HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-11 Recreation Committee Minutes �� re Town of Reading i L- CCIVEt
Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
2021 MAY 25 FM 12: b
Recreation Committee
Date: 2021-03-11 Time: 4:30 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Meeting Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session
Purpose: General Monthly Meeting Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Emily Sisson (M), Michael Coltman (M), Mike DlPletro(M), Bob Weiden (M),
Rich Hand (M), Eric Gaffen (M), Angela Binda (M)
Members - Not Present:
K. Kaminer (M), Katelynn King (A), Gina Nelson (A), Patrick Sheeran (A)
Others Present:
Genevieve Fiorente - Recreation Administrator and liaison to committee
Paul - 44 Estate Lane, Reading, MA - pickleball
John - 46 Summer Ave, Reading, MA - pickleball
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Genevieve Fiorente, Recreation Administrator
Topics of Discussion:
E. Sisson opens up meeting at 4:33pm. Roll call for attendance occurs. M. Coltman
asks why the Pickleball agenda item wasn't more specific. G. Fiorente states that
the agenda was sent out in advance and M. Coltman could have asked the chair to
change it at that time. G. Fiorente continues that this has also been an ongoing
discussion and nothing was done with bad intention.
M. Coltman suggests some meeting minute revisions. Committee discusses and
agrees on some changes. M. Coltman makes a motion to approve the minutes with
proposed agreed upon changes. E. Gaffen seconds. Roll call vote occurs. All are in
favor.
G. Fiorente gives an update on pickleball and states that health has also advised on
no sharing of equipment by the public at the Memorial Park courts due to Covid. M.
Coltman says that indoor facilities like Gordon College have a number of protocol to
address covid concerns and that pickleball players can wipe down nets before and
after.
G. Fiorente says indoor use can be monitored closer and that management of an
indoor and outdoor facility are different. G. Fiorente suggests that M. Coltman reach
out directly to health with additional questions since they are the professionals.
G. Fiorente states that she would like to put more heavy duty portable pickleball
nets on one of the courts that would stay up so members of the public would not
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even have to worry about bringing a net. She stated she talked to Kate Kaminer
who is also on the Friends of Reading Tennis and she thought it would be fine. She
mentioned that here are not as many tennis players utilizing the courts as in the
past. M. Coltman states he thinks it should stay multi-use on both courts.
A.Binda says that it is not an easy decision with Covid and it seems like there is a
consistent issue with private vs. public when it comes to pickleball play.
M. Coltman answers that there have been some initial discussions about organizing
out that doesn'r fully address this situation.
A.Binda says that starting an organized group to fundraise is a better idea rather
than just having unorganized members of the public advocating. M. Coltman
answers that they are in that process.
E. Sisson states that the committee should move on from the pickleball
conversation.
G. Fiorente gives updates on the division including the Birch Meadow Master Plan.
She states the working group/Activitas will be presenting to the School Committee
on April 1''.
R. Hand states that there was another great article in the paper about the project.
A.Binda makes a motion to adjourn at 5:07pm. M. Coltman seconds. All are in
favor.
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