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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-03-03 Recreation Committee Minutest Recreation Committee Minutes Wednesday, March 3, 1999 The Recreation Committee meeting came to order at 7:30 PM in the Reading Senior Center, 49 Pleasant Street, Reading, MA. Committee members in attendance included Alan Beaulieu, Dennis Lucyniak, Dave Bryant, Sue Cavicchi, Chris Campbell and Claire Bolger. Also in attendances were Associate Member Marc Nelson and Recre~ tion ' Administrator Joe Connelly. Mr: Mike DiCicco from Reading Youth Baseball was also present. Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to approve the minutes of the Wednesday, February 10, 1999 meeting, Ms. Bolger seconded the motion, approved 6-0. Commission members Jack Downing, Bernie Winne, and Lorraine Salter entered the meeting at 7:40 PM. PUBLIC HEARING: RYB REQUEST FOR BATTING CAGE AT HUNT MEMORIAL PARK Commission Chair Dave Bryant opened the Public Hearing and read the hearing notice. Mr. Connelly reviewed the procedures of the Public Hearing. Mr. Connelly introduced Dennis Lucyniak of Reading Youth Baseball. Mr. Lucyniak reviewed the reasoning behind the Reading Youth Baseball request. Mr. Lucyniak introduced Mr. DiCicco of Reading Youth Baseball. Mr. DiCicco explained his reasons for the request. Eric Dellarusso of Reading Youth Baseball entered the meeting. Reading Youth Baseball explained that the lack of available practice facilities was their motive behind the request. Mr. Bryant opened the discussion up to the public. Mr. Peter Kramer of 184 Pleasant Street stated the following reasons for his objections to the proposal: current overuse of the facility, facility only open for 90 days, unattractiveness of such a structure, lack of care of the existing facility and trash on field. Mr. DiCicco responded to Mr. Kramer's statements. Ms. Kathryn Kramer of 184 Pleasant street stated the following reasons for her objections to the proposal: lack of care of existing facility, garbage as a result of inattentiveness to field conditions, lack of supervision and safety concerns for the playground area. Mr. Dellarusso responded to Ms. Kramer's comments. Mr. Kramer stated that his objections were not against youth playing baseball. Mr. Kramer stated that his father helped donate Hunt Memorial Park to the Town of Reading. Mr. John Wood of 213 Pleasant Street stated the following as reasons for his objections to the proposal: current wet conditions of the proposed site, parking issues, liability of injury and the unattractiveness of the site. Mr. DiCicco responded to Mr. Wood's comments. Mr. Phil LeBlanc of 14, Gardner Road stated the following reasons for his objections to the proposal: increased usage, visual eyesore, parking and traffic issues, inappropriateness for a residential neighborhood and issues against the RHA house. Glen Paradis of 206 Pleasant Street stated the following as his objections to the proposal: traffic and parking issues, safety concerns for play area and the increased use of already overused parcel of i land. Mr. DiCicco and Mr. Dellarusso responded to some of the comments. Ms. Rita c. i Robinson of 9 Elm Street reviewed her objections to the proposal. Mr. Kramer and Ms. Kramer reviewed their concerns for the safety of children utilizing the playground area. Mr. Connelly gave a brief overview of the Playground Improvement plan. Ms. Cavicchi discussed- the fencing of the playground area with Mr. Kramer. Mr. Lucyniak thanked those in attendance for their input and asked for the abutters to send their concerns to him in writing. Ms. Paradis of 206 Pleasant Street reviewed her concerns with the proposal. Ms. Cavicchi motioned to close the Public Hearing, seconded by Mr. Beaulieu, approved 6-0-1. The abutters exited the meeting at 8:3& PM! The Committee discussed the results of the Public Hearing. Mr. Campbell made the following motion, seconded by Ms. Cavicchi, motion approved 6-0-1: Move that the Reading Recreation Committee deny the request for Reading Youth Baseball to install abatting cage facility at Hunt Memorial Park. RECREATION ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT Mr. Connelly reviewed the Recreation Administrator's report. Mr. Beaulieu motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ms. Salter, approved 7-0. The Recreation Committee adjourned at 9:00 PM.