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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-05-10 Recreation Committee MinutesRecreation Committee Minutes May 10, 1995 The Recreation Committee unofficially came to order at 7:00 PM in the Conference Room of Town Hall. The Committee invited middle school student council members to attend the meeting as part of Local Government Week. Representatives included Jill Macari, and Connor Hardy of the Coolidge Middle Student Council. The Committee discussed with the students the process it goes through for implementing a recreation program and assigning fields. Subcommittee members briefly explained what their particular Com- mittees have been working on in recent months and the process in which the Committee goes through to implement a decision. Committee members asked both students for input on Teen Center events and other recreational programs. The Committee entertained questions from the students about up coming events and Committee procedure. The Committee thanked both students for participating in the meeting and for their eye opening input on some of the recreation programs. Jill Macari and Connor Hardy, exited the meeting at 7:50 PM. The Recreation Committee meeting officially came to order at 8:00 PM in the Conference Room at the Town Hall. Committee members attending were, F. Conover, K. Kaminer, G. Richards, J. Pacino, C. Campbell, and L. Salter. Also in attendance was Associate Member Dave Bryant and Recreation Administrator Joe Connelly. Minutes of the May 10, 1995 meeting were approved on a motion by Conover, seconded by Salter, 5-0-1. Recreation Administrator's Report: The Committee discussed the possibility of inviting Middle School and High School students to become associate members of the Recreation Committee. The committee feels that having Reading Youth on the Committee will give a positive perspective on programming. Joe will check with the Town Clerk to see if there are any exist- ing age restrictions for sitting on a Town Committee. 1 The Committee discussed the proposal by the Boston Globe to print and mail our Recreation Brochures. The Committee felt that this type of mailing would not work for our intended purpose. Richards and Campbell both spoke about the negatives of this type of mailing. Connelly explained that the Town Manager has given the OK for two new seasonal positions. Connelly further explained the ad- vantages of increasing the Sunday Basketball Supervisor to an hourly rate position. Connelly also explained the reasoning be- hind creating a stipend for three Ski Supervisor positions. Conover asked if the major conflicts in the Summer field schedul- ing were due to the addition of the Babe Ruth League. Connelly explained that the major conflict was with the Pony League and Babe Ruth League. Connelly predicted this would not create a problem because of the amount of time each organization requested and the number of available dates. Kaminer asked what the definition of 1995 was for the collection of field fees. Connelly explained the 1995 season only included the current spring sports. Connelly told the Committee that the new lights are now in place at the Birch Meadow Tennis Courts. Connelly explained that the lights will be turned on starting June 1, 1995 and will be as- sessed for lighting quality at that time. Kaminer asked that if the Committee should be concerned with the high numbers of slots available for it's summer camp. Connelly stated that once summer time became a reality for many parents, registration would increase. Subcommittee Reports: Teen Center - Salter and Connelly reviewed the Subcommittee's decision to dis- continue programming until August. The Subcommittee felt that the Teen Center had to compete with too many other Spring and Summer activities. Salter explained that the design of Teen Center ac- tivities was not to compete, but rather supplement. Swimming Pool - Salter explained the Subcommittee's proposal to have a swimming invitational this summer at the Grant Memorial Pool. 2 Salter and Connelly entertained questions from the Committee Salter motioned to accept the proposal put forth by the Subcom- mittee for a summer swimming invitational, seconded by Pacino, approved 6-0-0. Open Space Advisory - Connelly briefly summarized the mittee asking them to personally any feedback to himself. Other Business: Open Space Report with the Com- review the document and direct Connelly asked if a Subcommittee could be formed to develop and evaluate proposals for a new field fee policy. Connelly ex- plained that the Recreation Committee and Recreation Division was being held responsible for something that was not their respon- sibility. The Committee agreed with Connelly and developed a Field Fee Subcommittee. Subcommittee member include Connelly, Campbell, Bryant, and Richards. Connelly explained that he was asked by the Town manager to begin a review of FY 1996 Capital Improvements. Connelly asked the Committee what their view was on new improvements. The Committee explained that when dealing with expensive items, such as a backstop, only items that needed repair should be budgeted for. The Committee feels that it is more important to get as many fields reconstructed for safety reasons than for aes- thetics. Kaminer reviewed Committee. appointments and those which were up for renewal. Salter made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Richards, approved 6-0-0. The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 PM. ; 11_511~'r 3