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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-06-06 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 June 6, 2010 MeetinLy Senior Center Great Room Attendance: Bernie Winne, Recreation Committee Chairmen, Nancy -Linn Swain, Rec. Committee, Chris Campbell, Rec. Committee Member, Mary Ellen Stolecki, Vice Chair, Rec. Committee, F. Driscoll, Rec. Committee Member, K. Kaminer, Rec. Committee Member, Mary Ann Kozlowski Eric Hughes, Associate Member, Adam Chase, Associate Member, John Feudo, Recreation Administrator Guests: Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager Peter Garchinsky, Reading Police Charlie Hardy, Reading Youth Lacrosse B. Winne called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM. C. Campbell made a motion to accept the minutes from the May Rec. Committee meeting. N. Swain seconded the motion. Motion passed in favor of accepting the minutes for April 15th, 2010 by a vote of 5 — 0- 0. B. Winne introduced the issue and background regarding the incident that took place on Thursday, May 27h between members of Reading United Soccer Club and Reading Youth Lacrosse. B. Winne then introduced Town Manager, Peter Hechenbleikner. Peter mentioned he had met previously, via conference call, with J. Feudo, B. Winne and J. Bonazoli. He stated that he was glad there were no arrests and thought the situation was handled appropriately by the staff. He stated the BOS was aware of the situation and has given the Rec. Committee full authority to adjudicate the result. The BOS have given the Rec. Committee their full support and backing. K. Kaminer entered at 7:05 PM. M. Stolecki entered at 7:06 PM. B. Winne asked the Town Manager what options the committee had by way of sanctions. P. Hechenbleikner said the Recreation Committee, by charter, sets and enforces the rules and regulations of the fields. Since there was a clear violation, the committee has the ability to pull permits, of course with the understanding that you don't want to penalize the kids for the adult's actions. N. Swain asked about the schools role in terms of field use as it seemed to be part of the issue. J, Feudo said he would speak with the athletic director, but he believed that in the spring teams HS teams are allowed on the fields until 5:45 PM. From time to time, they will ask for extensions to practice under the lights to prepare for a night game for instance. F. Driscoll stated the HS has priority and the youth organizations have always been secondary. He also stated that the language of the soccer coach that was reported was unacceptable. B. Winne felt the issue was more serious than a coach going rogue because of the involvement of the Youth Lacrosse Director. This would have been easier to deal with if it was a couple of coaches arguing. For this reason he felt RYL is more of the culprit. The fact that the soccer coach swore and or used abusive language can only be confirmed by those in the RYLAX organization. M. Stolecki said the culture of the two organizations leadership needs to change. It's got to be give and take. Groups must understand that there is much demand for space. C. Campbell stated that he was really upset about all the emails that went out from each of the organizations. Neither group took the high road. Instead they both used it as another opportunity to sling mud at one another. Some of the info was factual, but the other stuff was unnecessary and didn't help the situation. K. Kaminer felt it would be hard to instruct behavior, however there needed to be ramifications for the actions. B. Winne stated that the committee had three options, do nothing, leverage something against permits or recommend to the Board of Selectmen to levy a fine. A question arose regarding whether the BOS could levy a fine. P. Hechenbleikner stated that the Recreation Committee is the only official body that can assign fields. The BOS only has jurisdiction to physical changes to the field. Therefore the BOS doesn't have any more authority than the Recreation Committee to levy a fine. E. Hughes felt the only leverage in this case is field space. He recommended leveraging RYLAX field space to them recommending their own sanction. A. Chase said he felt it would be good to find a way to deescalate the situation. Perhaps bring the organizations together for mediation. N. Swain made a motion to revoke 25% of Reading Youth Lacrosse's permits for the spring of 2011, the coaches involved not allowed coach for the rest of the season and fine the organization $1,500. B. Winne stated the committee did not have the authority to levy that type of sanction. N. Swain rescinded the motion. M. Stolecki made a motion to revoke 25% of RYLAX Field Permits for spring 2011. K. Kaminer seconded the motion. Motion did not carry by vote of 1 — 4- 1. M. Stolecki made a motion to pull spring 2011 permits from RYLAX to be determined by the Recreation Committee by October 2010. Motion passed in favor of pulling spring 2011 permits from RYLAX to be determined by the Recreation Committee by October 2010 by a vote of 5 -1 -1. M. Stolecki made a motion that by September 1St both RUSC and RYLAX send a written response to the Recreation Committee and include any self - sanctioning of the two lacrosse coaches, and one Soccer Coach and one Lax Director. N. Swain requested an amendment that the groups shall also include any current or new coaches conduct policies. K. Kaminer seconded the amendment and seconded the motion. The motion passes in favor of the amended motion by a vote of 5 — 1 — 1. K. Kaminer exited the meeting at 8:15 PM. F. Driscoll made a motion that all further discussion be tabled until the August meeting. C. Campbell seconded the motion. Motion passes by a vote of 5 — 0 — 1. Re- Seating of Chairs: C. Campbell nominated Mary Ellen Stolecki as Chairman for FY2011. F. Driscoll seconded the motion. Nominations closed. M. Stolecki appointed new Chairman of the Recreation Committee for FY 2011. C. Campbell nominated Frank Driscoll as Vice - Chairman for FY2011. N. Swain seconded the motion. Nominations closed. F. Driscoll appointed new Vice - Chairman of the Recreation Committee for FY 2011. Administrator's Report: J. Feudo reminded everyone about Friends and Family day on June 19th. He also stated the town would be moving to a four day work week in June. Summer camp numbers are slow. The low numbers will be compensated by cutting back on staff. Although no positions will need to be cut as several staff decided not to take the job. Subcommittee Reports RCASA Update: N. Swain talked about how Walgreens is no longer taking back medication. You can, however, still take narcotics back to the police department. F. Driscoll made a motion to skip the July meeting. M. Stolecki seconded the motion. Motion passes in favor by a vote of 5 -0 1. F. Driscoll made a motion to adjourn. N. Swain seconded the motion. Motion passes in favor of adjournment 5 -0 -1. Meeting adjourned at 9:15 PM. Respectfully submitted by: John A. Feudo Recreation Administrator