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Home My WebLink About2012-01-10 Recreation Committee MinutesFAX: (781) 942 - 5441 Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 -2685 RECREATION DIVISION: (781) 942 - 9075 READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES January 10, 2012 TOWN HALL — CONFERENCE ROOM Attendance: Nancy -Linn Swain, Rec. Committee, Frank Driscoll, Chair, Rec. Committee, Eric Hughes, Rec. Committee Member, Karen Janowski, School Committee Liaison, Adam Chase, Rec. Committee Member, Richard Hand, Recreation Committee Member, Kate Kaminer, Rec. Committee Member, Joe Rossetti, Associate Member, John Feudo, Recreation Administrator F. Driscoll called the meeting to order at 7:09 PM. N. Swain made a motion to accept the minutes from the December 13th Rec. Committee meeting. R. Hand seconded the motion. Motion passed in favor of accepting the minutes for December 13, 2011 by a vote of 5 — 0- 0. K. Kaminer entered at 7:14 PM. K. Janowski entered at 7:15 PM. Reading Youth Baseball Proposal: J. Feudo handed out the latest proposal from Reading Youth Baseball which included comment from the Recreation Committee made at the December meeting. The committee then reviewed the plan and comments. On item #1; N. Swain made a motion to accept the following statement: Recreation Committee was satisfied with this recommendation so long as it does not interfere with the path that is currently behind the field. The committee is however concerned that the 225' distance will be difficult to obtain in some areas in the outfield. The committee recommends RYB speak with a credible engineering firm and or the Town engineering dept to help with the design and construction. E. Hughes seconded the motion. Motion passes in favor of the motion 7 -0 -0. On item #2; N. Swain made a motion to accept the proposal of a 4' fence, black vinyl, around the circumference of the outfield stopping at least 12ft before the existing fencing in right field to allow access for safety and maintenance equipment. K. Kaminer seconded the motion. Motion passes by a vote of 7 -0 -0. On item #3; N. Swain made a motion to accept the outfield fence based on the following points • Foul pole should be not more than 10 ft from the ground. • Request a 12ft gap versus a gate. • Install a green/dark colored safety border at the top of the fence. 1� 'iii READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES January 10, 2012 Con't • Does not use mesh on fencing per past experiences with the tennis courts. K. Kaminer seconded the motion. Motion passes in favor of the motion by a vote of 7 -0 -0. On item #4; R. Hand made a motion to accept the in installation of safety net and or extension of the backstop as necessary to prevent foul balls from landing in the tennis courts. The height will be the minimum amount as necessary to prevent most foul balls from entering the tennis courts. So as to minimize the visual impact, the net will be raised between two flag poles X feet apart. Recreation Committee -As a minimum standard, protective netting should extend from the edge of the backstop to the 3`d light pole of the tennis courts to protect unaware players. The net should extend 18 ft tall. The netting should be clear monofilament UV protected and as invisible as possible. This issue should be revisited as needed to ensure safety and minimum impact on the tennis courts as well as neighboring homes. K. Kammer seconded the motion. Motion passes by a vote of 7 -0 -0. On Item #5; R. Hand made a motion to accept the protective fencing installed in front of stands at 3`d base as 5ft black vinyl fencing to be consistent to the existing backstop and wings. There shall be a gap for players to access the field and fencing shall protect existing bleachers. N. Swain seconded the motion. Motion passes by a vote of 7 -0 -0. On item #6; R. Hand made a motion to accept the installation of a permanent electronic scoreboard similar in size to the one that currently exists at Hunt Field. This would be located in the outfield (exact location up to town). The scoreboard would be similar in nature as what is depicted below. The bottom of the scoreboard would be approximately V to 2' above the top of the fence. Recreation Committee recommends, pending electrical consideration, an electronic scoreboard situated so the front of the scoreboard does not face the houses on Bancroft Ave. The size of the scoreboard is recommended be no more than 8 ft by 4 ft and sit no higher than 2ft about the existing fence line. N. Swain seconded the motion. Motion passes by a vote of 7 -0 -0. On item #7; The Recreation Committee recommended that RYB do more research on lighting before they move forward with this part of the proposal. On item #8; N. Swain made a motion to recommend that the installation of aluminum spectator bleachers similar in size and construction to those currently in use on the 3`d base side so long as it does not interfere with the path that is currently behind the field. The Committee felt there may not be enough room in the outfield for another set of bleachers. E. Hughes seconded the motion. In closing the Recreation Committee wanted to state for the record that the approved improvements to the Tennis Court field are being recommended as a gift to the entire community and that Reading Youth Baseball understands that the improvements to the field do not allow their organization any type of ownership or exclusive use to the field. n READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES January 10, 2012 Con't WATER FOUNTAIN STANDARD J. Feudo handed out several different choices for Town standard water fountains. Given that Washington Park will be getting a new water fountain during the path renovation this spring, the time has come pick one. The committee chooses option 3 in black. J. Feudo gave a programming update. He said Sunday and Travel Basketball numbers ended up very strong. 411 kids are now playing Sunday basketball. That number continues to grow each year. 193 participants over 17 travel teams are playing Basketball. Nashoba Valley Learn to Ski program has made a return after not running last year. 30 kids are skiing each week. Finally 9th grade basketball has about 15 — 20 kids participating. The Town is working on yet another grant from the Longhorn Steak house that would go toward trails. The grant proposal is to add kiosks at the trail heads of the town forest and to improve access. Dunkin Donuts has chosen Washington Park's entrance way for it project in which they would like to donate to. This will include a water fountain, concrete walkway and other amenities. Skating lights are now on. They will be turned off at the end of February. Executive Director of the YMCA, Kathleen Walsh is leaving to take on another position with the YMCA. FORR Appreciation night is 1/26 at 7:00 PM at Bertucci's. J. Feudo stated he received a note from RUSC that they are contemplating eliminating the Red Thunder program in favor of a new program that would not necessitate field space. RUSC will be meeting in Jan. to finalize plans. J. Feudo wondered what would happen to those that played Thunder currently and if it would be appropriate to continue with their field space. If not, who would that field space go to? The committee asked J. Feudo to bring back more information from RUSC once they make a final decision. St. Agnes church has requested a Civic function permit for the use of Memorial Park for a Church function. The event is schedule from 11 AM — 2 PM. K. Kaminer made a motion of approve the request of St. Agnes Church for a special Sunday morning permit beginning at 11 AM. N. Swain seconded it. Motion does not carry by a vote of 2 -5 -0. Sub - committees: RCASA — N. Swain said they have been working on the strategic plan for the next 5 year. The grant that pays for the full time staff salary runs out in September. They are working to get the position funded. They are also working on standardizing school policies across the district. Amp. Sound Committee- K. Kaminer and Adam Chase reported that the draft policy for amplified sound is set to go to public hearing. That will occur on 1/30 at 7 PM in the Senior Center. READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES January 10, 2012 Con't N. Swain made a motion to adjourn. R. Hand seconded the motion. Motion passes in favor of adjournment 7 -0 -0. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM. tted by: strator