HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-10-09 Recreation Committee MinutesTown of Reading
16 Lowell Street
Reading, MA 01867- CLERK
.00G, MASS.
~n lj F~~ l U~~ 1~ 5 S
FAX: (781) 942 - 5441
RECREATION DIVISION: (781) 942 - 9075
READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES
October 9, 2008 Police Station Community Room
Attendance:. Chris Campbell, Rec. Committee Member, Nancy Swain, Rec. Committee Vice Chair,
Mike DiPietro, Chair, Frank Driscoll, Rec. Committee Member, Bernie Winne, Rec. Committee
Member, Kate Kammer, Rec. Committee Member, Eric Hughes, Associate Member, Adam Chase,
Associate Member, John Feudo, Recreation Administrator
M. DiPietro called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM.
M. DiPietro asked the Recreation Committee to review the minutes from the September meeting.
B. Winne made a motion to accept the minutes as proposed. N. Swain seconded the motion.
Motion passes in favor of accepting the minutes 5-0-0.
Noise Issue at Stadium Field
J. Feudo spoke to the committee about a number of complaints after a Sunday of Pop Warner
Football and HS Football Games on the Stadium field. The neighbors are concerned, not just about
-the one-day- of-activity-; butthe constant use. -Since -becoming-a-synthetic-field-the-use has-increased
significantly. Issues sited were the noise of the PA system, whistles and general public. Only part
of the issue relates to the Recreation Division as the School Department also permits the field for
HS Events. Town Officials met on Tuesday, October 7t'to discuss. In attendance for the meeting
were J. Feudo, Superintendent Pat Schettini, Athletic Director, Phil Vaccaro, Facilities Director Joe
Huggins and Rich Abate from the Reading Police Department. These were the parameters and
solutions that were agreed upon:
The first thought was to have the PA speakers at the stadium moved so they face the press box as
opposed to facing Birch Meadow Drive. This will help with the reverberation of noise from the PA
system.
The other parameter will be the Stadium Field will no longer be used before 9:00 AM on any Sat or
Sunday and Holidays with out specific permission from the Superintendents office and Recreation
Division.
The committee discussed some of the past issues and had some general comments regarding the
new rules. They understood the balance between being a good neighbor and satisfying the need for
field space.
- The most dramatic impact for the new rules will be for Pop Warner Football. J. Feudo said he is
working with the President of that program to fit their games in.
READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES October 9, 2008 Con't
Administrator's Report
J. Feudo went over the numbers for Fall programming. Overall the numbers are very good. Both
Basketball clinics are seeing an increase in participation. J. Feudo also introduced the addition of
the afterschool science and theater programs. The Rec. Division is happy to offer an array of after
school activities that cover all ends of the spectrum.
J. Feudo mentioned that Halloween Parade would take place on Sunday October 26th at 12:OOPM at
Coolidge Middle School.
With Travel Basketball tryouts around the corner, the Recreation Division was looking for several
people to help be independent evaluators. Several committee members expressed interest in
helping.
Finally, J. Feudo announced that the moving night has been cancelled for the Fall, however the
Rockwall will be available for use at a future HS Football game. Details of a date will follow.
Sub-Committee reports
N. Swain announced she had been voted the new president of RCASA. The group has been
working with a very active youth group to develop public service announcements for RCTV.
She also announced that the same youth group received an Anti-Tobacco grant recently.
Washington Park Committee
J. Feudo reported that the committee was finalizing plans and would be putting the final touches on
the report. The committee expects to have the report ready for a Board of Selectmen presentation in
December.
F. Driscoll made a motion to adjourn the meeting. K. Kaminer seconded the motion. Motion
passes in favor of adjournment 6-0-0.
Meeting adjourned at 8:14 PM.
submitted by:
J,