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West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
August 15, 2001
Minutes
Attending: Bob Cifone, Dan Dixon, Jerry Napiecek, Michael Pillagalli and Ed Smith
Township Representatives: Kathy Hahn, Ken Lehr, Al Roth, Dr. White and Kent Wise
Friends of the Park: Kelly Cifone and Pat Kelly
Public Representatives: Arlene Osborne – Chatwood Avenue resident
Meeting called to Order: 7:02 PM by Chairman Dan Dixon
After a review of the minutes submitted for the July 18, 2001 meeting, a motion was made by Jerry Napiecek to accept the minutes as submitted. The motion was second by Bob Cifone and
passed.
The Financial Report dated July 31, 2001 was reviewed. There were no questions or comments pertaining to the Financial Report.
Dan Dixon began discussion on the vacant vice-chair position informing that the open position is in the second year of a 2-year term. Dan Dixon asked if a sub-committee would need to be formed to
nominate a candidate to fill the open position.
Ken Lehr indicated that Bob Cifone had been nominated to fill the vacant position during the July Park and Recreation Board meeting and stated that a sub-committee would not be required. The members of the Park and Recreation Board unanimously approved the nomination of Bob Cifone to fill the position of vice-chair for the remainder of the term.
Parks:
Kent Wise reported that the crews have only spent 1 week out of the last month cutting grass due to the lack of rain. Kent Wise informed that the walkway leading up to the gazebo at the Community Park has been removed and replaced with pavers. Additionally, Kent Wise indicated that he also plans have the area surrounding the gazebo landscaped. The crews are in the process of installing a new post and rail fence at the South Concord Road Park. Kent Wise reported that he has already had to make repairs to the new fence informing that someone had made contact with the fence over the weekend. The crews were performing tree work at Coopersmith Park utilizing a backhoe to remove various tree stumps from the wooded areas. At the Community Park, work to paint the Maintenance Building, restrooms and the Amphitheater walls under the pavilion (including the bathroom doors) has been completed. Additionally, new plates in the louvered bathroom doors are being installed. Kent Wise informed that he has contacted "Grass
Management" to begin work on the baseball field at Richard C. Cloud Park. Work is scheduled to begin at the end of the week (8/17/2001).
All of the outfield area of the field will be sprayed to kill off the existing grass. Kent Wise and his crews will utilize 100 yards of topsoil to level the outfield playing area keeping the existing grade and filling in the low areas. Once work on the outfield has been completed, the entire outfield area of the field will be re-seeded and new sod will be applied to the infield playing area. Kent Wise informed that the East Side Little League would cover the cost to apply the new sod to the infield area of the baseball field. Kent Wise reported that if everything proceeds as scheduled, the grading and re-seeding of the outfield as well as the application of sod to the infield should be completed by the end of September. Kent Wise indicated that the crews are busy preparing for Community Day. Kent Wise provided the following informed pertaining to construction costs for the street hockey rink in East Caln. The actual cost of the street hockey rink (without site preparation) was $100,000. The site preparation would add up to an additional $50,000 depending on the site selected. The Township would need to select a location large enough to support a 171-ft by 76-ft pad for the proposed rink. Additionally, Kent Wise stated that $50,000 to $75,000 would be needed to develop the required parking area putting the total cost of the project in the area of $200,000. Kent Wise indicated that the only place a street hockey rink could be located within the Community Park is in the area around the holding pond at the back of the park. Kent Wise stated that he would have concerns about parking if a street hockey rink were to be located at the Paoli Pike Park. Kent Wise informed that there would be room to locate a street hockey rink at Barker Park behind the pavilion. Michael Pillagalli asked if there would be enough room at the South Concord Road Park for a street hockey rink. Kent Wise replied that there may be enough room at the South Concord Road Park for a street hockey rink and indicated that the existing parking area would need to be expanded. Dan Dixon asked if any of the Township retention ponds could be enhanced to support a street hockey rink. Kent Wise stated that this would defeat the purpose of the retention ponds. Dan Dixon suggested forming a sub-committee to review options and come up with recommendations for the proposed street hockey rink.
Recreation: Al Roth reporting on the Summer Camp program informed that the 2001 Summer Camp program ended last Friday (August 10th).
Al Roth stated that it has been a "really great" summer, free from injuries. Al Roth indicated that he would deliver the end of the year report at the September Park and Recreation Board meeting.
Friends of the Park:
Kelly Cifone reported that the Friends are busy raising funds for Community Day. Kelly Cifone informed that she has received a $5,500 check from the Commerce Bank to cover the cost of the "Grease
Band".
Kelly Cifone indicated that the Friends are looking for additional donations to help cover the cost of the inflatable rides. Finally, Kelly Cifone reported that the Friends are looking for baby food jars to support the sand art craft scheduled for Community Day.
Public Representatives:
Township resident Arlene Osborne informed the members of the Park and Recreation Board that she lives on Chatwood Avenue directly behind the Paoli Pike Park. Arlene Osborne stated that she would be interested in purchasing this property from the Township if it were to become available. Dan Dixon indicated that he did not have any information on the availability of the Paoli Pike Park property and asked Arlene Osborne to defer this request to township supervisor Dr. Robert White. Dr. White indicated that the property in question is not going up for sale and informed that the Park and Recreation Board has discussed the possibility of converting the Paoil Pike Park into a street hockey rink. Additionally, Dr. White stated that the Township is looking to acquire additional land for recreational usage. Arlene Osborne reported that on many occasions, there have been people playing basketball at the Paoli Pike Park as late at 3:30 AM and expressed concern that converting the Paoli Pike Park into a street hockey rink could result in additional concerns for the residents located next to the Paoli Pike Park. Dan Dixon informed that before any decision on the future of the Paoli Pike Park could be made, the Township would contact all of the local residents. Additionally, Dan Dixon stated that there is a high demand within the Township for a street hockey facility. Dr. White suggested that the Township should look into fencing in the current Paoil Pike Park area and locking the gates at dusk to help reduce the impact of the park on the adjoining neighbors. Kent Wise informed that there is a streetlight near the park that allows patrons to play basketball into the nighttime hours. Dan Dixon asked if it would be possible for the Township to install a timer to turn off the streetlight after dusk in order to discourage the use of the park at night. Dan Dixon also suggested that a shade could be installed to the existing streetlight in order to direct the light away from the park area. Finally, Dan Dixon requested that Arlene Osborne call the local police the next time she notices anyone in the Paoli Park after dusk stating that the police would be able to help reduce the number of instances where the park area is being used after dark.
Old Business:
Ken Lehr reporting on Community Day informed that he planned to add a frisbee golf contest to the agenda of Community Day activities. The contest will take place on Flagg Field. Ken Lehr is looking for someone to help him out with the frisbee golf contest. The Friends continue to look for volunteers to staff the various Community Day activities. Ken Lehr informed that close to 50 crafters have signed up to participate in this year's Community Day activities. Kent Wise asked where he should locate the Blue Banner advertising Community Day. The members of the Park and Recreation Board suggested placing the banner on the corner of Paoli Pike and 5 Points Road in front of the Township Building. Ken Lehr informed that he is in the process of having the banner re-lettered. The members of the Park and Recreation Board suggested having the final Community Day planning session at 5:30 PM on Tuesday, August 21st.
The meeting will be held at the Township Building. Kent Wise stated that he would like to attend the final Community Day planning session.
Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Concert Series informed that 900 people attend the July 29th "Irish Rock" Concert featuring Blackthorn. The concert had to be moved inside due to the weather. Information on the Summer Concert Series is listed below:
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