Seaford Wellness Gazebo at Seaford Train Station
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Seaford Wellness Hot Chocolate 5K Run
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The Seaford Wellness Council
We are a section 501c non profit
organization comprised of local citizens
whose mission is to assist in the
improvement of the Seaford community's
quality of life by promoting general
community wellness, including but not
limited to the following: 1) Organizing
activities that promote wellness such as
activity nights for the community children
to attend as an alternative to
non-productive activities, as well as
having Community Walk-Runs and Health
Fairs. 2) Organizing, promoting and
carrying out endeavors which beautify
the community and environment, parks
and other public places of gathering with
the purpose of fostering healthy
interaction, socialization and fellowship
within the Seaford community. 3)
Creating activities and presentations
which address issues of substances
abuse, nutrition, smoking, gender bias,
violence and physical and mental health.
3940 Sunset Avenue Seaford, NY 11783
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Meetings - 2nd Quarter 2008
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Minutes of Past Meetings
Click on date to view minutes of past meetings
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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 opened the meeting at 7:30 by greeting all members. He reviewed the clean up at Tackapausha Preserve. The
event was a success with the help of volunteers and various groups including Key Club members. Michael expressed his
appreciation of a $75 donation from the Seaford Lion’s Club which was used for refreshments for the volunteers. Letters of thanks
will be going out to the Lion’s Club, Key Club, and the staff at Tackapausha.
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.
A motion was made and carried to elect the board of directors and officers of the Wellness Council. Congratulations to the Board of
Directors: Michael Di Silvio, Ken Nersesian, Peter Ruffner, Angela Egan, Coleen Graziose, and Christine Kern. Congratulations to
the officers: Barbara Richko, Lucie Dean, Sharon Jonas, and Warren Vanderwater.
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
