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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-01-08 Recreation Committee MinutesRecreation Committee Meeting January 8, 1992 A meeting of the Recreation Committee was held on January 8, 1992 at 7:30p.m. in the Arnold Berger Room of Reading Town Hall, 16 Lowell St., Reading. Committee members present included Chairman Joseph Giordano, Jon Fallon, Fred Conover, Lorraine Salter, John Pacino, Tom McGrath, and Tom Zaya. Also in attendance was RecreationSupervisor, Lesley Wexler. Under the first order of business, the minutes of the December 11th meeting were amended with the additon of Tom McGrath to the list of members in attendance. The minutes of the Dec. 11 meet- ing were approved,~with a motion made by John Pacino and seconded by Fred Conover. A vote of 7-0-0 was recorded to approve the minutes. Correspondence was reviewed by Chairman Joseph Giordano, with a letter from Town Manager, Peter I Hechenbleikner discussed first. J. Giordano explained to the Committee, Mr. Hechenbleikner's in- terest in holding a Town Clean Up Day this upcoming April. In- terest from the Committee to participate in such an event was positive. An exact date was requested so planni could progress. Ms. Wexler agreed to ask the Town Manager for a %efinite date on the Community Clean Up Day Event. Two additional letters were discussed, one from Dr. Munnelly regarding playground equipment, and the other from Eugene Nigro expressing thanks for all the work the Ice Rink Task Force has done. Next, Ms. Wexler reviewed the Supervisor's report, stating that programming was running well. A motion to approve Ms. Wexler report was made by Fred Conover and seconded by Steven Sullivan. A vote of 7-0-0 in the affirmative was recorded to accept the report. At 7:40pm, Mr. Pete Moscariello came before the Recreation Com- mittee to present a proposal to erect an outdoor batting cage at Morton Field. The structure would be permanent, and made out of chain link. Peter Moscariello handed out a Apec sheet, which showed the dimensions of the cage and where it might be situated. Mr. Mos- cariello said the bids had been received for the construction of the batting cage. The Boosters Club has agreed to underwrite $5,000 for the project. The Boosters will look for donations to help raise funds to cover this cost. The cage itself would be made available to any person/group oc- cupying tpp field. Apparently all baseball groups are in high ~~favor ofT~Batting Cage Proposal. Locations for the cage were then discussed in further depth. After much research, Mr. Moscariello found that the most level spot to place the cage is off to the far side of the 1st base line. Mr. Giordano asked if any alternative sites had been thought of at all. P. Moscariello said that a spot far in left field may be another level site, yet it was not as suitable as the one by 1st base. Chairman Giordano asked about electricity for the cage and who would be upkeeping it. P. Moscariello stated that at this time, no electricity was necessary, and that he would be responsible. Jon Fallon asked if an area closed to the. backstop was level enough for the cage. Coach Moscariello said haveing a cage so close to the backstop would be distracting to the playersd when on the diamond. J. Giordano said that if the cage were to be built, it would go along with permitting with Morton Field, meaning if a permit was granted for Morton Field the group holding the permit would have the rights to use the cage. J. Giordano inquired about liability. J. Fallon stated that be- cause the cage would be a Town facility and liability would be covered by the Town. J. Giordano inquired about a pitching shield and if one would be provided. Coach Moscariello explained that he was planning to place his shield in the cage with locks so it could not be removed. J. Fallon asked if piping was placed inside or outside the cage. Mr. Moscariello stated the piping was located outside. T.McGrath inquired about the use of Soft Toss Drills with hard balls within the cage. Coach Moscariello said that that would be very dangerous and sign will be posted warning of this activity. T. McGrath asked if it would be locked. Peter Moscariello said he wasn't sure at this time. Steve Sullivan asked what color the cage would be. P. Moscariello said it would be aluminum. S. Sullivan suggested that Coach Mos- cariello check and see it the cage site was located onany water mains as no buildings or structures can be placed on them. P. Moscariello said that he would check into all question asked of him and also speak with more neighbors to seek their approval of the structure. F. Conover asked about the security of the Boosters $5,000. dona- tion for the cage as the athletic budget at the High School is being cut drastically. P. Moscariello explained that the money raised for this was meant to support equipment and extras for the Town, not to supplement the High School Athletic Budget. F. Conover made a motion to approve the proposal of the batting cage. The motion was seconded by T. McGrath and approved unani- mously by the Recreation Committee with a vote of 7-0-0. At 8:31 Sub Committee reports were presented. John Pacino was the first to speak, as he reviewed the Birch Meadow Ice Rink site report. Mr. Pacino stated that several sites had been looked into and Birch Meadow was not an appropriate location for the Ice Rink. Traffic congestion, conflict with the Master Plan, and the possibility of losing recreational fields in that area due to construction, were Mr. Pacino's foremost reasons for labeling Birch Meadow inappropriate. Mr. Pacino asked the Committee if, as a whole, the group would be in favor of taking a stand against the site. J. Giordano, chairman, asked the committee if they wanted to take a stand against the site. S. Sullivan asked if opposing the site as a committee would really make a difference. Mr. Giordano said he wasn't sure if it would make a difference, but it could have some small impact. J. Pacino made a motion for the Recreation Committee to take a stand, pro or con, on having the Ice Rink built in Birch Meadow. The motion was seconded by Tom McGrath and the motion carried 4-0-3. J. Pacino made another motion, to simply support the ice rink concept. T. McGrath seconded the motion again and the motion carried 6-0-1. J. Pacino made a final motion to go on record, that the ice rink, because of traffic problems, the conflict with the Master Plan, and lack of land in area, not be built in the Birch Meadow area. T. McGrath seconded the motion and a vote of 3-1-3 was recorded. The motion did not carry. Mr. Joh Fallon presented a report on the AdHoc Pool Privitization Committee. Mr. Fallon stated that the concession stand should be kept separate from the privitization of the pool and that the Recreation Division should get a percentage of the profits. Mr. Giordano asked if getting a percentage from the pool conces- sion would mean other concession stands in town should be paying a percentage to the Recreation Division. At 9:15pm, the Recreation Supervisor, Lesley I Wexler departed from the meeting, as Fred Conover assumed the task of recording the minutes. J. Fallon reviewed the possibility of offering Extended Camp Care for our Summer Camp this upcoming season. Mr. Fallon explained the REAP program and Reading Recreation are planning om merging to give working parents a full day child care opportunity. Fur- ther discussion is expected at our February meeting. The Recreation Committee did not wish to act without a presenta- tion from Lesley on JOAD program. Possible topics for the February meeting were brought forward. These included : Teen Center, Dave Williams (both presented by Lorraine Salter), Fees for Summer 1192, and a Field Assignment Sub Committee. Under new business, Chairman J Giordano presented a review of the last six months, and possible topics which may be discussed at the Selectmen's meeting on Jan 28th. After Mr Giordano's presentation was complete a motion to adjourn was made by J. Fallon and seconded by F. Conover. Motion passed unanimously with the meeting ending at 9:50pm ful y submitted, Le"sle Wexler Recrea ion Supervisor