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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-08-14 Recreation Committee Minutes Town of Reading Meeting Minutes RECEIVED TOWN CLERK READING,. MA, Board - Committee - Commission - Council: OCT Recreation Committee 9 PM 23 Date: 2018-08-14 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Conference Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Discussion Session: General Session Attendees: Members - Present: Emily Sisson, Adam Chase, John Parks, Mike DIPIetro, Mary Ellen Killion (associate), Michael Coltman (associate), Kate Kaminer (associate) Members - Not Present: Rich Hand, Chuck Robinson, Lori Russo, Dan Foley, Eric Gaffen, Patrick Sheeran (associate) Others Present: Genevieve Fiorente - Recreation Administrator Vanessa Alvarado - Select Board Liaison Dan Ensminger - Select Board Liaison Lorraine Barry - Reading Lions Club Marla Clough - Reading Lions Club David Blanchard - High School Varsity Coach at RMHS Ray Blanchard - President of Friends of Reading Baseball Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Genevieve Fiorente Topics of Discussion: E. Sisson opens up meeting at 7:03pm. E. Sisson elevates K. Kaminer as voting member since a quorum is not present. There are introductions by Recreation Committee and Select Board Liaisons. E. Sisson states It Is now time to review July 10, 2018 meeting minutes. M. Killion has an amendment to her statement in the July 10, 2018 meeting minutes on page 2, #2, and said that the first sentence should read "M. Killion says that in addition to saying after speaking with his lawyer, he had considered lawsuits against the members of the Recreation Committee that he also mentioned the Recreation Administrator." E. Sisson also makes a friendly amendment that in the second paragraph on the first page the date should read, June 12, 2018 not June 10, 2018. K. Kaminer makes a motion to approve the minutes as amended. J. Parks seconds. Committee votes 5-0 In approval of the minutes. E. Sisson introduces Lorraine Barry from the Lions Club to give her presentation on the Free Little Libraries. L. Barry gives a hand out to the committee that highlights what the Free Little Libraries look like. L. Barry introduces herself and other member Maura Clough who is also there on behalf of the Lions Club. L. Barry explains the location of Lions Park of being across from the McDonalds and Is a triangular area abutting Washington St. and Main St. She states that the park is beautifully maintained by Joe Coughlin, a Reading employee, and Page 1 1 also a member of the Lions. L. Barry says that she has most recently been working with G. Fiorente and M. Hannaford and that a new memorial bench has been installed. She goes on to say that the Lions Club would like to do a dedication of the bench along with the new Little Libraries stand. She explains that her husband has already made it so it would be of no cost to the town. She says that she Is a big advocate for literacy and thinks that the stand will create more foot traffic in the park. She also says there are a couple in Reading already. M. Killion asks how many of the libraries are on public and how many are on private land. L. Barry says that in Reading they are only currently on private land but in many other communities, they are on town property. K. Kaminer asks If the town will have an opinion on location. L. Barry states that yes, they would and she will work with M. Hannaford In the Parks Division and G. Fiorente to figure out this location. M. DiPietro asks how L. Barry plans to promote the little library. L. Barry says that they plan to push out the word on social media, newspapers, and word of mouth. E. Sisson asks if they are concerned about vandalism. L. Barry said there are strategies in place through Free Little Libraries that helps if there were ever a case of vandalism. M. DiPietro asks how you donate to the library. She states that anyone can simply bring books to the little library and take books from the little library. J. Parks makes a motion to let the Lions Club Install the free little library at Lions Park. M. DiPietro seconds. Committee is in favor 5-0. L. Barry and M. Clough exit the meeting at 7:17pm. E. Sisson introduces the next proposal from Friends of Reading High School Baseball who would like to donate a portable turtle cage to be placed at Morton Field. Ray Blanchard stands and Introduces himself as the President of Friends of Reading Baseball he also introduces High School Varsity Coach David Blanchard. R. Blanchard states the Friends of Reading Baseball has been around for about 5 years and raises funds for the High School team at RMHS for extra equipment, uniforms, etc. He says that they are looking to give back in some way to the town and had thought of many ways. He states that, collectively, they think the turtle cage at Morton would be most beneficial for safety during hitting practices for players and spectators and also Is a great training tool that would help with efficiency of practice time. He says that it would also help from losing baseballs into the woods. R. Blanchard explains to the committee how it is easy to push and collapses down to only 5ft. He also describes location of where it would be placed. G. Fiorente adds that R. Blanchard met down at Morton with appropriate Town Staff, including Jayne Miller for insurance purposes, to talk about the cage and the location. G. Fiorente says that the Parks Division and DPW Department as a whole will support the decision of the