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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-04-08 Recreation Committee MinutesRecreation Committee Minutes Wednesday, April 08, 1998 The Recreation Committee meeting came to order on Wednesday, April 08, 1998 at 7:30 PM in the Conference Room at Reading Town Hall. Committee members in attendance included Chris Campbell, Dave Bryant, Jack Downing, Claire Bolger Lorraine Salter, Kate Kaminer and Dennis Lucyniak. Also in attendance was Associate Committee member Bernie Winne and Recreation Administrator Joe Connelly. In attendance representing the youth sport organizations: John McGrath, Babe Ruth; Dave Blanchard, Reading United Soccer; Gary Nihan, Reading Youth Baseball; John Kazaniovicz, Reading Youth Baseball; George Foley, Reading United Soccer; Mike DiCicco, Reading Youth Baseball; Bob Finnigan, Reading Youth Baseball; Frank Driscoll, Reading Youth Softball; Jack Webster, Reading T-Ball. Downing made a motion to approve the minutes of the Tuesday, March 10, 1998 meeting, Bolger seconded the motion, approved 6-0-0. Connelly reviewed the permit policy and explained the reasoning behind meeting with the organizations. Connelly reviewed the petition received from Reading Youth Baseball. Connelly asked for feedback from the audience concerning the current Recreation Committee policy. George Foley-Reading United Soccer • RUS is forced to rent space due to lack of available practice fields • All soccer is looking for is Coolidge and Longwood • Castine is unusable • Soccer only practices twice a week • No alternative to current policy Gary Nihan-Reading Youth Baseball • There is a lack of field space in the Town • Increase in need due to T-Ball and Soccer • Philosophy change in soccer • Policy is inflexible, rain dates and games dates • Discouraging if fields are left open and go unused • Has not received many complaints in the last few years Bob Finnigan- Reading Youth Baseball • Policy is easier to schedule life around • What are the negative aspects of the policy? Mike DiCicco-Reading Youth Baseball + Time slots don't allow for flexibility in practicing + RYB would of had to permit Austin Prep regardless of the policy + New policy causes a strain within franchises • Growth of Soccer has impacted available field space Dave Blanchard and George Foley responded to concerns that Reading United Soccer has changed their philosophy in recent years. John Kazanovicz - Reading Youth Baseball • No flexibility in practice time • In past organization would schedule practice around game schedule John McGrath - Reading Babe Ruth • Commended the Recreation Committee for taking action to correct the existing field problems • Was not aware of any complaints within his own organization • Acknowledged that the Town of Reading was in need of additional fields Jack Downing commented that this new policy has forced organizations to rent fields at Austin Preparatory School. This was something that the Town of Reading was unable to do. Gary Nihan commented that the loss of Memorial Park on a daily basis has had the most impact on his organization. Frank Driscoll - Reading Youth Softball • Explained that each organization was in the need for more practice time • Reading Youth Softball is willing to try the policy for one year • Reading Youth Softball had been reluctant to use Memorial Park and Coolidge Middle School in the past because of Reading Youth Baseball Dennis Lucyniak commented that he would like to try the policy for one year and that he would recommend to keep the policy in place. The Committee discussed the feedback received from the organizations. Lucyniak asked each organization to make Connelly aware of any practice time that was not being used. The Committee suggested that in order to give organizations greater flexibility they be allowed to use fields not assigned to their organization when those fields are left vacant. Organizations may use a vacant field, however, if the organization originally permitted the "vacant field" arrive for practice, the organization that is not permitted the field is to leave immediately and without hesitation. e Recreation Committee member Sue Cavicchi entered the meeting at 8:45 PM. This addition to the policy does not give organizations the right to use any portion of a permitted field that the permitted organization does not approve. Connelly will coordinate efforts between Babe Ruth and Reading Youth Baseball concerning available field space at Memorial Park. The Committee thanked the individuals in attendance for their time and feedback concerning the practice scheduling policy. League representatives John McGrath, Dave Blanchard, Gary Nihan, John Kazaniovicz, George Foley, Mike DiCicco, Bob Finnigan, and Frank Driscoll exited the meeting at 9:00 PM. Connelly reviewed the correspondence from Selectman Sally Hoyt regarding the Teen Center. The Committee discussed Selectman Hoyt's response. Kate Kaminer will contact the Creative Arts organization and discuss their proposal for a new site. The Committee reviewed three options presented by Connelly regarding the Symond's Way field site. The Committee asked Connelly questions concerning the three options. The Committee asked to go on record stating that they can not support any option that will include a firing range on a recreational site. Sue Cavicchi motioned to recommend option 6 to the Board of Selectmen. The motion was seconded by Lucyniak. Jack Downing commented that the Conservation Committee may not support options 5 and 6. The Committee approved Cavicchi's motion 7-1-0. Connelly reviewed the Recreation Administrator's report with the Committee. Connelly reviewed the latest developments with the YMCA and Nelson Burbank indoor pool partnership. Connelly reviewed the remainder of the report answering Committee questions. Jack Downing asked if a tile drain system could be installed at Castine Field to help with the drainage around the perimeter of the field? Connelly stated that he was unsure and would pass the recommendation on to the Department of Public Works. Connelly gave a brief overview of the FY 98 end of year budget and the current standing of the revolving fund. Sue Cavicchi motioned to adjourn, Bolger seconded the motion, motion approved 8-0-0. The Recreation Committee was adjourned at 10:00 PM.