HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-04-05 Recreation Committee Minutes -Draft Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes ftCElVri]
CLERK
Board - committee - commission - council: 2111OCi -
Recreation Committee 9 PM 6: I I
Date: 2016-04-05 Time: 0730 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Selectmen Meeting Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Purpose: Public Hearing on Field Fees Session: Joint Meeting
Attendees: Members- Present:
Kate Kaminer, Frank Driscoll, Michael DIPietro, Jeanne Borawski, Daniel
Foley, Richard Hand
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: John Feudo
Topics of Discussion:
DRAFT COPY
Hearing - Recreation Fees - Joint Meetina with Recreation Committee - Community
Services Director John Feudo, Jenna Fiorente and Recreation members Kate Kaminer, Frank
Driscoll, Michael DiPietro, Jeanne Borawski and Daniel Foley were present. The Recreation
Committee called to order.
John Halsey noted that he is a regular user of fields so he will not be part of the discussion.
Frank Driscoll asked Mr. Halsey repeatedly why he participated in the field lighting talks at a
previous Selectmen's meeting. John Halsey noted that was because it was a much broader
discussion and he did recuse from some of the discussion. He pays for fees for field use so
he will recuse himself tonight. Daniel Ensminger reminded Frank Driscoll that the whole
board agreed with the priorities set for the lighting. John Halsey recommended that Frank
Driscoll look at the minutes and he will see how much he had to say. In fact, he only spoke
on one safety question that was brought up by the Recreation Committee. He will refrain
from discussion tonight and Mr. Halsey left the room.
The Secretary read the hearing notice.
John Feudo noted that the fees need to remain somewhat reasonable. The goal is to cover
costs but keep it reasonable. Fees were last changed in 2006 when they were increased by
$7000 to $20,000. He noted that the admin/scheduling of fields costs are approximately
$25,000. The revolving fund pays for electricity, minor repairs and portable restrooms. The
proposed Increase will bring the fund up to $60,000. DPW support is $20,000;
Administrative support is $25,000 and minor repairs $15,000.
John Feudo noted that notable changes Include in town fees increased from $10/$12 to
$12/$14 per player; non-reading residents increased from $20/hour to $30/hour for field
passes; the fee was Increased from $75/hour to $100/hour for Collins Field; and resident
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fees for one time use remain the same at $10/block of time. Another notable change is the
camp and clinic field fee matrix was eliminated so he doesn't have to go out and physically
count the number of people on the field.
Barry Berman noted that it looks like the per person fee increased 10% but it's not a lot of
money. John Feudo noted he applied it to last year's numbers. Barry Berman noted that
there is a lot of wear and tear on the fields and asked If we could Incorporate the fees to
cover future costs. The Town Manager noted that is illegal because the general fund must
pay for the capital. He noted that the Schools have a significant amount of money in their
revolving fund but Recreation is governed by the state and they are only allowed to keep
$10,000 at year end. John Feudo noted that the Recreation revolving fund turned back
$124,000 last year to the general fund.
John Feudo noted that the proposed fees are at the bottom of the chart and there has been
no push back from organizations.
Barry Berman asked if the new lights will be metered so we can charge and John Feudo
noted we are working on that.
Angela Binda noted that there has been discussion about revenue generation and she asked
if that was something being looked at with in town costs and out of town costs or are we
just trying to cover costs. The Town Manager noted that we can't pay for capital or debt but
increased fees will turn money back to the general fund. Angelo Binda asked if there has
been philosophical discussion regarding in towners and out of towners. John Feudo noted
that philosophically the fields are for Reading first. We would never give a field to out of
towners before in towners. Angela Binda asked if there is any correlation between what the
town charges and what the organizations charge and John Feudo noted the he assumes
they will increase their fees.
A motion by Berman seconded by Ensminaer that the Board of Selectmen close the
hearina amending the Recreation fees was approved by a vote of 3-0-0 (Halsey
was not present).
A motion by Berman seconded by Ensminaer that the Board of Selectmen approve
the recommended field and facility fees as indicated in the memo from John Feudo
to Bob LeLacheur dated February 29. 2016 was approved by a vote of 3-0-0
(Halsey was not present).
The Recreation Committee adjourned.
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