1991-08-14 Recreation Committee Minutes

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Recreation Committee Meeting August 14, 1991 A public meeting of the Recreation Committee was held on August 14, 1991 at 7:30 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA. Members present included Chairman Joe Giordano, Vice Chairman Cate Kaminer, Fred Connover, John Pacino, and Tom McGrath. Also in attendance were Associate Members Steven Sullivan and Gary Roberts, and Recreation Director Lesley Wexler. Under the first order of business the Board approved the minutes of the July 10, 1991 meeting, as amended (to include Cate Kaminer in attendance), by a vote of 5:0. The next order of business was a review and discussion by the Board regarding a draft of priorities for the Department of Human Services compiled by the Town Manager and Director of Human Services. The Chairman stated that he would like to have some input on the issues that would effect Recreation. Several mem- bers questioned the purpose and function of the Recreation Com- mittee with regard to input for future policy and operational changes. A memo from the Town Manager on the issue of the Town Budget prompted a lengthy discussion with regard to Recreational cuts. It was noted by the members that almost all of the programs showed a profit. It was the feeling of the membership that the programs supported themselves and therefore would cost the Town monies if eliminated. Suggestions to cut costs included elimina- tion of the special needs programs: Camp Hope and Spinning Wheels. Following the discussion it was moved and approved by a vote of 5:0, to invite the Director of Human Services or the Town Manager to the next Recreation Committee meeting so that these budget concerns could be addressed. Next the Supervisor, Lesley Wexler, gave an updated report on the status of the summer programs. "Overall things are going well". Lesley noted only one problem with the T-ball instructor regarding complaints from a few parents and the way in which the instructor had set up his program. She stated that she spoke to him directly about incorporating a little more "play time" into his T-ball instruction and that appeared to resolve the issue. The Chairman, Mr. Giordano, "commended Lesley for handling the issue well". Following the discussion it was moved, seconded, and approved, 5:0, to accept the Supervisor's report of progress as presented. 1