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West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
February 21, 2001
Minutes
Attending: Bob Cifone, Dan Dixon, Kathy McDevitt, Michael Pillagalli and Ed Smith
Township Representatives: Kathy Hahn, Ray Halvorsen, Ken Lehr, Sharon Lynn, Al Roth and Kent Wise
Friends of the Park: Kelly Cifone and Peggy Niemeyer
Meeting called to Order: 7:08 PM by Chairman Dan Dixon
After a review of the minutes submitted for the January 17, 2001 meeting, a motion was made by Kathy McDevitt to accept the minutes as submitted. The motion was second by Michael
Pillagalli and passed.
The Financial Report dated January 31, 2001 was reviewed. There were no questions of comments pertaining to the Financial Report.
Parks: Kent Wise reported that work continued on the new "tie" wall in back of the Community Park playground.
Kent Wise informed that all of the ties have been installed and indicated that the work on the drainage system around the new wall still needs to be completed. All of the trash barrels at the Township parks have been cleaned and painted. Kent Wise reported that the Township has purchased 2 new sets of bleachers for Hallowell Field. Kent Wise informed that the crews are currently working on maintaining the 10,000-pound trailer. The surface of the trailer has been stripped, sanded and a metal primer applied. Additionally, Kent Wise indicated that the crews power washed and applied water proofing to the trailer deck and re-packed the wheel bearings. Work to install a new wire harness still needs to be completed. Kent Wise reported that the crews are beginning "spring
clean-up" at Hallowell Field and Coopersmith Park.
The Township has purchased 3 new Lime Disease signs from the county. Kent Wise stated that frames have been constructed for the new signs and informed that the Lime Disease signs will be installed at Coopersmith Park, Barker Park and Hamlet Crest Park. Finally, Kent Wise informed that his crews are assisting the road crew during bad weather.
Recreation:
Al Roth reported that 11 of the confirmation letters sent out to returning summer program councilors have been received and indicated that 10 of the recipients have accepted a job position for this year. Additionally, the Township has received applications from 4 new candidates for summer camp positions. Applications for summer camp positions will be accepted until March 2nd.
Al Roth and Ken Lehr will set-up 3 interview sessions for summer camp positions during the months of March and April. Al Roth stated that he plans to go with 20 councilors again this year. Al
Roth informed that 4 or 5 of the councilors from last year's program would not return this year and indicated that he would need to hire 6 or 7 new summer camp councilors to support the 2001 program.
Registration for the summer camp program is scheduled for May 12th and May 19th.
Friends of the Park:
Kelly Cifone reported that the Friends are planning a promotion/raffle that would take place during Summer Camp registration. The winner of the raffle would be able to have a family member attend the Summer Camp program free of charge. Additionally, Kelly Cifone indicated that the Friends would be able to supply coffee and donuts for Summer Camp registration. Kelly Cifone informed that the Friends are available to help support the Easter Egg Hunt that is scheduled for April 7th at 10:30 AM. Dan Dixon asked how many members the Friend's currently have. Kelly Cifone informed that Friends of the Park currently have 113 members and indicated that the membership count is on the rise. Kelly Cifone reported that people have been willing to get involved and help with the activities that the Friends support. Peggy Niemeyer stated that information about the Friends needed to be displayed in the Township Newsletter in order to help increase membership counts. Ken Lehr informed that the next Township Newsletter would be mailed out in the mid-March timeframe.
Old Business: Kathy McDevitt reporting on the request for tennis court usage informed that the sub-committee consisting of Joe Waters, Bob Cifone and Kathy
McDevitt had a meeting to discuss the options for groups that request exclusive use of the Township tennis courts.
The sub-committee is recommending that these groups should be allowed to schedule exclusive use of the tennis courts at the Community Park as long as at least 1 of the courts remains open for public usage. At this time the Township has received requests for exclusive tennis court usage from Marge Boone (USTA), the participants in last year's "pilot"
program as well as 3 new tennis groups. Kathy McDevitt indicated that the Township should not be selective in the process of granting exclusive use of the Township tennis courts stating that all
legitimate requests should be considered. Ken Lehr informed that it would be easier for him to respond to these requests if there were a policy and/or specific criteria in place. Ken Lehr
indicated that several of the groups have also requested exclusive use of the tennis courts for practice time.
Ken Lehr asked if the sub-committee could meet again within the next week to develop a policy on how the Township should handle the requests for exclusive use of the Township tennis courts. Kathy McDevitt suggested that Ken Lehr should put together an agenda for this meeting. Sharon Lynn stated that the Township needed to develop a policy for handling requests for tennis court usage as soon as possible so this information can be communicated back to the appropriate tennis groups. Ray Halvorsen suggested that until a policy can be developed, the Township should not allow the tennis groups to schedule exclusive use of more than 2 tennis courts at any given time. This would ensure that at least 2 of the Township's tennis courts would remain available for public usage. Ken Lehr informed that last years "pilot"
program allowed the USTA Tennis Team to use 3 of the 4 courts at the Community Park on Friday mornings (9:00AM to 12:00AM) for 6 weeks.
Kathy McDevitt informed that at least 1 complaint was documented where the USTA Tennis Team was using all 4 of the tennis courts at the Community Park during the "pilot" program.
The sub-committee will meet to begin discussions on a policy for tennis court usage requests immediately after the conclusion of the February Park and Recreation Board meeting.
New Business: Ken Lehr reporting on the Easter Egg Hunt informed that the Township has 1900 Easter Eggs left over from last year's event. Ken Lehr distributed bags
containing approximately 200 of the Easter Eggs along with assorted candy to each Park and Recreation board member with instructions to fill the Easter Eggs with the candy and return the "stuffed"
Easter Eggs at the March Park and Recreation Board meeting.
