Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-11-13 Recreation Committee Minutes✓ FAX: (781) 942 - 5441 RECREATION DIVISION: (781) 942 - 9075 READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES November 13, 2002 In Attendance - Bernie Winne, Mark Hyson, Sue Cavicchi, Dave Bryant, Sudie Fay, Chris Campbell, Mary Ellen Stolecki, Claire Bolger. Public Attendance at the meeting was as follows: Linda Whitney, Gary Nihan, Peter Warren, Rick Carter, Robert Bohleen, Karen and David Pinette, John Joyce, Liz and Chris Oehman, Sally Kaldas, and Wayne Dwyer. Bernie Winne started the meeting at 7:40 PM. The Recreation Committee read over the October 9, 2002 minutes. Sue Cavicchi made a motion to accept the October 9, 2002 minutes. Dave Bryant seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of6-0. Bernie Winne stated that since there was a number of parents at the meeting, that we would start with the old business first and then come back to the new business. The Recreation Committee agreed to start with the Old Business first. Alan Beaulieu entered the meeting at 7:45 PM. Lorraine Salter entered the meeting at 7:46 PM. Mark Hyson spoke to the Recreation Committee regarding the travel basketball program. Mark stated that there were a large number of boys that tried out for the three grade divisions in the Boys Travel Basketball Program. The Girls Division predominately always fields two teams in each Grade level. Mark went on to state that in the past two years the Recreation Division has not had the numbers to field two teams at the Boys' sixth, seventh, and eight grades respectively. This year, going into the try-outs, it looked like the same amount of boys were going to try-outs that usually do. However, there were a larger number of boys that came to the first night of try-outs then had signed up previously. The number looked like the following: Grade # of Pre-Registrants # of Sign-Ups on the day of the first try-out TOTAL Boys 6 *18 7 19 Boys 7 14 15 29 Boys 8 **13 15 24 * 6 out of the 18 made the Middle School Basketball Program run by Mike O'Brien. 3 out of the 13 made the Middle School Basketball Program, and one youth was a no-show. Kate Kaminer entered the meeting at 8:00 PM. Town of Reading -~GEIVEQ 16 Lowell Street O WN CLERK Reading, MA 01867-2685 EADIING, MASS. 2 lZ DEC 12 A 11: 2b READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES (Con't) November 13, 2002 Mark Hyson also stated that since there were a large number of boys that were trying out this year, his thought was to contact the Recreation Committee via e-mail to get their guidance as to possibly forming two teams in the Boys' Division at each Grade level. In speaking with the committee members Mark provided the view point that if we create second teams, that those teams that are being created are actually "C" level teams, since in Reading there is the Middle School Basketball Program run by Mike O'Brien, that actually takes the quote "A" caliber of players. Mark also provided the viewpoint to the Recreation Committee that there are not a lot of towns that have "C" caliber of teams. Most towns only have one team in each Grade level, so the competition will be very tough. After listening to the Recreation Committee concerns via e-mail, Mark stated that he decided to only go to one team in the Boys' Division at each Grade Level. Mark stated that this was in the best interest of all the youth involved and that we also have the Sunday Basketball Program run by the Recreation Division, so the youth that were cut could play in that program. There were a number of concerns over this decision and thus it was brought to the Recreation Committee at the November 13, 2002 meeting to discuss, and possibly come to a final conclusion whether to possibly form two teams in the Boys Division. Bernie Winne stated to the public that even before we form a second team, we need to have four ' main components in place. 1. We need to have enough kids interested in a second team, at least 10 per team. 2. We need to have coaches, at least two per team. 3. We need to make sure we have the gym time for practice and games. 4. The competition level may not be at the same level. Most of the other towns have only one team in each grade level, and therefore the competition will be much harder. Chris Campbell stated that his child always played hockey until this year and that his son really wanted to do basketball. Chris stated that his son was cut from the Grade 7 Boys Division. Chris also stated that his initial thinking was to go to one team, since his daughter who played in years past, he teams got crushed. But the more Chris thought about it, Chris thought the Recreation Division should go to two teams. Dave Bryant stated that the Recreation Division could not form additional teams without coaches. Members of the community spoke in favor of creating two teams in the Boys Division. • Mrs. Pinette has a son in Grade 7 and another son in Grade 