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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-10-08 Recreation Committee MinutesFAX: (781) 942 - 5441 RECREATION DIVISION: (781) 942 - 9075 Attendance: Bernie Winne, Rec. Committee Chair, Claire Bolger, Rec. Committee Member, Vice-Chair, Jack Downing, Recreation Committee Member, Nancy -Linn Swain Rec. Committee Member, Mary Ellen Stolecki, Rec. Committee Member, Patrick Fennelly Rec. Committee Member, Rick Shaffer, Rec. Committee Member Chris Campbell, Associate Member, Mary Ann Kozlowski, School Rep., John Feudo, Recreation Administrator, Guest - Bill Hughes, Gary Abrams, Ralph Merulli, Debbie Stratton. Meeting Called to order at 7:30 PM. The Committee was asked to review the minutes from the September meeting. N. Swain made a motion to accept the minutes from September 10th. P. Fennelly seconded the motion. Motion passes in favor of acceptance of the September 10th minutes 5-0-0. . New Business Bill Huges appeared before the committee on behalf of the Pacino Family. Mr. Hughes is interested in donating a memorial for John and Marge Pacino at the bandstand at Memorial Park and is looking for approval and some financial help from the Recreation Committee. Hughes stated that the Pacino's were extremely instrumental with in the Recreation Programs in Reading for years. Hughes said he would like to get a monogram etching dedication done on a stone and place it down on the bandstand. He would also like to have the bandstand sandblasted to regain it original look. The estimated cost of the memorial is approximately $600. He stated the family is interested in donating $300 and he was looking for $300 from the Reading Recreation Division to cover the balance. C. Campbell made the motion that the Recreation Committee approve the sandblasting of the bandstand and alocate $300 from the Rec. Revolving fund to help support the initiative. P. Fennelly seconded the motion. Motion passes 5-0-0. John Feudo introduced Gary Abrams from the 8th Grade girls travel program. Gary stated he would be the spoke person for the group of parents in attendance. Gary stated the he has always felt the Rec. Travel program was a feeder program to the High School team, but now that the Philosophy has changed, it is concerning to some parents that the kids won't have a good experience. J. Feudo stated the reason the Recreation Division changed philosophy was to enhance the experience for more players the just the 12 best at each level. "B" teams had a difficult time last season finding games that they were evenly matched up in. J. Feudo also he had a hard time delineating between Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867-2685 V READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES CON'T the 12th player on a "A" team and the 1St player on a "B". With such a short period of time to evaluate, it was hard to label a player A or B. Abrams stated the travel is supposed to be for the players that want to play at a competitive level. B. Winne stated that he would like to clarify that the decision to split teams evenly was not made by the Recreation Administrator, in fact the Committee made the decision after listening to research done by the recreation administrator and choosing this methodology based on past experience. J. Feudo clarified that the Travel Basketball program is different than any other sports organization in town as it is the only program actually administrated by the Town. With the program being run by a Town governed organization, the Recreation Division has the duty to do what is best for the greatest number of people. J. Feudo stated that he had already spoken with Gary Abrams and stated that if players did not want to participate in our program he would be glad to give him all the information and contact names for them to start their own team. The parent seemed open to investigating the opportunity. J. Feudo encouraged the parents to contact him during the day on Thursday and he would give them that information. The Committee thanked the parents for coming in to speak with them. M. Stolecki entered the meeting at 7:50 J. Feudo stated he has heard back from Town Counsel about the proposed indemnification of insurance. B. Winne asked if the topic could be table for the November meeting. Administrator's Report J. Feudo stated that the Reading Recreation Division has begun working with the Coolidge Web Team to see if they would be interested in putting together a web page for the Division. They have accepted the project and it is hopeful to be completed by Jan. 1. In exchange for the kids doing the Web page we will be featuring them on the cover of the next Brochure. J. Feudo stated with the travel basketball games moving to Sunday mornings he would like to use the opportunity to get more players to play both travel and Sunday basketball. J. Feudo proposed a reduce rate of $50 for anyone playing travel basketball that would like to play Sunday as well. J. Downing made a motion to accept the proposal of a flat fee reduced rate of $50 to all travel basketball players that want to play Sunday Basketball. P. Fennelly seconded the motion. Motion passes in favor of motion of a reduced rate of $50 for anyone playing travel basketball that would like to play Sunday as well. J. Feudo stated that he was still looking for volunteers for the Halloween Parade. M. Stolecki and N. Swain both stated they were interested in helping. READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES CON'T B. Winne stated the vote would now be presented to the Town Manager and probably need to have a public hearing. Subcommittee Reports None C. Bolger moved to adjourn the meeting. R. Shaffer seconded the motion. Motion passes in favor of ending the meeting 8-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:35 PM. Respectfully Submitted by: --J ohn A. Teud~ RecreatAdministrator