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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-10-09 Recreation Committee MinutesRecreation Committee Minutes October 09, 1996 The Recreation Committee meeting came to order on October 09, 1996 at 7:30 PM in the Conference Room at the Town Hall. Committee members in attendance included John Pacino, Chris Campbell, Claire Bolger, Jesse Mraz, Dave Bryant, and Lorraine Salter. Also in attendance was Recreation Administrator Joe Connelly. Pacino made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 11, 1996 meeting. Mraz seconded the motion, approved 6-0-0. New Business: Connelly reported on the Public Meeting discussion regarding the proposed recreational area at 160 Hopkins Street, Bear Hill development. Connelly reported that a total of 15 Reading Residents attended the meeting. Connelly, Campbell, and Kaminer represented the Recreation Committee. George Foley from Reading United Soccer entered the meeting at 7:45 PM. Connelly explained that the 15 individuals were overwhelmingly against any recreational area being placed at 160 Hopkins Street. Residents concerns included: 1) Public access to the facility 2) Vehicle parking options 3) Traffic regulations on Hopkins Street Connelly explained that he was unable to answer any of these questions in exact detail. Connelly explained that he did receive phone calls from 6 Reading residents after the meeting in support for the playground. These residents had the following concerns. 1) No recreational site currently exist near the Bear Hill area 2) No one wants to turn the $15,000 back to Dolben 3) The future may bring more children into the neighborhood and we will have lost our chance for a free playground facility if we do not act now Mraz asked how long of a time frame we had to make a decision before the money was lost. Connelly responded that he did not know the exact date. Pacino gave some background information on the subject, emphasizing that there is no exiting recreational area in that portion of town. Connelly explained to the Committee that he felt there were three options the Committee could recommend to the Selectmen. 1) Recommend that the area be left as Open Space. 2) Recommend that a small playground is placed on the site. 3) Recommend that further information is collected as to access, parking, and traffic regulations and a subsequent public meeting is held. The Committee discussed each recommendation. Salter made a motion to recommend that further information is collected as to access, parking, and traffic regulations and a subsequent public meeting be held. This motion was seconded by Bolger, approved 6-0-0. Connelly explained to the Committee that the Pearl Street School field, now known as Longwood Place field, would be ready for use by the Summer of 1997. Connelly recommended that the Committee discuss the option of permitting practices for this field only. Connelly also suggested the Committee consider weather or not they wanted to make this a single use field (soccer only). Salter asked Foley how he felt on the matter. Foley asked about the lease, and suggested that any permitting of the field go through the Reading United soccer Board and not individual coaches. Connelly explained that permitting for practices would be handled the same as the permitting of games. The Committee asked Connelly if it made sense to make this field a single use field. Connelly stated that if the Town of Reading had all the fields it needed it would be great to have all_single use fields. Connelly reminded the Committee of the lack of space for every organization and that every field in town has some multi sport use to it with the exception of Parker, Little League Park, and Washington Park. The Committee suggested that if this field was designated for soccer purposes only then it would free up existing space for baseball. Salter suggested that we attempt to make this field a single use field for soccer. Connelly explained that he would. be meeting with Longwood Place to go over issues _as to time of use, parking, and building use. Connelly also explained that he was under the impression that this field would follow the same rules as the other 17 fields in town. Foley asked if by making this field a single use field, if he as a resident would be able to play baseball on the field with his kids? - The Committee suggested that a sign be placed at the facility stating soccer use only, similar to the signs placed at the parks prohibiting golfing. Connelly recommended that the Committee hold of on any vote until he has had a chance to speak with Longwood Place. Pacino asked if he could speak to the Committee on the Community School concept. Foley exited the meeting at 8:20 PM Pacino summarized the article presented to the Committee on Community Schools and re-emphasized his desire for Recreation to pursue this direction. Pacino explained that a Committee was formed years ago to look into this possibility, but was defeated by the school system. Connelly reviewed information which he gathered on the topic. Pacino stated that he understood that this idea might not be looked favorably upon by the school system but should still be pursued. Connelly stated that he would summarize the information gathered and will send that information - to the Committee and the Town Manager. j Connelly reviewed the 1996 End of Summer Report. Connelly thanked Pacino for his effort in contacting the Northeast Vocational School and their willingness to construct two bulletin boards. Pacino exited the meeting at 9:00 PM. Kate Kaminer entered the meeting at 9:00 PM Connelly explained that the areas that were hardest hit were session 3 of swim lessons and open swim. The Committee discussed ways to improve on the session 3 swim lessons and open swim. Connelly continued to review the summer report. Connelly answered Committee questions. Connelly explained that although the Summer season was down approximately $2,000 from what was estimated, Recreation still had a $2,000 cushion estimated in it's Winter programming budget This $2,000 will be used to off set any unforeseen expensed. Connelly reviewed the Recreation Administrators report. Connelly explained that Recreation will discontinue it's Friday Night Activity program leaving it in the hand of the weekly YMCA sponsored Friday Night Hot Spot. Connelly reviewed the progress of the current Capital Improvements plan. Connelly asked the Committee if there were any capital improvements besides the fields, courts, and pool which they wanted to request in the town capital improvement plan. The Committee came up with the following areas: 1) Playgrounds - Memorial, Killam, Birch Meadow School, Washington Park, Sturgis Park. 2) Storage Shed - A new storage shed for the Birch Meadow Playground area. Subcommittee reports: Teen Center: No report, meeting in two weeks. Kaminer motioned to adjourn, seconded by Mraz, approved 6-0-0. The Committee was adjourned at 9:40 PM. ;f, j z f/