Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-09-08 Recreation Committee Minutesti Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867-2685 JT4k,IOV -2 PM 12,25 FAX: (781) 942 - 5441 RECREATION DIVISION: (781) 942 - 9075 READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES September 8, 2004 Town Hall Conference Room Attendance: Patrick Fennelly, Rec. Committee Chair, Nancy Linn Swain, Rec. Committee Vice- Chair, Jack Downing, Rec. Committee Member, Frank Driscoll, Rec. Committee Member, Bernie Winne, Rec. Committee Member, Mary Ellen Stolecki, Rec. Committee Member, Chris Campbell, Associate Member, Steve Meehan, Rec. Committee Member, Rick Shaffer, Rec. Committee Member, Mary Ann Kozlowski, School Rep. Michael DiPietro, Associate Member, Gail Wood, Board of Selectmen, John Feudo, Recreation Administrator Guest: John Halsey, Peter Moscariello, Scott Farris and Dave Johnson P. Fennelly called the meeting to order at 7:31 PM. B. Winne made a motion to accept the minutes from August 11th, 2004. N. Swain seconded the motion. F. Driscoll asked if a line could be added to the section discussion Eric Kaloymides. F. Driscoll made a motion to amend to the minutes by adding that Eric's program was a one year deal. N. Swain seconded the motion. Motion passes in favor of the addition of "if this was a one-year deal with Eric to do this program. Mr. Vaccaro stated that he anticipated only one year because Eric plans of starting his own business" 6-0-1. Motion passes in favor of acceptance of the minutes as amended 6-0-1. Old Business P. Fennelly stated that he met with the Board of Selectmen on Sept. 7t'. They discussed what the role of the Recreation Committee should be. The Board stated by charter the Recreation Committee is charged with programming, scheduling as well as field fees and routine field maintenance. Anything capital should be handled by the Board of Selectmen first and then could be sent back to the Recreation Committee for a recommendation. G. Wood stated that the feeling from the Selectmen was that the Board of Selectmen would hold the public hearings for capital improvements. P. Fennelly stated that Peter Hechenbleikner would be drafting some language for the Board to evaluate in terms of delineating jurisdiction. The Board of Selectmen asked that the Recreation Committee hear the proposal for Morton Field. B. Winne questions why the Recreation Committee needs to hear the proposal if the Board of Selectmen is going to need to hear it anyway. F. Driscoll added that he felt that any vote taken on the Morton Field proposal would not have any barring on whether or not the improvements take place. J. Downing recommended listening to the presentation and make sure that the proposal is consistent with the programming and scheduling of the Recreation Committee. READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES CON'T B. Winne made a motion to table the proposal of improvements of Morton Field until there is a concrete decision made by the Board of Selectmen. S. Meehan seconded the motion. J. Downing stated since the Committee has been asked by the Board of Selectmen to listen to the proposal and make a recommendation of pro's and con's, the Committee should do so. R. Shaffer stated the issue with the proposal is that he does not know what to listen for with out a clear direction. R. Shaffer made a friendly amendment to the original motion to refer the group to the Board of Selectmen. Amendment accepted by B. Winne. Motion passes in favor of tabling the issue of Morton Park improvements and referring the group to the Board of Selectmen 5-3-0. Mary Ellen Stolecki entered the meeting at 8:10 PM. P. Fennelly explained to Pete Moscariello, John Halsey and Scott Farris that the decision had nothing to do with their proposal. Things needed to be sorted out administratively before any decisions could be made. P. Moscariello asked if he could address the committee briefly. P. Moscariello stated that the proposal was a joint venture between the H.S. Baseball program and the Reading Babe Ruth program. He stated the group was just looking for some feedback on their proposal and perhaps answer some questions. Pete said he does understand the process and will seek to be added on to the Board of Selectmen's agenda. J. Halsey added that the Babe Ruth program does a number of things year round for player development and improvement. They are looking to create some momentum in their fund raising efforts. The Committee thanked the group for coming in and wished them luck with their process. J. Feudo introduced Dave Johnson of Young Guns Lacrosse. J. Feudo stated that the Rec. Division has had very little success with the two prior lacrosse programs and would like to give Young Guns a try. They are well known looking to bring the program to Reading. D. Johnson stated that the Young Guns started in 1981 and has grown to over 600 kids from involved in a variety of camps. The group runs some over night camps but expected to run only a day camp if accepted in Reading. Young Guns brings technically sound coaches. Most coaches are Varisity Head or Assistant Coaches. He proposes offering a 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM format. Young Guns understands the Camp regulations and goes through the compliance each year with the Board of Health. Young Guns would take place outside and would need access to bathrooms. The clinics would be run for 8 -14 year old boys and girls. Young Guns does separate boys and girls. Girls participate in a different program call Hot Shots. F.Driscoll asked if they know of the dates in which they needed. J. Feudo stated that dates have not been discussed, but that is part of the reason this is a business issue in September instead of February due to the fact that planning needs to be done far in advance with the High School fieldhouse potentially being out of service. F. Driscoll made a motion to accept Young Guns and Hot Shots as part of the Recreation Program and should answer to the direction of the Recreation Administrator. J. Downing seconded the READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES CON'T motion. Motion passes in favor acceptance of Young Guns and Hot Shots as part of the Recreation program 9-0-0. Subcommittees The Recreation Committee went over the many sub-committees and the current membership. The current committees are as follows: Marketing, Field Scheduling, Program and Fee evaluation, Imagination Station Revitalization, Finance, and Skate Park. The committee discussed each committee and decided the following: Marketing: Ended Field Scheduling: Available as an ad hoc. Left in the hands of the Rec. Administrator. Program and Fee evaluation: Changed to Program Evaluation naming Mary Ann Kozlowski, Mike DiPietro and Mary Ellen Stolecki as it's members. Imagination Station: Changed to a task force to include residents with Frank Driscoll and Patrick Fennelly. Finance Committee: Frank Driscoll, Steve Meehan, Nancy-Linn Swain and Chris Campbell. Skate Park: Ended Administrator's Report J. Feudo handed out the information surrounding the complaint the Town had received from a resident about the alleged consumption of alcohol in public. B. Winne stated that when he and Mike Moscariello met with the Town Manager he was confident that Mike was taking the issue seriously and recommended allowing the league to handle the issue internally. The committee seemed to agree and will take the information as an "FYI". Town Manager, Peter Hechenbleikner stopped in to visit with the Committee. Mr. Hechenbleikner stated this seemed to be an issue the Town has been dealing with for about 10 years. He commended the committee for it's patience and asked to be updated on what the league ruled. The Hunt Park playground was installed and went very smooth. Thanks to Steve Meehan for volunteering his time. The playground looks great. J. Feudo gave an overveiw of the Fall Community Guide. J. Feudo stated he is looking for some volunteers for registration day on Sat. October 23rd. B. Winne, Steve Meehan, M. Kozlowski and N. Swain all volunteered to help. The Rec. Division is also looking for volunteers to help with the planning of this years Halloween Parade on Sunday, October 24th. J. Feudo asked if anyone would like to help to let him know. High School volunteers are welcome. Finally, J. Feudo mentioned that he would be out of the office September 23rd - October 5th to get married. spect submitted by: ohn F udo Recreat' Administrator