HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-05-08 Recreation Committee Minutese�H orq�
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Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 2123 JUN 13 PM 2: 3'J
Recreation Committee
Date: 2023-05-08 Time: 6:30 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Conference Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session:
Purpose: General Monthly Meeting Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Michael Coltman (M), Eric Gaffen (M), Bob Weiden (M), Melissa Pucci (M),
Angela Binda(M), Rich Hand (M)
Members - Not Present:
Chuck Robinson (M)
Kate Kaminer (M)
Others Present:
Genevieve Fiorente - Community Services Director
Carlo Bacci - Select Board Liaison
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Genevieve Fiorente, Community Services Director
Topics of Discussion:
AGENDA
• 6:30pm — 6:35pm Introductions with Committee and Jim Sullivan
• 6:35pm—6:40pm Discussion/Approval of Meeting Minutes
• 6:40pm— 6:50pm SWEC liaison Report
• 6:50pm — 7:05pm Update on YMCA Adaptive Swim Program and IncIYOUsion Sports
• 7:05pm — 7:15pm Lax Donation for BM Update —vote to recommend as needed
• 7:15pm—7:35pm BMMP Update and Phase II Preliminary Discussion
• 7:35pm—7:45pm Other Recreation Updates
B. Weiden calls the meeting to order at 6:44pm.
J. Sullivan introduces himself to the committee. He goes over some Recreation Updates about
the Wood End vandalism, adding additional fencing at Parker Middle School, and adding a shed
to Birch Meadow for the youth groups and High School team during construction once the
green shed gets demoed.
E. Gaffen makes a motion to accept the April 8, 2023 meeting minutes. M. Coltman seconds.
There is a brief discussion. Committee votes 6-0 to accept the meeting minutes with the
recommended amendment to switch "SWEC' to "Select Board" in the sentence right before the
short recess on Page 3.
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A.Binda gives the SWEC liaison report. She states that the committee voted to expand the
charge to include more of the area in the affirmative. She adds that there will be further
delineations of the wetlands. She goes on to say the next topic of conversation was in regard to
the RFI. She states that this was a broader discussion as the committee does not know exactly
what they are doing yet.
M. Coltman asks about bringing in Chuck from Conservation for walkways. E. Gaffen states we
have to know exactly what the expanded area will include. A. Binda says the last delineation
was done in 2010. M. Coltman mentions the open space recommendations were high on the
survey. A.Binda answers that #1 was outdoor rec, #2 was indoor rec and #3 was open space.
B. Weiden asks when the Select Board is voting on the expansion. C. Bacci answers the end of
May. R. Hand asks when the committee sunsets. C. Bacci answers June of 2024.
G. Fiorente gives an update on the YMCA Adaptive Program to include J. Feudos Report (placed
at the end of meeting minutes on Page 3) . M. Pucci highlights that the time offered conflicts
with another popular adaptive program called Flips for Kids in Wakfefield. M. Pucci also asks
about the social programming that the YMCA stated they would be implementing. G. Fiorente
answers that she can ask J. Feudo where that stands. G. Fiorente also mentions that Recreation
has implemented additional inclusive programming with IncIYOUsion Sports and has been in
discussion with Your True Self OT out of Newton, MA to add more opportunities and one-on-
one assistance.
M. Pucci mentions the inclusion seminar at the Library put on by Lisa Drennan.
There is a brief discussion at continuing to be better at marketing to all ages and abilities.
G. Fiorente discusses that Reading Youth Lacrosse is coming forward with a $10,000
improvement to put toward Phase I of the Master Plan to help fund the hit wall. M. Coltman
makes a motion to recommend accepting the donation of $10,000 by Reading Youth Lacrosse
to go toward Phase I of the Birch Meadow Master Plan. A. Binda seconds. Committee votes in
favor 6-0.
G. Fiorente gives an update on the Birch Meadow Master Plan and how Town Meeting awarded
the extra funds. She says that the committee should discuss Phase II projects. She states she
will send along the Birch Meadow Master Plan Report so everyone can review it before the next
meeting to come up with their recommendations.
E. Gaffen makes a motion to adjourn at 8:OOpm. Committee votes in favor to adjourn 6-0
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MEMO FROM JOHN FEUDO FROM THE YMCA:
We named the youth adaptive swim lesson program, Swim Buddies. We have worked to have
the program ratio as close to one-on-one as possible. We have offered 6 sections of Swim
Buddies thus far in 2023 with 9 more to go this year. The programs are mmming consistent with
our program schedule for all swim lessons. Session I began on February 11" and Session II
started the week of May 3rd. We have offered the following grade breakdowns so far:
Two - K and 1 st
Two - 2nd and 3rd
One - 4th and 5th
One- 6th - 12th
Quick Stats:
* We have had 20 unique participants, all but 1 are Reading Residents or Reading Public
School Children. The one exception was a non-resident that filled an open spot that could not be
filled with a resident.
* We have 3 Instructors trained to teach the Adaptive Swim Classes.
* We have had 14 Unique HS Buddies work with Participants from RMHS, Austin Prep,
Malden Catholic and Central Catholic.
* We have 15 more children on the lottery list que to take spots in successive sessions. These
are all k - 3rd Grade requests. The idea here is to make sure everyone is offered a slot before a
repeat is offered.
* We have 10 children outside the community looking lessons on our waitlist.
We have been lucky to work with Asst. Superintendent, Jen Stys and her team to identify
children that qualify and get the word out. We will plan a successive lottery for school year
2023-24 in August for the September session, unless its needed before that time.
Overall, the program sessions have run successfully. We have been working closely with staff to
tweak as we go. We have been blessed to have Holly Saunders (25 years), Site Mentzer (12
years) and Stephanie Smith (10+ years) as lead instructors. One of our challenges is that our
three instructors are dedicated to the ARPA fimded program. This is creating a small issue with
bandwidth of staffing for non-residents. We will continue to work to train more staff as the year
progresses. In the meantime, non-residents may choose to pay for private lessons one on one or
work with Swim Angel Fish.
Additionally, the SPLASH Program has been wildly successful. We are typically full each
Tuesday and Thursday with 12 participants, one-on-one staff and our terrific instructors Ms.
Rhonda and Ms. Judy. Please check out this video. httos://voutu.be/oBdDv4XRNeo
This funding hasjump started adaptive program here at the Burbank YMCA. 1 have also
received word that the Malden YMCA has also followed the same path. This is all great news
for children the need and deserve the opportunity to participate!
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