HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-11-16 ad Hoc Memorial Park Use Review Committee MinutesFAX: (781) 942 - 5441
Town of Reading
16 Lowell Street
Reading, MA 01867-2685
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RECREATION DIVISION: (781) 942 - 9075
Ad hoc Memorial Park Use Review Committee Minutes
November 16, 2004 at Town Hall Conference Room
Attendees: Gail Wood, Board of Selectman
Preston Lucas, Reading Youth Baseball
Margaret O'Sullivan, Resident at large
Davina Shuman, Resident of Memorial Park
Rick Shaffer, Recreation Committee Member - arrived 7:15 pm
John Feudo, Recreation Administrator - arrived at 8:20 pm
Meeting called to order at 7: 1Opm
M. O'Sullivan made a motion to accept the minutes of October 25, 2004. D. Shuman seconded the motion. Motion
passes in favor of accepting the minutes of October 25, 2004 by a vote of 4-0.
P. Lucas reported that the presentation to the Board of Selectman on November 9, 2004 went well. P. Lucas thanked the
committee members that attended the Selectman's meeting and for their support. P. Lucas further commented that the
Board of Selectman did not have any feedback on the Memorial Park update report. However, the Board of Selectman
did make a decision to host the public hearing instead of having the Committee host the hearing. The Committee was
asked to be present at the public hearing to be held at the Senior Center on December 2, 2004 at 7:30pm.
G. Wood pointed out that it was important that P.Lucas' presentation to the Selectman noted some of the activities that
took place at the Park during the period 1921-1969, and when the heirs were still alive. The general feeling of the
Selectman was that the Park was used more in the past than now. G. Wood stated that the activities at the Park did not
seem to be the big issue, but the major issue was the parking problems. D. Shuman agreed with than perception. G.
Wood went on further to comment that this Town has a high participation rate, citing the band, sports, library,
government, etc.
P. Lucas handed out the updated Work Plan and Schedule, the presentation made to the Selectman on November 9,
2004, the Recap by Question of the ad hoc Memorial Park Use Review Committee Survey, and copies of the individual
surveys. The documents were reviewed and discussed by the Committee.
M. O'Sullivan commented from one of the survey's received that the "culture" of the Park has changed during the
years. The Committee members felt that the "culture" wording should find its way into the preliminary report. P. Lucas
said he would incorporate that wording into the report.
P. Lucas indicated that the Committee has accomplished a great deal over the past months, but in order to prepare the
preliminary report for the Selectman, that the Committee had to come to some sort of general opinion as a Committee,
regarding the Selectman's charge to the Committee.
R. Shaffer presented the following motions:
Restrict scheduled league games at Memorial Park between infra-town, or out -of- town teams
that would require the fencing or lining of the field. Motion seconded by D. Shuman. Motion
passes in favor by a vote of 5-0.
Recommend a group of activities to be permitted and not permitted at Memorial Park. Motion
Ad hoe Memorial Park Use Review Committee Minutes Con't
seconded by D. Shuman. Motion passes in favor by a vote of 5-0.
Recommend that the Town investigate angel parking on Harrison Street side of Park without
cutting down any trees. Motion seconded by D. Shuman. Motion passes in favor by a vote of 4-0
(G. Wood had to step out for a Selectman's meeting).
Other ideas presented but not voted upon were:
Recreation Committee/Recreation Administrator assign practice times for league teams.
Recreation Committee/Recreation Administrator determine open unassigned space at Park.
Recreation Committee/Recreation Administrator allow Community events as culturally accepted.
P. Lucas mentioned the following key Committee dates:
11/23 6:30 Berger Room
11/26
Preliminary Report ready for Board of Selectman package
11/30
7:30
Preliminary Report discussed at Board of Selectman
12/2
7:30
Open Town hearing at Senior Center
12/6
7:30
Meet with Town Counsel to discuss Final report wording
12/11
Final Report ready for Board of Selectman package
12/14
7:30
Final Report discussed at Board of Selectman
The next full meeting for the ad hoc Memorial Park Use Review Committee would be on November 23rd at 6:30 in the
Berger Room.
M. O'Sullivan made a motion to adjourn the meeting. R. Shaffer seconded the motion. Motion passes in favor of
adjourning 4-0.
Meeting adjourned at 9:10 pm.
Respectively submitted by:
Preston Lucas
. Se etary