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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-01-10 Recreation Committee Minutes��; orgtgo Town of Reading e - Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Recreation Committee Date: 2022-01-10 Time: 7:00 PM RECEIVED TOWN CLERK READING, MA. 2022 MAR -7 Rt PM 4:51 Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session Purpose: General Monthly Meeting via Zoom Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Emily Sisson (M), Michael Coltman (M), Bob Weiden (M), Rich Hand (M), Kate Kaminer(M), Angela Binda(M), Chuck Robinson (M), Pat Sheeran (A) Members - Not Present: Eric Gaffen(M),Mike DiPietro (M), Katelynn King (A), Gina Nelson (A) Others Present: Genevieve Fiorente - Recreation Administrator and liaison to committee Carlo Bacci - Select Board liaison to committee Larry Hurley - Reading Softball, Inc. Bob Hayes - Reading Softball, Inc. Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Genevieve Fiorente, Recreation Administrator Topics of Discussion: E. Sisson opens up meeting at 7:03pm. R. Hand makes a motion to approve December meeting minutes as written. M. Coltman seconds. Roll call vote occurs and minutes are accepted 7-0. P. Sheeran enters the meeting. B. Hayes states that he is making the proposal on the scoreboard donation project at Sturges Park on behalf of Reading Softball, Inc. also known as Reading Softball Little League. He presents a power point that outlines the project. He adds that he met with Recreation Administrator, Conversation Administrator, Parks Forestry & Cemetery Supervisor and the Director of Community Services at the site for their approval. He also points out that he filed for permit with conservation for prudence just in case. E. Sisson asks if the scoreboard will impact multiuse. G. Fiorente answers that she reached out to the head of Reading United Soccer, Mike Sheedy that uses the outfield for practices. She states that Mike Sheedy approved the location of the scoreboard. R. Hand says that it seems like everyone did a great job connecting all of the dots with town departments and other organizations and asks about the neighborhood input. Page 1 1 G. Fiorente states that it will have little impact on walkability and will also only be used during the daytime since the field is not lighted. She says that she does not anticipate neighborhood kick back since Sturges Park is lit in the winter at night for skating and the dugout project was approved in the past. G. Fiorente asks other committee members their thoughts and if they would like her to send out a notice to abutters on the potential recommended approval to the Select Board. L. Hurley states that he has also spoken to abutters in the neighborhood and feedback has been positive. K. Kaminer agrees that a notice to abutters informing them of Select Board approval is sufficient. Other committee members also agree. E. Sisson tells Bob and Larry that she is very thankful for the donation on behalf of the league. Other members say the same. C. Bacci also thanks the league and asks if they have a projected install date. L. Hurley answers that there is not set date but they are hoping to do it sometime in the Spring. B. Walden mentions the possibility of it being done at the same time the Hunt Replacement scoreboard is being installed because it is the same company. L. Hurley states that would be great if possible. B. Weiden makes a motion to recommend to accept the scoreboard donation by Reading Softball, Inc. at Sturges Park to the Select Board. K. Kaminer seconds. Roll call vote occurs and motion passes 8-0. G. Fiorente gives an update on the Select Board official adoption of the Birch Meadow Master Plan. She states that she, Kevin Bohmiller, Jean Delios, and Bob LeLacheur met with the Town attorney via zoom. The town attorney stated that since the Select Board already publicly stated their support of the plan that there is no formal adoption that is necessary. She also said that if there was a formal adoption it could delay the process in the future if the plan needs to be changed as the years go on. A.Binda says that if that is the recommendation that was made then that is fine. M. Coltman agrees with the logic as well that if the plan is formally adopted then it can become fixed and concrete. He says that as time progresses, things could change. R. Hand asks if there are any deadlines with the meetings and if the Birch Meadow Master Plan working group will be involved. G. Fiorente says that Activitas hasn't started the process yet for the Design phase and that when it begins, she will be sure to loop in the working group. G. Fiorente gives a brief recreation update. She states that larger programs like the Nashoba Valley Program and Sunday Basketball that were unable to run during Covid are up and running with great enrollment. She mentions that new programming that went up in mid-December that was starting in January has not received great enrollment. She states that she thinks it is because of the rising Page 1 2 numbers. She adds that the Summer Daycation early -bird specials will be opening in February. R. Hand asks about the ice-skating rinks being lit. G. Fiorente answers that the Parks Division measures the ice and opens them up accordingly. She states she will follow-up tomorrow and when they are safe, she will turn on the lights. R. Hand makes a motion to adjourn at 7:52pm. K. Kaminer seconds. Roll call vote occurs and meeting adjourns 8-0. Page 1 3