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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-18 Recreation Committee MinutesFRfggi C� Town of Reading Meeting Minutes � Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Recreation Committee Date: 2024-11-18 Time: 6:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Berger Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session Purpose: General Monthly Meeting Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: V 7 Eric Gaffen (M), Michael Coltman (M), Richard Hand (M), Lauren Noonan(M), Eric Boemer (M), Giusepe Fodera (A), Chuck Robinson (M), Kate Kaminer (M), Melissa Pucci (M) Members - Not Present: Kevin Leete (A), Bob Weiden (M), Matthew George (A) Others Present: Jim Sullivan -Recreation Administrator Edward Shambo-Recreation Coordinator Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Rich Hand, Recreation Committee Member Topics of Discussion: Call to Order: Eric Gaffen calls the meeting to order at 6:00 PM in the Berger Room, Town Hall, Reading, MA Enc Gaffen confirms that enough Members are present to hold the meeting. Agenda Item: Discussion and Aooroval of Meeting Minutes Enc Gaffen asked for a motion to approve the meeting minutes from the 8/27/2024 and the 9/30/2024 meetings. Chuck Robinson makes a motion to accept the 8/27/2024 meeting minutes as presented. Kate Kaminer second the motion. No discussion Vole: All in favor minutes approved 8-0 Michael Coltman makes a motion to accept the 9/30/2024 meeting minutes as presented. Chuck Robinson second the motion. No discussion Vote: All in favor minutes approved 8-0 Public Comment None. Agenda Item: Recreation Chair update/discussion Eric Gaffen reviewed the agenda items for the meeting. Agenda Item: Recreation Administrator Update and Discussion. Page 1 1 Jim Sullivan reported the following Recreation Administrator Updates Symonds Way Pickleball $87,000 ARPA funding has been allocated for the design phase of the 8 pickleball courts at the designated location at Symonds Way. The Select Board voted to approve the funds for the design of the pickleball courts A soil test of the entire footprint that was purchased for the Symonds Way community initiative was conducted and the reported stated that the soil within the footprint is designated as clean for the site development. Michael Coltman stated that the pickleball community will continue a fund-raising campaign to support the development of the pickleball courts with a goal to raise $200,000. Michael also stated that the pickleball courts development is a separate initiative from the Community Center. Jim Sullivan estimated that the 8 pickleball courts will cost about $800,000. Bancroft Ave Tennis Court Resurfacing Jim Sullivan updated the committee on status of the Bancroft Ave Tennis Court Resurfacing project, which has been delayed. Due to the upcoming winter weather the vendor Vermont Recreation Surfacing and Fencing recommended to postpone the resurfacing project until AugusttSeptember 2025. The tennis courts are still safe for the community to use. Barrows Elementary School Baseball Field Jim Sullivan reviewed that the Recreation Department had received 7 bids for the backstop fencing and the contract was awarded to Primary Fencing for $123,000. The project should begin in late February or early March 2025. Field House Floor Update Jim Sullivan presented an update on the Field House Floor, which is scheduled to be resurfaced starting in June 2025. Town meeting passed a $3,000,000 budget for the project and the Recreation staff is currently researching new locations for recreational programs that use the Hawkes High School Field House. Eric Gaffen suggested that the Recreation staff investigate the availability of using the Americal Civic Center located in Wakefield, MA. Chuck Robinson added that Austin Prep school in Reading, MA might be another venue for recreational programs during the Field House Floor resurfacing project. ARPA Adaptive Recreationllnclusion Proorams Jim Sullivan provided the Recreation Committee an update on the adaptive recreation field trip, to the Masters of Illusion, which was held at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, MA. 16 students and 8 staff members attended the successful event. Based on feedback from the participants and family members, the Recreation team is looking into other events, such as Pro wrestling. In addition, Jim Sullivan is reaching out to surrounding towns (Burlington, MA, Andover, MA and Lexington, MA) to understand Adapative Recreation best practices and to investigate the possibility of partnerships with Adaptive Recreation programs. Melissa Pucci commented that it was a great idea to reach out to surrounding towns for best practices and to work together on Adaptive Recreation programs. In addition, Melissa, suggested that the Recreation team investigate the possibility to hire a college intern who specializes in Adaptive Recreation to assist in program development and execution. Birch Meadow Phase I/Jamie Maughan Dedication and Recognition Jim Sullivan indicated that the Recreation Team is preparing for the Birch Meadow Phase II community engagement meetings, which he is planning to schedule in Spring/Summer time frame. Phase 11 will focus on the basketball court, toddler playground and parking lot. Jim Sullivan also, updated the committee that the bathrooms have been closed for the season however, portable toilets are available. The Recreation Team and Recreation Committee will be working on plans to formally recognize and celebrate the completion of Birch Meadow Phase I project, which will be held in the Spring of 2025. Jim Sullivan also intoned the committee that due to the smoke from the brush fires, the Annual Downtown Trick or Treat event for children and families was cancelled. The decision to cancel the event was a joint Page 1 2 decision among many town departments such as Health, Police, Recreation and School. Extra Reading Police Officers were available to provide support to children and family members who did not realize that the event was cancelled and may have attended the downtown event. Eric Gaffen supported the decision by the Recreation Department to cancel the Trick or Treat event. Due to a meeting conflict Eric Gaffen had to leave at 6:30pm and as a result Kate Kammer made a motion to elevate Richard Hand as Chairperson. Michael Coltman second the motion. Vote: All in favor of the motion approved 8-0 Edward Shambo provided an update on the Recreation Basketball League. Currently, 100 players have enrolled in the league and the Recreation Team is actively recruiting coaches and referees. Edward Shambo planned and managed a successful intergenerational puzzle event with 8 teams. Each team had 40 minutes to complete a 300 piece puzzle and one team was able to finish the puzzle under 40 minutes. The next intergenerational event will be music bingo, which is still in the planning process. Edward Shambo attended the Massachusetts Recreation and Park Association (MRPA) Winter meeting to build relationships with other recreation professionals and to learn about best practices. Edward Shambo was selected to be on MRPA Social Media committee. Chuck Robinson makes a motion to adjourn at 6:40PM. Micheal Coltman second the motion Vote: All in favor on the motion approved 8-0. Meeting adjourned at 6:40PM. Page 1 3