HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-05-11 Recreation Committee MinutesRecreation Minutes
May 11, 1994
The Recreation Committee meeting came to order at 7:35 pm in the
Conference Room of Town Hall. Committee members attending the
meeting were Kate Kaminer, Lorraine Salter, Chris Campbell, Gor-
don Richards, Fred Conover, John Pacino. In addition were staff
Ruth Cogan and Joe Connelly and guests Jo Ann Simon and Cindy
DiVincenzo of EMARC.
Salter requested nameplates for all members.
Minutes of April 13, 1994 were approved as presented on a motion
by Pacino, seconded by Conover 6:0:0.
Minutes of April.27, 1994 were approved as presented on a motion
by Pacino, seconded by Richards 6:0:0.
Proposal from EMARC for Summer Adventures in Learning (SAIL) - Jo
Ann Simon from EMARC went over her proposal for a change in their
summer offerings for 13 - 21 year olds. There were questions and
discussion by staff and Committee members. Motion by Conover,,
seconded by Campbell to support the SAIL program in terms of in-
teraction with the Town's camp program and donation of our
facilities=passed 6:0:0. Motion by Conover seconded by Salter to
fund each person $155 per 2 two week session up to five children
for six weeks. If we get in a situation in which that is insuf-
ficient funding, the Committee will revisit the issue. Motion
passed 6:0:0.
Subcommittee Reports
Teen Center: Kaminer noted that the Rotary is thinking of adopt-
ing the Teen Center as'their annual project. Pacino suggested a
Splash Party fax',tYie summer. It was noted that it is the inten-
tion to continue'activities on early release days. Connelly sug-
gested starting with a small Teen Center facility with available
space and work from there.
Substance Abuse: Richards noted that there is one more meeting
before the group breaks for the summer. More discussion was held
concerning the Drug Free Weekend and the issue of alcohol being
served at the 350th ball.
Tennis Tournament: Salter noted that registration is slow at
this time. Notices will be sent again to the Globe and Northwest
Weekly. A proposal will be given to the Town for replacing the
Birch Meadow courts' nets with nylon nets and pole for $600 per
court or $400 per court keeping the old poles. Cogan noted that
if. there was vandalism to the new nets, keeping the old poles
would allow for putting back the chain nets if there was no fund-
ing for replacements of the nylon nets. Cogan will make arrange-
ments for the Friend of Reading Recreation to present the gift to
the Board of Selectmen.
Swimming Pool Task Force: Lorraine noted that the Task Force
representatives met with the Capital Improvements Committee. On
recommendation of the Town Manager, they are considering includ-
ing a new outdoor pool in the FY96 budget with the enclosure for
the 2002 budget. It would be an eight lane pool with a separate
diving and separate splash area. It was noted that there were no
senior citizens on the task force for their input.
Sue Cavicchi arrived.
Other Business
Cogan noted that she was putting together a meeting of the adult
participants in the Travel Team Basketball program for input on
problems and potential changes. Campbell and Richards volun-
teered to attend that meeting.
Cogan noted that another request had been received concerning
basketball nets for the Sturgis Courts. She will check with DPW
on the likelihood of their installation.
Campbell volunteered to participate in a group including girls
softball to either complete the press box or tear it down.
Cogan noted that there was a pending request for fields by George
Hines for 12 dates for a new Babe Ruth league. After discussion,
it was decided that an additional Recreation Committee will be
held next week to review the field requests.
Richards noted that home plate was stolen at Sturgis Park but re-
placed speedily by DPW. Reading Youth Softball has requested
that the Committee recommend that the mound at Sturgis be relo-
cated to 38 feet from home plate. There was consensus on this
point as girls' softball is the only group to use that field.
Campbell reported that Men's Softball did not think that any of
the three alternatives to Sunday morning starts would work
(Friday night games, go later on Sunday and using Eaton fields).
There was consensus to approve the Sunday morning starts for June
26, August 7 and September 9. It was noted that the group should
be told that it would unlikely that this approval would be
repeated next year so that they should start to think of alterna-
tives.
Pacino noted the kids field day on June 5 as part of the 350th
celebration.
It was suggested that another flyer be sentto the schools to
fill the remaining camp and swimming slots.
Meeting adjourned at 10:40 pm on a motion by Richards, seconded
by Conover.
f
Ruth L. Cogan
Acting Recreation supervisor