HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-01-15 Recreation Committee MinutesRecreation Committee Minutes
Thursday, January 15, 1998
The Recreation Committee meeting came to order on Thursday, January 15, 1998 at 7:30 PM in
the Conference Room at Reading Town Hall. Committee members in attendance included Chris
Campbell, Kate Kaminer, Claire Bolger, Dave Bryant and Dennis Lucyniak. Also in attendance
was Associate Member Bernie Winne, Associate Member Mark Nelson, and Recreation
Administrator Joe Connelly.
Kaminer made a motion to approve the minutes of the Wednesday, December 10, 1997 meeting,
Bryant seconded the motion, approved 5-0-0.
Committee member Lorraine Salter entered the meeting at 7:45 PM.
New Business:
The Committee discussed the travel basketball participation and registration policy concerning
opposite gender participation in single gender programs.
Connelly reviewed the current policy.
Connelly explained that no official policy is currently in place regarding this issue. The current
unofficial policy is to allow girls to play on boys travel teams.
The Committee discussed the equity of this unofficial policy.
Connelly read the MIAA rule(s) regarding this issue.
Rule 46.1- "a school may separate teams for males and females for interscholastic competition in a
sport provided that teams comprised primarily or sole of persons of one gender shall be granted
equal instruction, training, coaching, access to facilities, equipment, opportunities to practice and
compete as teams engaged in a similar activity comprised or solely of persons of the opposite
gender."
Rule 46.2 - "a girl may play on a boys team if that sport is not offered in the school for the girl, a
boy may play on a girls team if that sport is not offered in the school for the boy. When a sport is
offered in two different seasons, each individual must participate on the team of his/her gender."
The Committee discussed the MIAA policy.
Kaminer made the following motion: "as long as the Reading Recreation Division offers equal
program opportunities for male and female gender participation, Reading Recreation
teams/participation will be restricted to single gender status. At the point and time where Reading
Recreation offers a program to one gender without an equal program for the opposite gender;
mixed gender teams/participation will be allowed. The Reading Recreation policy gives further
reference to MIAA rules 46.1 and 46.2.
Motion seconded by Bryant, approved 6-0-0.
The Committee reviewed the draft field permitting schedule provided by Connelly.
Connelly described feedback received from Reading Youth Baseball and Reading United Soccer.
Lucyniak asked if Killam may be used before t-ball begins play?
Connelly will look into this option.
Bryant asked what was to stop coaches from using non-permitted practice facilities?
The Committee discussed this issue.
Lucyniak asked if Connelly would call a meeting of the heads of the in town sport organizations
to review this schedule before implementing the final practice schedule.
Connelly and the Committee agreed that a meeting with the directors would help alleviate possible
scheduling problems.
Connelly reviewed the Administrator's Report.
Associate Member Bernie Winne reviewed a letter sent to Board of Selectmen Dan Ensminger,
regarding the land fill.
The Committee discussed the letter.
Connelly asked Salter, Kaminer, and Bryant to call Bill Hughes to set-up a meeting on the John
Pacino issue.
Connelly reviewed the latest developments on Symond's Way.
Connelly and the Committee discussed this issue
Connelly reviewed the Recreation Division's new program request for a part-time "Youth
Program Coordinator".
Connelly and the Committee discussed the remainder of the Administrator's Report.
Salter and the Committee discussed possible Tennis Tournament dates.
Salter has temporarily decided on 6/13 and 6/14.
The Committee discussed the Community Day Celebration and any involvement by the
Committee.
The Committee decided to lend support the day of the celebration for the community project.
Connelly and Nelson volunteered to assist with "Community Day".
Bryant motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Kaminer, approved 6-0-0.
The Recreation Committee was adjourned at 9:05 PM.