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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-06-13 Recreation Committee MinutesTown of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867-2685 FAX: (781) 942 - 5441 RECREATION DIVISION: (781) 942 - 9075 READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES June 13th 2007-Town Hall Conference Room Attendance: Frank Driscoll, Rec. Committee Member Bernie Winne, Rec. Committee Member, John Downing, Rec. Committee Chair, Mike DiPietro, Associate Member, Nancy Swain, Rec. Committee Member Kate Kaminer, Rec. Committee Member, John Feudo, Recreation Administrator Guests: Dennis Collins, Peter Coumounduros - Friends of Reading Recreation. J. Downing called the meeting to order at 7:09 PM and asked the committee to review the minutes of May 9th, 2007 B.Winne: Motion to accept minutes of meeting. K. Kaminer: Second Passes: 5-0-0 Public Hearing on Bancroft Ave. Tennis Courts J. Downing opened the Public Hearing for the Bancroft Ave Tennis Courts. J. Feudo stated that all interested parties and abutters have been invited to attend the meeting. In Attendance: Shannon Fratto, Erin Tierney Financing was approved for the project at town meeting on April 30th. The Town Engineer, George Zambouras and the engineering division will oversee the project and has come up with a first rough draft design of the area. The plan is to keep the existing pavement on Bancroft Ave, adding two handicap parking spots on the north end near Morton Field that will lead to three access points to the tennis courts that will be ADA compliant. The grade will come up 12 to 18 inches as minimum to prevent flooding and allow for smooth transition for a wheel chair. The gates will swing wide open for wheelchairs and vehicles for maintenance. There will also be lighting put in around the perimeter of the court five on each side and two on either end. The current asphalt will most likely be pulverized and built upon. There will be benches inside for players for between sets and benches outside the courts for spectators. Because we are applying for a U.S.T.A grant the courts will be built to U.S.T.A tournament size specifications. Major construction will begin in spring '08 as soon as weather allows. J. Downing asked those in attendance for public comment. Erin Tierney stated she has no problem with the project but was concerned with the traffic flow and people speeding down Bancroft Ave. READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES CON'T 6/13/07 Ms. Tierney said she had contact the Reading Police Department and they were looking into some solutions to solve the issues. B. Winne: Motion to close public hearing. N. Swain: Second. Motion in favor of closing the public hearing passes: 5-0-0 The Recreation Committee had a brief discussion about the Tennis Courts and seemed to support the project and the draft design as presented. Administrator's Report Reorganization of Committee Members J. Feudo stated that the table was now open for nominees for Chair and Vice-Chair positions for the Recreation committee for FY08. K. Kaminer nominated Nancy Linn Swain as Chair of the Recreation Committee. J. Downing seconded the nomination. On a vote of 5-0-0, Nancy Linn Swain was appointed Chair of the Recreation Committee for FY08. N. Swain nominated M. DiPietro as Vice Chair of the Recreation Committee for FY08. F. Driscoll seconded the nomination. M. DiPietro was named Vice-chair of the Recreation Committee by a vote of 5-0-0. J. Downing appointed Mary Ann Kozlowski to the Birch Meadow Master Planning Committee. Lightning Policy After review of the lighting policy, the committee recommends that a draft should be circulated to Town Manager and town legal department for evaluation. The policy will be discussed further at the next Recreation Committee meeting. FORR Peter Coumounduros and Dennis Collins of FORR gave a presentation on a Roller Hockey / Multi- Use facility on the basketball court at Birch Meadow next to the Tot Lot. Their intentions are to install interlocking boards around the perimeter of the court which allows for roller hockey games to be played without compromising the use of the basketball court. The Recreation Committee seemed to have interest in the concept. The Friends of Reading Recreation felt they could do this project at zero cost to the town. J. Feudo mentioned that this project would need to go before the Board of Selectmen as it is a change in use for a facility. He also mentioned that it would be difficult to do anything until the Birch Meadow Planning committee has a chance to meet and make recommendations in the fall. Meeting adjourned at 8:50PM.