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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-09-15 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 September 15, 2010 Meeting Town Hall Conference Room Attendance: Mary Ellen Stolecki, Recreation Committee Chairmen, Nancy -Linn Swain, Rec. Committee, Chris Campbell, Rec. Committee Member, Frank Driscoll, Vice Chair, Rec. Committee, Mike DiPietro, Rec. Committee Member, Eric Hughes, Rec. Committee Member, Mary Ann Kozlowski, Rec. Committee Member, Joe Rossetti, Associate Member, John Feudo, Recreation Administrator M. Stolecki called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM. C. Campbell made a motion to accept the minutes from the June Rec. Committee meeting. M. DiPietro seconded the motion. Motion passed in favor of accepting the minutes for June 6th, 2010 by a vote of 6 — 0- 0. RUSC/RLAX J. Feudo handed out the response letters and conduct policy from both RUSC and RYLAX for the committee to review. The committee was pleased in general with the response from both organizations. M. Kozlowski recommended that the soccer coach also go to the coaches training class. J. Feudo mentioned that the committee could not sanction him to go but could recommend that to RUSC in the response letter back. A long discussion ensued. E. Hughes entered at 7:30 PM. N. Swain made a motion to accept RYLAX self sanctions in the letter submitted by Charlie Hardy. F. Driscoll seconded the motion. Motion passed in favor of RYLAX self sanctions in the letter submitted by Charlie Hardy by a vote of 7 — 0 - 0. C. Campbell made a motion to strongly recommend that RUSC encourages the Soccer Coach from the incident to also attend the coaches /sportsmanship class offered by Phil Vaccaro. N. Swain seconded the motion. Motion passed in favor of strongly recommending that RUSC encourages the Soccer Coach from the incident to also attend the coaches /sportsmanship class offered by Phil Vaccaro 7 -0 -0. READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES Sept. 15, 2010 Con't Field Permitting Policy J. Feudo stated that we have rules and regulations, but there are no set sanctions to go along with them. He asked that the committee consider a sub - committee to look at the current policy and recommend a policy for sanctions. C. Campbell nominated K. Kaminer to work on the sub - committee. E. Hughes and M. Kozlowski also offered to help with the project. J. Feudo stated he had something in draft form that was created back in 2006 so he did not expect the process to take very long. Amplified Sound J. Feudo introduced John Halsey of the Reading Bulldogs of Intercity League Baseball. Mr. Halsey spoke about the issue of using a public address system at Morton Field for the Bulldog baseball games. He stated that he was trying to create a fun and interesting atmosphere for the games. He explained to create that atmosphere they played music before and during the game along with announcing players names before each at bat. J. Feudo stated that reports have neighbors complaining about the music being played before the game and in between innings as well as announcing the batters name before each at bat. Traditionally the only time this is done is during All -Star Games and some playoff games at the youth level. The Bulldogs have made this part of their every game ritual which can be up to 3 — 4 times per week over their 8 week season. Upon learning of the situation, J. Feudo contacted Mr. Halsey and the music and all amplified sound was stopped. Mr. Halsey went door to door to speak with neighbors. He said the unanimous response was the neighbors actually had no issue with the sound. He offered each of them his cell phone number and said if there is ever an issue to call him directly. J. Feudo stated he felt there was some middle ground that could be reached. He proposed developing a sub - committee with a member from the Recreation Committee, Police Department, Health Division and sports organization. F. Driscoll made a motion to advise the Recreation Administrator to form a sub - committee to include with a member from the Recreation Committee, Police Department, Health Division and sports organization to address the issue of amplified sound including frequency, content and sound level. E. Hughes seconded the motion. Motion passed in favor of the motion by a vote of 7 -0 -0. Tennis Court Monitor The Friends of Reading Tennis have asked if the Recreation Committee would entertain some discussion on a tennis monitor for the Reading Community Tennis Courts at Bancroft Ave. The committees charge would be to investigate the functionality of having a monitor, seasonal issues and how the position would be funded. Kate Kaminer, Bernie Winne and Adam Chase were selected by the committee to help with this investigation. READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES Sept. 15, 2010 Con't M. DiPietro exited the meeting at 8:30 PM. Administrator's Report J. Feudo covered a statistical summary for the month of August for the past two years. In general numbers were climbing for all programs. Summer camp numbers were down overall, however, the subtracting of staff made a significant impact on the net revenue for the program. It should be noted that none of our seasonal staff lost a job; instead those that could not return to their positions were never filled. J. Feudo gave an overview of the new Fall Edition of Reading Recreation Magazine. J. Feudo gave a brief overview of the new open meeting laws. Registration day will be October 16th at Coolidge Middle School at 10 AM. We are looking for 2 volunteers. J. Feudo stated he would send a reminder. The process for creating a master plan for Glen Meadow at Barrows School has begun. The Committee will be working on a plan to bring to the Recreation Committee at some point this winter. An informal group of residents have been looking at different field opportunities around Reading. J. Feudo has been working with the group. So far they have investigated Sturges Park, Symonds Way and Castine Field as three really good opportunities. J. Feudo reported that both Washington Park and Killam Elementary School have both received new playgrounds. Rec. Staff is working in conjunction with the YMCA and Creative arts to combine efforts on some programming. The Halloween Parade will be the first opportunity, but offering an arts programs is becoming a real potential. J. Feudo expects to meet with Creative Arts again in October to discuss Winter /Spring programming opportunities. There is a Community Arts festival at Creative Arts on Sat, October 2nd at 11 AM. Subcommittee Reports RCASA Update: N. Swain mentioned the annual meeting for RCASA is at the Library Conference Room on September 30th at 7 PM. In closing, F. Driscoll asked if there was anything that could be done about the nets around the fields. He said there is a lot broken and rusted nets all over the park. J. Feudo said he would talk to DPW about removing the broken nets. C. Campbell made a motion to adjourn. N. Swain seconded the motion. Motion passes in favor of adjournment 6 -0 -0. READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES Sept. 15, 2010 Con't Meeting adjourned at 9:01 PM. Respectfully submitted by: John A. Feudo Recreation Administrator