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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-05-08 Board of Directors of Reading Ice Arena Authority Inc MinutesiC.GL IVu M6 TOWN CLERK MINUTES FOR THE MAY S. 2024 Ti,.. ' � r1 MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF READING ICE ARENA AUTHORITY, INC. 2P4 SEF 19 Pursuant to notice having been given sufficiently in advance to all Directors, the meeting of the Board of Directors was called to order by President Dennis Hughes, on May 8, 2024 at 6:07p.m. The meeting was held at the Burbank Ice Arena, 51 Symonds Way, Reading, Massachusetts. Present and participating were Directors Kathaleen Cutone, Mark Doherty, Dennis Hughes, David Hunter, James Liston and Carl McFadden. Also present was Edward Peduto (Rink Manager). A copy of the agenda is attached to these minutes. James Liston made a motion, seconded by Kathaleen Cutone to approve the minutes of the December 11, 2023 meeting. The motion passed unanimously. Edward Pedum gave the 0emtions Re ort. Certainly the "highlight' of mens operations since the last Board meeting was the 12/19/23 lifesaving actions of RIAA employees James Brown and Melissa Vecchio to resuscitate RIAA Board Membra James Liston who had suffered cardiac arrest on the ice. RIAA CPR training was 6/19/23 and the staff responded incredibly; alerting 911, assessing the patient, getting the patient to a safe area for defibrillating and successfully using the defibrillator. Brown and Vecchio received commendations from Reading Public Safety officials, American Red Cross and the American Heart Association and Brown was made a Boston Bruins "COMMUNITY HERO" in February 2024 ("Heart Month"). The Reading HS hockey teams completed successful seasons with both making the state tournament. The boys suffered a league -losing overtime defeat at Burbank Arena to Arlington. Burbank Ice Arena hosted the two postseason games played by the boys, the first game defeating Bishop Feehan; losing in overtime to Marshfield in the second playoff and final game of their season. Carl and Ed met with members of the Reading Pickleball Association concerning the potential of 8 pickleball courts in the re mnost section of the arena's rear parking lot. This would involve a renegotiation of the lease between RIAA and the Town of Reading. The Symonds Way Exploratory Committee and the Reading Center for Active Living Committee have discussed plans for Symonds Way / Range Road, some of which involve building on the land leased to RIAA which has been deemed 'the best land to build on in that area." Tommon & Co. delivered the financial statements from 6/30/23. Copies were distributed to the Board. The front doors of the arena are suffering from failed hardware. Ed has gotten a few prices for replacement but continues to search for a more reasonable option. Dave Hunter made a motion, seconded by Kathaleen Cutone to accept the Operations Report. The motion passed unanimously. Ed Peduto gave the Scheduling Report. Spring & Summer are filling in with the notable exception of the loss of the "Larry Healey Group, Thursdays 7:00pm). Healy, a former Reading resident, has retired to Maine leaving the group without a leader who desires to play in Reading. RHS boys will play Pope Francis on MLK Day 2025. Kathaleen Cutone made a motion, seconded by James Liston, to accept the scheduling report. The motion passed unanimously. David Hunter gave the Financial Report. The RIAA, Inc. currently has funds totaling approximately one hundred twenty-seven thousand dollars ($ 127,000) after full payment of $299 for the new roof.. The FY 23 payment to the Town of Reading of one hundred thirteen thousand dollars was paid in March 2024. With the increased costs of operating, it was decided to raise all ice rental rates ten dollars per fifty minute session beginning September 1, 2024.. James Liston made a motion, seconded by Kathaleen Cutone, to accept the Financial Report. The motion passed unanimously. Dennis Hughes gave the Audit Report. The FY 23 audit reports have been given to the Board tonight. Ed will bring a copy to the Town Manager along with the minutes of the 12/11/23 meeting. Mark Doherty made a motion, seconded by David Hunter, to accept the Audit Report. The motion passed unanimously. In Other Business. discussion focused on a longevity reward program for full-time employees. Carl McFadden made a motion, seconded by James Liston to award full-time employees the amount of five thousand dollars ($5000) upon completion of 20 years of service to RIAA, seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7500) upon completion of twenty-five years of service to RIAA and ten thousand dollars ($10, 000) after thirty years of service. The motion passed unanimously. James Liston made a motion, seconded by Kathaleen Cutone, to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:05p.m.