HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-12-01 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
December 1, 2007
i .
The meeting convened at 12:00 noon at the Bancroft Avenue Tennis Courts, Bancroft Avenue,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman James Bonazoli, Secretary Ben Tafoya,
Selectmen Camille Anthony and Richard Schubert, Town Engineer George Zambouras,
Conservation Commission Member Jamie Maughan, Birch Meadow Planning Committee
Member Gary Gresh, and Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner.
Site Visit of the Bancroft Avenue Tennis Courts
The Town Manager showed the Board of Selectmen the three trees that would need to be moved
for the tennis court reconstruction. Two of the trees are on the'south side of the courts, and the
other one is on the northeast corner of the tennis wall. The Board agreed that the two trees on
the south side need to be removed. One was entangled in wires and was right next to the court.
The other is about 15 feet south of the courts but is in very difficult shape. The Board did not
agree to the removal of the tree on the northeast corner of the courts.
Chairman James Bonazoli noted that the Birch Meadow Planning Committee wanted to
eliminate the tennis wall and incorporate that into.one of the courts. They also wanted to move
the courts southward as much.as possible-probably about 10-20 feet. There is a question as to
whether or not the tennis wall could be moved southward to avoid the tree, or even turned
---------------- -------
sideways so that the wall itself would not create aproblem-for the tree.- e Town Manager wi -_-- ---- -
i
review this with the Town Engineer and with Friends of Reading Tennis.
The group then looked at the possibility of a wiffle ball field to be constructed facing the new
little league field next to the tennis courts. This would require removal of two trees, raising the
grade somewhat and relocating the pathway. The Board generally felt that this 'would be
appropriate.
There was discussion about removal of the"hill," and it was noted that the High School physical
education program utilizes that for a ropes course. Additionally, the Board as a whole was not
interested in seeing the trees removed or the hill eliminated. There was discussion about removal
of some of the brush, and the Board was not sure that this was required.
The group then walked over to the batting cage area. The Birch Meadow Planning Committee
wants to move the batting cage to build a pavilion on that location. The pavilion would have
bathrooms, a concession stand and a covered picnic area. The Town Manager asked if the
pavilion could be moved to the area within the tree grove, and leave the open area where the
batting cages are for open recreation purposes. If the batting cage needs to be moved, that can be
accomplished and leave the area as an open area.
The Town Engineer showed some sketches relocating some of the softball fields.
It is likely that Imagination Station will be left approximately where it was.