HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-08-14 Recreation Committee MinutesRecreation Committee Meeting
August 14, 1991
A public meeting of the Recreation Committee was held on
August 14, 1991 at 7:30 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Town
Hall, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA. Members present included
Chairman Joe Giordano, Vice Chairman Cate Kaminer, Fred Connover,
John Pacino, and Tom McGrath. Also in attendance were Associate
Members Steven Sullivan and Gary Roberts, and Recreation Director
Lesley Wexler.
Under the first order of business the Board approved the
minutes of the July 10, 1991 meeting, as amended (to include Cate
Kaminer in attendance), by a vote of 5:0.
The next order of business was a review and discussion by
the Board regarding a draft of priorities for the Department of
Human Services compiled by the Town Manager and Director of Human
Services. The Chairman stated that he would like to have some
input on the issues that would effect Recreation. Several mem-
bers questioned the purpose and function of the Recreation Com-
mittee with regard to input for future policy and operational
changes.
A memo from the Town Manager on the issue of the Town Budget
prompted a lengthy discussion with regard to Recreational cuts.
It was noted by the members that almost all of the programs
showed a profit. It was the feeling of the membership that the
programs supported themselves and therefore would cost the Town
monies if eliminated. Suggestions to cut costs included elimina-
tion of the special needs programs: Camp Hope and Spinning
Wheels. Following the discussion it was moved and approved by a
vote of 5:0, to invite the Director of Human Services or the Town
Manager to the next Recreation Committee meeting so that these
budget concerns could be addressed.
Next the Supervisor, Lesley Wexler, gave an updated report
on the status of the summer programs. "Overall things are going
well". Lesley noted only one problem with the T-ball instructor
regarding complaints from a few parents and the way in which the
instructor had set up his program. She stated that she spoke to
him directly about incorporating a little more "play time" into
his T-ball instruction and that appeared to resolve the issue.
The Chairman, Mr. Giordano, "commended Lesley for handling the
issue well". Following the discussion it was moved, seconded,
and approved, 5:0, to accept the Supervisor's report of progress
as presented.
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Old Business:
Under old business the committee discussed the upcoming ten-
nis tournament for October. Various suggestions from committee
members for a specific weekend date was reviewed, as well as in-
put regarding the application process, costs (i.e. trophies),
sufficient time frame to coordinate the program, and sub com-
mittee possibilities. Several members were in agreement that
this should be a cooperative effort along with the Friends of
Reading Recreation. As the discussion ended, it was moved and
approved, 5:0, that the Reading Recreation Department, in con-
junction with the Friends of Reading Recreation, will hold a ten-
nis tournament in October, to be sponsored by the Friends of
Reading Recreation. Following the vote, an Ad Hoc Committee was
appointed for the tennis tournament which included: Cate Kaminer,
Lorraine Salter, and Gary Roberts.
Next the committee reviewed the final draft of the Rules &
Regulations relating to Parks, Playgrounds, and Recreation Areas
in the Town of Reading. Several minor changes were made as fol-
lows:
1) On page 1, under Section 10-402, eliminate
# 2 - "Director... etc."
2) On page 3, under Rule #4, insert the words
"No person shall" in front of Damage
3) On page 4, under b, insert the words
"No person shall" in front of Climb
After a brief review of this final draft, it was moved and
approved, 5:0, to accept the Rules and Regulations as amended and
as agreed with by the Town Manager prior to this meeting.
Following the committee's lengthy discussion regarding the
closing of an easement at Washington Park, the Recreation Com-
mittee decided to make a formal statement on this issue. It was
then moved, seconded, and approved by a vote of 5:0, that the
Reading Recreation Committee read into the record of the meeting
"what best reflects the sentiment of the committee regarding the
closing of the easement - to sum it all up it should be addressed
as an enforcement issue with the Police Department".
As a final comment the Recreation Supervisor, Lesley Wexler,
noted that there will not be any new programs for the Fall. Her
intention is to spend time improving the current programs. She
added that her hours will now be greatly reduced in order to save
hours for the time just prior to next summer's programs.
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The committee requested that the Supervisor investigate the
After School Sports Programs planned for Fall at the Barrows
School which is being provided by the REAP Day Care (on school
property).
As the last order of business Committee Member Steven Sul-
livan requested that the softball diamond at Birch Meadow field
be checked as it was curling up. Lesley noted that she will
notify Bud Dickey.
At 10:15 p.m. the meeting of the Reading Recreation Com-
mittee was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
'90'~L 0 - Jdvl~
Gail A. Faller
Recording Secretary
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