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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-12-14 Recreation Committee MinutesRecreation Minutes December 14, 1994 ' - d rlr The Recreation Committee meeting came to order at 7:30 PM in the Conference Room of the Town Hall. Committee members attending, John Pacino, Kate Kaminer, John McGrath, Gordon Richards, Chris Cambell, and Ed Hanley. Also in attendance was Associate Member Dave Bryant and Recreation Administrator Joe Connelly. Representing the Reading Sport Organizations was Dave Polcari, Mary Robillard, Frank Driscoll, George Hines, Dom Orozco, Bill Clemins, Dennis Clay, Ed Kerins, George Hines, and Mike Moscariello. Minutes on November 9, 1994 were approved on a motion by Pacino, Seconded by Hanley 5-0-0. Discussion of Field Proposal Increase of field fee from $5 to $10. Connelly stated the intent of the Committee was not to hurt any individual` organization but rather help improve the conditions of the existing fields. Driscoll asked the question repeatedly "What do we get for our money". Reading softball gave $2,000 in field fees and wants to know what they received in return. Connelly explained which fields were reconditioned this past fall. Driscoll wanted to know how these fields were chosen and prioritized. Richards explained the process in which these fields were prioritized, starting with the high school varsity diamonds and then the safety of the youth fields. Hines wanted to know the possibility of a tiered system. Corporations and adult organizations would pay a higher fee than the youth organizations. Those organizations which play some out of town teams will pay higher fees than the Town only leagues. Hines also wanted to know who would run these leagues if these organizations did not exist. He pointed out that this responsibility would fall on the Recreation Committee. Robillard explained she would have a tough time justifying the increase to parents whose children are playing less games because of higher participation numbers and less available fields but still paying a higher fee. Robillard also expressed her interest in keeping the registration fees low so as not to discourage any participants. Driscoll wanted to know where the other 47% of the field fees were going. Kaminer explained that the fees went toward other recreation programs and expenses. Driscoll pointed out that any amount over $20,000 in the revolving fund went back into the general fund. It was his feeling that these monies should go toward field mainntenance. Clemins thought that double charging for rain dates was punishing those who utilized the field the most. Orozco did not like the way the orginzations were approached on the new policy. He felt they should have been consulted before a policy was voted on. Kerins wanted to know which fields were to be planned for the next fiscal year. Connelly read him the list of field recommended for fiscal year 96. Hines felt that too much emphasis was already being placed on fund raising in particular organizations. If fees were raised it would take away from the time the coaches spent coaching and more on fund raising. Richards agreed that the organizations did not receive anything for their field fees in the past. He further explained that the Recreation Committee was trying to change that. Connelly expressed the Committee's intention for raising the field fee. "The Committee was frustrated like everyone else about the conditins of the fields". It is the Committee's intention that the added funds help to expedite field recondiitoning and improvements, hopefully, making the ' field more satisfactory for all. Pacino agreed with Connelly and further stated Recreation's interest was for the conditions of the existing fields. Pacino believes that the Town should budget for field improvements. Field Policy Robillard feels that 2 rain dates a month was not enough. Her organization used Joshua Eaton 53 times because of rain. Connelly asked how many rain dates she felt were necessary. Robillard answered 20 rain dates per month. Clemins wanted to know what kind of maintenancethey were receiving for their money, Connelly explained initial renovation and reconditioning. Gray and Kerins asked for a pile of loom to be placed behind the backstop. Connelly asked if the organizations would like Recreatiion to become involved in the field lining. Kerins, Driscoll, Gray, Robillard all pointed out that they were satisfied with, their current system. They also pointed out that Recreations could not afford to line the fields, Kerins stated that Little League pays $1,800 for field lining per season. Robillard, Driscoll,and Orozco felt that a final schedule 30 days after the initial deadline was not realistic for their organizations. Orozco and Polcari stated that their ability to have a predetermined rain date was not realistic as too much relied upon other towns and their schedules. Driscoll expressed his inability to pay the fees at the beginning of the season. Hines suggested 50% at the beginning and 50% half way through the season. Connelly, and Kaminer explained that trying to collect the money was too difficult a task. Kaminer further explained that the Committee did not want to pull permits mid-season because the kids are the one's who would suffer. Hines suggested that a statement mentioning that "field fees" help defray the cost of all recreations programs be included. Orozco asked "what unique circumstances must exist for the committee to permit use of fields for practice." Connelly replied that this was put into effect with Pop Warner being a "unique circumstance." Hines suggested the policy reflect Pop Warner be the "unique circumstance". The Committee Amendments It was decided all amendments will be voted on at the January meeting. The fee will stay at $10 per game. The application for field permits will keep the same deadlines. The preliminary schedule will remain the same. A copy of last year's schedule will suffice. A final schedule will be handed in no later than one week prior to the organization's first permitted date. Rain date requests will be handed in at the time of the final schedule. There will be no fee for rain dates. Rain dates will be issued based on field availabliity. 100% of the field fees will be due with the final schedule. A statement on the policy and permit will state that field fees help defray the cost of all Recreation programs. Supervisors Deport Connelly asked if there were any questions on report. Cambell asked if the Roller Hockey program would continue, Connelly replied yes with some changes. Campbell motioned to accept Adminsistrators report, seconded by Kan-finer. 5-0-0. Teen Center - No report. Substance Abuse - Bryant review the up coming Drug Free Weekend. Open Space Advisory - McGrath commented on the results of the survey, specifically recreation and conservation space. Pool Task Force- No report. Other Business Kaminer read a letter asking for Recreation's support of a health program called "Safe Homes". the Committee decided to show it's support on a motion by Richards, seconded by Kaminer 5-0-0. Connelly presented Mim Jarema's proposal for a field hockey program on Sunday mornings. Richards motioned to accept, Cambell seconded 5-0-0. Motion to Adjorn 5-0-0 Meeting adjourned at 10:00PM. Joe Connelly Recreation Administrator f