HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-01-14 Recreation Committee MinutesP
Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
ttECEIVE
i OWN CLERK
DING, MASS.
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Recreation Committee
106 APR I4 PS.. 34
Date: 2014 -01 -14 Time: 0700 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Berger Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Purpose: General Business
.Attendees: Members - Present:
Frank Driscoll, Rec. Committee Chairman, Nancy -Linn Swain, Rec.
Committee Member, Richard Hand, Recreation Committee Vice Chair, Adam
Chase, Rec Committee Member, Mary Ellen Stolecki, Rec. Committee
Member, Sean Whalen, Associate Member, Bernie Winne, Associate Member,
John Feudo, Recreation Administrator
Members - Not Present:
Kate Kaminer, Karen Janowski, Eric Hughes, Michael DiPietro
Others Present:
Genevieve Fiorente
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: John Feudo
Topics of Discussion:
F. Driscoll opened the meeting at 7:15 PM.
December 2013 Minutes - M. Stolecki Motion, R. Hand second. 5 -0 -0 in favor of accepting
the December 2013 Minutes.
Master Plan Discussion:
The Recreation Committee discussed the Birch Meadow Master Plan at length. They
discussed have subcommittee meetings with interested parties before doing any public
hearing to make sure they understand any concerns prior to. J. Feudo stated that he does
talk with many of the organizations frequently and that would not be hard to do.
J. Feudo did mention that Reading Youth Baseball's proposal for upgrades at the Birch
Meadow Complex Tennis Court field was still hanging in the balance. The Recreation
Committee approved the concept plan brought to them by RYB in the fall. At that point the
proposal was in need of approval from the Board of Selectmen. Since that time, the shifts
of responsibility for public hearing such proposals have been placed with the Recreation
Committee. J. Feudo felt that RYB has become frustrated with the process and has done
everything asked of them. He stated he was trying to balance policy and procedure with
the changing process.
J. Feudo stated he would establish a process for how public hearing will work and when a
piece of the BMMP is heard by the Recreation Committee.
The committee decided they would like to look at the BMMP on a rolling basis. J. Feudo
stated he could do a full review of the plan as a refresher at a future meeting. At that point
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Town of Reading - Meeting Minutes
the committee can look at the priorities of the Town and use that as a basis to help guide
the MP process.
Sunday Basketball Parent Incident:
J. Feudo gave an overview of the incident during Sunday basketball in which involved a
verbal altercation between a parent and HS Referee. After a lengthy discussion with all
parties involved including Sunday Basketball supervisor Paul Orlando, the incident seemed
to be over and settled.
J. Feudo stated the Rec. Division has a sportsmanship handbook but no real detail or
guidance on how to adjudicate these types of altercations. A parent recommended that
folks should have to sign an agreement that they will follow the rules. While some
organizations do that, such as USA Hockey, J. Feudo felt it would be virtually impossible to
track after every person that attends a game. What could work going forward is to make
the sportsmanship handbook part of the waiver that is accepted by all users prior to
registration.
The Recreation Committee felt creating a new policy based on a single incident would be
difficult to do. They would prefer to handle these situations on a case by case basis.
J. Feudo stated he would post the sportsmanship handbook on -line and put it in the waiver
language immediately.
Amplified Sound Request:
Reading Young Women's League requested use of amplified sound at the Field House
Parking lot for the purpose of a 5K race on the date of Sunday, May 4th, 2014.
M. Stolecki made a motion to allow amplified sound beginning at 10:00 AM for the duration
of the race and event. R. Hand seconded the motion. Motion was accepted by a vote of 5-
0-0 to approve the amplified sound permit.
Administrator's Report:
J. Feudo mentioned that the finishing touches are being put on a part-time Outdoor
Recreation position. The position if approved will be 15 hours a week in the winter /spring
for the purpose of planning and 30 hours per week in the summer for the programming.
G. Fiorente gave an update for programs and gave a brief overview of the new programs
featured in Reading Recreation Magazine.
Reading Coalition Against Substance Abuse:
R. Hand stated the most recent meeting was basically a discussion on Dr. Green's proposal
to bring a drug rehabilitation clinic to Reading. RCASA has decided not to support a clinic in
Reading.
N. Swain made a motion to adjourn. M. Stolecki seconded the motion. Motion passed in
favor of adjournment 5 -0 -0.
Meeting ended at 8:36 PM.
ull
ectfy Submitted by:
J do
e eatio Administrator
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