Below is a summarized version of the Recreation Committee meeting, organized by timestamps and speakers, focusing on key points raised during the discussion in Reading, Massachusetts. This summary condenses the discussion into major themes, speaker contributions, and decisions, avoiding excessive detail while retaining the essence of the conversation. Timestamps correspond to the video linked at the bottom.

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📅 July 28, 2026 Recreation Committee Meeting

🕒 Meeting Start: 00:00:24
⏰ Meeting End: 01:25:24
💻 Format: Hybrid
👤 Chair: Richard Hand
👥 Attendees: Richard Hand, Eric Gaffen, Giuseppe Fodera, Robert Weiden, Lara Durgavich, Laura Noonan, Carlo Bacci, Nick Pesaturo, Catherine Kaminer, Melissa Pucci, Nancy Ziemlak, other committee members and staff including Jim (Recreation Department staff)

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📋 Summary

The committee reorganized for the year, electing Richard Hand as Chair and Robert Weiden as Vice Chair. Members approved several facility-use requests, including amplified sound for a youth baseball event, amplified sound for an RCTV community movie night, and temporary field lighting for Reading United Soccer.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on a draft policy framework for the new pickleball courts. Discussion covered court reservations, open-play access, membership fees, accessibility considerations, scholarships, revenue expectations, and operational policies. No final action was taken, and staff will refine the proposal and return with revisions. The committee also postponed discussion of a draft naming policy, received recreation project updates, approved meeting minutes, and acknowledged a staff departure.

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📑 Agenda Overview

⏰ Start Time	Topic
00:00:24	Call to Order & Roll Call
00:01:26	Election of Recreation Committee Chair
00:03:42	Election of Vice Chair
00:05:44	Amplified Sound Request – Hunt Field
00:14:52	Amplified Sound Request – RCTV Movie Night
00:16:53	Temporary Lighting Request – Reading United Soccer
00:24:07	Pickleball Court Policies Discussion
01:14:12	Draft Naming Policy Discussion
01:18:38	Recreation Department Updates
01:22:13	Meeting Minutes Approval
01:25:06	Adjournment

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🗳 Discussion & Vote – Recreation Committee Chair Election

⏰ 00:01:26 – 00:03:42
👤 Presenter(s): Recreation Committee Members

Overview:

The committee conducted its annual leadership reorganization.

Key Discussion Points:

• Richard Hand was nominated for Chair.
• No additional nominations were made.

Vote:

✅ Approved

Vote Count: 8-0-0

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🗳 Discussion & Vote – Vice Chair Election

⏰ 00:03:42 – 00:05:44
👤 Presenter(s): Recreation Committee Members

Overview:

The committee selected a Vice Chair for the upcoming year.

Key Discussion Points:

• Robert Weiden was nominated for Vice Chair.
• No additional nominations were made.

Vote:

✅ Approved

Vote Count: 8-0-0

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🗳 Discussion & Vote – Amplified Sound Permit (Hunt Field Youth Baseball Event)

⏰ 00:05:44 – 00:14:52
👤 Presenter(s): Pat Silva, Recreation Staff

Overview:

The committee reviewed a request for amplified sound during the final game of an 11-year-old all-star baseball team season at Hunt Field.

Key Discussion Points:

• Event would include walk-up songs, limited music, and player announcements.
• Staff summarized a neighbor complaint regarding prior sound levels, parking concerns, and unpermitted music activity at the field.
• Applicant stated sound would be limited to a small Bluetooth speaker near home plate.
• Committee discussed duration, volume control, and communication with neighbors.
• Staff agreed to contact the concerned resident and discuss concerns with Little League leadership.

Vote:

✅ Approved

Vote Count: 7-0-0

Recusal: Robert Weiden recused himself due to his role on the Little League board.

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🗳 Discussion & Vote – Amplified Sound Permit (RCTV Community Movie Night)

⏰ 00:14:52 – 00:16:53
👤 Presenter(s): Recreation Staff

Overview:

The committee reviewed an amplified sound request for an outdoor community movie event hosted by Reading Community Television on the Town Common.

