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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-02-11 Recreation Committee Minutes aC' C � e Town of Reading IVB Meeting Minutes TC Nl,4CLERK M R. �a 21121 MAY 25 Board - Committee - commission - council: AM I I S Recreation Committee Date: 2021-02-11 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: Kate Kaminer (M), Emily Sisson (M), Michael Coltman (M), Mike DiPietro(M), Bob Weiden (M), Rich Hand (M), Katelynn King (A), Eric Gaffen (M), Angela Binda (M), Patrick Sheeran (A) Members - Not Present: John Parks (M), Gina Nelson (A) Others Present: Genevieve Fiorente - Recreation Administrator and liaison to committee Susan Simeola - Senior Administrative Assistant, Recreation Judy Coltman - 18 Milton Rd, Reading, MA - pickleball Jim Cormier - 14 Willard Rd, Reading, MA - pickleball David McIsaac - 94 Oak St, Reading, MA - pickleball Mary Kay Watts - 21 Hemlock Rd, Reading, MA - pickleball Kathy Rovnak - 86 Sunnyside Ave, Reading, MA - pickleball Nancy Webster - 9 Newell Rd, Wakefield, MA - pickleball Carol Mahn - 248 Albion Street, Unit 246, Wakefield, MA - pickleball Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Genevieve Fiorente, Recreation Administrator Topics of Discussion: K. Kaminer opens up the meeting at 4:34pm. Roll call attendance occurs. E. Sisson makes a motion to approve the January 2021 meeting minutes as written. E. Gaffen seconds. A. Binda mentions that she wasn't present at the last meeting but she isn't listed as present or not present on the meeting minutes. G. Fiorente states she will make that adjustment. Roll call vote is taken for meeting minutes. Meeting minutes pass 7-0-1. G. Fiorente tells the committee that she attended the Open Space and Recreation Public Meeting and that there were great discussions had on preserving open space, expanding trails and use of Mattera, as well as the mention of the Community Preservation Act. M. Coltman and A. Binda also state they attended the meeting and share their comments. Comments included more detail on the Community Preservation Act, Town Forest use, pocket parks, etc. A. Binda explains that the Community Preservation Act has changed over the years and is not only limited to town building improvements now but also to preserving and improving recreational space and fields. Page 1 1 K. Kaminer states that other towns are really benefiting from the CPA. A. Binda states that she will investigate more on the topic. Committee and G. Fiorente thank her. G. Fiorente gives an update on the Birch Meadow Master Plan meeting with the Select Board and states there was mention on reaching out to the School Committee as well as public safety. G. Fiorente says she did both. A.Binda says that she was not at the last meeting but was at the Public Meeting and Select Board meeting and was impressed with the thoughtful changes that were made to the plan based on the community feedback. Committee discusses next steps in regard to funding and moving the projects forward. G. Fiorente says there is a plan to go back to Select Board for another meeting and she is unsure of any possible funding for the Birch Meadow Master Plan. She states that she hopes to keep momentum going. G. Fiorente presents the idea that her and the Recreation team put together in regard to renting pickleball nets and removing private equipment from the courts at Memorial Park. M. Coltman objects to the agenda not talking about removing equipment from the boxes and states there are other boxes at courts and fields. G. Fiorente answers that this was discussed before and that these boxes are for organized groups that have permits and pay field fees to the town. K. Kaminer adds that these boxes typically contain rakes or salt bags as well. E. Gaffen confirms that yes, the organizations use the boxes for maintenance and not the actual players equipment. E. Gaffen asks for more background on the change. G. Fiorente states that she is concerned about liability and is trying to streamline the process since pickleball is becoming more popular. She says that no private citizen is allowed to have the equipment locked somewhere so she is also wanting to be consistent. A.Binda asks if it has to be either/or and if they can be kept there and at the office. E. Sisson states that if her family was skating at the rink and wanted to leave their equipment there for her and friends that wouldn't be right. She states that it is a small group of citizens who are getting preferential treatment. M Coltman stated that why wouldn't this be acceptable to the recreation committee if it enhanced a reactional activity in town. Members of the pickleball community state the following: -Multiple people asked why the recreation division wanted to change a practice that worked well for an activity. The box works well for players and there would be issues with any other arrangement. Page 1 2 -That multiple people can have access to the box at a given time and that nets at the office may limit the amount of people who can play depending on number of nets -That some players would find it inconvenient to carry a pickleball net to and from their car to the Memorial Park Court K. Kaminer asks how Wakefield does it? N. Webster responds that Wakefield does not have an opportunity for pickleball play right now. Committee has a brief discussion on keeping the nets unlocked for public use. G. Fiorente states she will reach out to Jayne Wellman and Edward Dorgan from MIIA about liability and follow-up with the committee. E. Sisson makes a motion to adjourn at 5:45pm . Roll call vote occurs. All in favor. Page 13