HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-10-08 Recreation Committee MinutesRecreation Committee Minutes
October 08, 1997
The Recreation Committee meeting came to order on Wednesday, October 08, 1997 at 7:30 PM
in the Conference Room at Reading Town Hall. Committee members in attendance included Chris
Campbell, Claire Bolger, Kate Kaminer, Lorraine Salter, and Dennis Lucyniak. Also in attendance
was Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and Recreation Administrator Joe Connelly.
Kaminer made a motion to approve the minutes of the Wednesday, September 10, 1997 meeting,
Lucyniak seconded the motion, approved 5-0-0
New Business:
Committee member Dave Bryant entered the meeting at 7:06 PM.
Discussion of Recreation Revolving Fund Spending:
Connelly reminded the Committee that the Recreation Division was anticipating a year end
surplus of close to $18,000. Connelly explained that the Recreation Division must determine
what to do with the surplus.
Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner reviewed four options with the Committee:
1) Additional Clerical Help
Hechenbleikner and Connelly explained the need for full time Recreation coverage during the busy
registration times.
2) Increase Capital Expenditures
Hechenbleikner stated that monies for capital expenses would help expedite playground
improvements.
3) Reduce Recreation Program Fees
Hechenbleikner and Connelly explained that reducing or flat lining fees would reduce year end
surplus.
Heckenbleikner cautioned the Committee about lowering fees or flat lining fees and then
implementing sharp increases during poor fiscal times.
Hechenbleikner recommends consistent incremental increases.
4) Adding Administrator's Salary in Tax Levy and Adding Professional Staffing from Revolving
Fund
Hechenbleikner explained that the Recreation Division is just about maxed out in it's program
offerings. Additional professional staff would allow for more programs.
Hechenbleikner also stated that paying the administrator from the revolving fund provided greater
stability for the position in unstable fiscal times.
This option would become increasingly difficult to justify because the revolving fund is generating
a significant surplus.
Salter asked Hechenbleikner for his recommendation?
Hechenbleikner stated that investing in Capital made sense until it could be established that
Recreation was generating a significant surplus on a regular basis.
Salter asked Hechenbleikner if the Administrator's Salary would be in the Town budget in the
future.
Hechenbleikner stated that a portion of the administrators salary may be in Town budget in the
future.
Hechenbleikner stated that with a change to the "Community School' model, a portion or possible
the entire administrator's salary may be added to the tax levy.
Committee member Sue Cavicchi entered the meeting 7:30 PM.
The Committee discussed the options with Hechenbleikner.
Hechenbleikner thanked the Committee and exited the meeting at 7:35 PM.
The Committee continued to discuss policy on playground improvements and PTO involvement.
Cavicchi stated that the Committee should adopt a policy and remain consistent in it's financial
backing of each school project.
Cavicchi pointed out that no financial help was given to Barrows School five years ago when they
came in front of the Committee with plans for their new playground.
Kaminer stated that Recreation was in different financial times and current groups should not be
turned away because Recreation didn't have the money five years ago.
Connelly stated that a major difference is that now theTown/Recreation is responsible for all
school playground facilities. Connelly also explained that capital money has already been
allocated for playground improvements and that surplus from the revolving fund would only be
used to expedite the renovation process.
The Committee continued to discuss playground renovations.
Bolger asked if the order of playground priority would change if a PTO offered to match funds?
Connelly stated that if a PTO wanted to recondition a playground immediately and monies were
available then the order of priority may be changed.
Connelly stated that all ten playgrounds will be reconditioned and that the order in which they
were completed was susceptible to change.
Cavicchi asked what the process was for a PTO looking to renovate their school's playground.
Connelly stated that the first step would be to contact him to go over materials, equipment, and
scheduling. Meetings between the PTO, Principal, Town Manager, and DPW would have to be
held before any reconditioning takes place.
Cavicchi suggested that the School Committee and Recreation Committee discuss the
Community School concept together.
Connelly stated that Dr. Harutunian and Peter Hechenbleikner would have to dictate when such a
meeting was to occur.
Bryant motioned to recommend using the revolving fund surplus for capital expenditures,
seconded by Cavicchi, approved 7-0-0.
Bryant stated that additional clerical help should be requested by the Recreation Division during
the budget process.
Connelly and the Committee discussed appropriate ways honor John Pacino for his life long
dedication to recreation and athletics.
Connelly reviewed some options:
A) Memorial Bench
B) Memorial Tree
C) Scholarship
D) Event
Connelly stated that the option he thought was most appropriate would be the re-naming of the
Washington Park Baseball Field to John Pacino Park, "Pacino Park"
Connelly stated that the fit was natural:
- Pacino coached RMHS Baseball
- Started Legion and Pony League
- Coached Pony League
- Field Scheduling
- Master Park Plan
- Loved Washington Park
- Title he loved most "coach"
The committee suggested a memo should be drafted to the Town Manger, from the Commitee, to
see if such a dedication would be possible.
Connelly asked for assistance with the October 18th registrations.
Campbell, Bryant, Kaminer, and Bolger volunteered.
Connelly discussed a request from a Reading resident to organize a Town Wide Scavenger Hunt.
The Committee discussed the proposal.
The Committee elected not to support the proposal because of the possible liability involving cars.
The Committee asked Connelly to suggest to the resident a scavenger hunt in the down town area
that didn't allow the use of cars.
Connelly distributed evaluation forms for committee members to fill out and submit to the Town
Manger.
Lucyniak asked Connelly if Recreation completed "Cori Checks" on it's coaches and employees.
Connelly stated not at this time.
The Committee asked Connelly to look into the Cori Checking process.
Cavicchi motioned for the meeting to adjourn, Kaminer seconded the motion, approved 7-0-0.
The Recreation Committee was adjourned at 9:00 PM.
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