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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-03-14 Recreation Committee MinutesTown of Reading FAX: (781) 942 - 5441 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867-2685 RECREATION DIVISION: (781) 942 - 9075 READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES March 14, 2007 Community Room -Police Department Attendance: Chris Campbell, Rec. Committee Member, Mary Ann Kozlowski, School Committee Rep, John Downing Rec. Committee Chair, Nancy Swain, Rec. Committee Member, Bernie Winne, Rec. Committee Member, Rick Schaffer, Rec. Committee Member, Kate Kaminer, Rec. Committee Member, Beth Claroni, Associate Member, John Feudo, Recreation Administrator Guests: FORR Members Peter Coumedouras and Dennis Collins, Steve Goldy, Board of Selectmen J. Downing called the meeting to order at 7:08 PM and asked the committee to review the minutes of January 10th, 2007 Corrections: Mary Ann Kozlowski's name was placed in the attendance as "Mary Ellen' N. Swain: Motion to accept amended minutes Passes: 5-0-0 New Business Update for Friends of Reading Recreation given by P. Coumounduros and D. Collins: FORR is planning for a Bike Clinic at Memorial Park on May 6th, offering tune ups, and perhaps involving REI. Town Day will be held on June 30th and is being sponsored by Reading Coop. There will be a movie and a quarter mile race at the track. Also, there will be a 5k road race held on Thursday, July 25th at 6:30 and a movie night on August 27th. FORR is also considering a Town Forest Clean up Day, to more clearly define walking trails. The site walk of Memorial Park with the representative from the Attorney Generals office went very well. It was attended by J. Feudo and P. Hechenbleikner. The plans are to stay with the deed description and keep it as passive recreation and youth sports practice area. The current plan up includes two bocce courts, two volleyball courts, two horseshoe pits and a walking path within the park area. There are also plans to raise funds for a portable roller hockey rink called Game Plex for Washington Park. Once details are in place, a formal presentation will be made to the Rec. Committee and Board of Selectmen. Rick Shaffer entered the meeting at 8:25 PM. Beth Claroni and Kate Kaminer entered the meeting at 8:30 PM. READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES March 14, 2007 Con't Tennis Courts on Bancroft Ave. Update give by K. Kaminer. The projected cost for the new courts is $350,000 with the town earmarking $200,000 for the project in future capital funding. The other $150,000 will be funds raised from private donations and grants. Friends of Reading Tennis now has a professional grant writer and are looking into grants. such_as, Mass Urban Self Help and U.S.T.A. They are also seeking donations from big corporations such as Hospitals, HMO's, and pharmaceuticals companies. FORT will go before town meeting in April and are also meeting with the Finance Committee. Reading Coalition Against Substance Abuse Update given by N. Swain: The Recreation Committee has been asked by the RCASA to sign a letter of membership into the coalition, agreeing to supports the efforts of the RCASA. The commission accepts the terms of the letter on March 14th solidifying membership of the Rec. Committee. N. Swain: Motion to sign and accept the terms of association with the RCASA identified in the letter of membership into the organization. K. Kaminer: Second Passes: 7-0-0 Aquatic Advisory Update given by J. Downing: The advisory board is now reviewing the contract with the Town to see what benefits are available to them and how long the Town has contracted with them. The contract allows options for both sides to continue or not. Administrator's Report The summer brochure will be coming out at the end of March. We have added a Super Sports C.I.T program for students entering grade 7 through 9. The Recreation Division is also excited to add a wheel chair tennis program and a cardio tennis program for adults. Jim Sullivan will be taking over as the New Program Coordinator. Jim comes to Reading as a former Co-Director of EMARC recreation and brings a background of working clinics and camps through Tewksbury Recreation. The Rec. Division also has an intern starting in May. She is from Southern New Hampshire University. J. Feudo mentioned that there was a request for Special Sunday Permit by Dave Chase of the Men's Over the Hill soccer league. Mr. Chase was looking to begin his game at 9:00 AM on April 22nd. J. Feudo stated he would like to place the group at Parker Middle School. B. Winne made a motion to allow a special permit to Mr. Chase for 9:00 AM on April 22nd C. Campbell seconded the motion. Passes 7-0-0. READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES March 14, 2007 Con't The purchase and sales agreement has been signed on the property at 1481 Main St. It is 2.7 acres of land that abuts Bear Meadow. The log cabin on the property will be kept the other structures will be demolished. There will be a request for proposal from organizations in the Town to become legal-leases. Part of the deal with be that the pay their own utilities and work to bring the Cabin up to ADA standards. The presentation before the Selectman for a new synthetic turf field at Parker Middle School was received well. Major donators to the project will include Pop Warner, Reading Youth Lacrosse and Reading United Soccer. The hope is to break ground by June. The Wood End Project enters its second phase on April 28th M. Kozlowski: Motion to adjourn meeting B. Winne: Second Passes: 7-0 t Meeting adjourned at 9:15 PM.