HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-11-12 Recreation Committee MinutesRecreation Committee Minutes
November 12, 1997
The Recreation Committee meeting came to order on Wednesday, November 12, 1997 at 7:30
PM in the Conference Room at Reading Town Hall. Committee members in attendance included
Chris Campbell, Kate Kaminer, Lorraine Salter, Sue Cavicchi, Dave Bryant, Jack Downing, Pam
Andren, and Dennis Lucyniak. Also in attendance was Associate Member Bernie Winne,
Associate Member Mark Nelson, and Recreation Administrator Joe Connelly.
Cavicchi made a motion to approve the minutes of the Wednesday, October 08, 1997 meeting,
Kaminer seconded the motion, approved 6-0-2.
Committee member Claire Bolger entered the meeting at 7:40 PM.
New Business:
Committee members introduced themselves to one another.
Connelly reviewed the 1998 Summer Recommended Fees and Estimated Budget packet.
Connelly gave a brief history of the revolving fund to the new members.
Connelly explained that the Recreation Division was nearly 100% self supporting.
Connelly reviewed the Camp program and recommended fees.
Jr. Camp
25 participants x 3 sessions @ 89
25 participants x 1 session @ 49
Camp
110 participants x 3 sessions @ 141
110 participants x 1 session @ 77
Jr. CIT
12 participants x 3 sessions @ 105
12 participants x 1 session @ 65
Hourly Rate
$2.96
$3.26
$2.56
$2.80
$1.90
$2.36
Connelly explained the changes and additions to the program.
Bryant asked if we were covering additional cost with the proposed fee increase?
Connelly explained that Recreation would be covering some of it's cost, but not 100%.
Cavicchi asked what the increase would be to cover increased expenses?
Connelly stated that a $7 increase would cover 100% o of the increased expenses.
Connelly reminded the Committee that it was likely that Recreation would generate more revenue
than estimated because of increased enrollment.
Connelly reviewed the Swim program and it's estimated fees.
Level I - VII - 170 participants @ 82 $7.28
Water Tots 4-5 - 30 participants @ 35 $5.18
Water Tots 2-3 - 20 participants 25 $5.50
Connelly explained that the slight $2 increase in swim fees and the addition of the water tots
program should cover increased cost and generate a greater year end surplus.
Connelly explained that the swim lesson program was not generating the amount of revenues it
should. Connelly attributes this to cold weather, increased programs in other recreational areas,
and the strict lesson requirements.
The Committee suggested canceling session III of the lessons.
Connelly explained that Recreation would not be able to hire qualified instructors for only 6
weeks.
Connelly reviewed the Open Swim program and estimated fees.
Connelly explained that due to the number of complaints received last year from pool users, and
the negligible increase in revenue from the increased fees, he was recommending decreasing the
daily fees to the 1996 Summer rates. .
Fees: Child = $1 Adult = $3 Family = $5
Passes: Monthly Seasonal
Child $25 $40
Adult $45 $70
Family $75 $100
Adult Lap Swim = $2
Salter asked Connelly how much the Town would be willing to spend on repairing the pool if
something needed to be repaired?
Connelly explained that he would recommend spending in the neighborhood of $3,000 to fix any
repairs. Connelly stated he would not recommended spending large amounts of funds ($25,000),
to fix the pool for one season.
Connelly reviewed the remainder of the packet.
Downing asked how Recreation determined it's clinic offerings?
Connelly explained the procedure.
Bryant motioned to accept the 1998 Summer Fees as presented, seconded by Cavicchi, approved
9-0-0.
Salter asked the Committee to consider monitoring play at the new Tennis Courts to discourage
Non-Resident use.
The Committee discussed this issue: Drivers License Checks, Key Tags, Phone Book, Signs.
Connelly explained that no matter what the procedure, a monitor would have to be hired.
Connelly stated that any new process would be difficult to enforce and could potentially anger
residents and non-residents a like.
Salter explained that with the condition of the new courts the Committee should discuss ways to
give Reading Residents preference.
Connelly and the Committee discussed existing tennis court rules and regulations.
The Committee held it's election for a Vice Chairperson.
Lucyniak nominated Dave Bryant, seconded by Cavicchi, approved 8-0-1.
The Committee discussed ways to improve field scheduling in Town.
Connelly reviewed the existing problems with field scheduling and dual field use.
The Committee discussed: Permitting Practices, Permitting New Leagues, Discouraging Increased
Schedules for New Leagues, Discouraging Non-Traditional Season Play.
Connelly stated that before taking a vote on any ruling that would effect existing leagues, a
meeting should be conducted to receive league input.
Lucyniak and Connelly discussed the possibility of permitting practices.
Cavicchi made a motion to put a cap on any new league play in the Town of Reading. Recreation
will not consider field request from any new athletic leagues. Recreation is restricting field use for
the purpose of improving the maintenance and conditioning of existing Town athletic facilities.
Motion seconded by Kaminer, approved 9-0-0.
Campbell asked Connelly to invite the league directors to the next Committee meeting to discuss
field scheduling issues.
Winne asked if the Recreation Committee or the Town has looked into requiring new developers
to include Town fields on newly developed property.
Connelly explained that a similar concept was conducted at Longwood Place and the Bear Hill
Units.
Winne suggested the Committee inquire about this concept at the old land fill.
The Committee discussed this linkage concept.
Campbell suggested that the Committee draft a letter to the Selectmen on this issue.
Winne will draft a letter from the Committee to the Board of Selectmen.
Cavicchi commented that the School Committee made it a goal to investigate the Community
School Concept.
Cavicchi stated that the School Committee believed work should be done between administrative
staff inn order to develop a proposal.
Salter updated the Committee on pool developments.
Bryant motioned to adjourn, seconded by Kaminer, approved 9-0-0.
The Recreation Committee was adjourned at 9:50 PM.
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