1991-09-19 Recreation Committee Minutes

Home Browse Search

Recreation Committee Meeting September 19, 1991 A meeting of the Recreation Committee was held on September 19, 1991 at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Conference Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading. Committee members present included Chairman Joe Giordano, Vice Chairman Cate Kaminer, Fred Conover, John Fallon, Lorraine Salter, Tom McGrath, Gary Roberts, and John Pacino. Also in attendance was the Recreation Supervisor, Lexley Wexler. Under the first order of business the committee voted to ap- prove the minutes of the August 14, 1991 meeting by a vote of 5:0:2. Next the committee reviewed the Spinning Wheels Program, whose funds are being cut from the Recreation budget. The Town Manager was also present for this discussion. Drew Billilies, the individual who developed the program, came to address the committee on the value of such a program. Several citizens/parents with special needs children in the program came to speak about the need for this recreation program for their children. After several comments from those in attendance, com- mittee member. John Fallon questioned the Town Manager about the cut, as there is sufficient money in the budget to support the program. Committee member Fred Conover apologized to the members of the program for the way in which the budget cut was made. Committee member Lorraine Salter also reiterated Mr. Conover's comments. The Supervisor of Recreation, Lesley Wexler, reviewed for all those in attendance how the budget cut was decided. She noted that the Spinning Wheels Program was the only program which did not generate revenue, therefore, she had no choice but to cut in that area. Drew stated that he would be willing to put together a proposal for a fund raiser if it would help to save his program. In response, committee member Fred Conover stated that Drew should do whatever he can to fund raise. At the end of the discussion one of the citizens noted for the committee that Building 19 1/2 was looking for some unusual/at risk programs to donate money for financial support. It was suggested that they contact Building 19 1/2 for further information. At the conclusion of the Spinning Wheels Program review, the Chairman, Joe Giordano, made a statement to all those present that he was both "empathetic and sympathetic" to their situation. He noted that the committee "will make every effort to continue the program but could not make any guarantees". Next the committee met with Mr. George Hines, Town Selectman and Commissioner of Reading Youth Baseball. He presented a proposal whereby the Reading Youth Baseball would take care of