HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-02-16 Recreation Committee Minutes�� FR
Town of Reading
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Board - committee - commission - council:
Recreation Committee
Date: 2022-02-16
Building: Reading Town Hall
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Time: 7:00 PM
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TOWN CLERK
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2021 AUG -4 AM 30
Location: Meeting Room
Session: Open Session
Purpose: General Monthly Meeting and Version: Draft
Community Meeting with Coolidge neighbors
via Zoom
Attendees: Members - Present:
Emily Sisson (M), Michael Coltman (M), Rich Hand (M), Kate Kaminer(M),
Angela Binda(M), Chuck Robinson (M)
Members - Not Present:
Eric Gaffen(M),Mike DlPietro (M), Pat Sheeran (A), Katelynn King (A), Gina
Nelson (A), Bob Weiden (M)
Others Present:
Genevieve Fiorente - Recreation Administrator and liaison to committee
Kevin Bohmiller - Director of Community Services
David Ryan - 100 Forest Street, neighbor of Coolidge
Doug and Kathy McGlathery - 104 Forest Street, neighbor at Coolidge
Joe & Sharon Thomas - 5 Tennyson Circle, neighbor at Coolidge
Margaret Sisson - 92 John Street, participant of Reading Rec Program
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Genevieve Fiorente, Recreation Administrator
Topics of Discussion:
E. Sisson calls meeting to order at 7:05pm.
G. Fiorente gives a power point presentation on behalf of Recreation, Reading
United Soccer and Reading Lacrosse.
Neighbors site the following concerns:
Noise issues
Light directly in their homes
Setting a precedent for future seasons
Who will turn the lights off and on
Dates of the season
Can they be moved to a different area on the field if needed
G. Fiorente explains capability of the light bulbs on the poles to turn 360 degrees to
help with the any spillage that would go in homes. She also states that where the
poles would be they would only shine 50ft onto the area. She goes on to say that
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the lit areas are the furthest away from homes and would have little impact on
wildlife.
M. Coltman asks on feasibility of getting electricity from the school. He also
mentions that he researched the diesel generated lights and they have low noise
impact from 25 ft away.
G. Fiorente explains that she did not ask about the electricity but would be
concerned with chords and inclement weather. She adds that she and the leagues
looked into solar and no glare lights but they were much more expensive.
R. hand comments that he appreciates the research done in the presentation in
regard to exploring different lighting options and considering wildlife and neighbors.
He states that it is great that the bulbs and light poles can be adjusted with ease.
E. Sisson thanks the neighbors for coming and voicing their concerns.
A.Binda suggests the committee adds language on that this is a temporary solution
K. Kaminer says that the committee takes abutter issues very seriously and if there
are any issues that arise that they are welcome to reach out to the Recreation
Administrator or come back to the committee.
C. Robinson makes a motion for the Recreation Committee to recommend to the
Select Board the use of temporary lights at Coolidge middle school to commence on
April 1V and end on Jne 15w with the understanding that there will be a defined
process to shut the lights off no later than 9pm.
M. Coltman seconds. Roll Call vote passes 6-0.
R. Hand makes a motion to approve the January meeting minutes as written. M.
Coltman seconds. Roll call vote passes 6-0.
G. Fiorente gives an update on programming including Summer Daycation going
live with the early -bird sale.
Brief conversation ensues about lack of pool time and the YMCA paying for fields.
G. Fiorente states that she will have another conversation with the YMCA to make
sure things are fair.
E. Sisson says that Recreation did a good job of pivoting when pool time was taken
away last year still do to covid by using water slides and water sports.
Maggie Sisson updates the committee on how she loved the Nashoba Valley Ski
Program and it was really fun. She also says that she really wants to do it next
year.
R. hand makes a motion to adjourn at 7:57pm. M. Coltman seconds. Roll call vote
to adjourn 6-0.
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