So you to do that. So thank you. >> All right. >> Good evening everybody. Uh thanks for joining us. Uh it's just 6:30. So we're going to call the recreation meeting uh to order uh tonight. Um first before we begin, I know we have some people um on
Zoom. So we have to do a roll call for everybody. So Bob, why don't you start us off? >> Bob Widen here. >> Eric Bamer here. >> Laura Nunan, Nancy Zimlac, Melissa Pooie, >> Rich Han,
>> Alisha should be >> Alissa. Alicia >> Alisha >> Alicia Williams >> y >> here. >> Great. Thank you. Um, so with that, we got some new members. So want to welcome to our uh committee. Uh, so Nancy and
Alicia. >> Alicia Williams. >> Um, who's on Zoom. And thank you for joining. I know you're on vacation down in Miami. Is that right? >> Yes. >> Uh, in a warmer weather. >> Yes. No snow here. >> No snow. Yeah. It's pretty raw today.
Just to let you know up here. Um so before we begin I just like you know have you introduce yourselves >> to the committee and tell us you know why you want to you know join here some of your thoughts about recreation. So Nancy since you're here we'll you first
um introduce yourself >> first step. Yeah. >> Um well I've been a volunteer on various town boards and committees over the years especially since I retired in 2014. Um, prior to that, I was an avid
volunteer at my son's school. So, um, why did I apply for this? Well, I, uh, um, recently left a, uh, a stent at the Council on Aging. Mhm.
>> Um and um and it was a very satisfying experience um to first I started as a volunteer first in technology and then I went into um Council on Aging business
and um one of the things that I learned from my experience is the importance of activity as you get older. Mhm. >> And I think perhaps maybe I can can bring that uh with me over here to the
recreation committee um especially as we move forward into the new center and looking at ways to accommodate all ages. >> Well, welcome and thank you. Thank you for volunteering for this committee and the other committees that you've been on
as well. Thank you very much. >> And from the Sunshine State >> [laughter] >> Um, I uh have been in the community for 14 years and I have three kids in the community and I really kind of was paying attention to what recreation was
doing because of article 14 and um I feel like because I have a special ed kiddo that I could maybe help give some great ideas for recreation and I was on CPAC and I just thought it would be great to you know be an associate member, see if I could help um and just pitch in.
>> Great. Well, again, thank you for joining during your vacation and looking forward to have you here in person uh during our next meeting. >> Yes, definitely. Thanks. >> Thank you. Um any public comment? And just just a note here, uh we're going to
have public comment after any agenda item. So, just let everyone know and the public know that if you'd like to have any comments um after um the agenda um item that we talk about, uh please speak up.
So right now any public comment >> yeah 30 circle thank you for >> thank you for the recommendation with the the live caption >> great to see >> it's a nobrainer I wish we would have done it before so appreciate you
bringing it to our attention >> and it's look at how easy and it's picking up everything it's really great thanks >> I don't see anything online right now it's hands way way. >> Nope. >> Okay. >> All right. Um, so next agent, hi Pete.
How you doing? Um, so Pete, uh, we're gonna turn the microphone over to you and into and to your organization. So take it away, >> Pete 24 Smith out, uh, friends of writing rack. Just want to come down and first off announce that I'm stepping
down for friends running. J is taking over. Um Amy and I are moving down the South Shore Hall time. These are sweet moments. We got such a great great time. Raised our kids. We came here as a young married couple. No kids and they love
the house now. So [laughter] it's it's it was time for us to move on. And Jake and I have been working together with friends the past three years. The dad's daughter dance. He is really passionate about take this organization and uh working with three years. I have all the confidence that
he's going to do a bang up job and exceed what we've done. [laughter] >> No pressure. But he really jumped in. He's building a coalition of younger families in town and new blood in town to really kind of help bring this thing to the next generation. And we started this in gez
when Jimmy first came on board 2006 maybe right [clears throat] before I started >> and uh back when John Tudo was just you know starting out. It's it's come a long way with it. has a lot of great volunteers and folks who have been blessed to work with our group over the years. Um, but I have all the confidence
in Jake to uh take it over. So Jake, >> yeah, >> thank you. >> So Jake T1 Bankra Yeah. Um, I moved here young couple, young kids, [laughter] years later. We've got three little girls. So, I'm really intertwined in the community and I
wanted to give back and meeting Pete a couple years back playing tennis kind of understanding what the organization looked like, how it how it ran. I'm excited. You know, we're just we're in the recruitment stage of getting it, you know, back up running to its full potential and uh yeah, just exciting to
have you guys uh you know, partner with us. So, and and us partner with you guys. So, >> that's awesome. And I'd like to just thank Pete for the last gosh 21 plus years. Um there's been staple programs in this community. It's all because of him. Those fireworks that you see or you
hear from your home if you're not in attendance. >> Um that is because of him. >> The the daddy daughter dance that started that continues to grow. We started that. There was road races. There's been a number of events. Um I'm kind of bummed that he's leaving. I'm not going to lie. I didn't [laughter]
I met with Pete and uh Jake about maybe a month month and a half ago. We sat down, had some pizza at Capri and uh kind of listened to what Jake had to say and like Pete says like I have the utmost confidence to. Um he's coming in with a fresh mind, blinders off, new ideas. So I'm looking forward to see
what he can do and what we can do to help him reach his goals and then provide more for the community like Pete has for the last 21 years. And then the last thing, are you going to be at the fireworks this year? >> I should be. >> You should be. [laughter] >> You should be. >> I should be. >> You will be. you >> one last [laughter]
one the last >> just one more >> one more >> we're not going to get into details about one minute one more time Pete but thank you for all you did I really appreciate >> it wish you a lot of luck >> I think if if we could as a committee and everything somehow applause or
whatever thank you Pete I mean >> and everything and >> no >> you are Mr. spreading [laughter] over these years. Thank you. >> Thank you for supporting the way we absolutely >> I just wanted to say thank you in person
to Pete. Um I was part of the initial crew that formed the friends of reading uh seniors six >> and he was very very helpful giving us information and a basis for forming that course.
>> Excellent. Yes. >> Thank you. Yeah. >> Yeah. And I've known Pete probably 20 years as as well. Our children grew up together as well. We've coached together as well. Uh have to keep him off the sidelines sometimes. Yeah. [laughter]
>> Passionate. A >> little passionate there. But that passionate is great, right? In terms of Pete, you know, you had passion not only for recreation but helping out everybody in this community. Everyone loves you in this community. Uh you're well loved.
Um, and I I know just from a recreation standpoint, from a personal standpoint, you know, your organization you started over 20 years ago has done so much for this town. Um, and we're all grateful for what you have done, not only for you, but your family. Amy has done a lot
for this community as well. You came and left your mark here for sure. And, um, I think this town owes you a great thank you for everything you have done here for us. >> Okay, sir. It goes both ways. Very satisfying. >> Yeah. And Jake, we're looking forward to you
has been passed to you, right? [laughter] >> Flip flops. >> Shorts. Where's the shorts? >> Shorts and flip flops, you know. Know when when it's cold out, right? You know, >> that's uniform. >> Yeah, that that that is. And uh Pete,
you know, >> thank you guys. >> Best of luck. Thank you for your support. >> And hopefully you'll be back sometime play some tennis with us and stuff and have some drinks as well, you know. [laughter] >> Anybody else on the committee? Aaron,
anybody from public? Anybody? >> All right. >> Anyone online? >> Anybody online? >> I'll say a few words. I mean, what [clears throat] everyone else said, I completely echo. Uh Pete, you're just an absolute legend. >> There's no other way to to put it. you
really have just done incredible things in our community and we'll miss just seeing you around and seeing your smiling face and pub crawling and fundraising and all those good things. So, thanks so much for all your years of service to the community. I wish that there was more that we could do for you
maybe in the future. Some type of uh >> I got it, Jenna. I got it. >> Yeah, wink wink. >> But uh thanks for everything. We'll miss you and have fun in your new adventure. >> Yeah. Thank you, too. Appreciate >> for the chance.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. Thanks for everything. Thanks, Jake. >> See you around. >> We'll see you Pete. Be in touch. >> Thanks, Pete. >> See you. All right. Take care. >> TJ. Good night.
