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West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
August 18, 1999
Minutes
Attending: Bob Cifone, Kathy McDevitt, Michael Pillagalli, Jennifer Grey-Rice, Ed Smith and Joe Waters
Township Representatives: Kathy Hahn, Ken Lehr, Al Roth and Kent Wise
Friends of the Park: Kelly Cifone, Pat Kelly, Holly Niemeyer and Peggy Niemeyer
Meeting called to Order: 7:05 PM by Chairman Joe Waters
Joe Waters welcomed Boy Scout Dennis Bondran to the meeting. Dennis is required to attend a local government meeting as part of the requirements for obtaining the communications badge.
After a review of the minutes submitted for the July 21, 1999 meeting, a motion was made by Michael Pillagalli to accept the minutes as submitted. The motion was second
by Kathy McDevitt and passed.
The Financial Report dated July 31, 1999 was reviewed. There were no questions of comments pertaining to the Financial Report.
Parks: Kent Wise reported that July was a slow month due vacations. The crews were busy cutting grass (1 week out of the month), doing tree work at
Hallowell field and cleaning up the areas around the Box Elder Drive pond. The issues with the electric service for the Community Park amphitheater have been repaired. Kent Wise informed
that due to the drought, the crews were watering selected trees and scrubs at the Township Parks using a tank truck and water buckets. Work on the new Diamond Text bin for Flagg Field has been completed. The trash cans at the Community Park are currently being painted in preparation for Community Day. Kent Wise indicated that the contractor has completed the clean-up of the areas around the new Tennis Counts at the Community Park. Construction on the new parking lot for the Community Park is currently underway. The new parking area should be ready for use by Community Day if everything remains on schedule. Kent Wise reported that the new letter sign for the Township Building has been ordered for delivery in 4 weeks. Additionally, the new letter signs for the Community Park are in. The installation of the new signs is contingent on the availability of the stone mason.
Recreation:
Al Roth reported that the very successful 1999 Summer Camp program ended on August 13th. A full report on the Summer Camp will be distributed at the September Park and Recreational Board meeting. Al Roth indicated that the 1999 Summer Camp expenditures are well within the budget constraints for this years program.
Friends of the Park: Kelly Cifone welcomed Pat Kelly as the new vice-president of the Friends. Pat Kelly has already raised all of the prizes required to
support this years Community Day activities. Kelly Cifone indicated that the Friends still need to raise $1,000.00 to cover the entire $3,250.00 cost for Loni Gamble (Motown Band). Kelly Cifone
reported that 30 tickets have been sold for the Radio City bus trip scheduled for Saturday, November 13th. The bus will depart at 11:00 AM and return at 11:00 PM. Ticket sales for the planned
October 3rd bus trip to Washington have been slow. At this time 6 tickets have been sold for this event. Michael Pillagalli suggested advertising the Washington bus trip on the sign at the
Township Building. Finally, the Friends are still looking for additional volunteers to help out with Community Day.
Old Business: Ken Lehr reported that through the first five events of the 1999 Summer Concert Series, attendance has been on par with last year. Two of
the concerts had to be moved inside to inclement weather. The final event of the 1999 Summer Concert Series (Country Western Night) will be presented on August 22nd featuring "Country Joe and the
Honky Tonk Heroes".
Ken Lehr reporting on the West Goshen Township's Theater Series informed that approximately 200 people attended the presentation of William Shakespeare's "As You Like It" on Sunday, August 16th. The
next event for the Theater Series will be a Children's Theater performed by the Middle Earth Studios in conjunction with Community Day activities on Sunday, September 12th. The group will provide their
own stage (flat bed truck) and offer performances of "Interactive Theater" as well as a "Puppet Show".
Ken Lehr reported that the results from the surveys sent out to all of the people that ordered tickets for the Baltimore trip were very positive and indicate there is interest in future trips planned by
the Township. The Township Newsletter and the sign at the Township Building were the most noted source of advertising. Ken Lehr indicated that at this time, there is nothing new to report on
potential trips for next year.
Kathy McDevitt presented a plaque to West Goshen Township from the MS Society in appreciation for allowing the group to use the Community Park for their annual Run for MS.