Key Discussion Points:

• Event scheduled for August 13.
• Sound equipment would be used for announcements and movie audio.
• Staff indicated the organization follows licensing and programming standards.

Vote:

✅ Approved

Vote Count: 8-0-0

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🗳 Discussion & Vote – Temporary Lighting Request (Reading United Soccer)

⏰ 00:16:53 – 00:24:07
👤 Presenter(s): Reading United Soccer Representatives, Recreation Staff

Overview:

Reading United Soccer requested temporary field lighting at Simonds Field due to the continued loss of lighting at Driscoll.

Key Discussion Points:

• Temporary lighting previously supported fall soccer programming.
• Request expanded from four to six light towers to improve field coverage.
• Approximately 225 youth participants would benefit.
• Lights would be installed from early September through mid-November.
• No complaints were reported from the prior season.
• Staff requested advance notice of delivery and installation.

Vote:

✅ Approved

Vote Count: 7-0-1

Abstention: One committee member abstained.

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🗣️ Public Comment

⏰ 00:24:07 – 01:12:23
👤 Presenter(s): Recreation Committee Members, Pickleball Community Representatives

Summarize themes raised.

• Feedback focused on the proposed pickleball court reservation and membership system.
• Speakers discussed balancing revenue generation with broad public access.
• Concerns were raised about fee levels, non-resident participation, enforcement, and reservation logistics.
• Participants advocated for structured open-play periods organized by skill level.
• Accessibility of Court 7 generated discussion regarding priority use and accommodations for players with visible and invisible disabilities.
• Suggestions included lessons, drills, sponsorships, equipment rentals, and other revenue-generating activities rather than relying solely on reservation fees.
• Members emphasized flexibility and future policy adjustments based on actual usage patterns.

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🏢 Administrator / Manager Report

⏰ 01:18:38 – 01:22:13
👤 Presenter(s): Recreation Staff

🚆 Transportation / Infrastructure

• Pickleball court construction continued, with surfacing anticipated in the coming weeks.
• Courts remain targeted for opening in the fall, though no firm date was provided.
• Construction at the Reading Center for Active Living continued, including visible progress on the gym and walking track.
• A time capsule was installed at the Reading Center for Active Living site.

🎉 Community Events

• Summer recreation programming continued despite weather-related disruptions from heat, smoke, and rain.
• Staff reported a successful summer season overall.

💼 Economic Development

• Jenna Wood was on leave and expected to return later in the year.
• Staff announced that a recreation department employee would be leaving to pursue a new opportunity in Vermont.
• Recruitment for the vacant position had begun.

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🗳 Discussion & Vote – Draft Naming Policy for Town Fields, Courts, and Buildings

⏰ 01:14:12 – 01:18:38
👤 Presenter(s): Recreation Staff

Overview:

Staff introduced a draft naming policy for town-owned facilities.

Key Discussion Points:

• Members requested additional time for review.
• Discussion included whether future presentations should be distributed in advance as part of meeting packets.
• Members expressed interest in receiving supporting materials before substantive discussions.

Vote:

🔄 Continued

The item was postponed to a future meeting.

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✅ Meeting Minutes Approved

⏰ 01:22:13 – 01:25:06
👤 Presenter(s): Recreation Committee Members

• March 23, 2026 Minutes: Attendance correction approved.
• December 15, 2025 Minutes: Approved.
• April 28, 2026 Minutes: Approved.
• May 19, 2026 Minutes: Approved.

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🔑 Key Summary

• Richard Hand was elected Chair and Robert Weiden was elected Vice Chair.
• The committee approved an amplified sound permit for a youth baseball event at Hunt Field; Robert Weiden recused himself.
• An amplified sound permit for an RCTV outdoor movie night on the Town Common was approved unanimously.
• Reading United Soccer received approval for temporary field lighting at Simonds Field for the fall season.
• Extensive discussion occurred regarding future pickleball court policies, including reservations, open play, fees, accessibility, and revenue generation.
• The draft naming policy for town facilities was postponed to a future meeting for additional review.
• Staff reported continued progress on the pickleball courts and the Reading Center for Active Living project.
• The committee approved corrected and outstanding meeting minutes and adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

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