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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-12-10 Recreation Committee Minutes�s Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Recreation Committee Date: 2013 -12 -10 Time: 0700 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Berger Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Business Attendees: Members - Present: DECEIVED i OWN CLERK L_.1DINC, MASS. 1015 APR 14 P 5: 34 Nancy -Linn Swain, Rec. Committee Member, Richard Hand, Recreation Committee Vice Chair, Michael DiPietro, Rec. Committee Member, Mary Ellen Stolecki, Rec. Committee Member, Eric Hughes, Rec. Committee Member, Sean Whalen, Associate Member, Bernie Winne, Associate Member, John Feudo, Recreation Administrator Members - Not Present: Kate Kaminer, Adam Chase , Karen Janowski, Frank Driscoll Others Present: Genevieve Fiorente Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: John Feudo Topics of Discussion: R. Hand opened the meeting at 7:05 PM. J. Feudo introduced Town Manager Bob LeLacheur to the committee. He was visiting with the Recreation Committee mainly to discuss a new process for handling approval for aspects of the Birch Meadow Master Plan. The Board of Selectmen had a lengthy discussion regarding the plan in November. With the plan now approximately five years old, Recreation Administrator, John Feudo felt the plan ought to be revisited as the priority of the Town has evolved and changed over the past few years. J. Feudo gave a brief presentation identifying some of the estimates of what each area would cost based on the master plan. The total was over $2Mil over a 10 year period. LeLacheur stated the Board of Selectmen looked at three options, develop another ad hoc committee, have staff be the committee, or ask the Recreation Committee to reevaluate the plan as it currently exists. The current concept plan is fully funded on the capital improvements plan. The Board of Selectmen seemed to think the best option was to have the Recreation Committee become the lead Town committee to review the concept plan and to hold public hearings. The committee seemed ok with making the recommendation as long as their decisions are not always overturned by the Board of Selectmen. The committee understood from time to time the BOS may decide not to go along with a recommendation made by the Rec Committee, however that would be more of the exception rather than the rule. The committee also discussed a broad concept of widening the roadway on Birch Meadow drive and better serves for traffic and parking. The YMCA would need to be involved with that discussion, but this would all be part of the Master Plan. Page i 1 2013 -09 -03 Town of Reading - Meeting Minutes M. Stolecki made a motion to accept the Board of Selectmen's recommendation to be the lead Town Committee for the Birch Meadow Master Planning Committee. N. Swain seconded the motion. The committee voted in favor of the motion by a vote of 5 -0 -0. J. Feudo reviewed a presentation of restoring lights at Memorial Park. The plan has already been approved by the BOS and has about $40K for funding. The Town is evaluating a unique opportunity for a dog park in Reading. There is a grant that will reimburse the Town up to 90 %. The BOS will be putting together an ad hoc dog committee to evaluate whether or not the Town should move forward with an application for the grant and if so, they will look at proposed locations and evaluate them. The grant is on- going and non - competitive therefore once a community has land, the project could begin. Administrator's Report: J. Feudo gave an update on the regionalization effort with Wakefield. He stated that several members of the Recreation Committee and Rec Staff attended a recent Wakefield Recreation Commission meeting. At that meeting the committees conversed about possibilities and needs for both communities. The Wakefield commission seemed to want to talk amongst themselves further to decide what direction they were going to head in. There has been no discussion since. G. Fiorente talked about the winter programming. She stated there are over 400 kids in Sunday Basketball this year and the program is running smooth under the direction of Paul Orlando. She also noted that the Travel Basketball program has 10 teams this year. The teams will be participating in the Metrowest League. She also noted some other programs coming up in January. J. Feudo mentioned skating rinks were just about ready to be opened. The DPW was working hard to make sure both areas at Memorial Park filled properly. The lights will be turned on for the winter once the DPW gives the ok for skating. RCASA Report: R. Hand reported on behalf of RCASA. He mentioned that students participated in the Great American Smokeout on 11/21/13. There is also a save the date of Feb 4th for the film "Who cares about Kelsey ". The film documents emotional /behavioral challenges and show innovative educational approaches. Kelsey is actually going to be in Reading and available to answer questions from the audience. It was also noted that RCASA saw a presentation from Dr. Green on a business plan to develop a Recovery Clinic for Drugs and Alcohol in Reading. The RCASA board will be reviewing the proposal. October 2013 Minutes - N. Swain Motion, R. Hand second. 5 -0 -0 in favor of accepting the October 2013 Minutes. Note the Committee did not meet in November. N. Swain made a motion to adjourn. R. Hand seconded the motion. Motion passed in favor of adjournment by a vote of 5 -0 -0. Meeting adjourned at 8:41 PM. ctfully Submitted by: eudo e eatio Administrator Page 2013 -09 -03