>> All right. Uh, next item is um article 14. Um before we begin, I just want to have Bob just do an introduction to this um article 14 and give us all a background so we're all on the same page what this means. So Bob, I know you're
on Zoom. If you could just give us, you know, a summary of what Article 14 is. And >> I'm going to pull it up online. Okay. All right. This is as of March 20th.
All right. So, I'm here. Can you hear me? >> Yeah. >> All right. So, this all stemmed from Eric making an instructional motion last year at town meeting that requested the town manager and
staff, inclusive of schools, identify and create a sustainable funding mechanism for expanding adaptive programming using existing town funds and future donations from the Burbank ICE Authority. separately. Please investigate how existing funds currently
with with the town can be allocated for additional recreational programming and facilities which may include additional adaptive programming. So that is where this all all started. Um fast forward to now and we have
article 14 on the table and I'm 100% prepared. I didn't think I'd be doing all this. um the article 14 which you can you guys see on the screen? >> Yes. Yep. >> Do you want me to Jim do you want me to read the entire thing or
>> uh it's up to you. I do have copies here too what we're showing on the screen if someone >> doesn't uh >> what would the committee like what would the committee like me to do? >> He needs to read the whole thing. >> Yeah. I don't think he need
>> Yeah. I think just in terms of >> Do you want me to read the whole thing? I'm sorry. >> No, I don't think you need to read the whole thing. Think we >> Okay. >> Is there anything you want to highlight? >> Um, so the gist of article 14 is that it would be creating a stabilization fund
with the money from Burbank to put towards a unified and adaptive programming. Um, I believe up to 25% for for each. Am I correct in that, Jim? >> Yes. No,
>> it's got to be minimum of 25%. >> Well, I mean >> up to 100%. >> Up to 100%. Minimum 25% >> minimum 25 up to 100% >> going to those two programs. I feel that, you know, we've talked
about this as a committee for quite some time and we've never said no to people to money being offered for recreation programs. I think it's very important that we show our support of this and
hoping that it passes town meeting. I think it's, you know, it's I don't see this as being the end all beall. I think this is a great start to, you know, hopefully to build out these programs. And I look at it like we like with the
um the money that they we got for um the Y with the um you know with the co money. I look at it as se as seed money to to get these pro to get these programs off the ground and to and to grow them. They ultimately the goal from with from the schools is to grow this to
the middle school and elementary levels. And unfortunately there's only so much room in the budget and you know I I had a conversation with Dr. Milichesky. I've gone I've emailed him. Um he seems to be in in complete support of this. Unfortunately, we're losing Dr.
Militeski, which is, you know, going to be a sad day for our town, unfortunately. But the the gist of this is to take this money from Burbank and try to grow these programs and do something beneficial for
these kids. And I apologize if I'm not saying it as eloquently as some others may, but I believe with all my heart that we should support this. >> Yeah. Um, thank you any um, so let's go. >> Yeah, I'd love to follow up. Bob, thank you for highlighting this and for asking
them to put it on the agenda. I obviously share your passion and I appreciate your passion and you bringing all the attention to it. Um, as the mother of a disabled child, a severely disabled child, I am extremely passionate about adaptive programming. And I've said, you know, multiple times
in these meetings how discouraging it is to sign on to the recreation website to sign myself or my other two non-disabled children up for programs and scroll and to scroll and to scroll and scroll and scroll and scroll through all the very many great
wonderful offerings we have for children and adults that are able-bodied in one way or another. And there's really there was when I first started here just the one program, the special skates, which is an amazing program and my son loves it. Um, and we have since offered um some inclusion sports, but it's only for
I think little little ones, not even for my 9-year-old who just turned 10 over the weekend. Um, so it's very limited in age group. And you know, you don't stop being disabled at 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 all the way. We need um people say we need to do this for the kids, but it's for kids and for adults. you know once you
turn 22 23 50 you still maybe want to do something with recreation and there is just nothing and when I or next to nothing >> and when I have brought this to the attention the answer is always there is just no money to get it off the ground
and running. You need to hire whether it be a TPA, a therapeutic um coordinator or just a coach to run a program. um you need money to start and it's always been we don't have the money, we don't have the money, we don't have the money. So when this idea, this great out of the
box idea came about in the way it did. Um I'm really excited about it. I think that it's a great way to get this off the ground. And I hear a lot of people that speak against it to say, well, it doesn't make sense cuz this amount fluctuates. It's not always dependable.
But right now, we have nothing. So to sometimes have something um it's so very needed. It's such a great start. It's so important. And I also like that it's two-sided here because somehow along the way through our many discussions about
this, it stopped being about adaptive programming money for funding adaptive programming and it started being about unified sports. And I believe that um the conversation got sidetracked because people were supporting it or meaning to support it, but then they
weren't understanding that the words unified and adaptive are not interchangeable necessarily. Um because the unified program is of course a great program. It's run through Special Olympics and it's partnering with the schools and then the schools can offer a unified sports team which is unified in
that you have disabled ch children and non-disabled children unified on team together. Um and this is supplying some funding for that. But then aside from that we have the town side which is separate from the schools and we obviously our rec w recck department here and wreck runs programming for
adults and people that don't go to the schools and just town programming. So to have this be two-sided and to be thinking about it about both of them at the same time um and trying to fill a need in this out of the box way I think
is fantastic. So that's all I wanted to say. >> Thank you. Hias >> I might have something to say. >> Yeah, go for it. [laughter] Take your time. >> Um [clears throat] yeah, thanks Bob for putting this on the agenda and giving us an opportunity to talk about it as a rep
committee. Um so first I want to say that you know this has been a hot topic around town. It's been talked about a lot in a lot of different um you know uh committees. Um so I think it's really wonderful that we're talking about unified sports. People are talking about
unified sports. They're talking about therapeutic recreation and adaptive sports. There's been an overwhelming positive response. I haven't heard one person say that they don't support unified or adaptive sports. There have
been disagreements on how to fund it, but not one person has said that they do not support that. And that's really wonderful. Even at town meeting, there was um you know great support of Eric's um instructional motion.
