2012-10-10 Recreation Committee Minutes

Home Browse Search

FAX: (781) 942 - 5441 Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 -2685 RECREATION DIVISION: (781) 942 - 9075 READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES October 10, 2012 TOWN HALL — CONFERENCE ROOM Attendance: Eric Hughes, Rec Committee Chair, Mike DiPietro, Rec. Committee Member, Richard Hand, Recreation Committee Member, Kate Kaminer, Rec. Committee, Nancy -Linn Swain, Rec. Committee Member, Adam Chase, Rec. Committee Member, Mary Ellen Stolecki, Rec. Committee Member, John Feudo, Recreation Administrator, Jenna Fiorente, Recreation Program Coordinator E. Hughes called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM. K. Kaminer made a motion to accept the minutes from the September 11 th, 2012 meeting. M. Stolecki seconded the motion. Motion passed in favor of acceptance by a vote of 7 -0 -0. J. Feudo updated the committee on the Eagle Scout proposal for benches at Sturges Park. Upon requesting to meet with the Board of Selectmen, the Town Manager asked to meet with the scout. Expressed his concerns about vacating the standard for benches but was also open to the scouts design. He also was concerned with timing because of the Sturges Park Master Plan. He did not want to have to modify the scouts work after it had been done based on the results of the master plan. He gave the scout the option of placing benches at Castine field. Scout Westerman seemed interested in that location and stated he would investigate doing the project there. J. Feudo also updated the committee on the recent public hearing for amplified sound and the awarded permit. The committee overall felt that given that there was opposition, the permit should now have been awarded. The decision is contrary to the guidance provided in the policy that was worked on by the ad hoc committee and approved by the Board of Selectmen. Open Space and Recreation Plan: J. Feudo introduced the draft copy of Open Space and Recreation Plan. He explained the purpose of the plan. He asked the committee for feedback on the document. The committee paid particular attention to sections 6 through 8. The committee felt dedicating park land as dog park could be a misuse of space. The general feeling was with so many neighborhood parks and the town forest, there were many options for dog owners. The committee also felt that biking was the clear priority according to the survey. The committee talked about strategic land acquisition such as camp Rice Moody. They made some additions to the goals and objectives.