HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-02-08 Recreation Committee MinutesTown of Reading
16 Lowell Street RECEIVE'
TOW CLERK
Reading, MA 01867-2685 READING, MASS.
2011 JUN 2 q P 12: 3 8
FAX: (781) 942 - 5441
RECREATION DIVISION: (781) 942 - 9075
READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES
February 8, 2011 TOWN HALL - Conference Room
Attendance: Mary Ellen Stolecki, Recreation Committee Chairmen, Nancy-Linn Swain, Rec.
Committee, Frank Driscoll, Vice Chair, Rec. Committee, Mike DiPietro, Rec. Committee Member,
Mary Ann Kozlowski, Rec. Committee Member, Chris Campbell, Rec. Committee Member, Kate
Kaminer, Rec. Committee Member, Bernie Winne, Associate Member, Adam Chase, Associate
Member, Joseph Rossetti, Associate Member, John Feudo, Recreation Administrator
F. Driscoll called the meeting to order at 7:12 PM.
C. Campbell made a motion to accept the minutes from the January 1 lth Rec. Committee meeting.
N. Swain seconded the motion. Motion passed in favor of accepting the minutes for January 1 lth
by a vote of 6 - 0- 0.
Mary Ellen Stolecki entered the meeting at 7:27 PM
On-Line Registration:
J. Feudo presented to the committee the research he had done for on-line registration. He stated
based on pricing and availability, he has chosen to work with MyRecdept.com. J. Feudo showed a
demo of the product to the committee. The product has many great features such as email blast
capabilities, search tools and everything is internet based.
N. Swain asked to make sure they have a data recovery plan and security for medical information.
J. Feudo said he would double check how those two issues are handled.
The new system will come with a lower credit card rate than the Town is currently getting, however
the increased traffic will cause for higher cost in credit card use. The hopes are the revenue coming
in for the traffic coupled with the new lower rate will help off set the new expense. The new annual
fee is approximately $1,300 more than the previous database system (Rec Trac).
J. Feudo said he still has to navigate some municipal process but hoped to be able to roll out the on-
line option for summer registration.
J. Feudo introduced Charlie Ehl, Commissioner of RYB.
Charlie gave the committee an overview of RYB's accomplishments over the past two years since
he has become commissioner. He is proposing for the Recreation Committee to allow RYB to put
temporary fencing at Eaton to divide the two fields. The concept would be for managers to take the
READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES February 8, 2011 Con't
fences down at the end of each night. He sighted the reason for the fencing was to help aid the kids
on how to play the game of baseball. With no enclosures, balls will typically get past outfields, thus
a domino effect of bad fundamentals. The hopes are kids will learn to play their positions correctly.
The temp fences would be installed using permanent ground sleeves that are below the ground and
undetectable. There will be no tripping hazards. The fences would go in and come down the same
day and would be stored in a storage container at the field. Additionally, RYB is requesting to do
the same thing at the Tennis Court field at Birch Meadow.
M. Stolecki asked how tall the fences were. Mr. Ehl estimated approximately 3 - 5 ft.
F. Driscoll asked what if the fences are down nightly? Mr. Ehl stated he would come down hard on
those that did not follow direction. He understood that fields will not be cut if the fences remained
up and if it became a constant problem they would have their permission rescinded, He added RYB
strives to work in concert with the Town's folks and be good partners.
M. Stolecki asked about the time frame. Mr. Ehl stated they would go up in late April and come
down by the end of June.
J. Rossetti asked how long it would take to put the fences up and take them down. Mr. Ehl stated
about 5 - 10 minutes each time.
F. Driscoll made a motion to allow Reading Youth Baseball to utilize temporary fencing at the two
fields at Joshua Eaton and Tennis Court field provided they are taken down at the end of each
evening. C. Campbell seconded the motion. Motion passed in favor of the motion by a vote of 6 -
0-0.
M. DiPietro exited the meeting at 8:30 PM
J. Feudo went over the administrators report.
Town Day will be June 18th from 1 IAM - 3 PM at the Birch Meadow Complex.
The Town is considering a carry in/carry out program due to the cuts in DPW. The hope is to be
able to eliminate trash pick in the parks which consumes several hours per day and lots of man
power. This is still being worked on by town staff.
J. Feudo mentioned that the Barrows Master Planning group has not met for a few weeks as
meetings kept on getting snowed out. He hoped to bring a plan back to the committee for a public
hearing in April.
K. Kaminer spoke about the concept of charging for use of the Tennis courts during a small defined
time. She stated the lights for the tennis courts cost the Town approximately $5000 per year. This
is being paid by the recreation revolving fund. Priority Pass would cover court use from June 1St -
September 2nd (Monday - Friday Only) beginning at 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM - Bancroft Courts only
Priority Pass is for Peak Hours in which lights are used for a portion of the time and there is very
heavy traffic. Courts monitored by Senior Tax Workers for that stretch of time, players check-in
READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES February 8, 2011 Con't
upon arrival. Pass would allow holders to bring up to 3 people with them to play. At any other
time, besides the dates and times above, the courts are free to be used
Proposed Pricing Structure would be as follows:
Resident; Seasonal Pass $10
Seasonal Family Pass $25
Non-Resident; Seasonal Pass $100
C. Campbell made a motion to present the proposal for a priority pass to the Board of Selectmen for
the peak time use of the Bancroft Ave. Community Tennis Courts.
F. Driscoll seconded the motion. Motion passed in favor present the proposal for a priority pass to
the Board of Selectmen for the peak time use of the Bancroft Ave. Community Tennis Courts by a
vote of 5 -1 - 0.
N. Swain reported for RCASA. She stated they are beginning a new grant process. She also noted
they have hired a new Youth Coordinator as Connie DeBenedetto left the position. Erica
McNamara of RCASA will be doing TIPS training to make sure bars in town are trained.
N. Swain made a motion to adjourn. F. Driscoll seconded the motion. Motion passes in favor of
adjournment 6-0-0.
Meeting adjourned at 9:05 PM.