1996-10-09 Recreation Committee Minutes

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Recreation Committee Minutes October 09, 1996 The Recreation Committee meeting came to order on October 09, 1996 at 7:30 PM in the Conference Room at the Town Hall. Committee members in attendance included John Pacino, Chris Campbell, Claire Bolger, Jesse Mraz, Dave Bryant, and Lorraine Salter. Also in attendance was Recreation Administrator Joe Connelly. Pacino made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 11, 1996 meeting. Mraz seconded the motion, approved 6-0-0. New Business: Connelly reported on the Public Meeting discussion regarding the proposed recreational area at 160 Hopkins Street, Bear Hill development. Connelly reported that a total of 15 Reading Residents attended the meeting. Connelly, Campbell, and Kaminer represented the Recreation Committee. George Foley from Reading United Soccer entered the meeting at 7:45 PM. Connelly explained that the 15 individuals were overwhelmingly against any recreational area being placed at 160 Hopkins Street. Residents concerns included: 1) Public access to the facility 2) Vehicle parking options 3) Traffic regulations on Hopkins Street Connelly explained that he was unable to answer any of these questions in exact detail. Connelly explained that he did receive phone calls from 6 Reading residents after the meeting in support for the playground. These residents had the following concerns. 1) No recreational site currently exist near the Bear Hill area 2) No one wants to turn the $15,000 back to Dolben 3) The future may bring more children into the neighborhood and we will have lost our chance for a free playground facility if we do not act now Mraz asked how long of a time frame we had to make a decision before the money was lost. Connelly responded that he did not know the exact date. Pacino gave some background information on the subject, emphasizing that there is no exiting recreational area in that portion of town.