of health was discussed. The Youth
Commission does not have to take a position but we agreed to try and work with Phil Powers as
they go forward. Taru gave a thorough report why the emphasis is going away from those that sell
cigarettes to those that use them. She also suggested we encourage the emphasis be not just
cigarettes but all tobacco products. There is a drive to tax those as well – research shows cost is
one deterrent to not starting their use. Concerns were raised over a punitive approach with teens ie.
Fines. Also suggested we work with Phil and beFree to ensure cessation and support available.
Tabled until June meeting when Phil can be present.
June meeting – discuss volunteer base of Youth commission, Commission leadership, increased
visibility, and communication in general
Next meeting date : June 10