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West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
May 19, 1999
Minutes
Attending: Rick Cantwell, Dan Dixon, Kathy McDevitt, Michael Pillagalli, Jennifer Grey-Rice, Ed Smith and Joe Waters
Township Representatives: Sharon Lynn, Kathy Hahn, Ken Lehr, Al Roth, Doc White and Kent Wise
Friends of the Park: Kelly Cifone, Bob Cifone, Holly Niemeyer and Peggy Niemeyer
Meeting called to Order: 7:05 PM by Chairman Joe Waters
After a review of the minutes submitted for the April 21, 1999 meeting, a motion was made by Kathy McDevitt to accept the minutes as submitted. The motion was second by Rick Cantwell and passed.
The Financial Report dated April 30, 1999 was reviewed. There were no other questions or comments pertaining to the Financial Report.
Township residents Mrs. Heald and her daughter commented on the notice in the recent Township newsletter where the Park and Recreation Board indicated they were considering
banning dogs at the Township parks. Mrs. Heald stated that in her opinion, most of the people were following the "leash" and "clean up after your dog" rules established for the Township
Parks. Mrs. Heald suggested the Township should post signs displaying the amount of the fine for people caught letting their dogs run un-leashed and/or not cleaning up after their dog. Both
Mrs. Heald and her daughter were opposed to banning dogs at the Township Parks.
Parks: Kent Wise reported that the crews are busy cutting grass, planting flowers and maintaining the Baseball fields at the Township parks. The fields at
the Community Park and Hallowell Field have been fertilized. The Tennis Courts at the Community Park have been leveled up with stone and are ready to be paved. Kent Wise indicated he was very
happy with the work that has been completed on the Tennis Courts. The new Bulletin Board sign has been installed at the Community Park. Additionally, the sign that was located in the front of
the Township Building has been re-located to the Community Park. The new "Letter" Sign ordered for the Community Park should be delivered in 3 to 4 weeks. Kent Wise reported he is still
waiting for delivery of the new sign that will inform the public about Lime Disease. This sign will also be located at the Community Park. Joe Waters asked if signs are posted at the Township
Parks to inform the public when fertilizer and/or weed control has been applied. Kent Wise indicated that you only need to post signs to inform the public when weed control has been
applied. Kent Wise informed that all work of this type is contracted out so it is not the responsibility of the Township to post the signs.
Recreation: Al Roth reported that 12 parents attended the April 27th Summer Camp Parent Orientation session. Kelly Cifone also attend the orientation
session and felt the session was valuable. Al Roth thanked everyone that helped out with the Summer Camp sign-up. Statistics for the three Township Parks after the first day of Summer Camp
registration are:
Park # Registered
Barker Park 110 (full in 9 minutes)
Community Park 134
Coopersmith Park 50
Additionally, over 90 children registered for the clinics that will be offered as part of this years Summer Camp program. The most popular clinic at this time is the
Lacrosse Clinic with 26 children registered. Al Roth reported that at this time, approximately $27,650.00 in registration fees have been collected after the first day of registration. About 31
junior councilor applications have also been received. Al Roth intends to use 20 to 22 junior councilors for this years Summer Camp program. Dan Dixon asked Al Roth how he planned to reduce the
number of junior councilors to 22 for this years program. Al Roth indicated he already has a plan in place to select the best 22 junior councilors from the pool of 31. Jennifer Grey-Rice stated
that the junior councilors selected must be dedicated for the entire Summer Camp program. Summer Camp Staff orientation is scheduled for June 5th. Michael Pillagalli asked if the same group
will be providing the CPR training. Last years training was good for 2 years. Joe Waters informed that the first applicant for the Summer Camp program arrived at 6:00 AM on the first day of
registration. Ken Lehr and Al Roth will handle the second day of Summer Camp registration scheduled for May 22nd.
Friends of the Park: Kelly Cifone reported that the entire cost of the Summer Music Series ($9,100.00) has been covered through the fund raising efforts of the
Friends. The Friends will now concentrate there efforts on raising funds for Community Day. Kelly Cifone informed that the Friends sold 15 dozen donuts (Donated by Shop Rite) at the Summer Camp
registration that resulted in a $100.00 profit. Additionally, 42 new membership applications were received. Kelly Cifone thanked Al Roth for letting the Friends participate in the Summer Camp
registration. The Friends are currently planning a bus trip to Radio City on November 13th and bus trip to Washington on October 16th. Kelly Cifone reported that requests from crafters for 6 of
the available spaces for Community Day have been received. The Friends are still looking for baby food jars to support the sand art craft scheduled for Community Day. Finally, the Friends are
looking for volunteers to help out with the Decorated Bike parade scheduled for 10:00 AM on July 3rd with a raindate of July 5th. Magician John Cassady will perform at the Community Park immediately
after the completion of the activities for the Decorated Bike parade.
