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Home My WebLink About1991-09-19 Recreation Committee MinutesRecreation Committee Meeting September 19, 1991 A meeting of the Recreation Committee was held on September 19, 1991 at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Conference Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading. Committee members present included Chairman Joe Giordano, Vice Chairman Cate Kaminer, Fred Conover, John Fallon, Lorraine Salter, Tom McGrath, Gary Roberts, and John Pacino. Also in attendance was the Recreation Supervisor, Lexley Wexler. Under the first order of business the committee voted to ap- prove the minutes of the August 14, 1991 meeting by a vote of 5:0:2. Next the committee reviewed the Spinning Wheels Program, whose funds are being cut from the Recreation budget. The Town Manager was also present for this discussion. Drew Billilies, the individual who developed the program, came to address the committee on the value of such a program. Several citizens/parents with special needs children in the program came to speak about the need for this recreation program for their children. After several comments from those in attendance, com- mittee member. John Fallon questioned the Town Manager about the cut, as there is sufficient money in the budget to support the program. Committee member Fred Conover apologized to the members of the program for the way in which the budget cut was made. Committee member Lorraine Salter also reiterated Mr. Conover's comments. The Supervisor of Recreation, Lesley Wexler, reviewed for all those in attendance how the budget cut was decided. She noted that the Spinning Wheels Program was the only program which did not generate revenue, therefore, she had no choice but to cut in that area. Drew stated that he would be willing to put together a proposal for a fund raiser if it would help to save his program. In response, committee member Fred Conover stated that Drew should do whatever he can to fund raise. At the end of the discussion one of the citizens noted for the committee that Building 19 1/2 was looking for some unusual/at risk programs to donate money for financial support. It was suggested that they contact Building 19 1/2 for further information. At the conclusion of the Spinning Wheels Program review, the Chairman, Joe Giordano, made a statement to all those present that he was both "empathetic and sympathetic" to their situation. He noted that the committee "will make every effort to continue the program but could not make any guarantees". Next the committee met with Mr. George Hines, Town Selectman and Commissioner of Reading Youth Baseball. He presented a proposal whereby the Reading Youth Baseball would take care of all maintenance on Hunt Memorial Park and in return they would like a signed long-term agreement for.the complete control of the use and scheduling of the field. After a question from a com- mittee member, Mr. Hines stated that it would be 11100% Reading residents participant of the field". Committee member Fred Conover questioned if there was a problem with scheduling in the past and why the element of doubt. Mr. Hines stated that it was not a problem, however, the league "did not want to put money into the field without being sure that Little League had the control". Many of the committee members spoke out against this agree- ment. John Pacino stated that the Little League has always put a lot into the field over the years without the need for control. He questioned why it was necessary for this arrangement to change now. Tom McGrath noted that Little League was always given priority on the field, and that girls softball was always the one to be turned down. John Pacino added that he had a problem with "public owned land to be for only one group". The Town Manager spoke on behalf of the agreement, stating that it would help to relieve the burden from the town main- tenance budget. John Fallon stated-that he was of the same feeling as the other committee members and has a problem with "exclusive use for one group". Cate Kaminer was, of the opinion that Little League was "looking for something in return" and she could not understand why they need this additional assurance. Joe Giordano stated the need for the field to be open to the entire community. Fred Conover commented that "what we are talking about is control - and cannot see why I would want to turn my control over to Little League". He also noted that he has spent over 20 years with the league as both a player and a coach and has never had a problem with field schedules. he added that he was not in favor of "privitizing" and giving "control to one group". As a final comment on this issue the Chairman, Joe Giordano, asked the question "what's to keep all town fields from having the same opportunity?". He then added that he opposes the con- cept of the agreement itself. When the chairman asked if the committee would like to vote, John Fallon suggested that the committee review the proposal. George Hines agreed to come back with a proposal to the com- mittee. Under the next order of business the committee reviewed the Recreation budget with the Town Manager. The Town manager also informed the committee that the Rules & Regulations for the Parks & Playgrounds will be advertised and another hearing will be held to address the minor changes to these rules. The Town Manager also informed the committee that the routine inspection of the playground areas (equipment) will be delegated to Lexley Wexler, Recreation Supervisor. Lesley stated that she feels she does not have the time nor the expertise to recognize the defects and that it had always been done in the past by the Department of Public Works staff. Committee member Steven Sullivan offered to help do the inspec- tions. John Fallon stated, with John Pacino in agreement, that it should be a Public Works job. The Town Manager responded that the Public Works will do all the repairs. Next the Town Manager addressed the issue of the wall at Washington Street Park. The agreement was to remove the wall in order to eliminate loitering and anti-social behavior in the area. The committee was in agreement, however, they felt it was only a bandaid effect and could not solve the all over problem. Committee member Fred Conover asked the Town Manager about new programs for the department. He responded by saying that the Recreation Committee could develop new programs at this time. The committee noted that they did not want to put a cap on new programs, and in particular, "user fee" programs. Regarding programs, the committee instructed Lesley to send a letter to Drew of the Spinning.Wheels Program, to attend the next meeting of the Recreation Committee so that he can address the financial issues relevant to his programs. The chairman asked for two volunteers from the committee to serve as liasons on the Drug and Alcohol Task Force. John Fallon and Lorraine Salter agreed to serve. Next the chairman read a letter of resignation from Joe Con- nolly into the record. He instructed Lesley to send him a note in return to acknowledge his letter and to thank him for his years of service on the committee. After a very brief update by the Recreation Supervisor, it was moved and approved, 7:0, to accept the Supervisor's Report as presented. Gary Roberts and Lorraine Salter informed the committee that everything is in place for the upcoming tennis tournament. They were still looking for donations for tennis balls and trophies. A review of the Fall programs included the following: -Adult Volleyball -Open Recreation -After School Sports -Reading Youth Basketball -Preschool Clinic Tumble Bunnies Program As a final order of business the Chair made the following appointments: Liason to Various Groups: John Fallon Field Assignment Committee: John Fallon Tom McGrath Steve Sullivan Budget: Cate Kaminer John Fallon Fred Conover Master Park Plan: John Pacino Tom McGrath Steve Sullivan Teen Center: Lorraine Salter Cate Kaminer Gary Roberts Touch of Class Concerts: John Pacino Mary Williams Ad Hoc Committee to Consider Rules & Regs for Vendors: John Pacino Steve Sullivan Gary Roberts AT 11:35 p.m. it was moved and approved, 7:0, to adjourn the meeting of the Recreation Committee. Respectfully Submitted by: Gail A. Faller Secretary to the Board