Kathy McDevitt reporting on Community Day informed that at this time, 16 crafters have signed up to participate in this years event. Advertising for Community Day will appear in the Town Talk, the
Daily Local News and the Philadelphia Inquirer. Suburban Cable will also be running a TV add for Community Day. Kelly Cifone will contact Suburban Cable to make sure the adds are
running. Fliers advertising Community Day will be distributed throughout the area Grade Schools and given to teachers at the area middle schools. Jennifer Grey-Rice offered to help distribute
signs for the event. The West Goshen Township banner has been updated for this years Community Day activities. Ken Lehr informed that he has contacted Kathy McBratney to help line up additional
food vendors. Kelly Cifone reported that the Friends will be selling Sodas, Juices and Water at this years event. The concession stand will also be open offering a selection of menu items
similar to last year. To date, the following acts have been booked:
"Motown Band" - $3,250.00
Middle Earth Theater (Children's Theater) - $1,500.00
Sunflower Mime - $275.00
Pony Rides - $500.00
Del Bittle - $300.00
"Rapid City" (Rock-a-Billy) - $200.00/hr
"Turks Head Jugglers" - donation
Joe Waters indicated that he will contact the "Chester County Clowns" to see if they would be available to perform at Community Day. Kathy McDevitt reported that she currently had 4 caricature
artists available for Community Day. Chris Knowles, a caricature artist that has worked with Kathy McBratney in the past would be available to perform for 3 hours at a cost of $150.00 ($50.00 per
hour). The Show Stoppers would also be able to provide 3 caricature artists for 3 hours at a cost of $1050.00 ($350.00 per artist at a rate of $116.66 per hour per artist). Jennifer
Grey-Rice expressed concern that even with 4 caricature artists available, there may not be enough time for everyone to get their picture done. Members of the Park Board expressed concern over the
cost of the 3 caricature artists tentatively booked through the Show Stoppers. Kathy Hahn informed that a verbal commitment had already been made to the Show Stoppers and indicated that any change
to that commitment could cause a credibility issue between the Township and the Show Stoppers. Ken Lehr distributed a copy of the budget for Community Day and indicated that the surplus from the
Summer Music series could be used for Community Day events. At this time there appears to be enough funds available to cover the cost of the caricature artists. Joe Waters made a motion that
the Township should try to obtain a lower price for the caricature artists with the understanding that the Township would go ahead with the 3 artists from the Show Stoppers if a lower cost option is not
viable. The motion was approved (4 members voted for the motion, 2 members abstained). Kathy McDevitt displayed a sample of the proposed 1999 Community Day button. The cost to the Township
for 2,500 buttons would be $850.00 (34 cents per button). Additionally, Kathy McDevitt informed that in place of the button, the Township could offer a card displaying the 1999 Community Day date,
the Township administrative numbers and the Township logo. The card could be used as a book marker and/or an ice scraper. The custom cards could be delivered by September 8th. The Township
would receive a price break if a quantity of 1,500 cards are ordered (25 cents per card). The cost to the Township for 1,500 cards would be $375.00. Jennifer Grey-Rice suggested not
putting the Community Day date on either the button or the card so the surplus items could be used at another Township sponsored event. Michael Pillagalli stated he did not see the value in
distributing either the buttons or the cards at Community Day and recommended using these funds to help cover the cost of the caricature artists. Kathy McDevitt made a motion to proceed with the card for
this years Community Day that would include the Township administrative numbers and logo. The motion was approved (3 members voted for the motion, 1 member voted against the motion and 2 members
abstained). PENDOT will allow the Township the use of there parking area next to the West Goshen Shopping Center for Community Day. A scuttle service will be in place to pick-up and drop-off at
the PENDOT parking lot and at Fresh Meadows. Faulkner Pontiac has offered to supply scuttle vans for Community Day as long as the Township provides the driver. Michael Pillagalli indicated we
may not need the scuttle service if the new parking lot at the Community Park is available. Peggy Niemeyer asked if anyone had contacted the West Goshen Fire Company to see if they would be interested in
selling their donuts at Community Day with a portion of the profits going to the Friends. Kelly Cifone will contact the West Goshen Fire Company. Kelly Cifone asked if there were plans to have
any World War II vehicles on display at Community Day. Joe Waters will contact Louis Pannuchi to see if he would be interested in displaying his vehicles at Community Day. Peggy Niemeyer suggested
putting the programs for Community Day on tables placed throughout the park. Ken Lehr indicated he would contact the "Moon Dance" company to see it they could support this years event. Members
of the Park Board suggested that the Township should only consider the "Moon Dance" if the company will supply the support staff. Additionally, members of the Park Board suggested that the Township
should consider having Laser Tag at next years Community Day event. Kelly Cifone indicated that the Friends are still looking for baby food jars to support the sand art craft scheduled for Community
Day. Jennifer Grey-Rice stated that more people should be involved with the planning and preparation for Community Day and the actual process should begin earlier (immediately after the completion
of the prior year's event). Finally, Jennifer Grey-Rice will pick-up the donuts and Dan Dixon will supply the coffee for the Crafters and Staff.
New Business: The topic of putting limits on the number of people allowed at picnics held at the Township Parks was discussed. Sharon Lynn indicated that
the Park and Recreation Board should consider setting limits on the size of the event (i.e. number of people attending the event). Joe Waters asked if an ordinance could be passed by the Board of
Supervisors for this purpose. Michael Pillagalli indicated that the Township could not make exceptions once the limits were established. This could prevent events like the Fern Hill
Graduation Ceremony from being held at the Community Park. Kent Wise asked if the Township could require the large picnics to be held at the Community Park instead of Coopersmith and Barker
Park. Jennifer Grey-Rice suggested the Township should pro-rate the fees for use of the Township Parks based on the number of people attending the event. Joe Waters suggested putting this item
on the agenda for discussion at the September Park Board meeting.
Michael Pillagalli reporting on Harvest Day informed that the Township will not be supplying the pumpkins for this years event due to the increase in the cost of pumpkins
caused by the drought. This years event will still offer a Hay Ride and a Scare Crow making contest. The Harvest Day sub-committee consisting of Michael Pillagalli, Jennifer Grey-Rice and Ed
Smith will meet after Community Day to finalize plans for this years event. Ken Lehr asked if he should book "Makin Music" again for this years event. The members of the Park Board indicated
the Ken Lehr should proceed with plans to have "Makin Music" perform at this years Harvest Day.
Ken Lehr asked if there were any plans to hold a "Holiday Event" this year. Jennifer Grey-Rice and Kelly Cifone volunteered to serve on a sub-committee that would begin
planing for the proposed 1999 Holiday Event.
Bob Cifone expressed concern that there was not enough staff present to support the August 12th Theater Series event at the Community Park. Bob Cifone indicated that the
recent electrical (PECO) problems at the Community Park prompted his concern. Kent Wise indicated that going forward, he will have 2 members of his crew on-site to support the upcoming events
at the Community Park.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 PM. The next meeting is scheduled for September 22nd.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ed Smith
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