HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-12-02 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
December 2,2004
For ease of archiving, the order that items appear in these Minutes reflects the order in
which the items appeared on the agenda for that meeting, and are not necessarily the
order in which any item was taken up by the Board.
The meeting convened at 7:40 p.m. at the Senior Center, 49 Pleasant Street, Reading,
Massachusetts, Present were Chairman Richard Schubert, Vice Chairman Camille
Anthony, Secretary Gail Wood, Selectmen Joseph Duffy and George Hines, Recreation
Administrator John Feudo, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of
interested parties: George and Ema Farrell, Bill Brown, Preston Lucas, Paul Feely,
Elaine Stone, Peggy White, Brian Snell, Tom and Chris McGrath, Chris Campbell, Don
Stroeble, Frances Driscoll, Margaret O'Sullivan, Jack and Mary Scott, Mary Purcell,
John and Paula Fay, Virginia Adams.
Discussion/Action Items
Report of the Memorial Park Committee—Secretary Gail Wood read the hearing notice.
Chairman Richard Schubert informed the public of the process for the proceedings! He
stated that Selectman Gail Wood would make a brief presentation of the findings of the
ad hoc Memorial Park Use Review Committee. He also stated that after the presentation,
the public hearing would be open for discussion by the Board of Selectmen, and would be
followed by an opportunity for the public to ask questions to the Board of Selectmen.
Chairman Schubert gave a brief history of how the "Task Force" came about. He
mentioned that the ad hoc Committee was developed to study the use, past and present, as
well as make recommendations for the future. He explained cy pres as one of the
possible scenarios as an outcome, and how it relates to this particular issue at Memorial
Park regarding the deed.
Selectman Gail Wood introduced the following other members of the ad hoc Memorial
Park Use Review Committee: Davina Shuman, abutting neighbor; Rick Shaffer,
Recreation Committee; Preston Lucas, Reading Youth Baseball; Frank Driscoll,
Recreation Committee and Reading Youth Softball and Margaret O'Sullivan, resident at
large.
Selectman Wood presented the charge of the Committee as well as the Committee's
research and findings. She gave the following examples of other activities that occurred
at Memorial Park while the heirs were alive: 1921 Community Day, 1925 Baseball teams
were formed, 1936 9-hole golf course, 1950 talks of a Swimming pool were discussed,
1969 Boston Children's Theater drew 1,500 people.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—December 2, 2004—Page 2
Selectman Wood mentioned that the Committee's point was that these activities had
"implied approval" by virtue that the heirs were alive and in some cases involved with
the Reading Women's Club. She stated that it is very difficult to understand the intent of
the donors because of the language used in the deed. It could be perceived either way.
Finally, Selectman Wood stated the three recommendations of the ad hoc Committee
which should be allowed:
o Allow community events that would be acceptable to be scheduled by the
Recreation Committee or the Recreation Administrator, under the general
direction of the Park Commissioners;
♦ Allow practice times for league teams as determined by the Recreation
Committee or the Recreation Administrator, under the general direction of
the Park Commissioners; and
® Allow opened unassigned space in Memorial Park to be determined by the
Recreation Committee or the Recreation Administrator for use by the community
at large. This space may contain a"life" course, or whatever,to be determined
proper by the Recreation Committee or the Recreation Administrator, under the
general direction of the Park Commissioners.
Selectman Wood stated that the Committee agrees and recommends that Memorial Park
should not be utilized for:
® Scheduled league games between intra-town or out-of-town teams that would require
the fencing or lining of the field.
Chairman Schubert opened up the hearing to the public for questions.
Tom McGrath of 39 Harrison Street stated that he has been living in Reading for 28 years
and enjoys watching young kids develop as athletes. He felt that the recommendation of
the Recreation Committee worked out "terrific" last year, and hopes that kids are able to
continue to use the park for sports in the same manner in the future.
Christine McGrath of 39 Harrison Street stated that parking has been an issue for the
neighbors, and asked the Board of Selectmen to look at permitted parking for residents.
She also stated that members of her household are sometimes unable to find parking.
Recreation Administrator John Feudo was asked to review what was recommended as use
by the Recreation Committee in the Spring of 2004.
Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner entered the meeting at 8:10 p.m. He mentioned
that he received a call from a Charles Street resident who stated that this past Summer
was the "most pleasant in 39 years."
Board of Selectmen Meeting—December 2 2004—Page 3
John Fay of 767 Main Street stated that he is against all out use of Memorial Park. He .
believes that community events such as concerts should be allowed and he recommended
using Washington Park as a possible solution.
Frank Driscoll of 7 Ordway Terrace stated that the Town cannot have it both ways.
Either you need to allow all types of events at the park or nothing at all. He also stated
that the deed could be interpreted that concerts "tend to draw large crowds."
Brian Snell of 99 Walnut Street stated that not being able to use Memorial Park this
Summer for RUSC really puts a strain on practice times and schedules.
Bill Brown of 28 Martin Road stated that he thought the reason they allowed for a pool at
Memorial Park was in lieu of having a fountain in the center of Town.
Elaine Stone of 65 Harrison Street stated that she would like to see the scope of the
activities so that the park doesn't end up being over used again. She suggested listing a
range of activities. She asked about the recommendation that included the space to be
unassigned and how much space was going to be allocated.
Selectman Wood stated that the amount of space has not been decided but the ad hoc
Committee would look at that and include it in their final report to the Board of
Selectmen.
Virginia Adams of 59 Azalea Circle stated that Memorial Park is one of the Town's
"Treasures."
George Farrell of 1 Charles Street asked who determines what is "acceptable."
Selectman Wood stated the Recreation Committee by delegation of the Park
Commissioners who are elected by the residents of the Town.
The Town Manager spoke about general cy pres agreements and gave an example of the
Hospital Trust in Reading.
Preston Lucas of 24 Lewis Street stated that it was very challenging trying to interpret the
deed and the intent of the donors. The Committee has done an enormous amount of
research on the park.
Selectman Hines stated that the Washington Park is not an option as an alternative
location for the activities at Memorial Park due to the fact that Washington Park is used
seven days a week from April until August with the many baseball programs in Town.
Chairman Schubert stated that the process after the closing of the public hearing would
entail the ad hoc Memorial Park Use Review Committee to meet with Town Counsel and
submit a final report to the Board of Selectmen incorporating any of the comments or
recommendation necessary that had come up through the public hearing. At that point,
Board of Selectmen Meeting—December 2, 2004—Page 4
the work of the ad hoc Committee would be complete and the Board of Selectmen would
be holding subsequent public hearings to discuss Memorial Park.
A motion by Hines seconded by Anthony to close the public hearing on the Ad Hoc
Memorial Park Committee was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
A motion by Hines seconded by Anthony to adjourn the meeting of December 2,
2004 at 8:54 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
Resectfully submitte ,
/T. L.
Secretary