So I think just want to say that piece of it that that's wonderful that the community is coming together and we're talking about this need. Um so there have I I fully support article 14. Um, I think that, um, you know, some people
have raised concerns. Laura, I'm probably going to repeat some of what you've said, so I apologize, [laughter] but uh, but, um, some people have, um, you know, talked about that, um, it's not a stable, it's not a stable funding source. Well, right now in our recal
budget, we do have a funding source for a therapeutic recreation specialist, which is wonderful. And so my understanding is that this is not going to go towards that, but this is going to go towards supporting that position. So what does that mean? That means supporting it maybe with um some
equipment or supplies or some sort of savings to get the program off the ground to offer some future stability. And so on years when things might be a little tight, we're going to have this stabilization fund to help support this program to keep it going. Is it going to
be the sole piece the sold um bucket of money. No, it's just going to be a savings account to help support the therapeutic recreation program. And also for unified, they have some funding through the school, but this is going to help
support that funding as well. Um you know, some people say, why doesn't this why shouldn't this just be a a line item in the town town budget? Well, you know what? There's a lot of committees and boards looking for money from the town. This way, this is an opportunity for us
to say as a community. Um, we prioritize this with all the competing demands that there are in town of all committees needing different things. This is a way to prioritize the funds that we all agree is a wonderful way to use funds. So, in order for us not to have to
compete for funding, um this is a great avenue to support this type of funding. Um what else do I want to say? Give me give me a minute here. >> Um >> I just think that it shows a commitment
to pledge some revenue to expanding um to to to supporting this program, possibly expanding it in the future. Um, I know that some people have said, "Well, we don't have some stable money coming in from Burbank." But I would
argue that, uh, our town accountant has reported to Fincom on 311 that over the past 15 years that Burbank has paid on average $63,000 a year in rent to the town. Um, so
that's a significant amount of money and the the only a portion of that 25% of that would go towards unifi, 25 I think would go towards um, uh, writing rep and the other 50% can go towards free cash. I believe that's what
the motion is to town right now, unless I think the board selected. I don't know. I don't think the board changed it. I think they kind of left it a little bit open up to 100%. Mhm. >> Um, [clears throat] so anyway, that's kind of my two cents. So, I'm really supportive of this. So, thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Anybody else? >> Nancy. >> Oh, hi Nancy. Oh, there you go. >> Um, I'm really of two minds on this. Um, the this is in the last month and a half. It's really the first time that
I've heard of what's being proposed in article 14. So, part of me as a town meeting member wished that it had been um uh thoroughly researched by the town, been looked at, what are alternative
processes, what are other um priorities? As you mentioned, there are other town priorities and um I wish there had a been a bit more due diligence by the town in putting this in place. Um the
other half of me though is a supporter of uh uh 60 plus programming. And I noticed that the word um therapeutic programs is mentioned in here and that
is a big new area for over 60 programming. So, my assumption is that should the town vote to uh um [snorts] uh approve this that a fair percentage
of the budget not only go to sports programs for the elementary school kids or the high school kids, whatever, but there's a large 60 plus population out there that and and the the 60 plus uh
the senior budget is level funded next year. It's at a bare minimum. It can barely fund the uh activities that have to finish out this fiscal year. So, I'm really looking
forward in that respect to see what can be done in collaborating with recreation and elder and human services for the use of therapeutic programming. >> Yeah. Can I just respond? Yeah, absolutely. >> So, the therapeutic recreation
specialist that's in the recal budget, that is for the entire town. So, that's not just for children. It's not just for older adults, it's for all ages. So, the money for article 14 um would be coming
to the recreation department to and I correct me if I'm wrong, Jim, but >> and then you're talking like whether it's mobility, sight, vision, things like that that fit. Maybe there's some sort of equipment that is needed to make a current program accessible. So, it would go towards
>> all ages. It would support all ages. >> I understood that this um staff position is not part of this funding, right? But um what is could what can be part of this funding and I think there'll be a
strong interest from the Council on Aging um and other senior um citizens for therapeutic programs which exactly >> um just as you described Jim.
>> Can I ask Melissa a question? Did you say it was >> $63,000 that they pay a year? I don't know why I thought it was more. Is that just like an average? An average. >> Okay. All right. Okay, that makes more sense. I thought so that's not like a hefty part of our budget even for like
this to be such a hubbub hot topic going on here. You know what I mean? It's kind of like a drop in the bucket and it's for such a needed important cause. Um, >> so >> it's just to backtrack on this. I
remember when Eric brought this up. >> Mhm. Bob, correct me if on the history of it because you kind of quickly covered it. Um, I kind of thought this was a no-brainer back when it was proposed.
I don't I don't know why like if Tom is the superintendent is for it and is, you know, it's kind of like, well, man, let's take management's recommendation here. Not only that, I'm
wondering in the adaptive sports stuff with other communities, are we violating anything here if we don't underfunded programming for in communities that if if we have an
opportunity, you know, >> to make it correct, right? I I just remember Eric bringing it up and it was kind of like formality. Okay, sounds great. I remember Lisa you talking about it like
>> but town meeting town meeting still has to approve the the town meeting has to approve it because because of you know it's money going into the town. >> Got it. >> That town meeting town meeting controls the purse. Correct. >> Yes.
>> Yes. Okay. So >> yeah, I guess my my feedback is, you know, kind of what you were saying is that, you know, this has been on our radar screen from the recreation department for many years, right? >> Yeah. >> Long before I even >> Yeah. I mean, when I I've been on the
like 15 years, this has been on conversation, right? Um, and you know, we never had the opportunity like it is in front of us. I guess I would say just in terms of dollars and cents to get to
to this point. And to me, like I think I'm stealing some of your words or Bob's words like it's it's seed money, right? >> Like you need to take one step, right? And this is like one step on this big journey. It's not going to stop
>> with this. I I don't think it's going to stop. I think this is just the beginning. This is like to kind of uh jump start something. This is, you know, get something going. Yeah. >> You know, that's the way I look at this, right? And if this money and it could fluctuate, right, because Burbank could
use the money for a new Zamboni or something, right? >> Um, so we don't know what the the dollars and cents would be, but now it's on the radar screen. We're working on it. Jim's team's working on it. Right. you have some money to do um something
for this part of this community we haven't done in many years. So, you know, to me I I think it's >> and and via town meeting and via the school committee or school process, right? They're the ones that
ultimately >> Well, it seems like there's two buckets, right? There's two stabilization funds. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. There's one for the school and one for recreation. Got it. And this is why we're >> [clears throat] >> That's why we're talking about recreation, right? >> Apologize. >> No. No. Yeah. Yeah.
>> So, unified sports is >> got it. That's why. And then that would not anything that went to the schools would not be for the town and then vice versa because there's a town budget that the schools already have. So, >> and obviously you've been working on this for extended period of time
>> trying to get more therapeutic recreation. Yeah. I got you. >> I can't work on know if we have any money, >> right? And that was some of the stuff that was going on with Fudo that you mentioned about for >> for him helping out. >> So some of that opera money from that
the YMCA got started started some programs and I think that's really what put a spotlight on, you know, where some of the needs are, >> right? And we when I was part of one of the you know asking for those those resources and so we talked about it
being seed money you know and as we start as they started creating those programs we've even had a parent come here a few months ago you might recall asking for you know what about programming for young adults with disabilities and um I think that this is
you know again more seed money to just try to help with those types of programming right absolutely Yeah. And and for the last I want to say eight months, Jenner and myself have been bouncing around to different towns um speaking with their therapeutic recreation departments. We've been to Andover, we've been to Burlington in
Lexington, who has huge therapeutic recreation programs right now. Um and their biggest thing was saying, you know, you got to do it correctly first. You don't want to just throw up programs and not have a certifi CTRS, which is certified therapeutic recreation specialist, run it because there is trust that needs to be built up with
these families. You got to do it properly right away. You don't want to just throw someone out there and say this is therapeutic rep. You want to build this program. The thing they kept reiterating was it takes time. So getting this funding here, you know, any way that we can get funding. >> Exactly. >> Any way we can get funding. I'm not talking about this article. I'm not
going to persuade anyone. Any way we can get funding to help support the this big gap that we're missing would be wonderful. >> Can Can I jump in? >> I just want to first off thank Eric. I don't think I've had a chance to say thank you for bringing this to the table
because it absolutely is needed. I actually was going to just recommend that if people haven't gone on to the Burlington website and looked at their therapeutic support PDF, it is unbelievable. I actually had a 45minute conversation with their therapeutic support person looking for activities
for my son. And they have oneto ones for some of these programs. Like that means that they have your kid can go play say pickle ball and they have somebody join in and um so it's really we don't have anything like that. It's amazing. So, if you haven't looked, please go look. But I I echo what Melissa has said and what
Laura has said. I won't, you know, repeat it, but it's it's really needed and um I think we're on the right track. And I just want to say thank you to Eric. >> Thank you. >> Anybody else from the rec committee before we open up to for public comment?
