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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-11-08 Recreation Committee MinutesTown of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867-2685 `.RECEIVED TOWN CLERK READING, MASS. ZQg1 jAN t 9 P 0 02 FAX: (781) 942 - 5441 RECREATION DIVISION: (781) 942 - 9075 READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES November 8, 2006 Conference Room -Town Hall Attendance: Jack Downing, Rec. Committee Chair, Mary Ann Kozlowski, School Committee Rep., Bernie Winne, Recreation Committee Member, Chris Campbell, Rec. Committee Member, Mary Ellen Stolecki, Rec. Committee Member, Rick Shaffer, Rec. Committee Member, Beth Claroni, Associate Member, Dan McGrath, Program Coordinator, John Feudo, Recreation Administrator Guests: Peter Coumounduros and Dennis Collins from Friends of Reading Recreation (FORR) J. Downing called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM and asked the committee to review the minute of October 11. M. Stolecki made a motion to accept the October 11, 2006 meeting minutes. B. Winne / seconded the motion. Motion passes in favor of acceptance of the minutes by a vote of 7-0-0. B. Claroni entered the meeting at 7:10 PM. 1 V I -Imagination Station Update J. Feudo met with an auditor from Leathers Associates (the group that assisted with the build) on Saturday, November 4th. Also in attendance were Selectmen James Bonazoli and Steve Goldy. Jane Fiore from the Health Division joined the discussion as well. The auditor said there were some very obvious issues with the structure just from his walk-thru. He noticed not only entrapment hazards, but surfacing issues as well. He stated that they would no longer build a structure of the size of Imagination Station. The structure was one of the last standing that was built during their series of installs in the late 80's and early 90's. He also stated as a playground designer he could see why it was so heavily used as it was a "fun playground" for kids. He did feel that there was some opportunity to retro-fit the structure by removing and replacing some of the equipment. Estimated costs would be provided in his "short report" for a retro-fit and for a complete rebuild. The Town of Reading will also have the option of purchasing the "long report" which will detail all of the issues and how to address them. The cost of that report is $800. The next step in this process will be to receive the "short report" and purchase the "long report". Once those are in hand the Board of Selectmen will have discussion on the future of the structure. s` READING RECREATION COMNHTTEE MINUTES CON'T 11/8 Reading Recreation T-Ball Program The Recreation Division is prepared to offer a Spring T-Ball program to run concurrent with the program offered by Jack Webster. The Recreation Division has seen tremendous success with the "Totally T-Ball" program and would like to continue with a Spring offering. There is also a group of people that have had some general dissatisfaction with the T-Ball program offered by Mr. Webster. The Recreation Division will allocate Mr. Webster field space to continue his program. M. Stolecki felt it was good to give the families in Reading an alternative. B. Winne suggested perhaps not calling the program T-Ball so confusion is minimal between the two programs. B. Winne made a motion based on the success of the Totally T-Ball program, that the Recreation Committee advises the Recreation Staff to .expand the program as a spring league for children in 2007. N. Swain seconded the motion. Motion passes in favor of offering the Totally T-Ball program to expand the program as a spring league for children in 2007 by a vote of 7-0-0. Tennis Courts on Bancroft Ave. B. Winne stated that he received a phone call from Kate Kaminer and she asked him to speak on her behalf as she was not able to be in attendance. The tennis task force is looking for an endorsement from the Recreation Committee so they can move forward with their plans of funds raising and grant writing. B. Winne made a motion for the Recreation Committee to endorse and accept the Tennis report given by K. Kaminer at the October 1 lth meeting. C. Campbell seconded the motion. Motion passes in favor of endorsement and acceptance of the Tennis report given by K. Kaminer at the October 11th meeting by a vote of 7-0-0. Friends of Reading Recreation Status Report J. Feudo introduced Peter Coumounduros_and Dennis _Collins- from_F.O.R.R. P_Coumounduros gave an overview of the events and projects they have completed over the past 10 months. The have already compiled a data base of 500 participants. FORR now consists of a 9 person board whom are all required to have a circle of contacts. The group has made some significant progress over the few months of there existence including becoming 501 c3 certified. One of the exciting projects on the horizon is adding some passive activities to Memorial Park. The group was able to have a landscape architect look at the area (pro-bono) and is now working on a design to submit to town officials. The Recreation Committee will get a copy of that plan once it becomes available. Dennis Collins spoke about the success of the Ball Hockey Tournament this past spring. The event had over 60 kids participate. Mr. Collins also mentioned he received a lot of comment regarding having a roller hockey rink in town. Mr. Collins felt that there may be some potential to convert one of the tennis courts or basketball courts into an outdoor multi-purpose rink. He went on to talk about some of the activities that were occurring at Washington Park and felt it would be an ideal location to have league set up. He felt this would deter some of those negative activities and replace them with some positive activity. The Recreation Committee had a brief discussion on the possibility of having a multi-purpose facility. N. Swain stated, as a neighbor of Washington Park, she has noticed that the basketball court is heavily used. She has also observed somewhat of a parking issue when there are games READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES CON'T 11/8 played on the field and that should be considered as they proceed. The Committee also felt it was necessary for all proposals to go through the Board of Selectmen as this concept would be changing a use of a facility and possibility changing the time. M. Stolecki made a motion for Friends of Reading Recreation to proceed with there concept of converting either one basketball court or tennis court to a multi-purpose facility to include roller hockey and report back to the committee when a more detailed plan becomes available. B. Winne seconded the motion. Motion passes in favor of the motion by a vote of 7-0-0. Administrator's Report J. Feudo gave an update for Fall programming. Youth wrestling program has become very popular and begins near the end of November. Middle school ski numbers continue to decline as they have in many communities. Sunday basketball numbers are very strong. At this point there is over 200 players enrolled. The program is expected to have about 300 total participants this winter. Travel Basketball tryouts went well. 12 teams were formed with over 120 kids participating. Almost every player that tried out made a team. Those that did not make a travel team are participating in the Sunday Night hi-Town league. J. Feudo mentioned that he has been working with a youth team from Iceland to set up a scrimmage versus the kids that played for the 8th grade travel team last winter. The game will be on November 16th at the field house. J. Feudo thanked Bernie Winne, Mary Ann Kozlowski, Frank Driscoll and Kate Kaminer for helping with the fall registration day. J. Downing-gave a brief update regarding the Aquatic Advisory Council. He mentioned they are still looking to replace the position help formerly by Mary Ellen O'Neil. N. Swain gave an update regarding the Reading Coalition Against Substance Abuse. She stated they are in the process of interviewing and hiring a consultant to assist with the effort. N. Swain said she would keep the committee updated as progress is made. B. Winne made a motion to adjourn the meeting. N. Swain seconded the motion. Motion passed in favor of adjournment 7-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:43 PM.