Central Chester County Recreation Consortium: Dan Dixon reported that he attended the May 18th meeting of the consortium that included representatives from
East Goshen, West Goshen, West Bradford and West Whiteland Townships. Dan Dixon indicated that at this time, chair person Peter Sanbourn from East Goshen Township is dedicated to the success of the
consortium but the members of the organization are struggling to identify a mission. Ken Lehr indicated that attending these meetings is a good way to discuss ideas with representatives from other
local municipalities. Dan Dixon informed that the members of the consortium discussed creating a WEB page with each Township having a direct link to the WEB page. Dan Dixon also discussed an
organization he became aware of that supplies food and emergency supplements to families in need. Dan Dixon suggested that the Township could ask for a donation of some type of dried good (soap,
paper towels, diapers etc.) for admission to township events. Dan Dixon asked the members of the Park Board to provide feedback on this idea at the June Park Board meeting.
Old Business: Ken Lehr reported that 106 of the 138 available spaces have been purchased for the bus trip to Baltimore Harbor scheduled for Sunday, June
6th. The buses will depart from East High School at 9:00 AM and return between 8:00 and 8:30 PM. Ken Lehr indicated the Township began allowing non-residents to purchase the remaining spaces
on April 30th. Dan Dixon asked if the remaining tickets could be sold "stand alone" after a specific date in order to minimize township loses. Jennifer Grey-Rice recommended informing
everyone attending the trip that the bus drivers have been instructed to leave Baltimore at the specified time regardless.
Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Music Series informed that the "Give and Take" jugglers have been lined up to perform as part of the Children's concert planned for June
13th. Ken Lehr also reported that the School Board has agreed to waive all fees and allow the Township to use their facilities for the Summer Music series concerts that must be moved indoors due to
rain.
Kathy McDevitt reported that Del Bittle has been confirmed to perform at Community Day from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Additionally, plans have been made to have the "Motown Band" perform as the closing
act. Kathy McDevitt asked Ken Lehr if he was able to contact the "Sunflower" mime for this years event. Kathy McDevitt indicated she is still looking to line up 4 Character Artists for
Community Day. Bob Cifone suggested expanding the Pony rides for this years event. Dan Dixon has talked to Joe Dodds and he indicated it would be no problem to increase the number of ponies and
expand the hours for Community Day. Kent Wise indicated that Joe Dodds and his crew did not clean up after the ponies last year. Kathy McDevitt asked if there was a set budget for this years
Community Day activities. Joe Waters indicated that he would provide those figures. The Friends are trying to raise $5,000.00 to cover the costs for this years event. Kathy McDevitt stated
that if the Friends can raise the same amount of funds as last year, we should be in good shape. Joe Waters reported that some of the funds targeted for the Summer Music series could be channeled to
Community Day. Michael Pillagalli suggested lining up a caterer as soon as possible for this years event. Dan Dixon stated that since Community Day is being planned as a "kids event", we should
line up a caterer that would supply "kids foods" that include hot dogs and hamburgers. Jennifer Grey-Rice asked if the Concession Stand would be open for business at this years Community
Day. Ken Lehr indicated that the contract the Township has with the operator of the Concession Stand (John Leary) states that the Concession Stand can be open during Community Day
activities. The contract with John Leary stipulates that 15% of the Concession Stand sales go the Friends. Jennifer Grey-Rice asked if the Township should consider excluding the Concession
Stand from next years Community Day allowing more of the food and drink revenues to be available for the Friends and the caterer.
Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Theater informed that 2 events have been scheduled for the 1999 season. "Servant of Two Masters" will be presented at the Community Park
on Saturday, July 17th. This event will be moved indoors to West Chester East High School in the event of rain. "Shakespeare as you like it" will be presented at the Community Park on Sunday,
August 15th. The rain date/site for this event still need to be finalized.
Ed Smith reported on the Bicycle Safety program. The event was held at the Community Park on Saturday, May 8th. Members from the VFW Post worked with the Chester
County Highway Safety department to develop 10 Stations of activities for this event. Each participant received a hat donated by Kelly's. Additional prizes included Bicycle Helmets and a new
Bicycle(s) purchased from the Bike Line. The Stadium Grill donated the Hot Dogs for the event. The turnout for the event was about the same as last year and everyone attending had a good
time. The VFW Post is planning to hold this event again next year.
New Business: Sharon Lynn reported that the Township had received a letter from a resident who is opposed to the
banning of dogs at the Township parks. The letter stated that most of the dog owners obey the "leash" and "clean up after your dog" rules. The resident stated that it would be a disservice to
the community to ban dogs from the Township parks.
Sharon Lynn reported she has been working with Kelly Cifone to determine the costs of liability insurance to insure the Friends in the event that someone is injured during one
of the proposed bus trips to Washington and Radio City. Sharon Lynn indicated the cost of liability insurance would be in the $500.00 per year range. The Friends will need to vote and approve
the purchase of liability insurance before they will be able to proceed with scheduling the bus trips.
Joe Waters stated that the entire Park Board offered congratulations to Kathy McDevitt for obtaining a BA in Arts from Immaculata College.
This was the final meeting that Rick Cantwell will be attending as a member of the West Goshen Township Park and Recreation Board. Rick will be relocating to Jacksonville
Florida in the near future. Doc White offered thanks to Rick Cantwell for all of the good years of service he has provided for the Township. The members of the Park Board indicated they will
miss Rick Cantwell very much for the great service he provided to the community. Joe Waters presented Rick Cantwell a plaque in appreciation for his outstanding service. We all wish Rick well
on his move to Jacksonville Florida.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 PM. The next meeting is scheduled for June 16th.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ed Smith
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