>> Anybody? No. >> All right. Open up to public comment. Anybody? Oh, Angela. Sorry. >> Hello. >> Hi. >> Hi. Um, come on up. >> Can I just I don't your table, but I'll
just um So, >> name and address, [laughter] >> Angela Benda Orchard Park Drive, former member of the recreation committee and longtime town meeting member. Um, so
as a former recreation committee member and a longtime town meeting member, um, I I I feel a a couple of different minds about this. As a town meeting member, um, I look at things from a process and
a uh, I'm looking at the finances of things. There is no one, I think, who is against these programs. So, we need to put that out there because I've actually been accused I've had someone say to me, "What do you have against kids with
disabilities?" And that is just an awful thing, an awful argument to make about um you know, looking at the way that this is funded. Um a couple things. Um
the instructional motion that Eric Gaffen made stated that to look at the Burbank donations and it's really clear it it needs to be made really clear there are no Burbank donations.
This was established by Burbank as rent in lie of taxes. These are tax monies. This is not donation money. And I voted on this in 2011. So I'm I'm
very aware of what this money was supposed to go to and what it has gone to over the past many years. And some of it has gone to recreation, but other money has just gone to, you know, plow the fields and plow the fields, plow the
the roads and and do other things. >> And the money was going into a separate fund. That's how it was established that it went into a fund and it might even have been mislabeled a donation fund. And last summer, town council Ibra
Frerieded and Sharon Angstrom, our CFO, looked into what it was. And one of the reasons was was because people were asking for this money, like let's can I have this money? Can I have this money? And so they wanted to be seen because
there were people who were saying um this money we've had a Burbank um trustee come here and say Nelson Burbanks wanted this to go there but there they researched this and there
is nothing in um anything that they researched that said this is what the money needs to go for sports or anything like that. it can be used for anything. So
last year, uh the superintendent asked, "Hey, can I use this money? There's 200 $200,000 went to pickall. There was $200,000 left in the fund. Can I use this money for this?" and the
superintendent was told, "No, this is not the right source of funding for something like this." Um because the funding is uh when uh producer McFaden was giving a tour to the select board and a couple
other people, there was a discussion about um oh that back lot. One of the select board members said we're opening up the the lease to discuss other things. And Jane Wellman, the um the uh
She was there and she said, "Um, we're not opening up your lease. This is a mutual parking agreement. We get to use their parking. They get to use our parking. Recal the Burbank can use recal parking. If it's necessary, we
can use their parking. It was just a mutual parking agreement. At some point after the dissolution of the Burbank fund, the
uh Burbank Ice Arena Authority made it a requirement that there be an article to go to town meeting saying how they wanted the money to be spent. So, they didn't like the idea. It
appears that the money would go into uh free cash. They wanted to direct how the funds went and suddenly it was a requirement for the party. >> Oh, are we getting off topic here?
>> Yeah. >> Is there a time limit? >> Okay. >> It It's all >> I don't know if there's a time limit. There's never been a time limit before. We've allowed pickle ball people lots of time to speak. But anyway, >> Angela, come on.
>> So, there was a FinCom meeting last week. The vote was 44. Fin members had a lot of issue with this money being used for
this purpose. And also um they had a lot of issues with the whole process. One of them was that it's not a stable source of money. So even if article 14 passes, there was no money to
fund the program next year. The school committee cut it. We should be asking why did the school committee cut it? It was a poor four vote. If you ever go to if you're Watchtown Meeting, Fincom almost never has split votes. They're
almost unanimous votes. People had a lot of questions about the process of the money. It goes into a stabilization fund. It needs to be voted out on a yearly basis,
which makes it very difficult for the money to actually be spent. So even if you have a big pot of money, it's not going to be spent um without town meetings approval. That is what >> with all due respect, this is not town
meeting, ma'am. And >> we're talking very off topic. >> We're talking about article 14. We >> I guess I guess Go ahead. >> I just We're talking about Are you not talking about a town? It's >> been a very long time >> article. >> You are.
>> We are. Right. But I mean I I think I'd like to >> some procedural stuff for a rec committee for Burbank who just wants to help out with some people in an adaptive program. >> Burbank doesn't >> and they already spoke a lot. Angela Angela.
>> Hang on. Go ahead. >> You spoke a lot. >> We got it. >> Okay. We got it. We understand. We can read the papers on it. Did you were you in the meeting last year when Eric was like, "This is you guys are using procedural votes about a
donation and funding." Hold on. I heard you. It's >> not a donation. >> Okay. >> It's not I'm sure. Okay. So, let's go back to what Eric's intent was when you brought it up. Correct, Bob? >> I mean, that
>> that was the intent. Now we're getting into procedural stuff that we're throwing in uh Fincom and everybody else for a donation for an adaptive program that Wreck that Wreck wants
>> and um Mleski said he needs. Okay. So it's not so >> it's not a donation. >> We get that one at a time. One at a time. >> There are actually much better ways to
fund this. I've spoken to Sharon and Sharon said the proper way to fund this would be to make it a community priority which would take it out of the budget, make it a community priority with a
regular yearly funding source. Nobody's against this. People are against the the >> Are you guys against Burbank? There's >> okay there there's not there's no reason why we can't do both. There's no reason why it can't be both. It has doesn't
have to just be one funding source. So this is just one piece. If they want to make it a line item, fantastic. Make it a line item as well. If they want to do that, make it into a revolving account. Wonderful. It's just another avenue. And I just want to say that the rent that
Burbank pays is not in lie of taxes. It's rent. >> Yeah. >> That's it. It's rent. >> It's actually in the contract that says rent in lie of taxes. That's what I voted on when I voted at town meeting. It says rent in lie of taxes. >> That's not how they refer to it in the
past. >> Yeah. We don't have their representatives here to sit here and discuss this stuff. That's >> so >> Yeah. So what you kind of guess get guess get guess get guess get guess get guess get guess get guess get guess get guess get guess get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get your point. My point is, my point is that it's a great program and this is not the right way to fund it
and fin voted for four. I'm sure you know you're going to do this, but you know, >> I don't know what we're doing. >> I mean, are we voting approving this? >> No. No. Well, actually for support.
>> Vote for support. >> Yeah, that's our thing. And we want >> It's the beginning of it. The vote doesn't support the beginning of it. Okay. >> Yeah. I mean, and we want to make sure you know, you're finished with your public statement and and things like that. >> Well, I've been shut down. I mean, >> well, no, you've had some time.
