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West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
March 17, 1999
Minutes
Attending: Les Bair, Rick Cantwell, Dan Dixon, Michael Pillagalli, Jennifer Grey-Rice, Ed Smith and Joe Waters
Township Representatives: Sharon Lynn, Kathy Hahn, Ken Lehr and Kent Wise
Friends of the Park: Arnold Bair, Kelly Cifone, Bob Cifone and Peggy Niemeyer
Meeting called to Order: 7:08 PM by Chairman Joe Waters
After a review of the minutes submitted for the February 17, 1999 meeting, a motion was made by Michael Pillagalli to accept the minutes as submitted. The motion was second by Rick
Cantwell and passed.
The Financial Report dated February 28, 1999 was reviewed.
Joe Waters indicated that the Capital Reserve Account had a balance of $676.000.00. There were no other questions or comments pertaining to the Financial Report.
Parks:
Kent Wise reported that the crews have completed work on the retaining wall that surrounds the baseball field at Coopersmith Park. Plans call for the construction of benches that will be attached to the new retaining wall. The area behind the new retaining wall will be back-filled and final graded in time for the Easter Egg Hunt (March 28th). Kent Wise indicated he was very pleased with the work on the new retaining wall. Kent Wise informed that the crews are in the process of servicing the equipment (mowers, weed-wackers etc.) and painting the Trash Barrels at the Township Parks in preparation for the spring season. New shelves have been added to the shed at the Community Park to provide an area for the Friends to store their sodas. The new Bulletin Board sign for the Community Park has been ordered and should be delivered soon. Kent Wise reports he is still reviewing the details and prices on three proposals for a new 4 foot by 8 foot sign to be located at the Community Park. Joe Waters asked when the proposed new sign could be installed. Kent Wise indicated it would take about 6 weeks to have the new sign available. Installation would be targeted for some time in May. Kent Wise and Sharon Lynn had a meeting with the Health Department to discuss installing a sign informing the public about Lime Disease at the Community Park. The new sign will be installed by the end of April. Kent Wise informed that the recent bad weather has impacted work on preparing the baseball fields for the upcoming season. Plans are underway to build 2 new "diamond text"
bins at the Community Park. Kent Wise indicated he hoped to have Hallowell Field in playing condition by June 1st. Finally, Joe Waters reported that the Kent Wise and his crew did a
great job on their recently completed work at the Box Elder Drive pond.
Recreation:
Ken Lehr reviewed a report that recommended limiting the number of summer camp Junior Councilors to 5-7 at Coopersmith Park, 5-7 at the Community Park and 6-8 at Barker Park. Joe Waters suggested that the final decision on the junior councilor limits should be deferred until the April Park and Recreation Board meeting. Ken Lehr reported that there are still 5 openings to fill for this years program. Ken Lehr distributed a hand out detailing the profits and expenses for the 1998 summer camp program. The report showed that the revenues from the fees charged ($37,869) covered approximately 60% of the cost of the program. The goal of the Township is to cover 1/2 of the cost of the summer camp program through fees. The summer camp program is scheduled to run from June 21st through August 13th. Registration is scheduled for May 15th and May 22nd. Parent orientation is scheduled for April 27th. Registration for the summer camp program will be held at the Township Building. Rick Cantwell asked if there was enough parking capacity to support holding the summer camp registration at the Township Building. Sharon Lynn indicated that there should be enough parking available. Kent Wise indicated the Township will put up barricades to prohibit access to the parking lot at the doctors office across the street from the Township Building. Michael Pillagalli asked if the Township would consider holding summer camp registration at the Community Park. Sharon Lynn stated that there were too many weather related issues to consider utilizing the Community Park for summer camp registration. Finally, Rick Cantwell suggested having Al Roth contact the returning summer camp councilors to have them available to help out with this years summer camp registration.
Friends of the Park:
Arnold Bair reported that the Friends currently have a balance of $5664.42 in their account and all outstanding bills have been paid. Kelly Cifone expressed thanks to everyone for the shirts that were presented to the Friends. Kelly Cifone reported she is working with Ken Lehr to finalize the dates and performers for the upcoming Summer Music Series. Kelly Cifone indicated the Friends are planning to advertise via the Cable Newsletter to attract sponsors for the Summer Music Series and Community Day. Additionally, the Friends are discussing the idea of offering an additional concert for the sponsors that donate over $1,500.00. Sponsors for the Summer Music Series will be recognized at the 6 events planned for the 1999 season while sponsors for Community Day will be recognized at the largest Township event of the year. Volunteers from the Friends of the Park will fill the Easter Eggs for this years Easter Egg Hunt. Kelly Cifone reported that she contacted Al Roth to review and approve the Friends plan for selling coffee and donuts at the Summer Camp Registration. Kelly Cifone reviewed a copy of the flier for a $5.00 membership to the Friends of the Park that is planned to be included in the Summer Camp Registration package. The Friends are still looking for baby food jars to support the sand art craft scheduled for Community Day. Kelly Cifone informed that the Friends are looking for an "Act"
to perform at the July Decorated Bike parade.
Ken Lehr asked if a date had been selected for Harvest Day. This event was listed in the Friends flier without a date. Michael Pillagalli recommended that the 1999 Harvest Day activities should be planned for Sunday, October 24th.
Central Chester County Recreation Consortium:
Dan Dixon reported that he attended the March meeting of the consortium. The mission of the consortium is to organize outlets for recreation (i.e. the Park and Recreation Boards from the local municipalities) and create a common place for this information. Additionally, the consortium is looking into the benefits of group buying power. The next meeting is planned for 7:30 PM on May 18th. Plans are in process to have Mrs. Kelly speak at the next meeting to give an insight on the efforts that were required to obtain the land to construct the Kelly's sports field.
