HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-08-08 Recreation Committee MinutesTown of Reading
16 Lowell Street
FAX: (781) 942-9071
Reading, MA 01867-2685
CLERK -
k. _ , ,J 3 MASS.
2001 OCT -q A 11: 22
RECREATION DIVISION: (781) 942-9075
RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES
8/8/01 MEETING
In Attendance - Alan Beaulieu, Mark Hyson, Jack Downing, Susan Cavicchi, Chris Campbell, Dave Bryant,
Claire Bolger, and Mary Ellen Stolecki.
The meeting was started at 7:40 p.m. by Alan Beaulieu.
Claire Bolger arrived at 7:45 p.m. and Mary Ellen Stolecki arrived at 8:10 p.m.
Everyone read through the July 11, 2001 minutes. There was a brief discussion on the minutes. A
motion was made by Sue Cavicchi to accept the July 11, 2001 minutes. The motion was seconded by
Chris Campbell. The vote passed 5 - 0, to accept the July 11, 2001 minutes.
The Recreation Committee discussed the proposed permit request for David Chase and the Adult Mens
Soccer League. This league has requested a special permit request for 5 Sunday's in the Fall from 10:30
a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to play their soccer games.
Chris Campbell voiced his opinion against the permit. Chris stated that it seemed to him that a special permit
should be just that "special" and that he didn't feel comfortable allowing this permit to be granted. Chris
stated that this organization has asked for several dates in two different seasons.
Mr. Walsh and Mr. Godwin of the Reading Adult Soccer League were present. They stated that their games
are family events and that they try to get as many people to attend the games. They also stated that they are
willing to work with the committee on how we can come to a compromise on the request. Mr. Walsh stated
that the Reading Soccer League gives back to the Reading Community in different ways.
The committee asked Mark Hyson to see if the request would conflict with the High School Program. Mark
stated that he did not think so, but that he would check into it.
Alan Beaulieu and Dave Bryant also voiced their concerns that 10 games in a year, (5 in Spring and 5 in Fall)
is really not a special permit. The committee also voiced their concern that last spring when David Chase
from Reading Adult Soccer League was asked to go back to the Soccer League Board and see how the league
felt about playing the home games in Reading after 12:00 Noon. The Recreation Committee was a little
disturbed that it was done sometime after the spring and in an e-mail format instead of face to face.
Mark Hyson stated that he didn't understand why the league would not allow games to be played after 12:00
Noon. Mr. Walsh stated that it was a Sunday morning league and the league doesn't allow variations from
that schedule.
Jack Downing commented on the league was a well run league and his thoughts were that it was good for the
Adult Men in Reading to have this and that he would support the request.
RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES (Con't)
8/8/01 MEETING
A motion was made by Jack Downing to move that the Reading Recreation Committee approve a Special for
the Reading Adult Men's Soccer to use Parker Field on 5 Sunday's in the Fall for Soccer Games, beginning
at 11:00 a.m. The permit would be for Sunday's 9/9, 9/30, 10/7, 10/21, 10/28. The field use would be at
10:30 a.m. and the kick-off would be at 11:00 a.m. The motion was seconded by Sue Cavicchi. The vote
was 4 - 3 in favor of granting the request. However, the Recreation Committee asked Mark to check with
the Town Manager to see if the committee needs a majority of the voting members or a majority of present
quorum members to have something pass. Mark thought that any committee in the Town needed a majority
of the voting members in the affirmative to pass any motion. Mark stated he would check to see what the
ruling was. Mark also stated after he found out that he would contact David Chase to let him know the ruling
and if the motion did pass.
Mark Hyson stated that he could not find in the old minutes what the determination was on the usage of
Symonds Way. The Recreation Committee stated they thought it was to be used as Baseball in the Spring,
Baseball and Soccer in the Summer, and Soccer in the Fall. Sue Cavicchi made a motion that the Field
Usage of Symonds way be Baseball in the Spring, Baseball and Soccer in the Summer, and Soccer in the
fall, as well as any other Recreation Event that the Recreation Committee sees fit at any future time. The
motion was seconded by Dave Bryant. The vote passed 7 - 0.
Dave Bryant stated that whomever does the next concerts, they should remind the band to take a break, so
that people can get up and stretch and also that is when people normally come up to the stage and drop in the
donation money.
There was a brief discussion on the Memorial Park Covenants. Mark Hyson stated that he spoke with the
Town Manager on these covenants and that we are doing the right things in abiding to these covenants. The
Town Manager stated to Mark that if any resident has further concerns about these covenants that Mark is to
refer them to him.
The Recreation Committee decided to have a 3 month trial period on having the Recreation Committee
meetings starting at 7:00 p.m. The committee decided they would have the September, October and
November meetings start at 7:00 p.m. and they would see how it goes.
Mark Hyson gave a brief Administrator's report. Mark stated that the Summer Programs are going well and
that he has heard compliments on the Summer Camp Program. Mark updated the committee on the concerts.
August 19'h will be the last concert and will be the rescheduling of Bob Bachelder and the Totem Pole
Orchestra.
Mark Hyson spoke about the field damage from Summerfest and that there will be meetings with them to pay
for the fixing of the field. Mark stated that the circus would be coming the end of July and that he would try
to be there to make sure they put things in the correct area when they set up.
Mark Hyson asked the committee on their views of new programs and pricing of these programs.
The committee suggested that Mark stay with the programs that we have in place and that if he wanted to put
any new programs in, that they be provided by outside contractors. Mark agreed that this would be the best
course of action.
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RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES (Con't)
8/8/01 MEETING
Jack Downing gave a sub-committee report on the Community Preservation Act. Jack stated that there was
going to be a Public Meeting with Public Input on August 9, 2001 at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectman's Meeting
Room. The Community Preservation Act committee suggested a surtax on the regular taxes at a certain
percentage rate, and that the state would match this amount. The Community Preservation Act committee
said they didn't want to put it before the town right now. They are putting together a draft report. The
Recreation Committee would like to see an available funding mechanism to purchase land for Recreation
purposes and open space. The Recreation Committee stated that we need more for field space.
Members of the Recreation Committee will get back to Jack Downing on any thoughts they have on the
advantages/disadvantages on the Community Preservation Act proposals.
Susan Cavicchi made a motion to re-appoint Dave Bryant to the Aquatics Advisory Committee. The motion
was seconded by Jack Downing. The vote passed 5 - 0.
Chris Campbell left the meeting at 9:00 p.m.
Alan Beaulieu asked that the elections of the Recreation Committee Chairperson and Vice Chairperson be
put on the September Agenda.
Dave Bryant made a motion to adjourn at 9:55 p.m. Mary Ellen Stolecki seconded the motion.
The vote passed 6 - 0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mark R. Hyson, CPRP
Recreation Administrator