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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-11-20 Recreation Committee Minutesr` Recreation Committee Meeting November 20, 1991 A meeting of the Recreation Committee was held on November 20, 1991 at 7:30pm in the Town Hall Conference Room, 16 Lowell St., Reading. Committee members present included Chairman Joseph Giordano, Vice Chairman Cate Kaminer, Fred Conover, John Fallon, John Pacino, Thomas McGrath, Lorraine Salter,~Steven Sullivan, Tom Zaya and Ed Hanley. Also , in attendance was Recreation Super- visor, Lesley Wexler. M. Williams arrived late. Under the first order of business, John Fallon made a motion to approve minutes of the October 9, 1991 meeting. The motion was seconded by K. Kaminer. Minutes were approved 8-0-0. Approval of the Supervisor's report was the second order of busi- ness. Many questions were raised regarding Open Rec, and the Tennis Clinic. Ms. Wexler answered all questions, and a motion to approve the report was made by John Pacino, seconded by Fred Conover. A vote of 8-0-0 to approve the report was given by the Recreation Committee. At 7:45pm Mr. Giordano, Chairman, briefly reviewed the Pop Warner proposal for the Practice Field at the High School. As Pop War- ner was unable to attend the meeting, further discussion was tabled until the December meeting. Mr. George Hines (Commissioner of Reading Youth Baseball) ap- peared before the Committee at 7:46 to discuss the use of Hunt Memorial Field. A written proposal was submitted to the Com- mittee as Mr. Hines began his presentation by describing various acts of vandalism which recently occured at the facility. A sum- merization-of the R.Y.B verbal proposal which was given last Sep- tember was also reviewed by Mr. Hines. It was stated that in 1993, baseball games will be played every night, and Saturdays also, due to program expansion. Details of the proposal for a long term commitment for use of the field were explored. Mr. Hines explained that the items of the proposal could be indefinite, renewed annually, or could be made on a long term basis. John Fallon inquired again, more specifically about the length of the committment. George stated that 3-5 years would be ideal. John Fallon then expressed concerns regarding the turn over of Youth Baseball Commissioners and the probability of new commis- sioners not wanting or needing the contract. Mr. Fallon asked if RYB would continue to pay field fees. Mr. Hines said that he 1 thought that would be redundant as his organization would already be paying for maintenance. Mr. Hines last comment regarding the fees was that it would be considered. A discussion of the Summer Baseball schedule went on between John Fallon and Mr. Hines. Conversation continued regarding the fu- ture field agreement and who might have the authority to revoke the agreement, the Town Manager or the Recreation Committee. J. Fallon and J. Giordano felt it was the Recreation Committee's responsibility, yet Mr. Hines disagreed. John Fallon recommended that all youth and adult organizations be contacted regarding the proposal. J. Fallon made a motion to contact all the organizations yet the motion was tabled 8-0-1 un- til additional information could be gathered. The presentation by Mr. Hines concluded with the resolution that more information was needed to write a formal proposal, and he would come before the Committee at a later date when it was com- plete At 8:45, Jessie Mraz of the YMCA came before the committee to in- troduce her organization and their strategic plan and mission. Ms Mraz passed out program literature and explained her desire to have the "Y" become more dynamic within the community. At 9pm Recreation Correspondence was reviewed. Corrspondence from the Town Manager requesting the development of a Skateboard- ing Sub-Committee. A Sub-Committee was formed, members include J. Giordano,T Zaya, and Ed Hanley. At 9:05, John Fallon reviewed a meeting held with Ruth Cogan, Kate Kaminer, John Fallon and L Wexler regarding the privitiza- tion of the Grant Memorial Pool. Mr. Fallon stated that Ms Wexler had been ordered by the Town Manager through the Director of Human Services to write up a proposal for leasing the pool to an independent operator. Mr. Fallon explained that he expressed concern about this privitiza- tion on behalf of the Recreation Committee, the response from Ruth Cogan in regards to the concern was "It is irrelevant what the Recreation Committee thinks of the. idea. It will go forward." Mary Williams inquired into how much it would cost to develop an appropriate & legal RFP. She also asked where funds would come from to produce & process RFP. 2 John Fallon went on to review 1991 Pool Revenue & Expenditures and computed that a surplus of $2,975 was received. In conclud- ing his report, Mr. Fallon said that other topics discussed during the meeting included Teen Center issues, Town Wide Registrations, and the status of the Revolving Fund. The Recreation Committee agreed to discuss specifics of RFP at the December meeting. A vote of 9-0-0 was recorded in the af- firmative in relation to this matter. Three Sub- Committee reports were presented next with a member of each committee briefly summarizing the months actions J. Fallon presented a budget report, explaining that $21,931 would be returned to the Town's General Fund for FY93. The $21,931 being comprised of the Supervisor's salary, $850. in of- fice supplies & transportation, $2,300 for Spinning Wheels and approximately $800. to cover the 4.5% reduction necessary for the upcoming Fiscal Year. A Teen Center report was submitted by K. Kaminer and L Salter. It was reported that some progress had been made, and that the Sub Committee would be talking to the Town of Winchester and the - Drug & Alcohol Task Force for their input and expertise. Mr. John Pacino represented the Ice Rink Task Force, stating that the Feasibility Report was complete. He urged the Recreation Committee to consider speaking with Birch Meadow neighbors about the possibility of the rink being built in that area. Mr. Pacino, as well as Birch Meadow inhabitants, feel that the recreational area will be seriously effected as space is already congested there. Mary Williams made a motion to have J. Pacino work with the Ice Rink Task Force to draw up a map of where the rink would go;in the Birch Meadow area so the Recreation Com- mittee could see exactly what fields and areas would be effected. The motion was seconded by John Fallon and was voted in the af- firmative 9-0-0. A motion to adjourn was made at 10:34pm. The motion was approved unanimously 9-0-0. e tfully Submi ted, Le ey exl r Recreation Supervisor 3