Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-10-13 Recreation Committee MinutesTown of Reading 16L IIS ow e treet Reading, MA 01867-2685 ERR ASS. Z ug '3 i , ? 19, , 01: 32 FAX: (781) 942 - 5441 RECREATION DIVISION: (781) 942 - 9075 READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES October 13, 2004 Town Hall Conference Room Attendance: Patrick Fennelly, Rec. Committee Chair, Nancy Linn Swain, Rec. Committee Vice- Chair, Frank Driscoll, Rec. Committee Member, Bernie Winne, Rec. Committee Member, Chris Campbell, Associate Member, Steve Meehan, Rec. Committee Member, Rick Shaffer, Rec. Committee Member, Mary Ann Kozlowski, School Rep. Kate Kaminer, Associate Member, Gail Wood, Board of Selectmen, John Feudo, Recreation Administrator Guest: Mini Jarema, Peter Moscariello, Scott Farris P. Fennelly called the meeting to order at 7:40 PM. B. Winne made a motion to accept the minutes from September 8, 2004. S. Meehan seconded the motion. Motion passes in favor of acceptance of the minutes 7-0-0. - New Business Morton Field John Halsey from Reading Babe Ruth introduced the members of the Group and the intentions of the project that the group was presenting. He stated that they had already been before the Board of Selectmen with the master plan for Morton Field. This included lights, an outfield fence, dugouts, scoreboard and a turf infield. The Selectmen asked the group to first look to what they had enough funding for. The Selectmen asked them to focus on the outfield fence and the batting cage. They were then given direction to meet with the officials from the DPW and the Recreation Committee and present a plan for an outfield fence. Peter Moscariello stated that he had met with the RMHS Athletic Director, Phil Vaccaro, Principal, Joe Finnigan, Superintendent, Pat Schettini, Members of the School Committee and members of the DPW. Mr. Moscariello also handed out a letter from the RMHS Athletic Department outlining a meeting held between the Superintendent, Principal and himself supporting that the fence be erected. Mr. Moscariello said they now need the endorsement from the Recreation Committee. He stated that the Public Works Department had three requests: 1. That the fence be permanent. 2. That there be a minimum space left for mowing between the existing leftfield fence and new fence. 3. Trees would not need to be removed for the fence. Small amounts of trimming could be done. Mr. Moscariello stated that this fence would be completely funded and maintained by Babe Ruth and would not cost the Town money to maintain. Also, the fence would not have a negative impact on any other sports. READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES CON'T The fence would be a permanent structure, chain link with a mesh screening and yellow cap. Mr. Moscariello handed out an outline with 3 options. Mim Jarema stated she has three field hockey teams playing on Morton Field side by side. She felt that the fence would not allow them to continue to do that. Ms. Jarema wanted to make sure that teams had enough area for free space for a sideline and there is access for the trainers to get to the field. She also shared her concern about not being able to move the Field Hockey nets to the appropriate places. J. Halsey mentioned that the field would not be enclosed, so they could go around the right field fence. J. Halsey also offered old temp fencing for field hockey to use to prevent balls from rolling in the woods or as a divider of the two field hockey fields. F. Driscoll asked if they had planned to make a warning track. J. Halsey stated that the mesh screening and yellow cap were the alternative to that and is acceptable by Babe Ruth Baseball standards. J. Halsey stated the fence would be done to Town Engineer's specifications and would maintain a 15FT buffer to field hockey at all points. A long discussion ensued by members of the Recreation Committee about conflicts of sports. B. Winne stated that the committee has received a letter of support from the R.M.H.S. Athletic Director. If there is a conflict, B. Winne felt that it wasn't the Recreation Committee's issue to sort it out, it would need to be worked out by the Athletic Director. A motion was made by Bernie Winne and seconded by Frank Driscoll to recommend to the Board of Selectmen to accept proposal "B" as presented for a permanent fence at Morton Field. The motion passes in favor of recommending to the Board of Selectmen to accept proposal "B" as presented for a permanent fence at Morton Field by a vote of 7 - 0 - 0. The Recreation Committee decided to table the proposal of the After School enrichment program until November. Administrator's Report J. Feudo reported that he had met with a couple of people interested in starting up Challenger Basketball. Challenger Basketball was a program the Rec. Division used to run, but it really dwindled before disappearing. The program will hopefully begin in the winter season. J. Feudo gave an overview of Fall/Winter programming numbers. He stated that Sunday Basketball numbers were low but hoped that the October 23rd registration day would help that out. Feudo mentioned that Smart Cookies was able to run one of the session and both Boys and Girls basketball programs have increased there numbers since last year and were doing well. J. Feudo mentioned that he was working with a family interested in making a significant donation to Washington Park. He would be working on the details of that and would report back in November with more information. READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES CON'T J. Feudo reminded the Recreation Committee that the Halloween would take place on Sunday, October 24th and invited any or all members to come help out. The Recreation Division is still looking for a Supervisor for Sunday Basketball. J. Feudo asked if anyone knew anyone interested to let him know. Finally, J. Feudo distributed a memo from the Town Manager to the Recreation Committee updating the progress of the Skateboard Park on the Danis Property. B. Winne made a motion to adjourn the meeting. F. Driscoll seconded the motion. Motion passes in favor of adjournment 7-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:44 PM. by: eudo a Administrator