Town of Hempstead, NY Chapter 57 Department of Parks and Recreation

[HISTORY: Comes from L.L. No. 4-1974, adopted 1-8-1974, effective 1-14-1974.[1]]

[1] Editor's Note: This local law repealed former Ch. 57, Department of Parks and Recreation, adopted 7-9-1968 by L.L. No. 11-1968.

§ 57-1 Department established.

There shall be in the Town of Hempstead a Department of Parks and Recreation. The executive head of such Department shall be the Commissioner, who shall be appointed by the Town Board for a term fixed by law, at such salary as may, from time to time, be fixed by said Town Board. The Commissioner shall be appointed on the basis of his administrative experience and qualifications for the duties of such office. The Commissioner shall have the power to appoint and remove all other subordinate officers and employees and assign them to their respective duties.

§ 57-2 Deputy Commissioners.

[Amended 3-14-2023 by L.L. No. 22-2023, effective 4-4-2023]

There may be Deputy Commissioners in the Department of Parks and Recreation. The Deputy Commissioners, individually, shall have the power to act for and in place of the Commissioner of the Department of Parks and Recreation in all regards. The Commissioner shall designate, in writing, the order in which the Deputies shall act, in case of the Commissioner's absence, inability to work, or vacancy. In addition, they may be assigned to supervise the operations of one or more of the divisions of the Department. The position of Deputy Commissioner shall, pursuant to the statutory authority contained in the Municipal Home Rule Law and the Civil Service Law, be in the exempt class.

§ 57-3 Organization of Department.

A. There shall be within the Department of Parks and Recreation the following divisions:

(1) Administration.

(2) Operations.

(3) Design and construction.

(4) Recreation.

(5) Maintenance.

(6) Labor utilization and communications.

(7) Services for the aging.

B. There shall also be such other and further divisions as may, from time to time, hereafter be deemed necessary and be established by the Town Board.

§ 57-4 Powers and duties.

The powers and duties of the division shall be as follows:

A. Administration. To have supervision of all matters, including supervision of personnel and maintenance of personnel records, maintenance of divisional accounting records, including budget control and statistical analysis, and overall direction and coordination of divisional activities.

B. Operations. To have supervision of all maintenance, repairs, landscaping, facility improvements and elimination of hazards from grounds and structures, control of public park usage in cooperation with the recreation division to ensure maximum coordination between maintenance of the park areas and the recreation programs so that efficiency of maintenance is obtained and the public given the maximum use of the recreational facilities of the parks.

C. Design and construction. To have general charge and supervision of design and construction of parks, including grounds, landscaping, structures and improvements; to consult and cooperate with the Recreation Division in the planning of new parks and the modification or alteration of existing parks, in order that the recreation function of the parks may serve the interests of the public; to cooperate with the operations division in giving technical advice with respect to facilities, general maintenance and landscaping improvements.

D. Recreation. To have exclusive charge and supervision of the planning and operation of all recreational activities and programs and all recreational personnel; to coordinate such activities with the Operations Division so as to afford the maximum recreational activities to the public; to consult with and advise the Design and Construction Division with respect to the construction of recreational facilities.

E. Maintenance. To have general charge and supervision of the maintenance of beach areas, park grounds, all buildings and recreational facilities; to consult with the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation in the modification and alterations of existing facilities in parks and beaches; and to give technical advice to parks supervisors with respect to all facilities, general maintenance and other improvements.

F. Labor utilization and communications. To have supervision over the economical use of all field employees assigned to parks, beaches and recreational facilities; to evaluate and analyze the organizational structure and work procedures to ensure efficient operations; to investigate complaints from employees and the public; to perform appropriate public relations functions and divisional liaison duties; to plan, organize and supervise Parks and Recreation Department communications systems and maintenance of overhead and underground cables, circuits, direct dialing systems, switchboards, call directors and other equipment and facilities utilized by the Department.

G. Services for the aging. To have supervision over the conduct of the program for the aging of the town in accordance with applicable state and local laws.