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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-02-12 Recreation Committee Minutest.. Recreation Committee Minutes February 12, 1997 RECEIVED TO IN GLERK REtACf G> Ir3 SS. 37 All I The Recreation Committee meeting came to order on Wednesday, February 12, 1997 at 7:35 PM in the Conference Room at the Town Hall. Committee members in attendance included John Pacino, Chris Campbell, Dave Bryant, Sue Cavicchi, John McGrath. Also in attendance was Recreation Administrator Joe Connelly. Reading Residents in attendance included Cheryl Schaitel and Debbie McCully. Bryant made a motion to approve the minutes of the Wednesday, January 08, 1997 meeting Pacino seconded the motion, approved 5-0-0. Committee members Claire Bolger, Lorraine Salter, and Kate Kaminer entered the meeting at 7:45 PM. In Line Skate/Skate Board Area: Connelly introduced Reading resident Cheryl Schaitel to the Committee and explained Mrs. Schaitel's original roller blading proposal. Connelly explained that originally it was suggested that an existing recreational area be designated for in line skating. Connelly reviewed his conversation with the MIIA. Insurance regulations - require proper surfacing, equipment, supervision, policy and guidelines must be in place before any area is designated for in line skate / skate board use. Schaitel stated the need for such a facility in Reading. Schaitel reviewed an article titled "Have Yourself a Merry Little Skate Park." Connelly stated that the Town of Stoneham was presently in the process of building a skateboarding park, spearheaded by a private group of Stoneham residents. Schaitel discussed her conversation with D.A.R.E. Officer David Stemadis. Connelly asked if there was parental support in the community for such a facility? Schaitel responded that she had a list of nearly 20 parents in support of such a facility. The Committee discussed a possible location for a facility. Kaminer suggested that the Committee and Schaitel not let this concept die. Connelly suggested that Schaitel send Recreation a copy of the names of interested parents. Connelly and Schaitel will then set up a meeting of interested parents. Connelly stated that a private committee could help do research and create public awareness for a skate-board/in-line skating facility. Debbie McCully commented that she would be willing to pick up literature from an existing extreme sport park in Stowe, Vermont. Cavicchi asked Connelly to follow up with the Town of Stoneham to see how they went about building a facility. McCully suggested that if a facility was constructed, memberships could be sold to give financial support. The Committee thanked Schaitel for her time and suggested that she contact Connelly in early March to set up a meeting with parents. Bobbie Botticelli and Rick Nazzaro from Colonial Manor entered the meeting at 7:50 PM. Schaitel exited the meeting at 8:00 PM Connelly introduced Bobbie Botticelli and Rick Nazzaro to the Committee. Connelly reviewed his conversations with Bobbie Botticelli. ` Connelly stated that he was approached by Botticelli after an article appeared in the Reading Chronicle. Botticelli stated that Colonial Manor would be interested in donating $1,000 a year for Imagination Station maintenance. Botticelli would like the money not to be deposited in the revolving fund and would like Reading Residents not to have to pay a fee. Connelly explained that in his conversations with the Town Manger it was determined that the Recreation revolving fund would be used to accept any donations made to the Imagination Station maintenance process. Botticelli commented that she understood that a fee would have to be charged to residents in order to charge a fee to non-residents. Botticelli and Nazzaro stated that they felt policing the facility would be a problem. Connelly agreed that policing the facility would be difficult, but felt with the help of the in-town organizations policing the facility on a group by group basis and reporting to Recreation any mis-use, the facility could be monitored adequately. Botticelli and Nazzaro agreed that trying to discourage large groups of out of town residents from using the facility was a necessary step. Connelly discussed the supervision requirements currently in the policy. Botticelli recommended that we include chaperones in to the groups total number (1-19, 20+) in order to decrease group numbers. The Committee agreed that change should be reflected in the policy. Nazzaro suggested that out of the $1,000 donated to Imagination Station maintenance by Colonial Manor, the yearly fees of in-town large groups be included. The Committee thought this was a terrific idea. In-town large groups would still be charged a fee, that Colonial Manor would pay. This would result in no extra cost to Reading Residents. Botticelli and Nazzaro stated that they would be willing to follow appropriate steps as determined by the Committee. Connelly suggested that no donation be made until the Board of Selectmen adopt an official policy. The Committee agreed that the donation should be held until a final policy is approved by the B.O.S. Connelly stated that he will forward a copy of the permitting policy recommended to the Board of Selectmen to Bobbie and Rick for their comments. The Committee thanked Colonial Manor for taking an active interest on this issue. Botticelli and Nazzaro exited the meeting at 8:55 PM. Connelly continued to review the current permitting policy. Kaminer suggested that # 3 in the section of fees collected be changed to sound less threatening. # 3 A portion of the fees collected are used to help defray the cost of all Reading Recreation programs. Revised # 3 - A portion of the fees collected are allocated to the Reading Recreation Revolving Fund. Pacino motioned that the fees for non-resident large groups be decreased to $25 day, $100 month, and $500 a year, seconded by Kaminer. Motion defeated 1 - 7. Debbie McCully exited the meeting at 9:05 PM. Reading Youth Baseball request for special permit for June 01, June 22, June 29 for 10:30 AM for Hunt Park. The Committee discussed the request. Pacino motioned to grant the special permit, seconded by McGrath, approved 8-0-0. Reading Youth Softball request for special permit for 10 AM on Sunday, June 22 for Street, Lighted, Tennis Court, and Sturgis. The Committee discussed the request. Bryant motioned to grant the request with the understanding that if not enough teams register for the tournament, games scheduled to start before 12 Noon are canceled, seconded by McGrath, approved 7-1. Connelly reviewed the Administrators Report answering Committee questions. Connelly stated that he had been approached by Celebrity Marketing to host a fund raising softball game against ex-hockey stars and current hockey stars. The Committee gave their support. Salter discussed her involvement with the private indoor pool committee. Connelly explained that the Committee must decide on an alternate date in March for their meeting. The Committee will meet on Wednesday, March 19, at 7:30 PM at RMHS. The meeting will be held at RMHS so that the Committee can view a possible teen center sight. Cavicchi asked if Connelly had spoken with Dr. Harutunian. Connelly commented that his only contact has been with Principal, Frank Orlando. Cavicchi will talk to Dr. Harutunian. McGrath motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Bryant, approved 8-0-0. The Committee was adjourned at 9:45 PM. . ~f ~C X97