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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-08-14 Recreation Committee MinutesRecreation Committee Minutes August 14, 1996 The Recreation Committee meeting came to order on July 10, 1996 at 7:30 PM in the Conference Room at the Town Hall. Committee members in attendance included John Pacino, Dave Bryant, Chris Campbell, Sue Cavicchi, Jesse Mraz, Kate Kaminer, Lorraine Salter, and John McGrath. Also in attendance was Recreation Administrator The Connelly. Minutes of the July 10, 1996 meeting were approved on a motion by Pacino, seconded by McGrath, 8-0-0. New Business: Request from the Rovers Soccer Club (Paul Valihura, Joe Marshall, Charlie Serpa, Mark Johnson) to begin soccer play on a Sunday between the hours of 9 AM - 12 PM. Connelly distributed the proposal submitted by the Rovers Soccer Club. Connelly reviewed the aspects of the situation. * An established league * Volunteers in the community * Time not currently being requested * Coolidge has no direct abutters * Not a large number of people, not loud * A precedent would be set Pacino suggested the Committee either follow their own rules or remove the rule all together. The Committee discussed the situation. The Committee as a whole expressed their desire to keep the rule and enforce it more stringently. Pacino made a motion to deny their request to begin before 12 Noon on Sunday, but offer their team the opportunity to begin exactly at 12 Noon. Kaminer seconded Pacino's motion. Discussion: Campbell stated that the Committee may want to remove their current exceptions to the rule including RMSL and RYB. Kaminer stated that exceptions are OK as long as they are exceptions to the rule and not normal scheduling procedure. Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner entered the meeting at 7:45 PM Campbell called a vote to Pacino's motion to deny an exemption to the 12 PM Sunday Rule, but to offer the Rovers Soccer Club permits to begin at 12 PM. Approved 7-0-1. Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner reviewed the need for the Town to implement an Open Space Administrative Structure. Hechenbleikner reviewed the current Open Space and Recreation Report and it's need to have a standing Committee. Hechenbleikner explained the following five options: 1) Create a new committee which would have this as its sole function. 2) Delegate this function to an existing Board, Committee, or Commission--perhaps the Conservation Commission or the Recreation Committee. 3) Create a Task Force made up of other bodies that have an interest in open space and recreation matters. 4) Formal Task Force 5) A Committee comprised on alumni of each of the interested five committees. (Conservation, Recreation, Town Forest, Water And Sewer, and CPDC) Pacino asked the responsibilities of this new Committee. Hechenbleikner explained one responsibility would be Chapter 61 properties. Peter reviewed what a Chapter 61 land is and which properties exist in Reading. A Chapter 61 property is privately owned, but has open space uses. If the owner of a Chapter 61 property decides to sell, he must give the Town 180 days to match any offer. - Committee discussion with the Town Manager The Committee supports a combination of options 3 and 5 above. Review of the 1996 Reading Pony League and Reading Babe Ruth League season. Representing Pony League - Dave Polcari Representing the Babe Ruth League - George Hines, Tom McGrath, Preston Lucas, Chuck McGarret, and Jim O'Leary. Campbell and Connelly explained that the Committee would like to receive feedback from both organizations on the current field scheduling procedure. George Hines reviewed Babe Ruth's Spring, Summer, and Fall programs. In summary Babe Ruth services approximately 75 youth during the Summer season. Spring Babe Ruth has taken the place of the Senior League organization and services full size diamond baseball opportunities for all those who wish to participate. Summer Babe Ruth is also a non cut program which gives those who do not make the more competitive Pony League a chance to play Summer Baseball. Babe Ruth does have tournament teams, which is a select team from within it's own organization, which plays in competitive out of town tournaments. The Fall Babe Ruth League takes a more laid back approach and only participates on weekends. Dave Polcari reviewed the Pony League Season. Pony League is a competitive organization which offers three teams (one 13 and two 14-15). Pony League services approximately 39 individuals. Dave acknowledged that the one miscommunication which occurred was an oversight on his part. Questions from the Committee included: * Is there competition between the two league for players? Both organizations service the same population however seek different levels of talent. * Is it possible for Babe Ruth to start their season later in the Summer? No because of tournament teams and participation requirement? Both organizations currently request the same fields for the same times and dates. These request have been treated equally with both organizations having to make concessions. It should be