committee. G. Fiorente asks if this will be formal donation to the town and also states that if the committee approves the cage that the final deciding vote Iles with the Select Board. R. Blanchard says that yes, It would be a donation to the town and provides a quote in the amount of$4,756.25 for the Big Bubba Elite Batting Cage from BSN Sports. J. Parks about the upkeep for the turtle cage. R. Blanchard says there is little to no maintenance required but they would take care of it. He said that it may need a new net at some point and Friends of Reading Baseball would not have a problem replacing it. A discussion ensues about who can move the cage. R. Blanchard says Jayne Miller looked into the policy and that no one under the age of 18 can move it or take it up and down. Adults can handle the cage after signing a waiver. Page 1 2 M. DiPietro asks if there are Instructions on handling the turtle cage. D. Blanchard says that the process is self-explanatory, but he will hold a meeting with all leagues to give a demonstration. M. Coltman asks about the life of the turtle cage. D. Blanchard says that the one at his High School has been there for 25 years. G. Fiorente asks about the cost per baseball. D. Blanchard said It is about $5 per baseball right now. R. Blanchard states again that the number one reason for the turtle cage would be safety. G. Florente also mentions that in the meeting, Friends of Reading Baseball welcomes girls High School Team or organizations to use it as well which she states is important for an inclusivity standpoint for the Town. D. Blanchard states that it can be rolled through the gate in center field. M. Coltman asks who will monitor who can use it if multiple teams want to at the same time. D. Blanchard says that the Athletic Director, Tom Zaya, would make that decision for the High School teams if needed. E. Sisson asks how much it weighs. D. Blanchard says 500lbs but one person is able to push it to move it. A.Chase moves to accept the gift of the turtle batting cage to be placed at Morton Field from the Friends of Reading Baseball for final approval coming from the Select Board. M. DiPietro seconds. All In favor 5-0. R. Blanchard and D. Blanchard exit at 7:33pm. G. Fiorente presents the early start request from Pete Moscariello for the Reading Alumni Game at Morton Field on Sunday, September 16t , at 9:00am. G. Fiorente says P. Moscariello had originally had the game scheduled for Saturday, September 15th but many Alumni had scheduling conflicts on that day. K. Kaminer states she is opposed to the 9:00am start. M. Killion asks if it means 9:00am or will be out there at 8:00am to warm up too. M. Killion suggests that it be known that they can be on the field at 9:00am. M. Coltman says that there are other recreational activities happening in the morning well before 12pm. Committee members state that they are not organizations. The committee briefly discusses the early start in regards to having the game start later and the validity of the reason for asking for the special permit. J. Parks makes a motion to approve a special permit for the Alumni Game at Morton Field for a hard start of 9:00am on September 16th. A Chase seconds. Committee votes 3-2. K. Kaminer makes a motion that the Alumni game should remain in compliance with the no Sunday play prior to 12pm rule. M. DiPietro seconds. Committee votes 4-1. Committee has more discussion and ultimately do not think they can agree on a solution. A.Chase makes a motion for G. Fiorente to contact Pete Moscarlello to see if he can comply with the rule and start at 12pm and pending that answer, leave the final decision to be decided on by E. Sisson, chair of the Recreation Committee. J. Parks seconds. Committee votes 5-0. The committee briefly discusses meeting days and times. The committee and current Select Board liaisons agree to cross reference meetings to come up with non-conflicting days to ensure they can attend the meetings If they would like. G. Fiorente will reach out to B. Sweeney and C. Saunders to get the schedule. Page 13 i V. Alvarado exits at 8:00pm. G. Fiorente gives a division update and states that it is the last week of summer camp and the last clinic of the summer is running next week. She says the Fall programs will go live online on August 21� and that the magazine has been sent to print. She states that Saturday Night Lights Flag Football already has 739 participants signed up for the September 81" start date. She says how great Shannon has been settling In. K. Kaminer asks about the magazine and if it is just completely electronic now. G. Fiorente says that no, it isn't but thinks it should be. She states that she does not know how many people actually look at the hard copy of the magazine and fears that it may be a waste of valuable time to create it not to mention the cost associated with printing it. The committee agrees that the move should be to go to an electronic version only. G. Florente said she could look into doing a survey to poll families to see if they do look at the hard copy or not. D. Ensminger states that he is happy to be one of the new liaisons. He says that he knows there have been so rough patches but he Is hoping for new beginnings. He continues to say that they will be going over the code of conduct at the next Select Board meeting. E. Sisson asks if there is a preexisting code of conduct. D. Ensminger states that if there is he has been unable to find It. J. Parks makes a motion to adjourn at 8:30pm. A. Chase seconds. All in favor 5-0. Page 1 4