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Home My WebLink About2015-09-15 Recreation Committee Minutes� OFq Town of Reading ?' Meeting Minutes RECEIVED TOWN CLERK READING. MASS. Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Recreation Committee 20ib FEB -9 P 2 211 Date: 2015 -09 -15 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Mattera Cabin Location: Great Room Address: 1481 Main Street Purpose: Monthly Meeting Session: General Session Attendees: Members - Present: John Feudo, Rich Hand, Emily Sisson, Dan Foley, Kate Kaminer, Frank Driscoll, Adam Chase Members - Not Present: Mike DIPietro, Mary Ellen Stolecki, Nancy Linn Swain, Jeanne Borawski Others Present: David Chase, Genevieve Fiorente Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Genevieve Fiorente Topics of Discussion: Kate Kaminer calls the meeting to order at 7:07PM. John Feudo starts by Introducing the new member of the committee, Emily Sisson. Emily provides a short background and is excited to be involved. The committee welcomes her. John Feudo then goes right into a request by David Chase from Men's Soccer. Dave is present to make this request and Is asking the Recreation Committee to play at Memorial Park under the lights on 3 dates in October. The three dates are October 81h, 15th, and 22nd. He would like the 7pm -8pm time slot. Dave shows a quick picture of which field he would like to use. He is hoping to get the one closest to the basketball court. Dave also mentions his interest in sprucing up of the medal box. He suggests an art contest at one of the schools and whoever wins can paint a mural on the box to make it more appealing to the eye. Members on the committee agree that it would be a good idea to beautify the box. Rich Hand asks how lights would be turned on. Dave Chase responds that John Feudo would most likely give him a key to turn the lights on and off. Dave Chase also says he can be Flexible on the logistics of how they get turned on and off and he and John can have a conversation. A brief conversation takes place with Dave and the committee about where they have played in the past and present. Dave and the men have played at Castine and Memorial. Dave adds that they like the sunken field because it catches balls more easily too. Adam Chase makes a motion to approve the field with lights from 7pm -8pm at Memorial Park on October 8th, 15th, and 22nd for Dave Chase and the Men's Soccer Group. John Feudo recommends that Dave Chase goes around notifying a few of his neighbors since he lives in the Memorial Park Neighborhood himself. The committee agrees this would be a nice gesture to give the neighbors a heads up. Rich Hand seconds the motion. All were in favor with a 5 -0 vote. The committee takes some time to review the minutes from the meeting in July. Page I 1 Rich Hand makes a motion to accept the minutes from July. Frank Driscoll seconds. All were in favor with a 6 -0 vote. John Feudo continues on to the topic of the light project at Birch Meadow. He informs the committee of the 27 borings due to be dug about 40 feet down. This process will allow the proper engineers to get involved and move the project into the bid process. John hands out a packet to committee members outlining MUSCO Lighting estimates for each field and field usage. John Feudo asks the committee to prioritize the fields from 1 -5 so it can be presented to the Board of Selectman. After the Board of Selectman decision, the project can be presented in a Public Hearing before the Town Meeting. He asks them to do this as a precautionary effort in case all fields are unable to be completed within budget. The fields John asked for itemization were Tennis Court Baseball Field (Little League Field), Morton Field, Lighted Softball Field, Street & Lot Field, and Turf 2. Rich Hand asks John Feudo for a follow -up on the neighborhood and if any neighbors have approached him. John Feudo says that he had 2 Informal meetings with a couple of neighbors and their main concern was the lights on Morton Field. Frank Driscoll asks which fields are used the most. John runs through the handout which itemized fields (see attached) and who uses them in various seasons. The handout also shows the increased amount of hours that each field would provide. A long conversation ensues with the breakdown of organizations and which particular fields they use seasonally. In the conversation Kate Kaminer asks if there is a possibility that if there is a shortage in money would the leagues /organizations. John Feudo thinks that would be a possibility. Frank Driscoll makes a motion to prioritize the follow fields in this order 1 being top priority: 1. Turf 2 2. Lighted Softball Field 3. Street & Lot Field 4. Tennis Court Baseball Field S. Morton Field Adam seconds the motion and discussion opens on Frank's motion. John Feudo mentions that the lights on Morton will encroach on field hockey play on Morton. Kate Kaminer asks if we would definitely lose the field hockey space on Morton if the lights were installed there. John Feudo says most likely. John also mentions in the conversation the possibility of overlays. The committee agrees that organizations will most likely not be pleased with the overlay option. The conversation continues again on what organizations use what field and what each field could be used for multipurpose wise. Kate frames a question to ask if you only had to pick one field which one would you do first? The discussion continues as committee members weigh in opinions. Frank withdraws his motion after the conversation. Dan Foley makes a motion for the following fields from 1 -5 in priority 1 being the top priority: 1. Street & Lot Field 2. Lighted Softball Field 3. Turf 2 4. Little League Field 5. Morton Field Page 1 2 Frank seconds the motion and all are in favor with a 6 -0 vote Frank Driscoll asks where power will be drawn from. John Feudo answers probably from the High School press box, the green shed in between Castine and the softball field, and the tennis courts. John Feudo goes on to say that the Field Fee sub - committee and The Birch Meadow Master Plan sub - committee meetings will be lined up for meetings soon. Jenna Fiorente gives a brief synopsis of Summer Programs. She explains how Summer Camp sold out in 6 out of the 7 weeks. Each week that sold out had 120 participants in it not including Junior Camp. She also shared some noteworthy stories from the summer. Jenna asks for help from the committee for upcoming events. These events are The Downtown Trick or Treat, The Halloween Parade, Pumpkin Painting, and Travel Basketball Evaluations. The committee will check their schedules and try to be there to help. John Feudo also mentions that he and Jenna went to the First Congregational Church right across the Town Hall Parking Lot. The church is interested in renting space since most of the time it is unused. They feel the space is being wasted. John and Jenna will brainstorm ideas. John says he can see some of the spaces being used to help other departments like Health and Human & Elder Services as well. Rich Hand gives RCASA Update. Rich says there is a screening called "If Only" sponsored by the Mark Wahlberg Foundation at the Jordan's Furniture IMAX on September 30th fro m 7:30PM- 9:OOPM. He goes on to say that there will be a panel discussion after the movie. He explains how the movie is about addiction and overdosing. Rich Hand also says that RCASA is working on a speaker again for the Spring. Last year RCASA teamed up with recreation and other youth organizations in Town to fund Chris Herron, a former Celtic player, to come In and speak about his struggle with addiction. The turnout was phenomenal according to Rich Hand and John Feudo. Kate Kaminer makes a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:OOPM. Dan Foley seconds the motion and all are in favor with a 5 -0 vote. Page 1 3