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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-02-19 Recreation Committee Minutes 11110, Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Board - committee - Commission - Council: ?PYAKA2 12 Recreation Committee PM 1 0 Date: 2020-02-19 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Conference Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session Purpose: General Monthly Meeting Version: Draft Attendees: Members - Present: Mike DiPietro (M), Michael Coltman (M), Kate Kaminer (M), Rich Hand (M), Eric Gaffen (M) Members - Not Present: Pat Sheeran (A), Emily Sisson (M), John Parks (M) Others Present: Genevieve Fiorente - Recreation Administrator and liaison to committee Shannon Fratto - Recreation Program Coordinator Caryn Hayes - 739 Pearl Street, Reading, MA John Yurewicz - 10 Fairview Avenues, Reading, MA Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Genevieve Fiorente, Recreation Administrator Topics of Discussion: M. Coltman opens up the meeting at 7:15pm. M. Coltman asks committee if they had time to review minutes. K. Kaminer says that she sees that RCASA changed their name in the meeting minutes but was inquiring what the name was changed to. G. Fiorente stated that at the time no one knew of the exact name changed. A member of the Recreation Committee states that the name is Reading Coalition for Prevention and Support. R. Hand states that the name was changed to cover a broad spectrum. R. Hand makes a motion to approve the January 8, 2020 meeting minutes. K. Kaminer seconds. All in favor 5-0. M. Coltman moves on to the next agenda item of the Recreation Committee Vice- Chair. K. Kaminer states that she is interested. E. Gaffen makes a motion to nominate K. Kaminer as the Vice-Chair of the Recreation Committee. R. Hand seconds. Motion passes 5-0. G. Fiorente gives a brief update from last meeting in regard to the early start and reads her letter that was attached to the agenda on her recommendation. R. Hand asks if there is a specific timeline G. Fiorente would like to abide by for early start requests. He goes on to suggest that maybe having a window of time between the request and when they actually want it would be beneficial. R. Hand states that he does not want G. Fiorente to be under additional pressure over this. Page 1 1 M. Coltman states that the Select Board liaisons did not want this to expand the schedule but award for more flexibility if it was needed. R. Hand states that G. Fiorente has the knowledge and expertise to make these decisions and has the Recreation Committee and Select Board liaison support if needed to help in any decisions. K. Kaminer makes a motion to give the Recreation Administrator the discretion to approve early start permit requests before 12:00pm on Sundays while operating along the guidelines of extenuating circumstances only. M. DiPietro seconds. Discussion is brought up by C. Hayes representing Reading Softball Little League. She states that there needs to be a better lead time for the additional early start requests to prepare schedules. G. Fiorente states that the lead time is dependent on the extenuating circumstances and gives the example of if there is two feet of snow on the ground at the beginning of April, we can assume that the season will be postponed and can visit it like that. G. Fiorente goes on to say that things that occur during the season such as the amount of rainfall, will need to be addressed as it comes. G. Fiorente states that she knows Reading Softball Little League also ends their season on June 6"' while other leagues have their season until the last day of the permit which is typically the third week of June. She says that RSLL is more than welcome to extend their season if they are worried about getting their whole season in. C. Hayes questions the amount of field time Reading Softball Little League receives and states that they will just have to be okay with getting a yes or a no which doesn't seem fair. She says that the extenuating circumstance could differ on opinion. G. Fiorente states that Reading Softball Little League has been permitted similar hours of time and again, can still use time that they choose not to in June. She states that yes, she would suggest using that time before early time on Sunday based on the current rule and regulation. S. Fratto offers to send out hours as reflected on the field schedule. E. Gaffen states that there are so many decisions that are made that impact different organizations which include different variables. E. Gaffen says the early start flexibility will be helpful in extenuating circumstances for multiple organizations. C. Hayes says there needs to be a set guideline to follow. K. Kaminer responds to C. Hayes the Recreation Administrator has already provided solutions and that it did not seem to be to her satisfaction. S. Fratto states that the field space is given to the organizations and that if you want to end your season early that is up to you. She states that it is the responsibility of Reading Softball Little League to figure out the schedule for their league with what is permitted. Page 1 2 Committee is in favor of standing motion 5-0. Committee discusses the parks and playground rules as presented by G. Fiorente. G. Fiorente states that she has consulted with DPW, Jayne Miller and MIA about the rules. She goes on to say that the signs for the rules will list the top ones of importance and then folks will be routed to the website along with maybe a QR code. Committee has a brief discussion and agrees to be more specific about where to throw out the trash. K. Kaminer makes a motion to approve the draft rules as presented by G. Fiorente. R. Hand seconds. All in favor 5-0. G. Fiorente presents an amplified sound permit for the annual Paws Wakefield Run at Wood End Field on Saturday, September 29, 2020 from 8:30am-10:00pm. K. Kaminer approves the permit as presented. M. DiPietro seconds. All in favor 5-0. G. Fiorente presents the next amplified sound permit for the annual Global Beats & Summer Beats event at the Reading Public Library on Friday, June 29.2020 from 5:30pm-9:00pm. K. Kaminer approves the amplified sound as presented. M. DiPietro seconds. All in favor 5-0. M. Coltman presents the next agenda item for the winter use at Memorial Park Courts. He explains the background on asking permission from Parks and the Recreation Administrator for the Memorial Park Courts to be unlocked when the weather is mild in the winter. He states that ultimately the discussion came to the fact that play should be limited at Memorial Park and that is when he sent a note to the Select Board for an explanation. He stated he just wanted to get the opinion on winter use at the courts from the committee's perspective as other basketball courts and tennis courts are not locked in the winter. M. DiPietro states that he has to leave. G. Fiorente states the topic and other agenda items can be revisited at the next meeting. K. Kaminer makes a motion to adjourn. M. DiPietro seconds. All in favor 5-0. Page 1 3