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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-09-14 Recreation Committee MinutesTown of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867-2685 V V' LE- D M_F-RK Y'$rlSS. A H: V f FAX: (781) 942 - 5441 RECREATION DIVISION: (781) 942 - 9075 READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES September 14, 2005 at Town Hall Conference Room Attendance: Nancy-Linn Swain, Recreation Committee Chair, Patrick Fennelly, Recreation Committee Vice-Chair, Frank Driscoll, Rec. Committee Member, Bernie Winne, Recreation Committee Member, Jack Downing, Rec. Committee Member, Rick Shaffer, Rec. Committee Member, Mary Ellen Stolecki, Rec. Committee Member, Mike DiPietro, Associate Member, John Feudo, Recreation Administrator. Guest: Mike Sheedy, Reading United Soccer Club N. Swain called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM. The Committee was asked to review the minutes from the July 13th, 2005 meeting. B. Winne made a motion to accept the minutes from the July 13th Recreation Committee meeting. P. Fennelly seconded the motion. J. Downing had a few questions about the discussions regarding the RUSC discussion. Motion passed in favor of acceptance of the minutes 6-0-0. M. Stolecki entered the meeting at 7:08 PM. J. Feudo introduced Mike SheedyfromBeading United Soccer Club. Mr. Sheedy had requested a- chance to meet with the Recreation Committee to go over some of the issues that were included in the warning letter he received from the Rec. Committee, including usage of Memorial Park, mistreatment of an adult women's soccer player and interfering with men's softball games. Mr. Sheedy explained some of the issues could have been handled better. He felt that the warning letter was unjust and he was hurt and upset by it. R. Shaffer entered the meeting at 7:12 PM. Mr. Sheedy introduced himself to the committee and thanked them for allocating some time to him to give the RUSC side of the issue. He mentioned that the reason people had walked through the softball games is there is no signage regarding how to get to the turf field. He felt if there were signs posted of how to access the turf the whole issue could have been avoided. He also stated that the mistreatment of the the Adult Women's soccer player was a misunderstanding and that the person who made the statement has been reprimanded by RUSC. Finally, he mentioned that he did not feel they violated any of the rules at Memorial Park by holding the RUSC tryout there. B. Winne stated he was the committee member that saw what was going on at Memorial Park on the afternoon in question. He stated coming down Charles Street he noticed that there were cars parked all the way up and down both sides of the street to the point that emergency vehicles could not pass through. It took him an estimated five to six minutes to get through. B. Winne stated he physically got out of his car and walked the entire grounds after that. READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPT14, 2005 CONTINUE B. Winne added that there were two houses for sale that day holding open houses and it was not fair to those residents. N. Swain asked if there was a way for RUSC to work with the parents moving forward so this won't be a future issue. James Bonazoli entered the meeting at 7:30 PM. J. Feudo explained the reason RUSC was on Memorial Park was largely due to the fact that they were bumped for a HS girls Lacrosse game that had been rescheduled. The option was to change the week for soccer tryouts or change locations. The decision was made to change locations. F. Driscoll reiterated that a field scheduling sub-committee is needed to avoid these types of situations. J. Downing stated letters in the future should come from the Recreation Administrator unless the entire Rec. Committee has the opportunity to review what is being sent. N. Swain thanked Mr. Sheedy for attending the meeting. M. Stolecki recommended keeping some type of log in the each sports organizations folder listing any violations. J. Feudo said he puts any official letters in the file and will develop a system for tracking violations. RECREATION RETREAT J.-Feudo_mentioned_to_the_.committeethat _there _were-two _ dates__available_for the_retreat,_Oct,_29m and Nov. 5th. The committee seemed to think that October 29th worked best. The day would begin at 9:00 AM and would wrap up at approximately 2:30 PM. J. Feudo said he would send an email to the entire committee to confirm that the date works for most members. RULES AND REGULATIONS Upon the request of the Town Manager, the Recreation Committee has been asked to look at drafted language regarding parks and playgrounds regarding using Town property for profit. A long discussion ensued. The committee reached a consensus to recommend amending to the Board of Selectmen Policies in section 5.2.2 General Regulations to read that "No person or business may use any public field, tennis court, basketball court or playing area to derive compensation without the consent from the Recreation Committee or their designee." Mary Ellen Stolecki exited the meeting at 8:OOPM. B. Winne recommended that the Board of Selectmen consider rewriting some language. Some of the context seemed to be antiquated. READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPT. 14, 2005 CONTINUE SIGNAGE IN PARKS J. Feudo mentioned that he had been working with the Reading Police Department to update some of the signage in the parks. The Police have had a difficult time enforcing the rules (closing time for example) of the parks. The Police Department recommended noting on the sign that violators may be subject to fine, arrest or summons. J. Downing stated in the past the Town has applied for grants from the State for open space. J. Downing did not believe the police could arrest or summons somebody for that reason. J. Downing cautioned the committee that it might be wise to consult with Town Counsel to make sure such language does not violate the open space inventory. N. Swain talked about the new synthetic turf fields and how they were being administered. She stated based on a conversation that she had with the Town Manager, the practice turf field would fall under the jurisdiction of the Recreation Division and the Stadium would fall under the School Department. That has not happened to date. Currently, the School Department is renting out both fields. N. Swain stated the Rec. Administrator, Town Manager, Board of Selectmen Liaison and Superintendent we going to need to meet to work out some type of agreement. B. Winne exited the meeting at 8:51 PM. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT J. Feudo went over the final camp numbers from the summer. He stated that he was extremely pleasedwith camp this summer. He attributes--much--of-the success toProgram Coordinator Dan McGrath and his attention to detail. Camp numbers improved by about 15% in a year where many other camps numbers were down. J. Feudo went over some of the programs being offered in the Fall Community Guide. Once Upon a Time has been added as an after school drama program. This program came highly recommended by Bedford Recreation. The Recreation Division will also offer a new volleyball program. Finally, the Rec. Division has teamed up with Elder Services to offer a series of multigenerational programs. The Recreation Division and Police Department are holding a youth sports organizational meeting on September 20th to discuss violence in youth sports. A plan has been developed to begin educating the public on how to deal with situations of violence as it relates to youth sports. J. Feudo mentioned that there are several volunteer opportunities available in October. Fall registration day will take place on Sat, Oct. 22 at Coolidge Middle School at 10:00 AM. The annual Halloween Parade will take place on Sun. Oct. 23 beginning at 12:30 PM. Also, there a several game show nights coming up and extra hands would be greatly appreciated. The dates are as follows: September 29, October 18 and November 22 all beginning at 6:30 PM. The process of installing a playground at Memorial Park has begun. $20K has been allocated from the capital improvement program to support the project. The playground is expected to be finished by the Fall of 2005 or Spring or 2006. The Tot Lot on Bancroft Avenue is due for capital funding in FY 07. Primary plans and fund raising has already begun. READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPT. 14, 2005 CONTINUE SUB COMMITTEE REPORTS J. Downing mentioned that the Aquatics Advisory Committee was looking for a new Selectmen Liaison. He mentioned that Mary Ellen O'Neil has stepped down.from the position. R. Shaffer made a motion to adjourn the meeting. F. Driscoll seconded the motion. Motion passes in favor of adjournment 5-0-0. Meeting Adjourned at 9:23 PM Respectfhk submitted by: Y J~, m Fei~n ecre~ierf"Admimstrator P