HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-10-09 Recreation Committee MinutesTown of Reading
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Reading, MA 01867-2685::`... `
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RECREATION DIVISION: (781) 942-9075
RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES
10/09/02 MEETING
In Attendance - Recreation Chairperson - Jack Downing, Recreation Vice Chairperson - Bernie Winne,
Recreation Committee Members - Patrick Fennelly, Mary Ellen Stolecki, Dave Bryant, Alan Beaulieu,
Selectmen Liaison - Camille Anthony.
Jack Downing started the meeting at 7:34 PM
Sudie Fay entered the meeting at 7:35 PM
Alan Beaulieu stated that on page one of the minutes, in the seventh paragraph, the first name should be Jack
Downing not Alan Beaulieu. Mary Ellen Stolecki made a motion to accept the amended September 12, 2002
minutes with the above stated changes. Alan Beaulieu seconded the motion. The motion passed by a 7 - 0
vote.
Claire Bolger entered the meeting at 7:39 PM.
Kerry and Taylor Bramhall entered the meeting at 7:39 PM.
Jack Downing talked about the Skate Park Site Report. The Bramhall's presented to Jack the background
section for the site report. Jack stated that 9 out of I I of the table score - sheets have been returned to him
from the Recreation Committee members. Jack would like the other two to be handed in to him as soon as
possible. Jack stated that he will type up forms and send them back to the, individual committee members for
final approval of their scores. Jack stated that the median of all the scores will be used for the criteria.
Camille Anthony - Selectman Liaison entered the meeting at 7:44 PM
Chris Campbell entered the meeting at 7:46 PM
Lorraine Salter entered the meeting at 7:51 PM
The Skate Park Sub-Committee will go over the total Skate Park Site Report and then they will come back to
the Recreation Committee, hopefully on the November 9, 2002 meeting.
Alan Beaulieu stated that the Recreation Committee accepts the report from the Skate Park Sub Committee
as a progress report.
Bernie Winne asked about the budget numbers for the project. Bernie asked if anyone has, approached Mr.
Dickinson on a figure for the project.
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RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES
10/09/02 MEETING (Con't)
Kerry Bramhall stated that Taylor Bramhall had asked Mr. Dickinson originally on helping to fund the
project. However, no final figure has been discussed at this time.
Bernie Winne stated that the Recreation Committee or the Skate Park Sub-Committee needs to estimate how
much the project could possibly cost, and that he feels that a budget should be developed for the project and
that someone from the Sub-Committee should approach Mr. Dickinson in writing on a bonified figure to see
how much money he would give towards the project.
Mary Ellen Stolecki asked if Kerry Bramhall could find out how the Imagination Station project proceeded
in funding that venture. Kerry Bramhall was on that committee, so that is why the request was posed to her.
Mark Hyson spoke on the Travel Basketball Merger with the Carl McFadden program. Mark stated that a
merger was not going to take place. Mike O'Brien had called Mark previous to the meeting and stated that
they would like to keep their program separate from the Reading Recreation Travel Basketball Program.
Mark Hyson went on to state that the thought was brought up to have a combined try-out, or should we have
separate try-outs for each program.
Dave Bryant stated that there should be two separate try-outs.
Sudie Fay stated that communication is the key and that there should be separate try-outs.
Bernie Winne stated that he liked the idea of one try-out.
Claire Bolger stated that there should be two separate try-outs.
The Recreation Committee asked Mark Hyson to put out a press release stating the two Boys Basketball
Travel Programs would not merge.
Dave Bryant made a motion to have the Reading Recreation Travel Program hold separate Try-Outs from the
Carl McFadden Travel Basketball program. Patrick Fennelly seconded the motion. The motion passed by a
vote of 5 - 1 with 2 abstains votes.
Mark Hyson discussed with the Recreation Committee the Burbank YMCA proposed rate increase for the
pool rental for Summer Camp. Mark stated that he was in favor of the increase except for the amount of
money for the overhead expenses. Mark stated that he felt that the YMCA would have to incur these
overhead expenses anyway, even if we were not using the pool. Mark also stated that he understands that the
YMCA would probably try to recover that cost by adding in other programs at that time slot, if our camp did
not use the time. Mark stated that he would speak with Dan Berry, Senior Program Director, for the Burbank
YMCA and try to have the amount of overhead reduced.
