HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-01-13 Recreation Committee MinutesFAX: (781) 942 - 5441
Town of Reading
16 Lowell Street
Reading, MA 01867 -2685
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RECREATION DIVISION: (781) 942 - 9075
January 13` °, 2010 —Town Hall Conference Room
Attendance: Bernie Winne, Recreation Committee Chairmen, Mary Ann Kozlowski, Rec.
Committee, Nancy -Linn Swain, Rec. Committee, Chris Campbell, Rec. Committee Member, Frank
Driscoll, Rec. Committee Member, Beth Claroni, School Committee Rep., K. Kaminer, Rec.
Committee Member, Eric Hughes, Associate Member, Joe Rossetti, Associate Member, Adam
Chase, Associate Member, John Feudo, Recreation Administrator
B. Winne called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
C. Campbell made a motion to accept the minutes from the December 9th meeting. N. Swain
seconded the motion. Motion passed in favor of accepting the minutes for December 9th, 2010 by a
vote of 7 — 0- 0.
BOS Policy of Donation and Gifts
J. Feudo stated that he and B. Winne had been working with BOS Bonazoli and the Town Manager
to amend to the language of the Policy of Donations and Gifts. The over all feeling was the policy
was needed however the parts of the process seem like they could be simplified. Both Mr. Bonazoli
and Mr. Hechenbleikner were supportive of the changes and the board voted to accept the following
amendment to the existing policy:
Replacement, maintenance and repair:
In circumstances where donations are made to replace, maintain or repair portions of
Town sites and facilities, including replacement of elements of parks, recreation areas,
buildings, and similar equipment, (example — replacement of pitchers mounds and home
plates, replacement of basketball hoops) the Department Head within whose jurisdiction
the site or facility falls may accept such donations where:
*The value of the donation is $5000 or less
•The item being replaced, maintained, or repaired is not inconsistent with any master plan
for the property in question.
Where the above criteria are met but the value of the replacement, maintenance, or repair,
is between $5000 and $10,000, the Town Manager may approve the donation upon the
recommendation of the Department Head.
READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES January 13th, 2010 con't
Field Schedule Request from Lacrosse
Reading Youth Lacrosse is not satisfied with the current amount of space allocated for their
program. They have asked the Recreation Administrator to present the following:
• Requesting a switch of days for 8 — 10 PM to accommodate a Friday and Monday game
schedule.
• Requesting 5 additional hours during the week (Tuesday — Friday 6:00 PM — 7:30 PM)
J. Feudo mentioned that the schedule, as directed by the Recreation Committee was sent out in
October and they have known their space allocation since then. It was worth noting that RLAX still
is accepting registration. J. Feudo stated he met with Charlie Hardy and Rick Zaccardo and RLAX
believes the Town needs to develop a philosophy which gave preference to non - profit
organizations. J. Feudo also explained to the RLAX members that the organizations expectation of
two practices and one game will become more and more difficult to achieve. Other organizations
don't even practice once a week once the season begins as games take priority.
J. Feudo is asking that the Recreation committee respond to RLAX via letter. The Recreation
Committee felt because this schedule was released back October it would be difficult to begin
making changes. They felt the organization have been given their time and the committee was in no
position to take space away from groups. The Recreation Committee reviewed the request to
amend to the current allocation of field space for spring 2010 as proposed by RLAX. The purpose
of releasing the spring schedule in the fall was to avoid this very situation. The Recreation
Committee feels strongly that the decisions that were reached are consistent with the Town's overall
philosophy concerning field allocation and in particular meeting the competing needs of various
athletic organizations.
K. Kaminer made a motion to reaffirm the schedule the was put in place in the Fall and allow to the
Recreation Administrator to trade locations between organizations when mutually agreeable. M.
Kozlowski seconded the motion. Motion passes in favor of reaffirming the schedule the was put in
place in the Fall 2009 and allow to the Recreation Administrator to trade locations between
organizations when mutually agreeable by a vote of 6 — 0- 1.
RCASA
N. Swain stated it was time to re -up the commitment of the Recreation Committee to RCASA. N.
Swain presented the commitment form. This would be another three -year commitment. J. Feudo
stated he is proud of the fact that the Recreation Committee Agenda for the past years has
consistently had RCASA on it. Much of that has to do with N. Swain's connection to both groups.
F. Driscoll made a motion to commit to another three years of involvement with RCASA. K.
Kaminer seconded the motion. Motion passes in favor by a vote of 7 — 0 — 0.
N. Swain gave an update on behalf of RCASA. She stated she would begin send the committee
through the Recreation Administrator the same monthly report she gets. It has more details and
statistics and also has a lot of good information.
• She mentioned that the HS has a search and seizure policy.
• There would be a health fair held at the HS in March.
READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES January 13th, 2010 con't
• RCASA has established a HS Club that is different from the Youth Crew.
• She spoke of TV show that featured Prescription Drug Abuse.
Administrator's Report
J. Feudo stated that the winter programming line -up is going well and has been well received.
Offering of adult horsemanship, van Gogh art and adult volleyball are all new. Also, the start of a
new junior league basketball program has become an instant hit.
Work has begun to try to sell the wind screens from the tennis courts that were taken down. Town
meeting approved the sale of them. Currently a mailing has gone out to all major tennis and racquet
clubs in MA. If that process is not fruitful a message will be sent to Recreation Departments in Ma.
Finally, EBAY and Craigslist will be held as last options for the sale.
J. Feudo and Wellness coordinator Tom Zaya made arrangements to have a USTA training session.
It is open to the public and those interested can contact John or Tom. Attending the training will be
many of the PE teachers from Reading. The benefit of the training is creating awareness about
tennis in Reading. Several schools have been awarded tennis gear from the USTA and all will
receive the training guide.
FORR has two events coming up. Daddy /Daughter dance on January 29th and FORR's annual
meeting on January 28th. All are welcome to attend.
N. Swain made a motion to adjourn. K. Kaminer seconded the motion. Motion passes in favor of
adjournment 6— 0 -0. Meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM.
Respectfully submitted by:
John A. Feudo
Recreation Administrator