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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-09-13 Recreation Committee MinutesE - Recreation Committee Minutes September 13, 1995 The Recreation Committee meeting came to order September 13, 1995 at 7:30 PM in the Berger Room at the Town Hall. Committee members attending were John Pacino, Dave Bryant, Sue Cavicchi, Andrew Viccari, Kate Kaminer, Lorraine Salter, John McGrath and Chris Campbell. Also in attendance was Recreation Administrator Joe Connelly. Representing the Reading sport organizations was Dave Blanchard, George Foley, Jim Kastinotis, Mike Moscariello, George Hines, Cathy Swymer, Frank Driscoll, Dennis Lucyniak, and Mary Robillard. Minutes of the August 9, 1995 meeting were approved on a motion by Cavicchi, seconded by Campbell. Committee discussion: Pacino stated that the correct name of the old teen center in Reading was the Rocketteen chub not Rocketeer, Minutes approved 5-0-2. New Business: Connelly explained the Committee's reason for calling the Reading sport organizations to this meeting. Connelly explained that the Committee is reviewing it's current $10 per game field fee, and is considering lowering the fee to a straight administrative fee. Connelly reviewed the amount of field fees that were collected in 1995 and their intended distribution. Open discussion on this proposal. Driscoll stated that he would prefer to give money to the Recreation Division and have some control over how the money is disbursed. Driscoll feels that if he gave the money directly to the Town Manager or D.P.W., he would have less of a say in how the money was disbursed. Hines commented that he feels the $10 fee is moving in the right direction and that to drop the fee after only 1 year of implementation, is not giving it a chance to work. Hines feels improvements are being made. Swymer and Driscoll would like to continue to give their money the Recreation Division, they feel the Recreation Committee is their voice in Town Government. Campbell explained that the Recreation Committee wants to get out of the field maintenance business, and by Recreation charging a fee this is inhibiting the process. Connelly stated that the Committee should be aware that if it decides to lower it's field fee, the Town of Reading could charge a separate capital improvements fee in which the Recreation Division would collect. Campbell stated that more money should be budgeted from the Town to the Parks department for day to day maintenance. Hines stated that the Recreation Committee, Recreation Administrator, and the sports organizations should go to the Selectman and fight for more money. Kaminer explained that the Committee has gone in front of the Selectman on numerous occasions expressing it's need for greater field maintenance. Kaminer explained that in the past promises were made and not kept by the Selectman. Recreation Committee member Gordon Richards entered the meeting at 8:15 PM. Connelly explained that the $10 fee collected was an administrative fee/capital improvements fee and not a day to day field maintenance fee. Connelly explained that this fee was not going to get them a guaranteed day to day maintenance (mowing, watering, grooming) of the fields. Kastinotis stated that little league baseball felt they were not getting their $10 worth of field maintenance. Kastinotis explained that they were doing the same, if not more work on the fields themselves with the $10 increase. Connelly stated that this is what Recreation has been hearing from the organization and users. Moscariello stated that the money spent on Lighted, Morton, and Street field has been wasted. He feels that these fields are in deplorable condition. Hines explained that the major reason for the field demise was the current drought and water ban imposed by the Town. Pacino explained that the Town should take responsibility for maintaining the fields from a day to day basis to the end of year capital improvements. The Committee explained that they would like to see the Town take more of an active role in the maintaining of fields. Bryant asked the group if by saving money on field fees, could a Friends of Reading Fields organizations be started. Lucyniak stated that he would like to receive access to more loam, clay, rakes, and a watering source. He feels that if these supplies were provided, the organizations could maintain the fields themselves. Connelly explained that this may be a possibility, however giving each organization the ability to water when ever they wanted may create another problem. Richards stated that the purpose of this meeting for the Recreation Committee is to get out of the field maintenance business. Richards explained that the Committee did not have the authority to make the day to day maintenance decisions