HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-01-08 Recreation Committee - Subcommittee Minutes Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
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Board - committee - Commission - council: 2010 FE8 20 AH 10.- 54
Recreation committee
Date: 2019-01 -0$ Time: 5:30 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Conference Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session
Purpose: Birch Meadow Master Plan Version: Final
Subcommittee
Attendees: Members - Present:
Michael Coltman, Mary Ellen Killion, John Parks
Members - Not Present:
Rich Hand, Dan Foley
Others Present:
Genevieve Fiorente , Recreation Administrator and liaison to subcommittee
Vanessa Alvarado, Select Board liaison to recreation committee
Angela Binda, 10 Orchard Park Drive
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Genevieve Fiorente
Topics of Discussion:
Meeting opens at 5:40pm after G. Fiorente calls M. Killion from the Town Hail Conference
Room. G. Fiorente states that all votes need to be made in roll call format since M. Killion is
remote from the phone. M. Killion makes a motion to approve the Birch Meadow Master Plan
subcommittee minutes from 9/18/18 and 8/14/18. J. Parks seconds. Each subcommittee
member states name and their approval. Motion passes 3-0.
G. Fiorente introduces Joe Bean who is an abutter at the Birch Meadow Complex. She stated
that Joe reached out via the Birch Meadow Master Planning Survey to help in the planning
process. She says he has lived in the area for several years and has been involved with both
passive and active recreation. J. Bean gives his own Introduction and says how he has
walked the area and has coached his kids in sports in the area. J. Bean said he is willing to
help and give feedback as needed. G. Fiorente and the subcommittee express their
gratitude to Joe for being there and collectively think having neighborhood liaisons will be
great in the planning process.
A discussion on the priority of turf 2 ensues. The subcommittee agrees that turf 2 must be
redone. G. Fiorente states that this is a project that Is currently being explored by facilities.
She informs the subcommittee that the turf may not be extended as the subcommittee has
wanted. The subcommittee expresses their disappointment since the field extension would
allow for a regulation field and would like to know exactly why it Isn't being extended. G.
Fiorente says that she assumes that it is budgetary and also probably time sensitive. She
states that she can reach out to facilities for the subcommittee to express their
disappointment and request that if they can share any information on the project when they
can that it would be appreciated. Subcommittee agrees that this would be good as it will
affect the plan moving forward.
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G. Fiorente and subcommittee go through the survey results for the Birch Meadow Master
Plan. G. Fiorente states that overall the same priority items remain the same like running
and walking paths. She says that it may be a good idea to circle trails In on their thoughts
as well. Subcommittee agrees. Subcommittee has a discussion on drainage in the area as
well and how it is extremely poor.
1. Bean asks that since there seems to be a need for restrooms and/or concessions that it
may make sense to utilize the field house lobby and add a small cafe in there.
Subcommittee thinks that is a good idea. There is a suggestion by V. Alvarado that perhaps
a joint meeting with schools and the town may be beneficial to collaborate on these ideas
that involve both town and schools.
M. Killion enters the meeting in person at 6:30pm.
A.Binda asks about the relevance of the lighting question on the survey.
G. Fiorente states that this project was approved years back and she thought it was
Important to be on the survey to see how the community felt currently. She goes on to say
that she also put it on there to state active and passive because the survey results in 2015
Indicated the need for running and walking paths. She says she sees the lights as helping to
light those paths as well as the fields and really wanted that feedback. She mentions this
will help with safety at night time for those who would just utilize area for passive
recreation.
A.Binda says that the Town Manager has indicated there is 8.9 million dollars that will be
used toward recreation projects in the coming future. She asks what the priorities are. G.
Fiorente says that all the priorities that she is aware of are the ones that are currently on
the Capital Plan.
J. Bean asks if there can be any assistance on projects from the army core of engineers on
projects at Birch Meadow Complex. The Subcommittee states that they would be open to
help from other groups.
Subcommittee agrees to make data charts and take out key words from the survey and
bring it to the next meeting. Subcommittee also agrees that they would like to present
survey results to Select Board in an email and eventually get on the agenda for a Select
Board meeting for an update.
M. Killion makes a motion to adjourn at 6:45pm. M. Coltman seconds. All in favor 3-0.
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