HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-05-09 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
May 9, 2007 - Conference Room Town Hall
Attendance: Mary Ellen Stolecki, Rec. Committee Member, Mary Ann Kozlowski, School
Committee Rep, John Downing Rec. Committee Chair, Nancy Swain, Rec. Committee Member,
Kate Kaminer, Rec. Committee Member, Beth Claroni, Associate Member, Mike DiPietro,
Associate Member, John Feudo, Recreation Administrator Guest: James Bonazoli, Board of
Selectmen
J. Downing called the meeting to order at 7:06 PM and asked the committee to review the minutes
of April 11 th
M. Stolecki made a motion to accept the minutes as proposed. N. Swain seconded the motion.
Motion passed in favor of acceptance of the April 11, 2007 Recreation Committee meeting minutes.
J. Feudo discussed with the Recreation Committee the topic of a general lightening policy as it
relates to the use of the Town fields. Recently a resident called wondering if the Town had
anything regarding lightening in place. J. Feudo mentioned that he had some samples of similar
policies from organizations _such _as_the_NCAA_and_Little-League _Baseball. The_committee_seemed__
to feel that the policy should be straight forward. N. Swain stated she felt that if you see lightening
the activity should end. The rest of the committee seemed to agree. M. Stolecki asked who the
decision was up to of when the game would be suspended. J. Feudo stated that there was no
specific person. It could be the official, a coach or a parent.
J. Downing recommended that the Recreation Division staff take the sample policies from the other
organizations to make a policy that they felt would work for the Town and the organizations. J.
Feudo stated the Recreation staff would work on a policy and present it at the June meeting.
Administrator's Report
J. Feudo gave an update for Summer programming registration. Registration on April 28th went
very well and he thanked Kate, Nancy and Mary Ann for helping out. The Recreation Division did
over $35K of business in just that one registration day. This is right on target with years past.
J. Feudo mentioned that he would be issuing a special Sunday morning permit for the two
tournaments held by the Friends of Reading Tennis. The dates are June 3rd and June 10'.
J. Feudo stated the Town has allowed RYB to put up a temporary fence along Stewart Street at
Barrows Field as a safety precaution. This fence prevents balls from heading on to the street with
children chasing it.
READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES FOR MAY 9, 2007 Con't
The Board of Selectmen will be appointing members to the Birch Meadow Planning Committee in
June. A member from the Recreation Committee will be asked to serve on that committee. The
thought is to look at the whole entire Birch Meadow Complex as a whole and develop a master
plan. The Board of Selectmen have become concerned that many projects are being pieced
together, rather than have a plan that could be used as a guide of what the Town's vision is for the
area.
J. Feudo reminded the Recreation Committee that there would be a Memorial Park neighbors
meeting on May 17th at 7:30 PM at the Senior Center to-discuss the Memorial Park Master Plan. -
All committee members are welcome to attend.
J. Feudo offered to give the Recreation Committee a tour of the log cabin and property at 1481
Main Street. The committee seemed to think it was a good idea to visit as part of the June meeting.
J. Feudo will adjust the posting as a site walk for the Recreation Committee beginning at the log
cabin at 7:00 PM.
During the June meeting the Recreation Committee will hold a public hearing regarding the
construction of tennis courts to the replace the courts on Bancroft ave. 1. Feudo would handle the
process and will set the Public Hearing for 8:00 PM.
Subcommittee Reports
K. Kaminer gave a brief update of the Reading Tennis Task Force. She stated the group has already
raised over $62K through house parties and private donations. The fund raising has gone very well.
K. Kaminer said that details would soon be available regarding two other fund raisers; The Boston
Lobsters featuring Venus Williams and a concert by Reading's own folk singer Mark Erelli.
M. Stolecki updated the committee on the_Community__Preservation _Act, They are currently___
refining the needs of the Historical Society and Recreation Division for a presentation.
J. Downing said the Aquatics Advisory Board has been going through the YMCA pool benefits
schedule to make sure that the Town is receiving the terms of the agreement. He mentioned that
once the term of the obligatory contract is met, the sides can agree to continue for a longer period of
time and a new contract can be negotiated.
N. Swain reported on behalf of the Reading Coalition Against Substance Abuse. She has been
traveling to local liquor establishments and doing brief interviews and asking them not to carry a
new product named Spyke. Spyke is a new malt beverage marketed toward younger consumers.
The Coalition is also planning a fall open house for the many sub-committee members.
N. Swain made a motion to adjourn. M. Kozlowski seconded the motion. Motion passes in favor
of adjournment by a vote of 5-0-0.
Meeting adjourned at 8:07 PM.
submitted by:
eudo