HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-12-06 ad Hoc Memorial Park Use Review Committee MinutesFAX: (781) 942 - 5441
Town of Reading
16 Lowell Street
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Reading, MA 01867-2685-
RECREATION DIVISION: (781) 942 -'9075
Ad hoc Memorial Park Use Review Committee Minutes
December 6, 2004 at Town Hall Berger Room
Attendance: Gail Wood, Board of Selectman
Preston Lucas, Reading Youth Baseball
Margaret O'Sullivan, Resident at large
Davina Shuman, Resident of Memorial Park
Frank Driscoll, Recreation Committee and Reading Youth Softball
John Feudo, Recreation Administrator
Guest- Joan Langsam, Town Counsel
Virginia Adams
Meeting called to order by G. Wood at 7:45PM.
F. Driscoll made a motion to accept the minutes of November 23`d. D. Shuman seconded the =
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motion. Motion passes in favor of acceptance of the minutes 5-0-0. 3> 70
G. Wood asked Ms. Langsam if a general release of the property would be suitable to ° other
"things" at Memorial Park. Ms. Langsam stated that a conditional and limited release of the pool.
She felt that the pool was not a general release and that the language was clear.
P. Lucas brought Ms. Langsam up to speed on the committee's process. He stated that a few of the
members on the committee did some research on the heirs. Ms. Langsam asked the committee if
they had tried using the registry of probate to see if there were any listed. The committee had not.
The committee did however feel that going to the registry of probate should be done before malg
a,final decision to go to probate court. An heir of the park could release all restrictions and leave i!
up to the Town to impose it's own restrictions.
The committee decided to add into their final report the following statement under the committee
conclusion, "the last known surviving heir of the grantors of the Deed past away in 1970"
G. Wood made a motion to add in "that the intent of the grantors of the deed be clarified, BY
VIRTUE OF A CY PRES and/or seek release of conditions by any living heirs. Secondly, the
Committee agrees and recommends to the Board of Selectmen the following clarifications on future
uses and restrictions at Memorial Park". D. Shuman seconded the motion. Motion passes in favor
of the additional language 5-0-0.
F. Driscoll made a motion that the second recommendation should include the following bullet
points:
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* Ad hoc Memorial Parr Use Review Committee Minutes Con't December 6, 2004
• allow Community events that would be acceptable, to be scheduled by the Recreation Committee or
the Recreation Administrator, under the general direction of the Park Commissioners,
• allow practice times for league teams as determined by the Recreation Committee or the Recreation
Administrator, under the general direction of the Park Commissioners,
• allow opened unassigned space in Memorial Park, to be determined by the Recreation Committee or
the Recreation Administrator for use at the community at large. This space may contain a "life"
course or, whatever, to be determined proper by the Recreation Committee or the Recreation
Administrator, 'under the general direction of the Park Commissioners, and
• not allow scheduled league games between intra-town or out-of-town teams that would require the
fencing or lining of the field.
M. O'Sullivan seconded the motion. Motion passes in favor of the motion 5-0-0.
The committee addressed a question that was emailed to them by Committee member R. Shaffer.
Ms. Langsam stated that the Town could only supercede an item in the deed if there was something
illegal.
The Committee spoke about the unassigned open space. The issue came up as a question of how
much space would be available at the public hearing. The committee seemed to agree that the
amount of space and where the space should be should be left up to the Recreation Committee and
the Park Commissioners.
Joan Langsam exited the meeting at 8:50 PM.
F. Driscoll made a motion to adjourn the meeting. M. O'Sullivan seconded the motion. Motion
passes in favor of adjournment.
Meeting adjourned at 9:02 PM.
Respect itted by:
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ecreatio dministrator