HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-11-18 Recreation Committee MinutesMinutes
November 18, 1992
The Recreation. Committee meeting came to order at 7:10 pm Wednues-
day, November 18, 1992 in the Board of Selectmen's Meeting Room.
Along with members of the Conservation Commission, present at the
meeting were Joe Giordano, John Pacino, Kate Kaminer (later), Tom
Zaya, Ed Hanley, Sue Cavvichi, Steve Sullivan (later) and Fred
Conover. Also in attendance for the joint session with the Con-
servation Commission was interested citizen John Castigan.
Jim Biller of the Conservation Committee discussed the purpose of
the joint meeting as twofold:
1) Potential playing fields at the Nike site
2) Passive recreation on conservation land
Giordano noted that the Master Park Plan Subcommittee had been
reactivated and that he had discussed capital improvements with
the Town Manager and Public Works Director.
Camille Anthony talked about the possibility of fund raising
events such as breakfasts at Bare Meadow.
Pacino gave some background about the Master Park Plan noting
that the charge had been given to the Recreation Committee.
Cavvichi discussed the possibility of a walk through of the dif-
ferent areas.
Giordano noted the spirit of cooperation and willingness to
provide the best recreation services at the most cost effective
ways.
Motion to expand the Master Park Plan Subcommittee to include 2
members of the Conservation Committee. Motion passed 5:0:0.
Needs for recreation facilities were discussed. It was noted
that field use is driven by demographic trends. The elimination
of neighborhood parks in their present use was mentioned.
The Conservation Commission noted that the Nike Site is rela-
tively close to a dead river. They are trying to get a protec-
tive corridor to protect the river as it is a critical area with
endangered species. They have an agreement with the Rifle Club.
Conover noted that both Boards have common concerns about being
left out of the process of the development of that land and that
they need to work together and reach consensus before presenta-
tion to the Board of Selectmen.
At 7:50 pm the Recreation Committee moved their meeting to the
Berger Room.
The minutes of October 14, 1992 were approved as submitted
4:0:1.
Supervisor's Report: There was confusion about the letter from
Drew Bililies concerning his request for a court on Wednesdays
January - March. The consensus was that the Committee would ap-
prove the same arrangements as last year; Cogan would seek
clarification on his request. The Barrow PTA would like to wait
until the February meeting to make their presentation for new
playground equipment. Cogan noted that the Y and Tom Darrin had
paid their outstanding summer bills. Giordano will contact Bill
Carroll concerning his outstanding bill. Report was approved
6:0:0.
Kate Kaminer arrived at 8:20 pm
Ironwood Golf - Meghan Dias gave a brief overview of the indoor
golf program. There would be a minimum enrollment requirement of
6 per class. They currently have programs with Winchester, Bur-
lington, Woburn, Stoneham and the Learning Adventure in
Cambridge. There would be 2 pros per 20 students. Scholarships
would be available. Conover was concerned that due to the 15%
clinic fee required by the Recreation Committee, the costs to
Reading residents would be higher than other communities. Dias
said that the fees could be adjusted in order that they be com-
petitive with other communities. She will send Cogan a revised
letter and Cogan will advertise the programs.
Reading Y Jesse Mraz from the Reading Y addressed the Com-
mittee. She noted her sincere appreciation for the efforts of
members of the Teen Center Subcommittee. She discussed future
cooperative ventures such as Summerfest, a Family Fest and the
350th celebrations. She noted that the Y and Recreation programs
should complement each other rather than compete with each other.
Kaminer noted that some programs such as the summer camp are com-
petitive. Mraz noted that the combined programs still would not
be able to accommodate all Reading schoolchildren. She would
like to establish dialogue with the new supervisor.
The Woburn City Band Concert of November 15 was a great success.
$240 in donations were collected and it was an outstanding
program. Discussion began as to whether this should be an annual
event. It was decided that discussion should wait until the sum-
mer programming was discussed..
Giordano passed out copies of the Reading Baseball School flyer.
Giordano will write a letter to the Board of Selectmen supporting
their appointment of Ted McIntire as DPW Director. Motion passed
6:0:0.
New Supervisor's position - Giordano noted that he and Kaminer
attended a meeting with Munnelly, Hoyt and Hechenbleikner last
Monday. He read the Town Manager's memo of November 18 as well
as the Outline of an Agreement for the Consolidation of the
Recreation Supervisor's Position with the Summer School
Director's Position. Hanley asked what role the Recreation Com-
mittee would have in the hiring process. It was discussed that
past practice was that a subcommittee received copies of applica-
tion and gave their recommendations for interviews. The Depart-
ment Head interviewed the candidates; the Town Manager, Depart-
ment Head and representative of the Recreation Committee did the
final interviews. The Committee instructed Cogan to send a memo
to the Town Manager suggesting that the words "and Recreation
Committee' be inserted after the words "the Superintendent" in #3
of the Outline. It was asked if the position would be fully
benefited. Cogan said she would check. Conover asked what nega-
tives did anyone see? Giordano and Kaminer both noted that they
saw none. Giordano felt that the number of hours added to the
position was more than enough to do the work of the Summer School
coordination including the paperwork, as the support staff was
not being increased. He did note the possibility of the neces-
sity to hire a guidance counselor to be present at the site of
the Summer School during hours of operation.
The Town Manger had sent a memo concerning the pad at the
softball field where the bleachers were removed. The Town will
install the pad. Giordano has secured the funding.
Cogan passed out a copy of the list of different sports organiza-
tions and asked for updates for contact persons.
The meeting adjourned at 10:05 pm
Ruth L. Cogan
Acting Recreation Supervisor