HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-07-26 ad Hoc Sturges Park Master Plan Advisory Committee MinutesTown of Reading
16 Lowell Street
Reading, MA 01867 -2685
FAX: (781) 942 - 5441 RECREATION DIVISION: (781) 942 - 9075
Ad Hoc STURGES PARK MASTER PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES
July 26th 2012 —TOWN HALL BOS MEETING ROOM
Committee Attendance: J. Feudo (Staff Liaison), L. McGonagle, V. Sachetta, J. Jadul, L. Egan,
K.Varney, G. Juffre, G. Katsoufis, F. Driscoll
Also Attending: D. Walsh, C. Cole (Town's Civil engineer)
• Leslie McGonagle called the meeting to order at 6:32pm.
• Neighborhood invited, and three joined into provide input: Harry and Marilyn Simms (Pine
Ridge Road) and David Maroni (Oak Street).
• Overview review shared with neighbors, and discussion followed:
• Master plan — what can we do to make the town better?
• Hemlock Road — every 20 feet, road is sinking, sidewalk is cracking, problem with
drainage
• Leslie suggests getting rid of the swamp, where cattails are
• Neighbor's perception of park — what you'd like to see improved, eliminated, etc.
• H. Simms: Has lived on Pine Ridge Road of 40+ years. Children and grandchildren
have played at the park. Doesn't' believe the location of the playground is an issue.
Might move a little. Dislikes the rubber chips. Expensive to turn courts around.
• Hockey areas wet in spring.
• Against filling in hockey area for soccer
• D. Maroni: Walk dog every day in the area.
• H. Simms: Dog poop has improved.
o What will Conservation do about the wet lands?
• Regrade /reshape skating ponds to improve drainage.
• Prefer a simple, free, open space
• Playground has to go because wood is at end of life ($30K toward structure, $15K
toward rubber mulch)
• Recreational path — put down multi -pack (packed material, but porous)
o Get some Hemlock Road residents to come to a meeting
• Drainage is biggest issue
• Do full survey of area to see what can be done
• 50 returns on survey — biggest interest was walking trails
• Have a committee working session ... talk to ConComm (meet every other week)
• L. Egan set up web site, gmail account, posted flyers. She's receiving suggestions
such as: community center for teens, water park, rec center, better drainage, concerns
about standing water, etc.
• The project appears in Reading Patch and Twitter.
• Are there historical topography maps from early 70s?
o Chad Moore — new cubmaster. Contact him regarding Eagle Scout project (build a
bridge, clean-up, ...)
• Women's League to donate?
• Next meeting: Thursday, August 2, 6:30pm
• Minutes reviewed and accepted.
• Survey distributed.
• Motion to accept the minutes. Accepted.
• Meeting adjourned at 7:54pm.
R lly JR miffed by:
John F o, tion dministmtor
Val Stta, d Hoc Sturges Park Master Planning Committee Member