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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-02-19 Recreation Committee Minutes - Subcommittee Minutes � OrR Town of Reading Meeting Minutes sECENED TOWN CLERK RNG, MA. Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Recreation Committee 2m JUN 12 PM 2* 3 Date: 2019-02-19 Time: 5:00 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, Rich Hand, John Parks - Members - Not Present: Mary Ellen Killion, Dan Foley Others Present: Angela Binds 10 Orchard Park Drive Ben Ream 972 Main Street Trails Committee Dan McCarthy 91 Prospect Street Reading Little League Mike Wondolowski 4 Bartlett Street Reading Little League Chuck Webberly 3 North Street Reading Youth Lacrosse Charlie Hardy Reading Lacrosse HS Coach and Reading Youth Lax Genevieve Fiorente Recreation Administrator and liaison to subcommittee Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Genevieve Fiorente Topics of Discussion: R. Hand opens up meeting at 5:25pm and suggests everyone go around the room for introductions. Each person at the meeting gives a short introduction. R. Hand states that there was a 50% increase in people who took the survey this time around and that each time the survey is released, more people take it. He states that this shows the high interest people in the Birch Meadow area and in recreation. He also says that in the past, the subcommittee has met in a focus group with youth organizations to gain feedback on the Birch Meadow area. He states that he would like to see that happen again. J. Parks makes a motion to accept the meeting minutes from 1.8.19. M. Coltman seconds. Motion passes 3-0. R. Hand says that G. Fiorente will present a rough draft of a power point that summarizes the subcommittee's goals moving forward. G. Fiorente goes through a brief power point (attached). The subcommittee hopes to present to the Select Board in the coming months with an update or have liaisons share feedback in their updates at the Select Board meeting. R. Hand that says that there is no funding in FY20 but it is important to keep momentum going as power point states especially since more and more youth organizations are coming forward and donating projects at the Birch Meadow area. G. Fiorente states that since walking and running paths were high priority in all 3 surveys that she reached out to Kim Honetschlager and she and the trails committee came up with a map of walking paths that could be proposed in the area. She says that B. Ream has been Page 1 1 working closely on the collaboration. B. Ream adds that a lot of projects done by trails Is done by old fashioned elbow grease and that there could be some ways to get creative and use places like Lowes and REI for sponsors for materials. The subcommittee discusses the importance of the committees working together moving forward and express appreciation to trails and Kim Honetschlager. - M. Wondolowski points out survey result of how 80% of people were in favor of the early start before 12pm and asks if this will be revisited. G. Fiorente answers that is an agenda item at the Recreation Committee. A brief conversation occurs in regard to new and additional lighting at the Birch Meadow area. B. Ream asks if public safety could pay for any of the lights and states he thinks lights are needed for safety for walking and for spots. He says he is In favor of the project. A. Binda asks specific questions in regard to the capital money for the Birch Meadow Lighting Project that was asked for at Town Meeting in November. The subcommittee is unaware of actual details at this time. G. Fiorente introduces M. Wondolowski, President of Reading Little League, to make his presentation. G. Fiorente mentions and thanks M. Wondolowski for having a joint meeting with appropriate internal town departments before coming to the subcommittee with the project. She states that M. Wondolowski has received permission to do this project from Parks and DPW. M. Wondolowski says that he has been in Reading for 11 years and has 3 boys who participate in baseball. He states that this is his first year as President of RLL and the board sent out a survey to gain feedback on what they would like to see improved. He says the main needs and/or wants of the RLL participants are Improved fields and access to restrooms. M. Wondolowski presents a power point presentation on the RLL (attached) in which he outlines turning the Tennis Court Field into also being a 50/70 field to allow older age groups that participate In the Bay State League to play there. M. Wondolowski talks about how the project will also Improve drainage. M. Coltman asks about specifics with the drainage. D. McCarthy assures the subcommittee that there is no new drainage system being put in just newer soil and materials that will help to improve the drainage significantly. There is a brief discussion on the amount Reading Little League pays for each field each year to maintain the quality. J. Parks make a motion to recommend the Reading Little League proposal on the 50/70 field as is to the Recreation Committee for approval. M. Coltman seconds. Motion passes 3-0. G. Fiorente asks for a rough estimate of the cost of the project. D. McCarthy says about $36,000. G. Fiorente introduces Chuck Webberly, head of Reading Youth Lacrosse. He presents a handout (attached) on their potential idea for a hit wall at the Birch Meadow Complex. He states the dimensions of the wall in the handout as well as provides different looks. He also gives a few possible listed locations at Birch Meadow for the subcommittee to review. G. Fiorente states that two out of the three locations would interfere with the current Master Plan. The subcommittee agrees. The subcommittee agrees that the best location would be the one outlined near turf 2. J. Parks asks if the prefab wall or the one that is constructed is easier to maintain. C. Webberly says it would be the same. G. Fiorente asks which one they would prefer. C. Webberly says that the donations are in the form of materials so they would probably build it themselves but if time ran out, they may go with prefab because it Is less expensive. Page 12 R. Hand asks if other organizations like soccer could use it. C. Webberly says absolutely. R. Hand answers that he is happy to hear that and emphasizes that donated projects need to be open to the public and all organizations. C. Webberly again states that he understands and that is not a problem. The subcommittee discusses their concerns about drainage, town vehicle/emergency vehicle accessibility, and water lines for the location by turf 2. The subcommittee suggests RYL go to Parks and Engineering next to discuss this location and come back to the committee afterward. G. Fiorente also mentions the concern for no hit wall at Parker and the High School girls play there for games because turf 2 at the High School is not regulation. C. Webberly says that since he is in charge of the Youth program, he will make sure both girls and boys play and equal amount at Turf 2. G. Fiorente also states that it may be a good Idea to wait until after Turf 2 is completed to start a project like this. The subcommittee agrees. C. Webberly and C. Hardy agree to work with other town divisions to move forward and then report back to the subcommittee. G. Fiorente says that she will contact the school after the location is approved with DPW - divisions to see if this would be considered a school or town donated project. I Parks makes a motion to adjourn at 6:50pm. M. Coltman seconds. All in favor 3-0. Page 1 3