The discussion on Pro-Rating Fees for Recreation Programs is tabled to the November 13, 2002 Recreation
Committee meeting.
Mark Hyson asked the Recreation Committee that if they have any other responses to the new Field Policies
and Procedures information that was mailed out, to please provide Mark with the input as soon as possible.
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RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES
10/09/02 MEETING (Con't)
Mark Hyson discussed with the Recreation Committee his findings from speaking with Courtney Gilman
from the Tennis Program. Mark stated that Courtney thought things were going smoothly. Courtney stated
that he still owed some money to one of his staff members. Courtney stated that this staff member was not
good about turning in his time card every week and that is why he is owed money. Courtney also stated that
he was not on the court as much as he was last year. Mark stated that some of Courtney's comments were
different then some of the comments he received from the staff and from some parents. Mark stated that he
would like to meet with Kate Kaminer and Lorraine Salter in devising specifications so that the Recreation
Division could possibly either bid out, or get proposal requests for next years tennis program.
Mark Hyson gave a report on the Fall Programs. Mark stated that registrations are coming in and that the
programs are filling up. Mark also handed out to the committee a Participation Report from the RecTrac
software. Mark instructed the Recreation Committee on how to read the report.
Mark Hyson updated the Recreation Committee on the Recreation Division personnel. Mark stated that both
Luisa Tremblay - Principal Clerk and John Feudo - Program Coordinator are doing excellent in their
respective positions. Mark stated that they both are picking up the nuances of their responsibilities and the
Recreation Division is moving steadily forward.
Mark Hyson asked the Recreation Committee to volunteer at the Cross Country Race - Alan Beaulieu and
Jack Downing stated they would help. Mark also asked for volunteers for the Ski Registration Day - Claire
Bolger and Patrick Fennelly stated they would help. Mark finally asked for volunteers for the Halloween
Parade - Alan Beaulieu and Lorraine Salter stated they would help.
Jack Downing stated that the Recreation Committee should weigh in their comments and suggestions for the
plans on the High School project. Mark Hyson stated that he gave his input in a Division Review Team
meeting in September, and that his comments were passed on to the school with the other Town Divisions'
comments.
Mark Hyson gave a brief report from the Aquatics Advisory Sub-Committee. Mark stated that the YMCA
publishes statistical information on their programs every year and that the diversity of the Burbank YMCA is
different then most YMCA's.
Mark stated that the YMCA handed out at the meeting, the Summer Open Recreation Usage Results.
Mark also stated that he felt the YMCA and Recreation worked together very well this summer to
provide open recreation swim to the public.
Mark stated that Peter Smargon from the YMCA and Peter Hechenbleikner are going to be working
together to try to get out a pool survey to the public via the Town Census. Their target mailing was
November/December.
Mark also stated that the High School Swim Teams were going to try to get their banners placed up
in the YMCA, as well as a record board and trophy case. There was some discussion at the Advisory
Committee meeting on whom is responsible for getting the Touch Pads put in place for the home
meets. The YMCA will be working this out with the High School Teams.
It was stated in the Advisory Committee meeting that the reel for the lane lines needs to be replaced.
It was also stated that the B1ueFins team numbers were in the low 80's right now. The BlueFins will
look to have 4 home meets.
RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES
10/09/02 MEETING (Con't)
Peter Smargon from the YMCA gave the Advisory Committee an update on the Pool Acoustics
Project. Peter stated that the project will be completed by the end of December. Peter was going to
be taking a trip to New Hampshire to see the work that was done at a sight in that state. The
contractor that the YMCA is looking at using is not one of the three finalists. The possible
contractor is Greenwood and Sons.
Mark Hyson also reported that the number of vouchers that were redeemed for a free swim class for
Kindergartners doubled form 2001-2002 season. This is part of the Benefit Schedule with the Town
of Reading. The next Aquatics Advisory Committee is scheduled for Monday, October 28, 2002.
Sudie Fay made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Patrick Fennelly seconded the motion. The motion passed
by a vote of 7 - 0. The meeting was adjourned at 10:06 PM.
Respectfully submitted by,
Mark R. Hyson, CPRP
Recreation Administrator
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