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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-12-13 Recreation Committee MinutesRecreation Committee Minutes December 13, 1995 The Recreation Committee meeting came to order on December 13, 1995 at 7:30 PM in the Berger Room at the Town Hall. Committee members in attendance included Lorraine Salter, Kate Kaminer, Chris Campbell, Dave Bryant, Sue Cavicchi, John Pacino, and Gordon Richards. Also in attendance was Recreation Administrator Joe Connelly and travel basketball coach John O'Keefe. Minutes of the November 8, 1995 meeting were approved on a motion by Campbell, seconded by Bryant, 4-0-3. New Business: Travel Basketball Program Review: Connelly discussed the issues with the Reading Recreation Travel Basketball Program including: Privatization, Equal Teams, Selection of Coaches, Numbers per Team, Combination Teams, and Playing Time. O'Keefe discussed the concerns with gym time and the expense of gym time if the program is not under the control of Recreation. O'Keefe explained that the biggest obstacle was the amount of gym time. O'Keefe proposed developing a Reading Basketball Board to coordinate the travel basketball program, under the umbrella of Recreation. O'Keefe explained that it wasn't the administrative work that was the problem, but it is the gym time expense. Connelly explained that the amount of time to coordinate this activity was tremendous and the board would have to be aware of this. O'Keefe explained that Recreation could avoid some of the existing problem by setting standards and sticking to them. The Committee and O'Keefe discussed how to improve the Sunday League Program. The Committee decided to set up a subcommittee to address the issue of a Travel Basketball Program Board of Directors. Richards volunteered to help coordinate this board. Connelly will organize the subcommittee and solicit volunteers from the travel basketball program. The Committee thanked O'Keefe for his participation and O'Keefe exited the meeting at 8:30 PM. Administrator Report: Connelly reviewed the administrators report and answered questions from the Committee. Connelly reviewed the $3 per game field fee decision. Connelly explained that this is temporarily on the Selectmen's Agenda for January 2, 1996. The Committee discussed the field fee issue. Connelly will make the Committee aware of the exact time and date this issue will be on the Selectmen's Agenda. Connelly reviewed the program numbers for this season's programs. New Business: Recreation Committee Budget Review: Selectman George Hines and Human Services Director Ruth Clay entered the meeting at 8:45 PM. Connelly and Clay reviewed the current proposed budget and reason for requesting $1,100 from the general fund. Richards explained that he felt the Administrator's salary should be taken from the general fund like other town employees. Kaminer explained that the $1,100 doesn't begin to cover the expenses, but would be a show of good faith on behalf of the Town. Hines explained that the Committee would have to prioritize whether they wanted to push the $1,100 or increased field improvements money. Hines explained that the revolving fund is utilized because fees collected by the Recreation Division are deposited in the revolving fund. Clay supported the use of the revolving fund. The Committee and Clay explained their concern of the revolving fund being used for tennis light cost, ice skating light cost, and other maintenance issues. Kaminer asked if it would be beneficial to proceed with either the maintenance or the $1,100. Hines suggested that the Committee proceed with the $1,100 to set groundwork for the future. Hines suggested that the Committee write up their intent and give an up to date cost estimate of the revolving funds current financial status. The Committee thanked Clay and Hines for their participation. Clay and Hines existed the meeting at 9:25 PM. John and Margery Pacino Bandstand: Connelly asked the Committee to re-vote the name of the bandstand for the record. Richards made a motion that the bandstand at Memorial Park be named the John and Margery Pacino Bandstand, seconded by Cavicchi, 7-0-0. Richards existed the meeting at 9:35 PM. Pacino asked the Committee for their support of a new bandstand being built at either the existing site or a site to be determined later. Pacino explained that the Summerfest Committee, together with the support of other groups in town would help support this project. Salter made a motion that the Recreation Committee support the idea of having a town centered bandstand by the year 2000, Bryant seconded the motion, 6-0-0. Pacino exited the meeting at 9:45 PM. Subcommittee reports: Substance abuse - Bryant reviewed the two events that the high school offered on alcohol and drug abuse. Bryant explained that the Committee has not met yet this month. Teen Center - Connelly and Salter reviewed the latest Friday Night Activity. The Committee brainstormed ways of increasing the number of chaperones per event. Connelly announced that he needed help on 1/10/96 with an early release event. New Business: Semi-Pro Inter-City League: Connelly reviewed the proposal form Jack Webster to start a Semi-Pro baseball league in Reading. Connelly also reviewed the current field scheduling problems for the nights requested and the current demands on the fields. The Committee discussed the proposal. Cavicchi made a motion to deny the request of the Inter-City League proposal at the present time because of field restrictions and current field conditions, seconded by Campbell, 5-0-0. Cavicchi made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Salter, 5-0-0. The Recreation Committee meeting was adjourned at 10:15 PM.