>> I guess my point is, you know, um you know, we have other items on our agenda. Okay. >> And you know, I think we heard we heard you summarizing >> might be against the funding mechanism are not against the program. And people
who are in favor of it need to understand all of the misinformation about what is being said about it. >> Okay, Angela. Angela, here's the deal. Here's the deal, Angela. Perception is reality. The perception is that you're all against this and that. So that makes it the reality. All right.
>> No, it perception [laughter] is the reality. >> Wow. >> Perception. >> Okay. Yeah. So, you know, thank you for your comments. Um, any other any other public comments? >> Oh, Maryann Downey.
>> Maryann Downey. >> Thank you. Um, I'm I'm watching and I'm logging in and I'm not speaking on behalf of all of FINCOM, but as a FINCOM member, I I want to understand how that was characterized. Can you guys hear me?
>> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yeah. So, two things. um you know a 4-4 vote means half of FinCom was for the idea and um you know and half of it wanted another funding source. I I understand
the community priority that's not the only way to fund this. I think people were expressing about that this is to provide some stability. You could have it be both a community priority and have this fund. I also want to speak to I was not on town meeting in 2011. I want to
speak to characterization of the Burbank money. I have the lease in front of me from the 2011 select board packet and the clause in the lease does not say rent in lie of taxes. It just says rent. I I've shared this with with um a couple
of um wreck members in the past. I have the clause of the lease and it just says clause three. The rent to be paid by the tenant to the town shall be calculated and based on the following etc etc etc. During FINCOM, I asked about the rent in lie of taxes and Sharon said no because
I said right because we own the property so we don't collect taxes on property we own. [clears throat] So I just wanted to clarify that. I mean I'm in support of this. I was one of the four that voted in favor. I can appreciate what Angela said about a community priority and I agree with that, but that's it takes a
lot to get something to be a community priority. And do we want these kids to have to wait another two years of a budget cycle till someone gets something as a community priority? Look how many years it took for full day kindergarten
to be a community priority. Um, I just feel like right now this is a dimminimous amount that could give the program a start. And that's all I needed to say. I'm sure I hit my two minutes or whatever the time is. Thank you. >> That's okay. Thank you. >> Thank you, Maryanne. >> Thank you.
Anybody else from the public before we close it? And um, if we want to have a vote, someone >> Do we make a motion? What? So, we need to make a motion if we want to vote from from a committee standpoint in support or not support of this uh amendment.
>> Bob, you should probably you're the one who you're the one who uh brought this all up as you smile there like >> uh Yeah. So, I um I'd like to make a motion that the rec committee support the passing of article 14 at town meeting.
>> I'll second that. >> Yes, sir. Okay. So, we'll do a roll call. Bob, why don't you go first? >> Do we have to Should we discuss it or >> any discussion? >> Sorry. >> No, I think we're good.
>> No, no discussion. I think we're good. >> Mhm. >> So, >> yes. Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Eric Bamry. Yes. >> Laura Nunan. Yes. Melissa Poochie. Yes. >> Uh Rich Hand. Yes.
>> Is Lean? No. associate >> associate amendments. Great. >> All right. So, thank you. So, so we're offering our support for article 14. So, five zero vote. >> Great. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you.
>> We have um Andrew McNickel. He's been online. I don't know if we can just switch the agenda items. That would be your call if we could switch uh the park ramp presentation before discussion of joint rec committee and C. >> Absolutely. Yep. Hi, Andrew.
>> Good evening. Can you guys hear me? All right. >> Sorry to keep you waiting there. >> No. All good. Uh, this is still early for so >> thank you for coming. >> Yeah. I'm Andrew McNichol. I'm the community development director. Um, I know the park grant is being brought
before you in terms of the dedication of the pickle ball parcel that was previously approved last year. So, I just wanted to run down some of the specifics um before it gets to this year's town meeting um to accept the grant. So, we had applied for a park
grant after the project was approved. Um we did receive an award of $100,000. However, there's some stipulations and conditions around that that I just want you guys to be aware of in town meeting at large. Um so, thank you Jim and Jenna
for all their help on this as well. Well, they've done a great job. Um, and I really enjoy working with them. But the real quick tidbits and I can pull up the plans and any documents if you'd like. But if we set to approve this
grant in at town meeting, um, what it will do is put a specific parcel, meaning the pickle ball parcel, uh, in outdoor recreation in perpetuity. So the land will not be able to be used for anything else um going forward.
There are no give backs on that. There are no turnbacks. Um you cannot resend that. Once you accept the grant, you put the land in perpetuity. Um parking must be included on this parcel. We've tried to find a way to do that without
impacting design at all. Of course, with bids going out and constructions looking to start. Um, so I have that plan here that I can show you where that will be. If the town ever wanted to change this parcel, say to basketball courts or some
other other outdoor recreational use, um, it would need to be state approved. Uh, many changes. So, you would have to go through their programs and that can be somewhat challenging. Uh, this land must be publicly
accessible, including non-reading residents. uh you can have a fee structure. I know that's come up for this land and this use uh the state will need to approve that fee structure and they will not typically allow you to
charge more than 50% uh for non-reading residents. So, for example, if you charged a reading resident $10 for pickle ball, you couldn't charge a non-reading resident more than $15, no more than 50% of what you charge, which from my understanding
with Jenna is pretty typical practice anyways here in Reading and not out of the realm of what we already do. Um, that's about it. Those are the conditions. Oh, sorry. The last one is that uh the funding is not available
till July 1st. So, we are working with the contractor to ensure the construction schedule lines up, but it does have some implications on that. So, I'm happy to answer any questions. I'm happy to pull up the plan if it if it
helps. Um, whatever you like. Andrew, I got a question by what's you talked a little bit. Can you talk a little bit more about the timetable a little bit in terms of the process like? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Go ahead. >> Yep. Um, so
what there typically is is a park project agreement. Uh, I believe in Reading's case, typically that would go to the recreation committee, but council has advised in Reading's case for it to go to the select board given that select board is stewards of the land. Um, so
that is set to go before the select board before a town meeting. We would like to get CPDC to endorse the full subdivision plan, which is the creation of the road up on this parcel as well as this new lot line. And when they endorse
the subdivision plan, that also allows that to be recorded and separate this as a new lot. And then town meetings vote is to dedicate this newly created lot to the outdoor recreation use in perpetuity. Once those pieces are in
place, we can get the full contract with the state and come July 1st, so long as we expend certain funding post July, um we'll be eligible to request reimbursement from the state for this.