8. Mrs. Pinette asked if there was a clear-cut caliber difference in the Boys Divisions. Mark Hyson stated that in his opinion that there were approximately 7 top players, approximately 7- 9 middle of the road players, and then there were some players that should really play in the Sunday Recreation Basketball program to gain more experience and confidence. READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES (Con't) November 13, 2002 John Joyce stated that his son's self esteem was shattered by the decision to only go to one team. Mr. Joyce stated that how can the players get better if they do not play with other kids that are better then them. How can a child be competitive if he is not given the chance? Mr. Joyce also stated that the Recreation Committee should let the kids play and that he would be willing to coach. Mr. Joyce has a son in Grade 8. • Dotty Whittier stated that her son was on the team last year and that she is in favor of creating a second team. Mrs. Whittier has a son in Grade 8. • Mr. Warren stated that his son only wanted to do the Recreation Travel Team this year and that he is in favor of two teams. Mr. Warren also stated that he would be willing to coach. Mr. Warren has a son in Grade 7. • Mark Dockser stated that he thought there were more similarity in the Boys Grade 7 Division and that he just wants the kids to play. Mr. Dockser has one son in Grade 6 and another son in Grade 7. Mr. Dockser is also one of the Boys Grade 7 A team coaches. • Mr. and Mrs. Oehmen stated that they would be in favor of a second team. Mr. and Mrs. Oehmen have a son in Grade 8. • Gary Nihan stated that he asked his older son, who played in the league years ago when there were two teams at each Grade level, if his son enjoyed his experience. Mr. Nihan stated that his son responded that yes they did get walloped most of the time, however some games were OK. His son went on to state that he had a good experience. Mr. Nihan stated that he would like to see the Recreation Committee go forward in creating a second team. Mr. Nihan has a son in Grade 7. • Mr. Robert Bohleen stated that he has been coaching in youth sports for about 20 years. Mr. Bohleen tells his athletes to have fun. He stated that he is in favor of having a second team, and that he would help coach. Mr. Bohleen has a son in Grade 7. • Mr. Pinette stated that the Sunday Basketball program is a good program but it is a different philosophy then the Travel Basketball program. The kids that try-out for the Travel Teams, just want to become part of a team. Mr. Pinette has one son in Grade 7 and one in Grade 8. • Mrs. Kaldas stated that we already have two of the four components solved, and it seemed to her that the other two could hopefully be worked out. Mrs. Kaldas has a son in Grade 8. READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES (Con't) November 13, 2002 Mark Hyson stated that he thought there would be enough gym time for the practices and games, however it would have to be up to the coaches to schedule their own games in cooperation with the Recreation Division. Mr. Warren stated that the kids don't care if they lose, as long as they can play. • Mr. Chase Sebor stated that he has already called Winchester and that they would be willing to play the second teams. Chase also mentioned that he would help out in any way he can with getting the second teams off the ground. Chase is one of the Grade 8 Boys Travel Coaches. Alan Beaulieu urged all the parents to sign up before the try-outs next year, so that the Recreation Division could have more accurate accounts of who may be trying out in a given Grade level. Lorraine Salter stated that she was in favor of 2 teams for each Grade level. Sue Cavicchi made a motion to have the Recreation Division explore the possibility of creating a second basketball team in the Boys Grade 6, 7 and 8 divisions. Bernie Winne seconded the motion. The motion passed by a 6 - 0 vote. Bernie Winne and Mark Hyson thanked all the residents for coming out to the meeting. Mark stated that he would get in touch with each and every one of them to let them know what the next steps would be. Alan Beaulieu made a motion that the charge of $153 would be the same for all the teams. Sue Cavicchi seconded the motion. The motion was defeated by a 4 - 2 vote because the minimum of 5 affirmative votes was not achieved. Some of the Recreation Committee members thought that Recreation Administrator should come up with a few to charge the second teams if they did not get close to the number of total games that the other teams were. Sue Cavicchi made a motion to direct the Recreation Administrator to set the fee for the second teams. Mary Ellen Stolecki seconded the motion. The motion passed by a 6 0 vote. Bernie Winne thanked Mark Hyson for a very good job as being the Recreation Administrator over the past 1-'/2 years and that he wishes the best for Mark's future endeavors. Bernie Winne updated the Recreation