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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-06-09 Recreation Committee MinutesTown of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867-2685 ` CLERK Ass. FAX: (781) 942 - 5441 tC,-j I S A 91: 3 2 RECREATION DIVISION: (781) 942 - 9075 TION June 9t" , 2004 Town Hall Conference Room Attendance: Claire Bolger,Vice Chair Rec. Committee, Mary Ellen Stolecki, Rec. Committee Member, Jack Downing, Rec. Committee Member, Patrick Fennelly, Rec. Committee Member, Nancy Linn Swain, Bernie Winne, Chairman Rec. Committee, Rec. Committee Member, Rick Shaffer, Rec. Committee Member, John Feudo, Recreation Administrator. Guests: Dave Lautman, Mike Moscariello, Amy Dempster, Susan Graham, Dick Matthews, Frank Driscoll Meeting Called to order at 7:40 PM. M. Stolecki made a motion to accept the minutes from Mayl2th, 2004. P. Fennelly seconded the motion. Motion passes in favor of acceptance of the minutes 5-0-0. NEW BUSINESS Smart Cookies J. Feudo introduced the Co-owners of Smart Cookies, a program for elementary age children to learn how to cook different types of safe recipes. J. Feudo stated the Recreation Division continues to look for programs to offer as part of an enrichment curriculum. Amy Dempster presented to the Recreation Committee a sample of the "Menu" of programs they will offer to Recreation Dept's. Amy stated that the instructors of the program are qualified and most have teaching backgrounds. Amy stressed that Smart Cookies takes safety extremely serious by implementing to the kids on the first day the "10 rules of Smart Cookies". They also keep a very small adult to child ratio of 5:1. The company is fully insured and instructors are CPR certified. The group also hold a food handling certification and do not use nuts in any recipe. M. Stolecki made a motion to accept the proposal made by Smart Cookies as stated to work as a contractor for the Recreation Division. C. Bolger seconded the motion. Motion passes in favor of acceptance of the Smart Cookies proposal 5-0-0. RMSL Mike Moscariello appeared before the Recreation Committee to address the alcohol related issues that have taken place during the season. Mike has implemented a zero tolerance policy. "Consumption of alcohol will not be tolerated before, during or after games on public property. Any member of the RMSL caught drinking by RMSL league officials or the Reading Police Department will be suspended from the RMSL for one calendar year. In addition, the team that the READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES CON'T individual plays for will also be suspended for at least the remainder of the season. If the suspension takes place at or near the conclusion of the RMSL's season, a five (5) game suspension will be carried over to the beginning of the next season. Additional suspension time can be assessed at the discretion of the RMSL's Executive Board. The individual and team must apply for reinstatement at the end of their suspension. Their request will be reviewed by the RMSL's Executive Board." Mike felt that it was important to punish the player and his/her team instead of the entire League. The Committee asked a few questions of Mike Moscariello and thanked him for his attention to the matter. Rick Shaffer entered the meeting at 8:00 PM. Bernie Winne entered the meeting at 8:07 PM. Instructional Motion David Lautman was invited to the Recreation Committee meeting to discuss the instructional motion from April 2004 Town meeting. Dave stated he is appearing before the committee as a parent, town meeting member and member of RYLAX. Dave stated he felt there no space kids to play sports as is, so he felt it was necessary for the Recreation Committee to look at the allocation of fields to make sure Reading Residents are getting first priority. The Committees general feeling was they were already allocating fields per his request. Dave stated there is a "Club" Team in Town with a small amount of Reading kids pushing other Reading kids off the fields. Dave also stated that non-profit organizations should receive preference over for profit organizations. P. Fennelly stated that the motion as stated does not conflict with the policy and procedure of field allocation. A lengthy discussion ensued. Committee stated that would draft a report of the Instructional motion to the Selectmen. (See attached) Travel Basketball John Feudo introduced Dick Matthews, a parent of Reading Travel Basketball. Dick expressed his concerns about the philosophy of the Travel Basketball Program. He advocated for getting back to one team and having the rest of the kids play Sunday Basketball. He offered to help promote the Sunday Basketball Program. The Committee stated they would set some time aside during the July meeting to discuss the program as a whole. Summer Concert Series J. Feudo stated that the concert series was ready to take place on June 20th. J. Feudo stated that he and Program Coordinator Dan McGrath worked hard at getting the concerts almost completely sponsored. To date the Division had raised approximately $6,000. The total cost of the 8 Sunday Concerts and 5 Wednesday Concerts is approximately $7,000. Feudo stated that with the donations they are given on the day of the concert the goal of $7,000 should be met. J. Feudo stated he was still looking for concert coverage for the Sunday Night Series. He stated that ' he would send an email out to the committee with the date available. READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES CON'T Administrator's Report J. Feudo stated camp numbers are very good overall. He stated overall, camp numbers are up about 10% from last year. Other programs that are doing well include both girls and boys basketball and Super Sports. J. Feudo mentioned that he was interested in putting an Ice Cream machine at camp. New England Ice Cream is offering the Division 20% of sales for the entire summer. The Committee asked to make sure there would be a sign that stated that products contain peanuts and there were some health conscious choices available. B. Winne nominated J. Downing to continue as the Aquatics Advisory Committee Liaison to the Recreation Committee. P. Fennelly seconded the motion. Clerk casts one vote to appoint J. Downing to the Aquatics Advisory Committee. J. Feudo mentioned he received a late request from Peter Moscariello to allow for the Alumni Baseball game to take place on June 13th at 11:00 AM. Since this is a yearly event and there has not been any past issues the committee agreed to accept the request. N. Swain made a motion to accept the special request for the Alumni Baseball game at 11:00 AM on June 13th. P. Fennelly seconded the motion. Motion passed 7-0-0 in favor of acceptance. C. Bolger nominated P. Fennelly as chairperson of the Recreation Committee for FY 05. J. Downing seconded the motion. Clerk casts one vote in favor of Pat Fennelly as Chairperson for the FY 05. J. Downing nominated N. Swain as Vice Chair-person. R. Shaffer seconded the motion. Clerk casts one vote in favor of Nancy-Linn Swain as Vice-Chairperson. P. Fennelly made a motion to adjourn the meeting for June 9th, 2004. N. Swain seconded the motion. Motion passes in favor of adjournment 7-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:40 PM Respectfully su tted by: A. F u ecreation inistrator