>> Great. Nancy, >> I have a question. What um what's the worst case scenario? Say article 14 doesn't pass town meeting and um parking is not included in the Burbank
arena. What happens? >> So article 14 and those warrant this is specific to article 11 I believe the park grant. So the shared parking agreements, the recal shared parking
anticipation other is not fully applicable here. That's why the state wants parking on this parcel itself so that if there are future changes in 30, 50, 100 years, parking to the courts remains in place so that people can use
and access them. >> So So where is the parking? I thought the parking got removed. It used to be in front. >> We proposed to um
>> put a lot line. If I can share my screen. Yep. Thank you, Jim. A lot line here. If you can see it. So, this is the recal parking lot over on my left here. The whole parcel A here. Uh we are proposing a lot line
here. In essence, what this does is just for that future 30, 50 years that if something's changed, this parking that's directly perpendicular to the pickle ball courts remains in place. Uh there's no signage or restrictions. It just has
to be available for the shared use and the pickle ball players to use this parking. As indicated, the town would like to keep promotion towards the Burbank shared agreement as long as that advances um and works out. But in terms
of the lot creation, this is where we'd about put the lot line to um meet the state's requirements that parking be within the lot itself to be dedicated. So, Andrew, it looks like you're taking
um square footage from recal and giving and allotting it to the pickle ball courts. >> So, it does right in terms of the square footages. >> Yeah. >> Recalculate some things, but with the town being in common owners ownership
for zoning purposes and some land use items, common adjacent common ownership lots can be one lot. But again, it's about if in a 100red years the recal site looked to change, that would be its lot boundary, that red line that was up
there, but it still meets all zoning criterias. It meets the setback. It meets the upland area requirements, meets the lot area, the frontage, etc. I I'm assuming that the all parties that are involved
in the parking issues have been informed of this. >> Yeah, it doesn't change any of the structures in terms of the shared parking agreements or other um it's just putting that lot line over. Um but in terms of contractors, construction,
shared parking doesn't really impact any of that. Well, parking for the recal building will be impacted. Say there's a lot of people that play pickle ball and where do people like to park? They like to park real close to where they're
going. So that whole back line is now really allocated to pickle ball and it's less parking for recal. So I think there I'm I'm hoping that there was a
discussion with recal on this and that that there is agreement that loss of those spaces that were restricted to recal are now because of the lot line
moved will be uh um uh moved. >> Yeah. I don't know if I would classify it as a loss of parking. parking is still available to recal users. It just necessarily be recal which I don't think
was the intent over the entire process to sign that is recalon parking. So, >> well, all I know is that um currently there's a lot of problems and limited parking and one of the really serious things was parking for
recap. So, and I know that has nothing to do with recreation, so I'm going to end the conversation here. >> I understand the plan. The plan would be to still direct folks to that other parking area, which signage, emails. Um, but no, I certainly understand people
are going to go to the easiest way to get there and do that. And there will be policing that's going to happen. And the good thing is that I'm looking right out that window. >> So, pulling in, they go straight over there. >> We're going to move on. But no, it'll be a learning. orange vest and some cones.
>> Can you give some parking tickets? >> So, so we need to take a vote on this, right? >> This is just a hand up on the Zoom. >> Okay. Sorry. Was it >> I just had Yep. I just had two questions. Um, so as far as the dollar amount, is $100,000 that we'd be getting back if this gets approved in town
meeting? >> Yep. >> And not so much a question, more of a thought. Is it worth taking the this out of our out of the town hands and now involving another layer of government to conf to technically control the land if
we decided if the town not if the town decides 10 15 20 years to do something different with these courts? Um is how does like town the town staff town manager how what are their thoughts on this? Yeah, at least at this point that's why
they wanted to bring it to town meeting to have that discussion. I think there's certainly a lot of discussion to be had in that. Um, and the construction schedule too and how this can impact some things, but by town meeting maybe those are the construction schedule is already worked out. But yeah, I mean I
think that's the right golden question is is it worth it? So for this project and this parcel um but that was for a town meeting >> is can I just one more question is it is the grant $100,000
is that >> is that the amount in the grant? >> Yes. And that's reimbursement based. So we spend and draw down first and then prove that out and request reimbursement. >> Okay.
Thank you. >> Bob, did you have anything else? Your hand's still up. >> No, >> no, no, no. I'm good. I'm good. Sorry about that. >> No worries. Anybody else from the public? Anybody on from public?
>> Not showing anyone. >> So, do we need like a motion to approve this or is this just more for information purposes? It would be it's it's up to you if you want to go to a vote for support. If you're not sure right now, you can certainly do this. This was brought up at I think the last select board meeting. I think Karen Herrick had asked if the recreation um
committee has weighed in on this. So, if someone wants to make a motion, they can. >> Don't have to. It says potential >> vote. So, it's up to you and the board, the voting members. >> Bob, you you produced one before there.
So >> if you want to produce one, you don't have to. >> My last question about So we um so basically we're just saying we support this going on at town meeting for further discussion. Is that Yeah. >> the gist of this at this point? >> Yeah. >> Exactly. Correct. Yeah.
>> All right. All right. So, I will I'll make a motion that we vote to support the park grant discussion being I don't know how to word this. Jim, how is can you put it
>> 11? Andrew. Um, so what it reads on the agenda, it is um discussion and potential vote for support non-sup support on the park grant article 11. >> All right. I make a motion to support article 11. Um,
yeah. Is that is that enough? >> As presented on the warrant? >> Yeah. I make a make a motion to support article 11 as presented on the warrant. >> Second. >> Any discussion?
>> All right, let's do a vote. >> You want me to start? >> Sure. Bob >> Bob Widen, yes. >> Eric Bamer, yes. >> Laura Nunan, yes. >> Melissa Poochie, yes. Uh, rich hand. Yes. One, two, three, four, five. All right.
So, the motion >> I think I'll make jeopardy. Thank you guys. Jenna, I'll see you tomorrow. >> Thanks, Andrew. >> Thank you, Andrew. >> Heard him speak and stuff in town, but never saw >> him. That's
>> all right. Uh, so I just want to keep this moving uh because we're running late. Um, >> jump back to >> Yeah. >> Yep. 6. So, um, I just wanted to open up to the discussion. You know, we had a nice meeting with, um, Cameron's team,
uh, the COA um, on two weeks ago, March 9th. Just want to see if everyone had any feedback on that meeting that we had. You know, we plan to have other meetings together uh, with them when topics come up. I missed right. >> What's that?
>> I missed that one. >> Yeah, it was more the operation. >> Operation Jim and Jenna. >> Okay. >> Um presented. And then just for future reference, tomorrow night at the select board meeting, there's going to be a presentation too with recal just
updating select board with plans and where we've been, how we've gotten there, as well as operations and budget >> and the packets in the um the presentations in the packet if anybody wants to see it beforehand. >> First floor. Yes. Which is tomorrow
night. Um Oh, yeah. Can I say something? >> I just want to say I was thoroughly impressed with how well Jane ran that meeting. She had complete control of that room. >> Y >> I think I think that goes says a lot
about you know how she is in her role as acting town manager and I think you know >> you could see that we have someone good in this role and it would be a shame to potentially lose her. It's just my my two cents. >> Agree with that. >> Yeah, she made everyone feel at ease. I
think you know she some good she was calm you know she was very good very knowledgeable too about everything all the details >> knows a lot >> and um and she wasn't afraid to say hey I'll get back to you as well which I thought was being honest which I thought
was nice uh as well so any public comment on that at all ter discussion all right we'll jump into the next one um this Your turn, Jim. That's you. And I know Ed's office.
>> I want to play the role of Ed today. A commitment. Um, so I'll take care of it. Similar stuff that he mentioned last time. Um, we open up all our registrations for all of our summer programming. So, this is outside of our big summer vacation program that we had mentioned that we had 675 registrations
in six or so hours on the first day. So, we opened up all of our other programming. That includes any clinics that we run, any indoor programming with the schools, academic programs that we're offering to, and I'm happy to report again that our numbers were great. Last year on that day, we brought
in about $37,000. This year, we brought in pretty much double at $65,000. >> Um, so again, kudos to to Ed, Sue, and our staff for getting programs up online that folks are looking to register for and sign up for. So that is good news.