noted that Babe Ruth does utilize the Austin Preparatory Fields. Kaminer commented that this is a change from the original proposal by Babe Ruth to take any field times remaining after Pony, NE, and Legion receive their permits. Hines commented that if it was not for the Austin Preparatory fields Babe Ruth could not offer it's league. The Committee discussed the condition of the Austin fields and past and current negotiations. Associate Recreation Committee Member Dennis Lucyniak entered the meeting. Polcari asked what the plan was for the Burbank site. Connelly explained that it was the recommendation of the Recreation Committee for a major league diamond with a minimum of a 250 ft. line. Connelly commented that Recreation will be attempting to place in cased bulletin boards at both Washington and Morton to post monthly field schedules. The Committee thanked both organizations for participating in the discussion and wished both leagues well in the future. Recreation Administrators Report: Connelly reviewed the Administrators report and highlighted particular issues: Travel Basketball Coaches - Connelly reviewed the agenda for next months meeting and potential coaches. Connelly reviewed concerns of fellow Committee Member Claire Bolger. Coaches of previous seasons are not automatically granted coaching responsibilities for the following season. However, in order to replace an existing coach the Committee must be have detailed documented reasons why he/she is being replaced. The Committee must also be able to have a new coach with similar or more extensive experience to take his/her place. Connelly explained that currently there is not an abundance of request for this volunteer position. Connelly did take the advice of Bolger and placed an advertisement in the Chronicle. Kaminer asked the question of sending out evaluations of coaches at the end of the year to players and parents. McGrath commented that you will have those who played giving praise and those who did not play giving criticism. Cavicchi commented that if more than one coach applies for a particular team the Committee would conduct the interview and the final say would belong to the Recreation Administrator. Bolger was also concerned with a the Recreation policy of only making 1/4 of the game mandatory for each participant. Bolger feels that in order to be consistent with our philosophy we should make it mandatory that each player play equally. Connelly explained that no matter what the Committee decided to do it must understand that it will never make all 12 players or their parents happy. Parent of players 1-5 will want more playing time for the higher skilled participants and parents of players 6-12 will want equal time for all involved. Connelly explained that the Committee must take a stand for what it seems to be equitable and stick by that policy. Connelly stated that Recreation has taken serious steps toward making travel basketball more equitable for all those involved. This included the 1/4 game policy. Connelly also reminded the Committee that this is a "Travel Team" and because of the nature of any travel sport must operate differently than the in house league. The Committee discussed Travel Basketball. The Committee suggested that they previously approved the 1/4 minimum per game policy with the understanding that no rule has previously existed. The Committee feels that our current philosophy can be kept with keeping the 1/4 per game policy. Connelly explained that Bolger wants to discuss this current rule at the next meeting. Kaminer suggested that Recreation tell the coaches that this will be the last year this program will be run by Reading Recreation. This will give the coaches one year to privatize this organization. Bryant agreed stating that this program cost too much money for too little return Pacino commented that this would give Recreation more time to put into the Sunday League program. This point will be brought up at out next meeting. Connelly commented that the Committee also has to stand by their "recreation first, competition second" philosophy of Sunday League. Connelly commented that there are those parents who would like to make Sunday Basketball more of a competitive league. Improvements to Summit Village - Both McGrath and Kaminer volunteered to help out with this project. Coming Together Dance - John Pacino, Sue Cavicchi, Jesse Mraz, Dave Bryant, Kate Kaminer, and possibly Chris Campbell volunteered for the event. Pop Warner's request for Sunday Morning Games - The Committee is sticking by their 12 Noon start Rule. Imagination Station - Connelly explained the problem with out of town users and private groups using the facility. Connelly explained that he is checking with town council on the possibility of permitting this area for groups larger than 20 individuals. The Committee gives it's support and will vote on a policy after approval from town council. Pacino exited the meeting at 10:05 PM. Mraz asked if Committee members could be sent a phone list of Committee Members. Subcommittee Reports: No reports Kaminer made a motion to adjourn, seconded by McGrath, approved 7-0-0.