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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-01-09 Recreation Committee MinutesA Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867-2685 b FAX: (781) 942-9071 RECREATION DIVISION: (781) 942-965='4 RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES 1/9/02 MEETING In Attendance - Alan Beaulieu, Mark Hyson, Chris Campbell, Mary Ellen Stolecki, Susan Fay, Claire Bolger, Dave Bryant, Gail Wood (Selectmen's Liaison) Alan Beaulieu started the meeting at 7:20 p.m. Everyone read through the November 14, 2001 minutes. There was a brief discussion on the minutes. Dave Bryant stated that the minutes to be amended with the addition of North Reading High School and Austin Prep. School had put in requests for pool time at the Burbank YMCA. Susan Fay also asked that the minutes be amended to add in one other goal that was omitted on the Finance Sub-Committee report. Susan stated that it should be added that site amenities to recreation areas will be provided on an as needed basis. Dave Bryant made a motion to accept the amended November 14, 2001 minutes. Susan Fay seconded the motion. The vote passed 6 - 0, to accept the November 14, 2001 minutes. Lorraine Salter came in to the meeting at 7:25 PM. Jack Downing came in to the meeting at 7:25 PM. Bernie Winne came in to the meeting at 7:45 PM. Taylor and Kerry Bramhall spoke to the Recreation Committee on a potential skateboard park in Reading. Taylor and Kerry have been investigating options for a skateboard park. After the November 5, 2001 meeting the spoke with Mr. Dickinson to see if he would give them something in writing to say that Mr. Dickinson would be willing to donate money to help fund the project. Taylor stated that Mr. Dickinson would call Mr. Hechenbleikner to discuss this possibility further. The Bramhall's have been investigating other skate parks in the area as well as researching what type of material is best suited for the platforms. The Bramhall's stated that the pre-fab concrete slabs were not as good as one poured at the site. The Bramhall's are also looking in to alternative materials, such as Skatewave from O'Brien and Sons, Company. The Recreation Committee briefly discussed locations for the proposed skatepark. Properties that were discussed were the Higgins Property across from Castine Field, Hunt Field, Memorial Field and the Tennis Courts at Memorial Park. The Recreation Committee appoint one Recreation Committee member to work with the Bramhall's on the Skateboard Park. Mary Ellen Stolecki offered to work with the Bramhall's. Lorraine Salter thanked the Bramhall's for all of their hard work. Mark Hyson gave the Recreation Administrator's Report. Mark thanked all the Recreation Committee Members for their patience and understanding of his Jury Duty obligations. Marls stated that things went as well as they could while he was out and that he was in contact with the Recreation Clerk on a daily basis during his absence. RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES (Con't) 1/9/02 MEETING Mark also stated that since there has been not much interest in the Open Recreation position, that he suggested that the Recreation Division cancel the program for this year and try again next year. Susan Fay made a motion that Mark advertises one more time and we would try to hold the program for February, March and April, and if there was no interest in the position then Mark should cancel the program for this year. Alan Beaulieu seconded the motion. The vote passed 7 - 0. Mark gave a report on the update of Recreation Programs. Mark stated that the Sunday Basketball program and Travel Basketball programs are underway and are going well. Mark stated that this week and next that the Ski program will be starting. Mark also stated that the Recreation Division will not be having the Egg Hunt this year. Instead the Recreation Division will be having "Eggstravaganza". This will be held at the RMHS Auditorium and that there will be a children's performer and the Reading Bunny will be there to say Hi to the kids. Carl McFadden came in to speak to the Recreation Committee on his proposal to either merge his Travel Basketball program with ours or that he would give his program to us. Carl stated that due to the inequities of the charges from the school department that he would no longer be able to offer his program as it is now. Carl stated that he does not get free gym time, on the contrary he gets charged a rental fee to use the school gymnasiums. Carl stated his version on the differences of his program to ours. Carl stated that some of his coaches are school personnel. Carl also went on to state that his program is not about winning, they play approximately 40 games over a six month period which includes 3 /4 tournaments. Carl stated that his goal is to be a feeder system to the high school. Carl went on to state that if the programs were to merge, that he would be interested in running the program for Reading Recreation. Chris Campbell asked Carl why Carl didn't take the girls when he started his program, along with boys. Carl stated that at that time the RMHS girl's coach was not interested in a feeder system. Alan Beaulieu asked Carl how would Reading Recreation benefit from such a merger. Carl stated that he would have 36 boys that can't afford to play through his program and that it would help those children out as well as creating one program for the residents of Reading. Mark Hyson stated that there is a difference in the philosophies between the two programs. Marl, also stated that he would like to see Reading Recreation keep the Travel Basketball program. Mark stated that there will need to be several meetings to decide if the merger is feasible. Mark went on to state that if after these meetings there is a conclusion that we can merge programs under the Reading Recreation Division philosophies then he would bring the findings of these meetings to the Recreation Committee for approval. Bernie Winne made a motion that Mark and Carl meet to discuss the possible merger. Lorraine Salter amended the motion to include Catherine Kaminer, Claire Bolger, and Bernie Winne in these meetings. Dave Bryant seconded the motion. The amendment passed by a vote of 8 - 0. The motion passed with a vote of8-0. Alan Beaulieu agreed to represent the Recreation Committee on the AD HOC Reading/North Suburban Bicycle Path Committee. Jack Downing said he would also be interested once the CPA meetings were finished. RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES (Con't) 1/9/02 MEETING Dave Bryant gave an Aquatics Advisory Sub-Committee report. Dave stated that there was no December meeting. Dave stated that Austin Prep. is using the pool 3-4 hours per day, for about 3 days per week. The charge is approx. $175 per hour. The Burbank YMCA and Austin Prep. are working out some reciprocal use of facilities. The YMCA is looking at a rate increase for program fees. The Reading Recreation fees will not change through September 2002. The YMCA said they are in competition with the Reading Athletic Club and Mike's Gym for members. Dave went on to say that the Y budgeted 45,000 for the first six months of 2002 to fix the pool acoustics by the September season. Jack Downing stated that the Community Preservation Act meeting would be on Thursday, January 10, 2002. The CPA Committee met in December in Rowley, MA. Marls Hyson informed the Recreation Committee on the two letters that were given to him. The letter from Laura Wilson dated November 27, 2002 to Dr. Harutunian regarding the issue of rental fees charged to Carl McFadden's program. The letter from Dr. Harutunian to Peter Hechenbleikner dated December 4, 2001 regarding the Recreation Revolving Account. Bernie Winne made a motion to adjourn at 9:40 pm. Mary Ellen Stolecki seconded the motion. The vote passed 8 - 0. Respectfully Submitted, e 4;te, .Mark R. Hyson, CPRP Recreation Administrator