We're heading in the right direction. Last year we kind of took a hit because we didn't have the fieldhouse. So I think our numbers were down somewhat because we had to utilize gym spaces that were a little bit smaller. So it restricted us on registration numbers. So this year we're back in the fieldhouse which is wonderful. Um few
projects that are in the near future is Barrows Elementary School. Um, I had mentioned it before that our goal was to replace all of that black mulch that's been at the playgrounds for the past 20 years. Barrows is going to be our first one. We're planning on doing an April
vacation. I'm working with DPW to help with the removal process. DPW is going to pay for half of the dumpster as well as wreck. They're going to provide the manpower um with the highway department to get all that mulch out. Um, so the playground will probably be shut down for hopefully just that week of April
vacation when the kids aren't in school. Um, so I'm working with DPW to set up the schedules. And what we're going to do is we're going to bring in um certified wood mulch, which is where you see over at a few of the playgrounds that we have right now. Wood End has it. Um, Birch Meadow Elementary School, too.
Um, it's it's a lot better. Um, kids won't be coming home with black on their shoes or on their face. Um, so that'll happen during April vacation and then the plan is to go to Joshua next. Will that happen this year? I'm not sure. I'm hopeful that it could. Um and then the remaining playgrounds would be Memorial
Park and then Sturgees is the other one that has that rubber mulch. So working on that. Um I got a few new tasks um that Jane has me exploring. One of them is a town naming policy. Um schools have one right now for naming
whether it's schools, gymnasiums, courts, fitness rooms, things like that. The town doesn't have a policy for naming rights. So she has me exploring different options what other towns are doing. So, I am in the very beginning stages when I start pulling things together. Um, it's probably going to be
a policy that probably is going to end up with the select board, but I'm going to utilize all of you and your expertise to help with this. I don't want to be the one with just my name [laughter] naming policy. So, I will utilize you once I put together some drafts. And um, >> you left me out of the naming.
[laughter] >> So, I'm working on that. Um, another initiative too, um, that was brought up at a select board meeting, um, is looking at a snow shoveling program in Wakefield. They have the snow angels >> um which is a volunteer group of whether it's high school students or young
adults that are going out and helping folks in need of shoveling services whether it's the senior population folks who are unable mobility issues to help take care of um it would be their stairways, it'd be walking paths, it would exclude driveways and it would
only be shovel only just for liability reasons. We don't need kids going out there with snowblowers >> or any gas devices and there wouldn't be any plowing. So, um I've got a pretty good draft going right now based off what other towns The biggest thing is speaking with the town's insurance um
agent to make sure liability >> and we are covered. Um they think we should be okay because it's going to be a volunteer-based program. It's not going to be a paid for program. It's going to be volunteer based. We're going to work with the schools to talk with whether it's NHS, any clubs they have
there, sports teams, and my plan is to open it up to um even adults. Um I don't know if some of you know I do plow for the town, too. I got an exemption to plow when we had snowtorms off sidework hours. So, when I'm driving around, there are a number of adults that go above and beyond to take care of their
neighbors. >> I need to find out who those neighbors are that are in need. I'm sure there's neighbors that are out there that are afraid to ask for help. So, what my plan is to come up with a map of different sections in town and find out who is in need of these services and basically puts up on these and then see if we have
a volunteer that might be in that area so that they could >> maybe just head down the road and take care and help out these folks. So, I'm working on it now while we're talking about snow or got snow today instead of waiting last minute. So, I'm hoping I have a plan. >> You missed the window. >> I'm fine with missing the window.
[laughter] Um, did you say not driveways? >> Not driveways. Driveways would be excluded. If someone in an adult makes a decision outside that they want to help with a driveway, that is not on us or the town. So, if someone is helping them, it's outside of what we're kind of
providing. >> And so, you'd want the volunteers to do the walkways. >> Walkways, any paths that may lead to a side entrance or a garage to get to a car. >> So, basic egress. >> Okay. Okay. >> So, the driveways that would be extremely difficult with just a >> shovel
>> shovel. If you get one long driveway, it's not going to work out. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, one of the things we hear about um at Elder, you know, where I work at Elder Services, um >> pathways to like their oil access, oil delivery.
>> So, that's a great recommendation. Yes. >> So, that's something that's truly needed >> or clearing even the vents that are outside, too. >> Yeah. I mean, we get calls people can't get the oil delivered. They're going to run out of oil. Yeah. >> Lose their heat. And so, it's really something that's necessary. Um,
>> so yeah, >> you do. Do you get people down there, volunteers to go down? >> We my team looks for people to volunteer. >> You have a host of people ready to join this program? >> Well, we help them. >> Thank you. uh >> what was about this community
>> pathways to >> um like oil deliveries oil deliveries oil deliveries >> the thing about driveways as well is meals on wheels can't be delivered for older adults if driveways aren't plowed
so driveways are really important I understand it might not >> fit into this but just keep that in mind for some individuals who are homebound and receive meals on wheels um they really need to have their driveways and their sidewalks.
>> Another option I thought of too, like if we catch some legs on this, I'm sure there's folks out there that either own landscaping businesses that are more than willing to help where maybe I could simply connect them with them saying, "Hey, they're willing to offer these services at little to no charge. >> But you got to go directly through them
like here's a list of companies that are willing to to help out." But I'm sure they'd have to fill out some kind of liability with the the plow company or whoever's going to plow on their truck cuz things can go wrong. Someone could hit a sprinkler head, someone could hit a mailbox. And who's [clears throat] paying for that? >> A lot of local ones around here.
>> Yeah. So they Melrose has the same program. Yeah. Melrose. Look at >> Do you know what it's called? >> Um, >> and some towns do charge. >> I forget what I forget what they call it. I I'll get it for you. the name >> Arlington used to have one too, but I
think they they're not functioning these days. I think it kind of >> sunset with COVID and they never really came back, >> but I might have some old literature. >> Okay. Yeah. >> On it. >> Bob, did you have something you were going to say? >> Um, uh, did I I think I I may have, but
I think I either it was answered or I kind of forgot. >> Okay. You had do you have your hand up? >> Um, >> okay. >> I think it's a great idea, though. >> Yeah. Yeah. I'm looking forward. It's been fun. >> I'm not going to give away names or anything like that that I want to call this, but I got some fun names and some
fun graphics and some good ideas to make it worthwhile for whether it's students or, you know, some adults that are willing to help out. >> So, I'll be working on that. Um, >> oh, Jim, you know, I was going to ask you about the naming policy and what are other towns doing? Like, have you gotten that far with it yet or? Yeah. So, most
of the other towns what they do is they form kind of a subcommittee where they're pulling in whether it's someone from recreation committee, a select board, it could be the athletic department because we do have some fields, youth organizations. So, they form almost a naming committee um with
stipulations on who can apply, when they can apply, how long it's going to take, and the whole process of the approval. more than likely it's a recommendation um that starts if it was a town field it would come to the recreation committee
recreation committee they are in support of that then it would move on to the naming committee naming committee looks at it they're in support of it then it would go to the select board potentially for approval that's what I've seen in two or three different towns I've done so far so we'd probably be forming some kind of committee that would have a
bunch of different players involved >> yeah I think that's a great idea Yeah. And I mean there's conservation too. There's pathways that are going to name, you know, the material cabin that's out there. There's a pavilion that's out there too. So it would involve conservation. Um facilities may be involved too with the schools. If
it's they're overseeing a facility. So it's just figuring out who would be the appropriate folks to be in those groups to help make these decisions. Um it's a hard thing when you when you get people come in and say, "I want to name this after somebody." It's really hard to say no. So I think the more committees we have >> That's right. with insight to spread
that out. [laughter] >> So I am going to try to water this down as much as I can. So that will be the plan. So >> we started working on it last week. So >> start with naming snowplows or something like that. >> Snowplows are already getting named. We have them all. >> Yeah. The scoop dog. You haven't seen
Scoop Dog? >> The Blizzard of Oz is my favorite. >> Wizard of Oz. [laughter] So I think that's more done just in Jess and the kids get to decide at all the schools. So, they get to pick that out, which is pretty fun. Um, just moving right along. Birch metal phase 2. We're
waiting for that warm weather to show up so that we can finalize the um playground and get the surfacing done there and that they can put some some uh seed down on that grass and get it growing before we can open that up. So, until it gets turned back over to town, that fence will stay up right now. Um,
we're hopeful that we get warm weather in the next month or so >> and the um company can come back here and get that pour in place surface down and then get the the seed down. hopefully in the next month to a month and a half. >> Courts look awesome over there. >> They do look great. Can't wait to turn the lights on.
