HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-08-09 ad Hoc Memorial Park Use Review Committee MinutesTown of Reading
16 Lowell Street
Reading, MA 01867-2685
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FAX: (781) 942 - 5441
RECREATION DIVISION: (781) 942 - 9075
Ad hoc MEMORIAL PARK USE REVIEW COMNHTTEE MINUTES
August 9, 2004 at Town Hall Conference Room
Attendees: Gail Wood, Board of Selectmen
Margaret Sullivan, Resident at Large
John Fallon, Neighbor of Memorial Park
Frank Driscoll, Reading Youth Softball, Recreation Committee Member
Preston Lucus, Reading Youth Baseball
Rick Shaffer, Recreation Committee Member
John Feudo, Recreation Administrator
Guests: Marilyn Cortere
Florence Campbell
Michael Baltier
Matthew Baltier
Davina Shuman
Meeting called to order at 7:41 PM by Gail Wood.
F. Driscoll made a motion to have Gail Wood serve as Chairmen of the ad hoc Committee. J.
Fallon seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0-0.
Rick Shaffer entered the meeting at 7:45 PM.
J. Fallon made a motion to accept the minutes of July 19th. F. Driscoll seconded the motion.
Motion passes 6-0-0.
J. Feudo introduced himself and the Committee to the neighbors and mentioned that there is still
one seat open on the Committee for abutters. If anyone is interested is interested to please let John
know.
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D. Shuman stated she was at the meeting to bring up concerns of public urination and excessive
noise in the park. She is a resident of One Charles and struggles with the parking instability that is
caused by the concerts. F. Driscoll recommended calling the police to resolve some of the issues.
She also stated the way the park was used this year was the best in recent years. Everyone seemed_
to agree.
F. Driscoll asked the abutters to comment on the possibility of a parking lot at Memorial Park.
Mike Baltier pointed out that putting a parking lot on the field would take away more space. The
overall feeling from the abutters was not to put a parking lot on the field.
P. Lucus stated it was not the Committees intent to put fences up, but to come up with a consensus
that both the neighbors and the Town can both agree upon. Furthermore, judging by some of the
comments P. Lucus stated that the abutters seemed comfortable with what occurred at Memorial
Park this past spring. R. Shaffer noted that youth soccer did not use Memorial Park at all this past
summer which helped with the traffic for the park.
M. O'Sullivan explained to the neighbors that when there is a non-park issue such as parking they
should call Reading Police.
R. Shaffer stated that the one thing that is evident is Reading needs more park space for kids. There
is land and opportunity.
J. Fallon asked J. Feudo to find out when Harrison Street was due to be paved. J. Feudo stated he
would find out and report back to the committee.
P. Lucus passed out a timeline and explained to the Committee that he thought it was important to
set a schedule to present to the Board of Selectmen to keep them apprised to what is going on. The
Committee agreed and felt it was a good idea.
J. Fallon mentioned that the Committee should meet more than once a month. The Committee
agreed and felt they should meet twice in subsequent months.
F. Driscoll stated he felt reaching the heirs of the deed is an important aspect of the research. F.
Driscoll stated that he would contact Ben Nichols and Sally Hoyt for more information on the heirs.
R. Shaffer stated he will do an internet search to see if he can find any information there.
Gail stated the next meeting would be Sept 13th at 7:30 PM. The Committee will try to come
together again in September.
F. Driscoll made a motion to adjourn the meeting. P. Lucus seconded the motion. Motion passes 6-
0-0.
Meeting adjourned at 9:20 PM.
Respectfull submitted by:
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ecreation Administrator