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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-09-12 Recreation Committee MinutesTown of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867-2685 FAX: (781) 942-5441 RECREATION DIVISION: (781) 942-9075 RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES 9/12/02 MEETING This meeting was held on September 12, 2002 instead of September 11, 2002 due to the anniversary of September 11, 2001. In Attendance - Recreation Chairperson - Jack Downing; Recreation Committee Members - Patrick Fennelly, Alan Beaulieu, Sue Cavicchi, Dave Bryant, Claire Bolger, and Mary Ellen Stolecki; Associate Recreation Committee Member - Lorraine Salter; Recreation Administrator - Mark Hyson Jack Downing started the meeting at 7:35 PM Alan Beaulieu made a motion to accept the August 14, 2002 minutes. Sue Cavicchi seconded the motion. The motion passed by a 6 - 0 vote. The first item on the agenda under new business was cancelled due to the Reading Memorial High School Band withdrawing their request for a special permit on Sunday, October 20, 2002. The Reading Memorial High School Band cancelled their proposed Band Competition. Lorraine Salter brought up a situation with the Tennis Program. Lorraine stated that the three student workers that work for Courtney Gilman, came to Lorraine Salter and Kate Kaminer. Courtney Gilman is our Tennis Pro that Reading Recreation contracts with, to run our Tennis Program. The three workers stated to Lorraine and Kate that our tennis program in their eyes is going down hill. The students stated the program numbers are down. They went on to state that there is a lack of consistency and effort on the part of Courtney. The students also stated that the round robin that used to be held is non-existent and that Courtney's attendance is not what it used to be. Lorraine stated that Kate and Lorraine would be terminating their association with Courtney in regards to the Singles Tennis Tournament. Jack Downing stated that Mark Hyson should talk with Courtney and find out what his side of the story is and report back to the Recreation Committee. Mark Hyson stated he would speak with Courtney and report back to the committee, on or before the October 9, 2002 meeting. Sudie Fay entered the meeting at 7:45 PM Kate Kaminer entered the meeting at 7:50 PM RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES 9/12/02 MEETING (Con't) Sudie Fay stated that the Recreation Division may want to look into drafting up some expectations of clinic directors with regards to what the Recreation Division expects of them in performing the service to the Reading Community. Also what the Clinic Director's responsibility is when there is an accident to a participant. Sudie also stated that maybe we should have an evaluation form that we can hand to the instructors and clinic directors, so that we can hopefully receive feedback from the participants. Mark Hyson stated that the Recreation Division has an evaluation form and will be handing that out to the Fall programs. Chris Campbell entered the meeting at 8:05 PM. David Chase and Steve D'Agati from the Reading Adult Men's Soccer League entered the meeting at 8:15 PM. They were there to request a special Sunday permit to use Parker Field on 5 Sunday's in the Fall from 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM.., David Chase was asked by the Recreation Committee if his league allows him to go to each team, date by date, and try to schedule games after 12:00 Noon. Steve D'Agati stated that if they were to do that, then the Reading team would not make it through the season. The dates that the Reading Adult Men's Soccer League is requesting are 9/29, 10/13, 10/20, 10/27, 11/10. Sue Cavicchi made a motion to grant the Adult Men's Soccer League request for a Special Sunday Permit for the above mentioned times and dates. Mary Ellen Stolecki seconded the motion. The motion passed by a 6 - 2 vote. Dave Bryant asked if there was another permit request that this league has made for this fall. Dave Chase stated that they put in a request for October 14 and will withdraw that request since the Recreation Committee has approved the 5 Sunday's in the Fall. Chris Campbell stated that he is frustrated with the Sunday Special Permit Sub-Committee and that if this Sub-Committee doesn't meet and make some type of recommendation, then it will continue to be up to the individual committee members on what their interpretation of what is considered to be special. Alan Beaulieu stated that he wants to have some type of clarification from the Sunday Special Permit Sub- Committee because he is not comfortable with giving one organization 10 days out of 30 days per year. Alan also raised a question in that "Does the Recreation Committee have the right to limit the number of group appearances to the Recreation Committee on a certain topic?" Dave Bryant asked what the appeal process for other Boards, Committee's and Commissions were. Jack Downing stated that there was preliminary work.in progress for siting alternatives for the Reading Skate Park. Jack Downing presented the score sheet to rank the sites. Jack asked that everyone do their rankings and get them back to Jack by September 19, 2002. Mark Hyson stated that the Fall Recreation registration is underway, and that he would give a report on the programs at the October Recreation Committee meeting. RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES 9/12/02 MEETING (Con't) Mark Hyson updated the Recreation Committee on the usage of Symonds Way Field in regards to Reading United Soccer and Babe Ruth Baseball. Mark stated that he spoke with Babe Ruth and told Babe Ruth that Reading United Soccer has the field Monday - Sunday, and that he would look into seeing if Babe Ruth could get in some time for practices. The Recreation Committee directed Mark Hyson to tell Babe Ruth that Soccer has priority in the Fall for the Symonds Way Field. The Recreation Committee directed Mark to tell Babe Ruth that their request for practice time at Symonds Way Field has been denied, seeing that Babe Ruth has the use of 2 Major League Diamonds for the six teams they have this season. Mark Hyson told the Recreation Committee that he would mail out the newly proposed Field Policies and Procedures that the Field Sub-Committee came up with, and that he would like a response from the Recreation Committee at the October Recreation Committee meeting. Dave Bryant gave an Aquatics Advisory Report. Dave stated that the YMCA put out to bid the acoustics job. Dave stated that there was some collusion among 3 contractors that were bidding on the job. The bid was for $80,000. Dave also stated that the YMCA is trying to find a contractor to do the job. Dave Bryant also stated that the YMCA couldn't use the same contractors that the manufacturer suggested. Dave stated that the money for the project would stay in the budget. Dave stated that the job would probably not be done until next year. Dave went on to state that the YMCA's Fall pre-school programs are at 75% registered and the older kids programs are up to 50% registered. Dave also stated that the YMCA is offering Reading Kindergartners free 8-week swim lessons via a voucher. This is per the agreement with the Town. Dave also stated the YMCA would be sending out a pool usage survey. Sue Cavicchi made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Alan Beaulieu seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 7 - 0. The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 PM. Respectfully submitted by, Mark R. Hyson, CPRP Recreation Administrator