Committee on the selection process for hiring a new Recreation Administrator. Bernie stated that he had spoken to the Town Manager, Peter Hechenbleikner prior to the meeting, and that Peter would like to have one or two members from the Recreation Committee on the interview process. Claire Bolger and Mary Ellen Stolecki stated that they would be on the interview team to select a new Recreation Administrator. READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES (Con't) November 13, 2002 Mark Hyson stated that Tricia Langeleh from "Pottery at Your Place" would not be able to attend the meeting tonight. However, Mark handed out some information about this new independent contractor. Mark stated that John Feudo has spoken with Tricia and that she will be able to provide all the insurances that the Town of Reading requires and that he will be contacting her references. Mark asked the committee if they would e-mail John with any concerns they have about this new independent contractor and the program in general by Tuesday, Nov. 19. Mark stated that the Recreation Division would like to hire this new independent contractor and put her into the Winter 2002 - 2003 Community Guide. Mark Hyson stated that the fall programs have gone very smoothly. Mark handed out a Participation Report on all the programs for this past Fall 2002 season. Mark Hyson thanked Sudie Fay and all the other Recreation Committee members for helping out at the Halloween Parade. Mark especially thanked Sudie Fay for all her efforts on this wonderful program. Mark stated that this was the first time that the Recreation Division and the Reading Junior Women's League joined forces to have one parade. Mark stated that the parade was a huge success and that there were approximately 400 people in attendance. Mary Ellen Stolecki gave a report from the Sunday Special Field Permit Sub-Committee. Mary Ellen stated that the sub-committee has agreed on a recommendation to bring before the Board of Selectman. Mary Ellen handed out to everyone the copy of the recommendation. Sue Cavicchi stated that she was not in favor of the recommendations. Alan Beaulieu made a motion to accept the sub-committee's report as submitted. Dave Bryant seconded the motion. The motion was defeated by a vote of 4 - 2 because the minimum of 5 affirmative votes was not achieved. Bernie Winne asked Mark to relay to John Feudo to put the Special Sunday Permit Sub-Committee on the agenda for the December Recreation Committee meeting. Dave Bryant gave an Aquatics Advisory Report. Dave stated that the Girls Swim team would be in the states this weekend. The girls finished sixth in the sectionals. Dave went on to state that Austin Prep. is looking for pool time and that Austin Prep. and the YMCA maybe doing some swapping for pool time at the YMCA, for gym time at the Austin Prep. gym. Dave also stated that the pool acoustics ceiling treatment would be done in two phases. The YMCA is hoping to have the first treatment completed over Christmas Vacation. Dave stated that it would save the YMCA money if they do it in two phases. There will be additional money set aside in the FY04 YMCA budget for this project. Dave stated that there were approximately 421 Grade K; Learn to Swim vouchers that were redeemed from last year. The YMCA had a booth at the voting polls with the Pool Usage Survey. READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES Won't) November 13, 2002 Alan Beaulieu stated that there was no report from the Skate Park Sub-Committee, however Alan urged all the members to complete and turn in to Jack Downing, the tabled score-sheets. Chris Campbell asked Mark Hyson in a letter of reprimand would still be sent to David Chase regarding Columbus Day weekend. Mark Hyson stated that he would be sending out the letter this week. Mark Hyson discussed with the Recreation Committee regarding Pro-Rating Recreation Division course fees. Mark stated that currently the Recreation Division does not pro-rate any of their course fees. Mary Ellen made a motion to table this discussion on pro-rating until the December 2002 Recreation Committee meeting. Dave Bryant seconded the motion. Mary Ellen withdrew her motion. Sue Cavicchi made a motion to direct the Recreation Administrator to come up with a Pro-Rating policy for discussion at the December 2002 meeting. Dave Bryant seconded the motion. The motion passed by a 6 - 0 vote. Mark Hyson thanked all the Recreation Committee members for all of their guidance these past 1-1/2 years. Mark stated that he will miss Reading Recreation and all of the committee members very much and that they will be in good hands while John Feudo is the acting Recreation Administrator. Dave Bryant made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:45 PM. Sue Cavicchi seconded the motion. The motion passed by a 6 - 0 vote. Respectfully Submitted by: Wloihn A. F o ' Acting cr ation Administrator In Lieu of: Mark R. Hyson, CPRP Recreation Administrator