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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-04-30 Recreation Committee MinutesTown of Reading 16 Lowell Street 'a D Reading, MA 01867-2685 C L E Cv {5 4: rU FAX: (781) 942 -.5441 RECREATION DIVISION: (781) 942 - 9075 READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING CALLED for APRIL 30th, 2003 Attendance: John Feudo, Recreation Administrator, Jack Downing, Recreation Committee Chairperson, Dave Bryant, Bernie Winne, Christopher Campbell, Alan Beaulieu, Claire Bolger, Mary Ellen Stolecki Guests- George Ravanis, Jack Shea, Dennis Lucyniak, Norm Harvey, John Halsey, David Gray, Pat Iapicca, Patti Gray, -Tina Ravanis, Robert Allard, Jeff Pierce, Linda Snow-Dockser Jack Downing called the meeting to order at 7:45 PM. J. Downing invited members of Reading Youth Baseball to begin the discussion. David Gray, RYB Parent, stated that currently the Town of Reading has the worst baseball fields to play on. They have had instances where other teams came to Reading and did not want to play due to some of the safety issues that were evident on the field. D. Gray sited a Marblehead coach who didn't want to play on Hunt Memorial Park because of the dangerous lip and lack of a warning track among other things. Dennis Lucyniak, President of RYB baseball stated that over the past few months he and D. Gray had been working.with Bob Keating from the DPW trying to make some improvements to Hunt Memorial Park. D. Lucyniak went on to describe what had transpired over the previous week that brought everyone to the Special Recreation Committee meeting. Initially, Reading Youth Baseball put up a Black mesh screen material on the fence to see if it would fit. The mesh screening was left up over night. The next day RYB received a phone call from Recreation Administrator John Feudo stating that neighbors were concerned about the screen and it needed to come down until the Recreation Committee was able to take up the issue. The screening was removed the next day. Dennis stated that the plastic yellow covering was never actually put up. John Halsey stated that there were a number of reasons why the screen was necessary. He mentioned even though Reading Youth Baseball is not part of the National Little League Organization, they still try to adhere to the safety standards. Currently, Little League regulations call for a warning track in all outfields. If there is not a warning track, there needs to be some type .of covering on the outfield fence. A. Beaulieu entered the meeting at 7:55PM. D. Bryant asked the group why they didn't come to the Recreation Committee in the first place. D. Lucyniak stated the reason they were appearing before the Rec. Committee is due to the fact that RYB had some plans for Hunt Memorial Park improvements and were there to present them. Dennis stated that originally they went ahead and made the improvements because they did not think there would be an issue with it. D. Bryant stated that the Recreation Committee was interested in having the Fields in Reading as safe as possible for current kids playing on it as well as future children, but reminded RYB it is important to go through the proper channels. J. Downing stated that it was to his understanding that the structures were seasonal and would come down after the season. D. Gray stated that J. Downing was correct and the expectation was the fence would go up in Mid- April and come back down at the end of August. C. Bolger asked if there were any residents present at the meeting. There were none. J. Feudo stated that the one family, the Kramer's, were the only specific household that brought forth concern and they were invited to the meeting by the Rec. Administrator himself. A. Beaulieu made the motion to allow Reading Youth Baseball to install the following proposed safety improvements for Hunt Memorial Park: 1) See through mesh screen on the outfield fence 2) Fence Cap on the outfield fence 3) Temporary Sun Shield Tarp on each dugout 4) Yellow Foul Posts B. Winne seconded the motion. J. Downing opened the motion up for discussion. D. Gray stated that RYB is more than happy to try to accommodate neighbors concerns. M. Stolecki stated she felt it was important to include in the motion that the changes are seasonal to satisfy the safety issues. C. Bolger asked for clarification about the Foul Polls. George Ravanis stated that the old foul polls were literally old broomsticks. The polls that were being put in were actually the same height, but they looked better with less of a chance of falling down. J. Downing called the motion to a vote amending to the motion that the equipment be installed seasonally from Mid-April to the End on August. Motion passed in favor of the proposed changes to Hunt Memorial Park 6-0. The Recreation Committee then had a brief discussion on the men's soccer program and decided to add it to the May 14th Agenda. B. Winne made a motion to adjourn the meeting. in favor of ending the meeting 6-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:43 PM. Respectfully itted by, Cohn A. Fe o- - Recreation istrator J. Downing seconded the motion. Motion passed