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.
[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.
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.