Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-11-10 Recreation Committee Minutes - Draft mci:EIVEC o ]tom Town of Reading TOWN CLERK o ` 16 Lowell Street READING, MA. Reading, MA 01867-2685 2019 JUN 18 PM 4: 03 P ,BJB�INC00.4�p FAX: (781)942-5441 RECREATION DIVISION: (781)942-9075 READING RECREATION COMMITTEEMINIJT'ES November 10 2009 Town Hall Confekrl doom Attendance: Bernie Winne, Chairman, Frank Driscoll, Rea Committee MeiaE@sr, Mary Ellen Stolecki, Vice Chairmen,Nancy-Linn Swain,Rec. Committee Member,Eric iik4hes, Associate Member, Beth Clarom, School Committee Rep.,Joe Rossetti,Associate Membei"John Feudo, Recreation Administrator B. Winne called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM. N. Swain made a motion to accept the October 14th Recreation Committee minutes. F. Driscoll seconded the motion. Field Fees for Special Needs program J. Feudo mentioned the Towh rooiyed an email through the BOS regarding the newly passed field fee schedule. The emadwas front Charles Donnelly Moran regarding the increase in fees for"Out of Town" participants as it relates to special needs programming. Mr. Donnelly-Moran was concerned that the families**parpeTpate in the Reading Challenger and Special Needs programming already deal wl&Marry'@xWtviedical bills. He felt that the new pricing system would discourage poltitipbillft or hit these families again in the pocket. J. Feuddlitrentioned that nl*of the speoiol needs programs need to draw participants from other communis to make a program viable. J. Feudo stated emently the only challenger program that was affected by the new policy was the Challenger Soccer Program which is run by Reading United Soccer Club. Otherwise the other programs are all atimbistpred and conducted through the Recreation Division. M. Stolecki made a motion that the Recreation Committee recommend to the Board of Selectmen to exempt In-Town Challenger sports programs to the current field fee schedule. F. Driscoll seconded the motion. Motion passed in favor of the Recreation Committee recommending to the Board of Selectmen to exempt In-Town Challenger sports programs to the current field fee schedule 6-0-0. Women's Soccer Request for Exemption Reading Women's Soccer submitted a request to be "Grand mothered" and exempt from the new field fee policy. They currently have 4 of their 11 players that meet the criteria of a"Reading Resident". They felt that the new fees would be too cost prohibitive for them to stay playing in Reading. The committee discussed this issue. The committee felt they were not in a position to begin carving out the new policy as the reason the policy was created was to discourage In-Town organizations from recruiting from other communities given the lack of space to accommodate the Town's own people. J. Feudo stated an option would be for the Women's group to pay by the$our as a Non—Reading organization. That would be closer to what they paid in the past. The dravtl back is they would not be scheduled in the "Reading Orgs" initial schedule and would have to waitt6,book their games. F. Driscoll made a motion to reject the request of exemption of Field Fees made by Reading Women's Soccer program. N. Swain seconded the motion. Motion:passes by a votet '5-1-0. Field Permit Procedure J. Feudo stated he has begun reviewing the Tit of Reading Field Permit Procedure document. The current document needed updating for the bhaagas that have beda Ocently made. The Recreation Committee discussed the procedure and ma ;some general comments. B. Winne asked J. Feudo to make the appropriate changes and bring the doeit ment back to the December meeting for final revision and approval. Administrator's RegQlSt J. Feudo gave an update fet'lldi programming.. He highlighted several programs including Travel Basketball, SAT AM Sports andVtc Sunday Volleyball League. He mentioned that the Nashoba Ski program is very 416WOgain thiS year. Staff has concluded that this is a sign of the poor econorp I as skiing is no lunger a weelidy activity that can be fit in a budget. Travel BaskmWall went very wroth this year. There are have 128 kids playing over ten teams. Last year ther+e'were around 170 kids that participated on 14 teams. That is a direct impact of the program started by.Carl McFadden. J. Feudo mentioned faid)demorial Park will not be flooded this year for skating in anticipation that construction and renovation may take place as early as spring. The park will be closed to sports teams for practices in all likelihood as well. J. Feudo stated the Washington Park Playground committee has received approval to begin fundraising for the playground. They will begin the fundraising effort with a commemorative brick campaign. Tennis Court lights at Bancroft Ave have been set to tum off at 7 PM. This will occur through Thanksgiving when the lights will go off for the winter and the facility will close until spring. J. Feudo mentioned several new marketing ideas he and staff had been working on. The Spring brochure will include a"Name Your Summer Camp" contest with the winner receiving a free week to the camp. "Twitter for Fix"this summer will allow participants to go on a scavenger hunt to find movie passes by following the Recreation Division on Twitter for clues. Finally,trying to capitalize on the success of Sat AM Sports, we will be offer a$5 off coupon to all participants for Junior Basketball and Junior Camp this summer. The Recreation Division has received permission to retro fit 4 baskets at the RMHS Field House to he lowered to 8 ft. This will help a great deal with Sunday Basketball grade 2 and 3 and open the door for K and 1 st as well. Subcommittee Reports: N. Swain stated the narcotics box has been installed at the Police Station She also reminded folks to help get word out to not flush narcotics down the toilet as it is harmful t6tre environment. M. Stolecki made a motion to adjourn. N. Swain seconded the motion. Motion passed in favor of adjournment by a vote of 6-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:49 PM. Respectfully submitted by: John A. Feudo Recreation Administrator