HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-08-16 ad Hoc - Symonds Way Exploratory Committee Minutesw11
Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
Board - committee - Commission - Council:
Date: 2023-08-16
Building: Reading Town Hall
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Purpose: General Business
Attendees: Members - Present:
Symonds Way Exploratory Committee
Time: 6:30 PM
Location:
Select Board Meeting Room
Session:
Open Session
Version:
Final
Chair Carlo Bacci (7:34 pm), Vice Chair Chuck Robinson, Andrew Dribin
(remote), Karen Janowski, Nancy Twomey
Members - Not Present:
Angela Binda, Heather Cl ish
Others Present:
Town Manager Fidel Maltez, Conservation Administrator Chuck Tirone,
Steven Cool
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.
Vice Chair Chuck Robinson called the meeting to order at 6:40 pm and noted that Chair
Carlo Bacci expected to be late for the meeting.
Roll Call Attendance: Andrew Dribin (remote), Karen Janowski, Nancy Twomey, and Chuck
Robinson.
Public Comment:
Steven Cool of 107 Prospect Street stated that he has discussed the possibility of a Dog
Park at Symonds Way with some members of the Committee, including Carlo Bacci. He
visited the site with Conservation Administrator, Chuck Tirane, to look at a portion of the
property to discuss what might be necessary to make an adequate dog park, such as
grading, filling, tree or brush removal, replacement of trees, and contour of the land.
Ideally, the dog park would be about 20,000 square feet and have access to water. The
Stanton Foundation is offering a grant for $25,000 for design, and $250,000 for up to 90%
of construction costs. However, the Town needs to decide on a possible site by December
31•' of this year to receive the grant. Chuck Robinson stated that he will suggest to Mr.
Bacci that the item be added to the agenda for the next SWEC meeting.
Review Draft of Request for Information (RFI) for Symonds Way/
Discuss and Vote to direct the Town Manager to issue Reauest for Information
(RFI) for Symonds Waw:
The Committee reviewed each comment and suggested change to the draft Request for
Information (RFS), and further refined some language.
On a motion by Nancy Twomey, seconded by Chuck Robinson, the Symonds Way
Exploratory Committee voted 5-0-0 to accept the changes as discussed and
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amended, and to direct the Town Manager to issue a Request for Information for
Symonds Way.
Roll call vote: Andrew Dribin - Yes, Karen Janowski - Yes, Chuck Robinson - Yes,
Nancy Twomey - Yes, Carlo Bacci - Yes.
Review and approve Prior meeting minutes:
Karen Janowski noted that the minutes did not reflect when the Select Board was called to
order. Clarification was added to the minutes.
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 July 24,
2023 as amended.
Roll call vote: Andrew Dribin - Yes, Karen Janowski - Yes, Chuck Robinson - Yes,
Nancy Twomey - Yes, Carlo Bacci - Yes.
Discuss future agenda items and meeting dates:
The Committee will discuss a dog park at the next meeting, which will be scheduled after
the responses to the Request for Information have been received.
On a motion by Karen Janowski, seconded by Nancy Twomey, the Symonds Way
Exploratory Committee voted 5-0-0 to adjourn at 7:50 pm.
Roll call vote: Andrew Dribin - Yes, Karen Janowski - Yes, Chuck Robinson - Yes,
Nancy Twomey - Yes, Carlo Bacci - Yes.
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