1996-09-11 Recreation Committee Minutes

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D Recreation Committee Minutes September 11, 1996 ;fl The Recreation Committee meeting came to order on September 11, 1996 at 6:30 PM in the Conference Room at the Town Hall. Committee members in attendance included John Pacino, Chris Campbell, Claire Bolger, Kate Kaminer, John McGrath. Also in attendance was Recreation Administrator Joe Connelly and Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner. Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner discussed the current situation in the Human Services Department resulting from the leaving of former Department Head Ruth Clay. Peter explained three options to the Committee. 1) Keep the Human Services Department as is, and hire a Health Director/Human Services Director. 2) Reorganize the Human Service Department by shifting a division under another department that may be a closer fit. 3) Restructure by contracting out or doing some regionalization. Hechenbleikner informed the Committee that any major reorganization must be approved by Town Meeting. Hechenbleikner asked the Committee a series of questions pertaining to Recreation as it currently functions under the Human Services Department. The Committee discussed these questions with the Town Manager. Key Points: Kaminer - Recommended that Recreation not be placed under the Department of Public Works. Kaminer feels that Recreation would lose it's programming aspect and would concentrate too much on facilities. Pacino - Commented that he feels very strongly about developing a school/community partnership, which would include Recreation. Pacino feels that Recreation would be behind the times if not heading in that direction. Kaminer - Asked Hechenbleikner about the possibility of additional staff support for Connelly. Connelly summarized his opinions concerning Recreation being under the Human Services Department, Public Works, and School Department. Pacino asked Connelly to further investigate the school/community partnership idea. Pacino believed that Burlington, Lynnfield, Andover have all adopted this concept. Hechenbleikner thanked the Committee for their input and reviewed his time frame for making a decision. Hechenblekner would like all decisions to be made concerning the department by November 1, 1996.