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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-09-11 Recreation Committee MinutesD Recreation Committee Minutes September 11, 1996 ;fl The Recreation Committee meeting came to order on September 11, 1996 at 6:30 PM in the Conference Room at the Town Hall. Committee members in attendance included John Pacino, Chris Campbell, Claire Bolger, Kate Kaminer, John McGrath. Also in attendance was Recreation Administrator Joe Connelly and Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner. Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner discussed the current situation in the Human Services Department resulting from the leaving of former Department Head Ruth Clay. Peter explained three options to the Committee. 1) Keep the Human Services Department as is, and hire a Health Director/Human Services Director. 2) Reorganize the Human Service Department by shifting a division under another department that may be a closer fit. 3) Restructure by contracting out or doing some regionalization. Hechenbleikner informed the Committee that any major reorganization must be approved by Town Meeting. Hechenbleikner asked the Committee a series of questions pertaining to Recreation as it currently functions under the Human Services Department. The Committee discussed these questions with the Town Manager. Key Points: Kaminer - Recommended that Recreation not be placed under the Department of Public Works. Kaminer feels that Recreation would lose it's programming aspect and would concentrate too much on facilities. Pacino - Commented that he feels very strongly about developing a school/community partnership, which would include Recreation. Pacino feels that Recreation would be behind the times if not heading in that direction. Kaminer - Asked Hechenbleikner about the possibility of additional staff support for Connelly. Connelly summarized his opinions concerning Recreation being under the Human Services Department, Public Works, and School Department. Pacino asked Connelly to further investigate the school/community partnership idea. Pacino believed that Burlington, Lynnfield, Andover have all adopted this concept. Hechenbleikner thanked the Committee for their input and reviewed his time frame for making a decision. Hechenblekner would like all decisions to be made concerning the department by November 1, 1996. Hechnbleikner exited the meeting at 7:20 PM Pacino made a motion to approve the minutes of the August 14, 1996 meeting. McGrath had an amendment to the minutes concerning Pony League Baseball. The minutes should read "Pony League is a competitive organization which offers three teams (one 13 year old and two 14 - 15 year old)." Dave Bryant entered the meeting at 7:30 PM. McGrath seconded the motion as previously amended. Minutes approved 5-0-0. New Business: Connelly distributed the complimentary letter sent to the Committee by a very satisfied parent whose child participated in the Summer Camp Program. Pacino again voiced his opinion that the Community/School concept should be looked into for the Town of Reading. Connelly distributed the request from Reading Pop Warner for permission to start before 12 Noon on four Sundays. Lucyniak stated that the request has changed from beginning at 11 AM on all four Sundays, to starting at 8 AM on two Sundays and 11 AM on two Sundays. Connelly explained that this request has resulted from the RMHS Athletic Department's decision to preserve the Varsity Football Field, and the RMHS Band's request to practice on the Varsity Football Field. Kaminer suggested that we grant the exemption because of the extraordinary circumstances surrounding this request. Pacino voiced his discontent to have a rule that the Committee was not going to follow. Kaminer made a motion to grant Reading Pop Warner an exemption as follows: 9/15 - 11 AM Practice Football Field 10/06 - 8 AM Practice Football Field 10/27 - 11 AM Practice Football Field 11/03 - 8 AM Practice Football Field Motion was seconded by McGrath, approved 5-0-1. Travel Basketball Preview With Coaches Connelly explained the reason for asking the coaches to come before the Recreation Committee. Connelly then asked the coaches to introduce themselves and the grade level they were coaching. Representing the Travel Basketball Coaches - John O'Keefe Boys 7A, George Tribiano Boys 6, Steve Forlizzi Boys 6, Bill Clements Girls 8, Dave Roy Girls 7, Jim Meleshuk Girls 6. Connelly reviewed the coaches information packet and the Committee and Coaches- discussed policies. Connelly read the philosophy of the Reading Recreation Travel Basketball Program. The Committee and Coaches discussed the minimum time requirement per player of 1/4 a game. After discussion the Committee suggested to add a line giving the coaches discretion over playing time for disciplinary actions or missed practices. #13 - Playing time is based on skill and on court performance. The Reading Recreation policy is that each participant plays a minimum of 1/4 of the game. Playing time above and beyond 1/4 of the game is to be determined by the Head Coach of the team. Coaches may use discretion as to limiting a players playing time to less than 1/4 a game because of disciplinary action. Any disciplinary action resulting in a player playing less than 1/4 of the game, should be discussed before action is taken with the Recreation Administrator, Player, and Parents. O'Keefe asked if it would be OK to warn parent of the time commitment involved with the travel program and that two sports is discouraged. The Committee didn't have a problem with a coach communicating that to the parents. After discussion the Committee suggested that C be eliminated from the section regarding refunds. #4 - Eliminate - C) Refunds will not be given because a participant is placed on the "B" Team rather than the "A" Team After discussion the Committee suggested that in the event of inadequate numbers, players from a lesser or higher grade level may be used to fill empty slots. It should be noted that no player will be brought up for any reason besides filling empty slots. It should also be noted that players who are brought up a grade level to fill numbers may not be brought up the following year because of numbers. Change wording in number 6 and 7 in coaches information packet. A) No team shall be formed if under 8 players are registered for the team. If 8 players are not registered for a grade level, players from a grade level above or below may be used to fill in the empty slots. It should be noted that this will be for a one year term and is subject to change on a yearly basis. No players will be brought up if a team has adequate numbers for any reason. The question of insurance coverage was asked for transportation reasons. The coaches commented that many parents are involved in driving the children and that the coach does not drive every child to each game. The Committee reviewed the rest of the packet and picked practice times. The Committee thanked the coaches for their attendance and wished them well in their season. The coaches exited the meeting at 9:45 PM. Pacino stated that he felt the Committee should not of been involved with the in depth issues of the program and that we should not continue to support travel league teams. Bryant commented on the issue of telling the coaches that this would be recreations last year involved with the program. Kaminer suggested that we develop a plan to phase Recreation out of the program over a two year period. Kaminer felt that next year a Board of Directors could be formed to administer the M ~ program and Recreation could act as a sponsor. The Committee agreed that this would be a good option and we should continue to discuss how to phase this program out of Recreation. The Committee would like to meet with the coaches in December to present them with this option. Recreation Administrators Report: Sponsorship of Carol Ann Duffy's Woburn Racquet Club Tennis Program - Connelly explained that he gave Courtney the option to present a counter proposal Courtney did not respond. The Committee discussed the proposal. Kaminer motioned to approve the tennis proposal from Carol Ann Duffy as a 15% clinic, seconded by Bryant, approved 6-0-0. Connelly reviewed the rest of the Recreation Administrator Report. Bryant and Pacino volunteered to be at the 10/19 Basketball registration. McGrath motioned to adjourn, seconded by Kaminer, approved 6-0-0.