Old Business: Jennifer Grey-Rice reported that the new "Bunny Head" for the upcoming Easter Egg hunt was obtained from Irving Stern Costume.
Ken Lehr displayed the new "Bunny Head" for the Park Board members. Ken Lehr asked if all of the judges have been lined up for this years event. Jennifer Grey-Rice will meet with Kelly Cifone after the Park Board meeting to finalize the plans for this years Easter Egg Hunt. The Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for 10:30 AM on Saturday, March 27th with a rain date on Saturday, April 3rd. All volunteers helping with the event are asked to arrive at by 9:00 AM to help hide the Easter Eggs. Members of the Park Board offered thanks to Peggy Niemeyer and the Friends for the Park for their efforts preparing for this years event. Peggy Niemeyer has several boxes filled with donated canned foods that will be distributed to various local charities. Ken Lehr reported he has the tape that was used at last years Easter Egg Hunt. Joe Waters asked if the sound system could be set up to support this years event. Finally, Joe Waters will contact Dick Fitch to obtain Numbers and Pins for the participants in this years Easter Egg Hunt.
Ken Lehr reported that he has received payment from 28 Township residents for the bus trip to Baltimore Harbor scheduled for Sunday, June 6th. The cost of the trip is $30.00 per person
and participation is currently limited to Township residents. The Township has purchased 138 tickets for the Phillies, Orioles game and reserved the use of 3 buses.
The Buses will depart East High School. Ken Lehr indicated the Township has a plan to open up participation to non-residents if there are tickets still available by April 30th. Ken Lehr informed that the Township will have a literature package advertising the Baltimore Harbor trip available for distribution at the Summer Camp registration.
Dan Dixon reported that planning for the Summer Music series is progressing well. The following events have been scheduled:
Children's Concert - June 13th featuring "Makin Music".
Mardi Gras Night - June 27th featuring "Planêpe Folle," and the "Barbone Street Jazz Band".
Swing Band Night - July 11th featuring "John Huey Orchestra".
Classical Night - July 25th featuring "Shaw Strings".
Night at the Islands - August 8th featuring "West Chester University Percussion Band" and "Mango Men".
Open TBD - August 22nd.
Joe Waters suggested that the Township should contact "Country Joe" for the open date on August 22nd.
Kelly Cifone and Peggy Niemeyer stated that the dates for the Summer Music series need to be finalized in order to support the efforts of the Friends in obtaining donations to offset the cost of the program.
Ken Lehr reported he attended a meeting with Dan Dixon and Kathy Mc Devitt to review the planning and follow-up from last years Community Day event.
Ken Lehr indicated there were discussions about offering a shorter event (1:00 PM to 6:00 PM) for 1999. Additional discussion centered around having QVC bring in entertainment to support a live broadcast from the Community Park. Kelly Cifone is planning to talk to officials at QVC to determine if they would be interested in this option.
Ken Lehr reported that he has been making trips to the Community Park to determine the extent of the "Dog" problems at the park. Ken Lehr indicated that about 85% of the dog owners are
obeying the rules specified by the Township.
Joe Waters indicated that Police Chief Carrol has agreed to issue a summons to anyone letting their dog run loose on a report from Ken Lehr. Michael Pillagalli informed that East Whiteland Township does not allow dogs within their Township parks. Jennifer Grey-Rice reported that the East Goshen also has problems with dog owners not cleaning up after their pets. Rick Cantwell asked if the "Clean up after your dog" bags are being used at the Community Park. Kent Wise reported that people are using the bags and disposing of them in the trash cans. In the past year, the Township has gone through 6 cases (each case has 35 packs and each pack contains 50 bags) at a cost of $750.00. Marvin Baughman asked if there were signs posted at the Township Parks that displayed the Township rules. Kent Wise indicated there are 9 posts at the Community Park that display the Township rules pertaining to pets as well as the disposable "Clean up after your dog" bags. Michael Pillagalli suggested handing out a list of the Township Park rules to all Summer Camp applicants. Additionally, Michael Pillagalli recommended placing the Township rules for dogs on the back of the Summer Camp registration form.
New Business: Members of the Park Board discussed the letter from Tina Burgan that was requesting help from the Township to sponsor here two children in a sports program.
Joe Waters expressed concern that the Township may be "setting a precedent" that could lead to additional requests of this type. Rick Cantwell suggested the Township could look into establishing some type of annual award for this purpose. Jennifer Grey-Rice suggested that the Friends of the Park could be able to help generate funding for this purpose. Dan Dixon suggested contacting the West Chester United Soccer Club to see if they would be interested in providing sponsorship for the two children. Ken Lehr asked if the West Chester East Side Little League would consider providing the sponsorship. Jennifer Grey-Rice stated that as a Board, the Park and Recreation Board should not pursue this issue, but the individual members of the Board will look into options for these children.
Kent Wise indicated he will be putting up signs at Freedley Field that identify the Township rules for this Park. The signs will be installed prior to the "Greyhound" races planned for
Sunday, March 21st.
Sharon Lynn informed that the Grand Opening for the Kelly's Sports field is planned for Sunday, May 16th.
Township resident Marvin Baughman asked what was going to happen to the existing sign at the Township Building. Kent Wise indicated that the existing sign will be replaced by a new sign
as part of the construction that is currently underway at the Township Building. Marvin Baughman asked if the Township was planning any activities for Veterans' Day.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:07 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for April 21st.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ed Smith
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