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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-11-04 Recreation Committee MinutesRecreation Committee Minutes - Wednesday, November 04 1998 ° ~P The Recreation Committee meeting came to order at 7:30 PM in the Reading Senior Center. Committee members in attendance included Dave Bryant, Claire Bolger, Jack Downing, Kate Kaminer, Chris Campbell, Sue Cavicchi, and Lorraine Salter. Also in attendance was Recreation Administrator Joe Connelly., Ms. Kaminer made a motion to approve the minutes of the Wednesday, October 14, 1998 meeting, Ms. Bolger seconded the motion, approved 6-0-1. Discussion on the Mixed Use at Symonds Wad Police Firing; Range and Recreational Fields Mr. Connelly reviewed the procedure for discussion on the issue. Mr. Connelly explained that any decision made by the Recreation Committee would need to be approved by the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Connelly read into the record the October 26, 1998 letter from Jeff Siena of the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association. The Committee and Lt. Silva discussed the recommendations of the MIIA. Mr. Bryant commented that the November - March use of the facility by the Police created less of a problem in his mind. Mr. Bryant and Lt. Silva discussed the issue of Police training in the colder months. Mr. Campbell and Officer peoples discussed the hours of Police training. Officer Peoples indicated that training would not go past 9 PM. Mr. Campbell inquired about weekend use. Officer Peoples stated that training would only take place Monday-Friday. Mr. Downing and Officer' Peoples discussed the types of weapons used. Officer Peoples indicated that shotguns would be used on site. Officer Peoples educated the Committee on the use of shotguns on site. Lt. Silva stated that the design of the range is to protect rounds from leaving the site. Mr. Connelly and Lt. Silva discuss the difference between the proposed range and the Camp Curtis Guild firing range design. Lt. Silva and Officer Peoples discussed the design of the proposed range. Lt. Silva reviewed the safety measures: chain link fence, signage, red flags, alarming the perimeter. Ms. Cavicchi and Mr. Connelly discussed the issue of handguns verses shotguns with regards to the MIIA recommendation. Mr. Downing and Officer Peoples discussed the NRA and ASTM safety standards for the design of a firing range. Mr. Downing talked about the proximity of the range to the ball field. Lt. Silva and Officer Peoples continued to point out that the proximity of the field to the Reading Riffle and Revolver Club should be more of a concern. Mr. Connelly and It. Silva discussed the procedures for site clean-up. Resident David Chase asked the Committee if they were in support of the mixed use. Ms. Kaminer stated that she was not able to make a decision at this time. Mr. Connelly discussed the regionalization concept with Lt. Silva. Ms. Kaminer asked Officer Peoples to describe an average day on the range. Officer Peoples indicated that the range would be used two days a week from 9 AM to 1 PM and 5 PM - 9 PM. Ms. Cavicchi asked what safety measures would be in place to keep the neighborhood children out of the site. Ms. Salter explained that the same problem exist today with the Reading Riffle and Revolver Club. Mr. Bryant and Lt._ Silva discussed the range facilities of other communities. Resident Debbie McCully asked Lt. Silva for an estimated price for an indoor range. Lt. Silva estimated $500,000. Mr. Downing stated his concern for the commitment to the space needed for a firing range and how that space would interfere with the Committees need for a Major League Baseball Diamond. Mr. Downing and Lt. Silva discussed the possibility of increased Police training in the future. Mr. Downing expressed concern over the lead of the shells. Officer peoples indicated that there were no issues with the old firing range but lead free ammunition was an option. Ms. McCully commented on the pollutants to the Town's last aquifer. The Committee discussed this issue. Mr. Downing reviewed his concerns with the outside dimensions of the range. Mr. Campbell made the following motion, seconded by Ms. Kaminer: Move that the Reading Recreation Committee support the mixed use of a Police Firing Range and Recreational Fields at Symonds Way with out identifying the types of fields at this time. Mr. Downing amended the motion, seconded by Ms. Kaminer: Move that the Reading Recreation Committee support the mixed use of a Police Firing Range and Recreational Fields at Symonds Way with a final decision on mixed use depending on the size of the two facilities. The Committee discussed these motions. Ms. Kaminer stated her high safety concerns. Ms. Cavicchi expressed further concern with the proximity of Reading Riffle and Revolver to a recreational site. The Committee discussed the mixed use concept. Ms. Salter stated that she could not support this motion and was not happy with the proximity of Reading Riffle and Revolver. Ms. McCully reiterated Ms. Salter's comments. The Committee voted on Mr. Downing's amended motion. Motion defeated 2-5. The Committee voted on Mr. Campbell's motion. Motion defeated 3-4. Ms. Salter made the following motion, seconded by Ms. Kaminer: Move that the Reading Recreation Committee not endorse the mixed use concept between a Police Firing Range and Recreational Fields. The Committee discussed Ms. Salter's motion. Mr. Downing is not convinced that mixed use won't work at the Symonds Way site. Ms. Cavicchi stated that she could not support mixed use period. Mr. Bryant stated that he could support mixed use with the scheduling of the fields for a firing range from November - March. Ms. Salter commented on the scheduling during November - March when the weather was appropriate for outdoor activity. Lt. Silva reminded the Committee that public safety was their jobs and that the facility would use every safeguard available. The Committee discussed the Reading Police use of the Reading Riffle and Revolver Club. The Committee voted on Ms. Salter's motion: Motion defeated 1-4-2. Mr. Downing made the following motion, seconded by Mr. Bryant: Move that the Reading Recreation Committee defer a decision on the mixed use issue until the Committee can see additional plans that support the co- development of the site. Motion defeated 1-5-1. The Committee instructed Mr. Connelly to inform the Board of Selectmen of their inability to reach a decision. The Reading Police Officers exited the meeting at 9:20 PM. Mr. Connelly reviewed the Recreation Administrators report. Mr. Bryant motioned to adjourn the Committee meeting, seconded by Mr. Campbell. The Recreation Committee adjourned at 9:30 PM. G,"