HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-01-31 ad Hoc - Symonds Way Exploratory Committee Minutesr
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Board - committee - Commission - Council:
Date: 2024-01-31
Building: Reading Town Hall
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Purpose: General Business
Attendees: Members - Present:
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Symonds Way Exploratory Committee
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Select Board Meeting Room
Session: Open Session
Version: Final
Chair Carlo Bacci, Angela Binda, Andrew Dribin, Karen Janowski, Nancy
Twomey
Members - Not Present:
Chuck Robinson, Heather Clish
Others Present:
Acting Town Manager Matt Kraunelis, Chris Collins Edge Sports (remote)
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde
Topics of Discussion:
This meeting was held in-person in the Select Board Meeting Room of Town Hall and
remotely via Zoom.
Chair Carlo Bacci called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Presentation by Edoe Snorts and Discussion
Chris Collins of Edge Sports reviewed the highlights from his presentation to the Select
Board. He presented a test fit which included a hockey rink and an aquatic center depicted
in the area that is currently the parking lot behind the Burbank Ice Arena. The test fit was
intended to show the scale, and spur the conversation of what will meet the needs of the
community in the Symonds Way area. Other possible projects he mentioned were a multi-
story recreational facility, outdoor multi-purpose fields, pickleball courts, dog park, and field
house.
Committee members asked about the amount of parking that would be needed. Mr. Collins
explained that creating a parking map would be one of the next steps in the process.
Committee members explained that the site is one of three being considered for the new
senior center and asked how an Edge facility might incorporate features to support the 60+
population. Mr. Collins noted that in another community, a facility with an indoor walking
track partnered with the local Council on Aging to reserve time for seniors to use the space.
He also noted that it would be interesting to see the results of the feasibility study to find
the commonalities.
Discuss Recommendations to Select Board
The Committee discussed a number of topics including: the ongoing feasibility study for the
new senior/community center, constraints on land, funding for and the development of
Symonds Way, having a planner conduct a better study of the area, and permanent
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pickleball courts. Members agreed to review their criteria and discuss definitive
recommendations to the Select Board at their next meeting.
Approve Prior Meetina Minutes
The Committee reviewed the draft meeting minutes from October 17, 2023, and had
questions regarding the write-up of FINCOM's reason for their vote on the plckleball warrant
article. Members asked to review the video, and will review the minutes at the next
meeting.
On a motion by Karen Janowski, seconded by Nancy Twomey, the Symonds Way
Exploratory Committee voted 5-0-0 to approve the meeting minutes of November
7, 2023 as presented.
Future Agenda Items
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 6:30 pm in the Town
Hall Select Board Meeting Room with remote option. At that meeting, the Committee will
review the evaluation criteria for the use of the site and discuss their recommendations to
the Select Board.
On a motion by Nancy Twomey, seconded by Karen Janowski, the Symonds Way
Exploratory Committee voted 5-0-0 to adjourn at 8:25 pm.
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