that were necessary. After continued discussion a pole was taken of each sport organization. Mike Moscariello, Men's Softball - The fee should be reduced from $10 to $3. Moscariello stated that the service they were getting for $10 would not decrease by decreasing the fee. Frank Driscoll - Girl's Summer Softball - The fee could be decreased by a couple of dollars but should remain high enough to help with capital improvements. Driscoll believes in the ideas of the Committee. Driscoll would like to continue to be able to come to the Recreation Committee with the field maintenance issues and receive the Committees support. George Hines - Senior League, Babe Ruth - Hines believes the $10 per game fee should remain in place. Hines feels that the Town is moving in the right direction. Hines does not feel that after only 1 year of the $10 fee a decision can be made. Hines would like to see the organization support in improving the fields by discussing their concerns with the Selectman. The Committee would also like to get on the Selectmen's agenda and discuss this issue. Hines will get this issue on an upcoming Selectman's agenda. Connelly will mail out notices of this meeting to the sport organizations. Cathy Swymer - Women's Softball - Agreed with Driscoll Jim Kastinotis- Little League Baseball - Kastinotis asked if all capital improvements would be stopped if the fee decreased. Connelly explained that money is already allocated for recreation capital improvements and that the current fee helps expedite the number of fields that can be reconditioned in a year. Kastinotis did not feel that he was getting his $10 worth of maintenance, he thought $10 was to high but also felt that $3 may be too low. Kastinotis would rather the money be spent on some day to day maintenance plan. George Foley - Reading United Soccer - Foley feels that the fee is a "crutch" for the Selectman. Foley stated that if the Selectman know that this money is guaranteed year to year, then no changes will be made to the parks budget. Foley feels the fee should be reduced, unless a day to day maintenance plan can be developed. Connelly once again explained that the $10 fee is not and will not be a day to day maintenance fee. Richards explained that the way our Town Government is set-up, the D.P.W. are the only ones which are equipped to handle maintenance. Pacino commented that continued pressure should be placed on the Selectman Mary Robillard - Girl's Softball - Robillard would like to keep the existing fee structure. Robillard stated that the $10 fee did not effect her league. Dennis Lucyniak - Little League Baseball - Lucyniak feels the fields need to be improved and a maintenance plan should be developed. Lucyniak can not decide between lowering the existing $10 fee and not receiving extra capital improvements yearly. Dave Blanchard -Reading United Soccer - Blanchard explained the he felt that their organization was not getting their $10 worth of maintenance. Connelly thanked the organizations for their input and support in this matter. Sport organization representatives exited the meeting at 9:25 PM. The Committee discussed the proposal. The Committee is upset about transferring $4,000 in turf maintenance to D.P.W. contractual services. The Committee feels that this money should be returned if this work can not be done. McGrath made a motion to lower the existing fee to $3, unless the Selectman can promise to develop an effective day to day maintenance plan. Richards does not see the use of charging a $10 fee at this time. Richards feels the money and effort are being wasted. McGrath withdrew his motion. Campbell stated that it's not money but additional man power from D.P.W. which is needed. Cavicchi made a motion to drop the existing fee from $10 per game to $3 per game, seconded by Richards, approved 9-0-0. Connelly will begin the process of recommending a fee change. Administrator's Report Kaminer motioned to cancel the Baby Show and replace it with a bike decorating contest, seconded by Richards, approved 9-0-0. Connelly reported on the upcoming middle school early release trip, roller hockey league, and New York City trip. Bryant volunteered to chaperone the Hard Rock Cafe trip. Subcommittee: There were no Subcommittee reports. Other Business: Connelly reviewed and distributed correspondence between the Recreation Division and PAC 766. Connelly reviewed the newly developed coaches conduct policy in which all basketball coaches must sign. Kaminer suggested that the Recreation Administrator should have the final say in any situation. McGrath made a motion to accept the policy as amended, Cavicchi seconded the motion, approved 9-0-0. Cavicchi made a motion to adjourn, seconded by McGrath, approved 9-0-0. The Recreation Committee meeting y- s adjourned at 9:45 PM. (_J d