>> Um, so the playground at Birch Meadow that's not getting wood chips, right? That's getting that like spongy bouncy >> for pouring play similar to what the rise playground has. So we did finish that already. The rise playground right outside the school has like a bright maroon color. Um, we're going with a nice soft green colors to match kind of
the landscape of the area. >> But the other um playgrounds they're getting wood chips. Is that just because it's not like the budget? Yeah, it would be very difficult to bring in. It's pretty expensive. But if we are to upgrade any playground and do a redo, which I know Barrows is going to be
coming up relatively soon, we would go to that one and play, which is the pretty much the industry standard right now for accessibility. >> Just getting the Reverend Munch out is a good start. >> I wish done it sooner, but some things came up and I couldn't do it last year, which I won't get into. >> That stuff is great. I just came back
from Florida and one of the playgrounds there that we went to frequently had that stuff. >> Good on the knees. >> Awesome. >> The spongy. >> Yeah. And it's accessible >> and it's relatively easy to maintain. You may have a kid go out there and drop
their scooter on there and it could chip it up. But there's a warranty that comes on it and you know probably have them once a year and patch up >> kids these days at the playground. >> [laughter] >> Um just a quick update recall and pickle ball. I know we talk about it a lot. Um
we're just waiting for the timeline and the schedule for the contractors to talk about when groundbreaking is. Um one thing we were speaking with with uh our interim town manager now is doing a photo op when the time comes. I don't know if the shovels will be golden. I see a shovel back there. Um but photo
opportunities to include I know the COA would be invited uh elder services wreck um w committee too. So, if you are interested, I'll let you guys know when that is going to be happening. I would say it's probably >> we're few weeks away, I'm guessing. So, I'm hopeful that we get the construction
schedule pretty soon. And after doing the meeting minutes earlier today, um the pickleball bids did come in. I don't know if anyone heard they all became under bid. The town had um put out 1.5 million for the pickup all courts for all alternates, meaning seven
courts, fully lit with uh one fully accessible. They are all accessible, but there is one that is fully fully accessible, if that makes any sense. It's a bigger court. Um but they all are accessible, but there is one that is specialized for >> Is that the one that's at the far end of >> the far end? Yeah. Almost looks like a
tennis court. It's pretty large. I wonder if that'll be the main court, but that'll be priority for folks um with disabilities. So, that'll be there. So, it came at 1.158. So, a little >> nice >> almost $400,000 under under what was uh
budgeted. So, that's great news. Um last year, >> the money the I'm sorry, Jim, the money that the pickle ball players association raised, does that go towards the construction? that is that's $225,000 are coming off. There's $100,000 coming
from Rec Capital and there's funds from Burbank coming. So, >> I don't want to say the wrong number, but I think like the total cost outside of that is about $600,000 after we knock off all um >> That's true. >> those numbers. So, >> and this is in line with the
construction cost coming down that we had heard before. >> And recal came down. Yeah, recal came down almost 3 million. >> So, it's basically Yeah, >> trending down right now, but when I was with Yeah. Right. >> And then just my last update of just
waiting for the fields to dry so we can open these grass fields and I don't see it happening anytime soon. DPW will be out there as soon as they can. They can't put vehicles out on these fields, especially the ball fields. >> Um those are the hardest to get up and going because of the >> we've had that snow layer sitting on
there. It's almost acted like a blanket, not a good blanket. almost like an insulator that's going to keep that ground from getting melted. >> So, it's still pretty thorough. >> The ground is soggy, but what happens is when they turn the dirt over in the softball fields, they once you do that, all that water just comes up and then you got to wait again and you got to
constantly turn it over. So, >> um we had a we got a wet spring. It's not spring yet, but we hit spring. >> We hit spring. >> Yeah, last Friday. >> We hit spring. >> Yeah, >> but there's more. >> [laughter] >> into it. >> Um but yeah, I know everyone's itching
to get on the field. Um the tennis court lights, we got those on um this past week. The pickle ball courts over at Memorial Park, those are open for play right now. Reservations are available on play local at our tennis courts and our pickle ball courts right now. >> So everything is up online. And the turf
fields, teams are out there practicing. You may see lacrosse out there or soccer if they're crazy enough to be out in the weather, but the turf fields are open for our youth teams to start getting out there. >> That's all I have for my report. >> As always, it's amazing when I sit here
and listen to you guys, everything you do. So, uh, >> yeah, >> hats off to you and Jenner, >> good team >> for all you do. It's amazing. And, uh, thank you for everything. First naming rights we'll have is the Jim and Jenna.
>> Yeah, right. [laughter] >> I only have eight >> some kind make a motion. >> Yeah, you said the >> we have the minutes to review and and approve. We have the minutes from uh the February uh 9th meeting. So, we could
just take a minute to look those over. >> Um there's a typo on page two, the last paragraph. It says Lauren. >> I always mess up your name. I feel like I always >> I feel like I'm just really good at catching typos in people's names. >> You really are. >> Yeah, >> that one just happened to be mine.
Although whenever I speak too quickly, people think my name is Lauren because I say Laura Nan and like the N runs. >> It does. >> I do these and I put them through the chat to clean up and it misses. It's got Laura everywhere else. Where does it say Lauren? Oh, there it is. In the middle, >> too. Yeah. Middle and then bottom.
>> Okay. Sorry about that. >> Can I What does CPA stand for? >> Uh Community Preservation Act. Well, okay. Got it. >> And then while you're reading these to the the last two joint meetings, we're just waiting on a few of the amendments
that we had made. Um, and waiting for a few of them from COA and we're going to get them to you in April to approve both the January and March joint rep. >> So, a draft, we don't necessarily need vote on
>> a draft. Yeah, you need to vote on the draft, approve it, and make it official. >> Even with the amendments that >> you can make a friendly amendment. Yeah, >> friendly amendments. >> Second. >> February 9th, right? >> February 9th. Yes.
>> With the amendment. >> With the amendment to fix my name. >> The amendment to fix Lara's name. >> Yeah. [laughter] Second. >> Second. Great. All right. Mr. Bob, you started off as to approve the minutes. >> You're muted.
>> You're muted. >> Yes. >> Eric, >> Eric is a yes. >> Laura Nan, yes. Melissa Poochie, yes. >> Rich Han, yes. The minutes have been approved for the February 9th meeting.
And need a motion to >> motion to adjurnn. >> I'll second that. Yes. All right. All in favor to adjourn. >> Bob Widen, yes. >> Eric Bame, yes. >> Laura Nan, yes. >> Melissa Poochie, yes. >> Rich Han, yes.
>> All these Rogers. >> All right, everyone. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Have a great night, guys. >> Thank you, guys.