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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-07-13 Recreation Committee MinutesTown of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867-2685 ED =t~K FAX: (781) 942 - 5441 I 'I. `/t RECREATION DIVISION: (781) 942 - 9075 READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES July 13, 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, Mary Ann Kozlowski, School Committee Liason, Kate Kaminer, Rec. Committee Member, John Feudo, Recreation Administrator. N. Swain called the meeting to order at 7:06 PM. The Committee was asked to review the minutes from the June 9th, 2005 meeting. B. Winne made a motion to accept the minutes from the June 9th Recreation Committee meeting. J. Downing seconded the motion. Motion passed in favor of acceptance of the minutes 5-0-0. K. Kaminer entered the meeting at 7:10 PM. Tabled from the previous meeting was the nomination of Patrick Fennelly as Vice-Chair to the Recreation Committee. P. Fennelly accepted the nomination and was appointed Vice-Chair of the Recreation Committee for FY06 by a vote of 6-0-0. J. Feudo stated that the Recreation Retreat would be rescheduled for Saturday, October 1St or October 8th beginning at 9:30 AM depending on schedules of other members. The location of the retreat will be Town Hall. Friends of Reading Recreation N. Swain discussed with the Rec. Committee the topic of broadening the scope of the Friends of Reading Recreation group. She mentioned that the current Friends of Reading Recreation group is basically Kate Kaminer and Lorraine Salter. The group does a few Tennis Tournaments each spring to help fund small items needed for the tennis courts such as nets, poles, straps etc. The Committee discussed the thought of expanding the Friends of Reading Recreation scope to include some fund raising events to help support some of the amenities around town. K. Kaminer felt it was the Town's responsibility to keep up with the recreational facilities through the capital plan and not through private groups. The committee seemed to agree. The Recreation Committee asked the Recreation Administrator to investigate other Town's that have an operating "Friends" group and how they proceed. Sub-Committees The Recreation Committee has decided to leave the Sub-Committees as status quo for FY06. The two following sub-committees are currently two active for the Recreation Committee: Finance, READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES CON'T JULY 13, 2005 Program Evaluation and Fees. J. Downing will continue as the Aquatics Advisory Committee liaison and F. Driscoll and P. Fennelly will continue on the Imagination Station Task Force. Rules and Regulations Relating to Parks, Playgrounds and Recreation Areas J. Feudo asked the Recreation Committee for any recommendations for the Board of Selectmen as it relates to the Rules and Regulations Relating to Parks, Playgrounds and Recreation Areas. A long discussion ensued. One of the topics of discussion was the start time on Saturday mornings. N. Swain suggested prohibiting play on neighborhood fields such as Hunt and Washington until 9:00 AM on Saturday. N. Swain stated that teams are showing up at Washington Park before 8 AM on Saturday mornings. Otherwise the Recreation Committee decided that there was not much more to be looked at. Administrators Report J. Feudo discussed a few of the issues that have been brought to his attention regarding Reading United Soccer Club. J. Feudo stated the first issue came up when a Committee Member noticed that there were more than a few too many players on a Sunday afternoon at Memorial Park for a Soccer tryout. It was noted that emergency vehicles would have had a very difficult time getting down Charles Street if needed. The Recreation Committee empathized with those houses on Charles and Harriosn Street that were up for sale that day. The second complaint came from the Reading Men's Softball League umpires. The umpires stated that they were struggling getting RUSC parents to go around the street softball field to access the turf. Instead people were actually walking directly through the field of play. The game actually has to come to stop each time someone decides to walk through the field. RMSL is concerned and feel that it has become a safety issue. The third complaint came from the Reading Women's Soccer program. The Women had an unfortunate verbal exchange with members of the RUSC in which they felt harassed. J. Feudo stated that he has spoken to RUSC President Mike Sheedy about the above incidents and didn't know what to do next. The Recreation--Committee--stated that the felt it would be appropriate to address the issue in writing - - with an official warning to RUSC. J. Feudo stated he would draft a letter for approval on behalf of the Recreation Committee. Reading Babe Ruth requested usage of Symonds Way on Sunday mornings at 10:00 AM for the rest of their summer season. F. Driscoll made a motion to accept Reading Babe Ruth's request to use Symonds Way on Sundays at 10:OOAM for the rest of the summer season. P. Fennelly seconded the motion. Motion receives a vote of 2-4-0 and does not carry. The Recreation Committee felt that Babe Ruth has plenty of time scheduled already and it was not necessary for them to begin early on Sundays. F. Driscoll made a motion to adjourn the meeting. P. Fennelly seconded the motion. Motion passes in favor of adjournment 6-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:05 PM spectfu d by: J A. F do creatio A inistrator