Ken Lehr informed that the Township will need an additional 1000 Easter Eggs to support this year's Easter Egg Hunt. Peggy Niemeyer stated that the Friends would be able to provide support for the Easter Egg Hunt. Michael Pillagalli indicated that he has some students that would also be able to provide support for this year's event. Ken Lehr asked if Dan Dixon could be the Easter Bunny for this year's event. Dan Dixon stated that he would check his schedule and get back to Ken Lehr. The Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for 10:30 AM on Saturday, April 7th with a rain date on Saturday, April 14th.
Ken Lehr reporting on upcoming bus trips informed that the Township has planned a bus trip to the Philadelphia Flower Show on March 8th. The cost of the bus trip is $30.00 per
person. Ken Lehr informed that Township had reserved 1 bus (capacity of 47) for this trip and stated that about 1/3 of the available tickets have already been sold. The bus will depart from
the Township building at 10:00 AM and return at 4:00 PM. Ken Lehr reported that the Township also looked into offering a trip to Boston to see a Red Sox game but decided the logistics for and
over-night trip were too much for the Township to undertake at this time. Ken Lehr informed that the Township is planning a return trip to Baltimore on Sunday, July 8th to see the Phillies play the Orioles. The bus will depart from the Township building at 9:00 AM and return at 7:00 PM. The cost of the bus trip will be $29.00. The Township has reserved 3 buses (capacity of 141) for this trip. Additionally, Ken Lehr stated that fliers advertising the Baltimore bus trip would be distributed to the area schools and little leagues.
Ken Lehr distributed a flier from the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society announcing the 2001 Hershey's North American Track and Field Youth Program.
The program is designed for novice athletes between the ages of 9 and 14. Ken Lehr informed that he has had discussions with Park and Recreation directors from the County pertaining to a proposed June 9th event at Bishop Shanahan High School. If the Township participates in the event, a $25.00 "rental fee"
would be charged for the use of the Bishop Shanahan facilities. The Township would also have to cover the cost of the fliers advertising the event. Additionally, 4 to 5 volunteers would be needed
to support the activities on June 9th. Ken Lehr stated that he would like to see the Township participate in this event indicating that the largest commitment for the Township would be
in the form of volunteers.
Dan Dixon stated that it may be more appropriate for the school district to support this program and expressed concern that the program would require more support than what the Township could provide. Al Roth indicated that it looked like the Township would only need to provide support/volunteers on the actual day of the event (June 9th).
Dan Dixon asked who would be responsible for organizing the actual event. Ken Lehr informed that Karen Regenfuse from the Downingtown Area Recreation Consortium is organizing the event at the county level and indicated that he would be willing to put in his "staff"
time to help with the set-up requirements for the event.
Ken Lehr indicated that the biggest obligation for the Township would be registering the West Goshen participants for the event. Sharon Lynn asked if the members of the Park and Recreation Board could also discuss the request from the West Chester Running Club for use of the Community Park on June 9th for their proposed Kids Day at the Races. Ken Lehr expressed concern that the proposed event would utilize the walking path that surrounds the Community Park. Additionally, Ken Lehr was concerned that the West Chester Running Club planned to charge a small fee ($2.00 to $3.00) to cover their costs of organizing the event. Kent Wise informed that he is currently having problems with the East Cross Country team using the walking path at the Community Park. Bob Cifone indicated that he would be opposed to any type of charge/fee that would be required to participate in the event. Kent Wise informed that events being planned by the Hershey's North American Track and Field Youth Program and West Chester Running Club are scheduled for the same day (June 9th)
and stated that the Township would not be able to support both events.
Dan Dixon suggested contacting the West Chester Running Club to inform them that the Township does not charge fees for any of their events and ask if the club would be willing to do the event on June 9th with no fees/charges. Kathy McDevitt stated that the Township should make officials of the West Chester Running Club aware of the Hershey's North American Track and Field Youth Program to see if they would be interested in participating in the event. Additionally, Kathy McDevitt suggested contacting Tracy McDevitt to see if she would be able to line up volunteers to provide the required support for the Hershey's North American Track and Field Youth Program.
Ken Lehr reported that the Township is planning to present "A Twenty Year Retrospective of Chester County" featuring photographs, photocopies and computer enhanced images by Kathy
McDevitt. The event is scheduled to run daily 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (excluding weekends) from March 5th through March 30th. Kathy McDevitt informed that the items on
display would include pictures of Ira Hicks, Marshall Jones, pictures for opening day at the Community Park and many other items. Anyone planning to attend the opening for the event must RSVP by March 1st.
Kathy McDevitt distributed copies of the flier for the event and thanked Vanguard ID Systems for providing a $1,000 donation that will help cover the cost of the picture frames.
Additionally, Kathy McDevitt thanked Kelly Cifone for her efforts that helped secure a sponsor for the event.
Dan Dixon asked Ken Lehr for a status on the Summer Concert Series. Ken Lehr stated that all of the entertainment planned for this year's Summer Concert Series has been "locked"
in. Additionally, Ken Lehr reported that he had received the signed contract from the "Grease Band" for Community Day.
Ken Lehr informed that the entertainment cost for the 2001 Summer Concert Series would be about $11,000 and stated that Kelly Cifone indicated that she is "OK" with this amount.
Dan Dixon asked if the Township had purchased the Risograph machine with some of the year 2000 budget surplus. Ken Lehr informed that the Risograph machine should arrive by the next week and stated
that he planned to utilize the new machine for creating the fliers for the upcoming Easter Egg Hunt. Ken Lehr reported that the new Risograph machine would allow the Township to produce high-speed,
inexpensive printed items in-house.
Dan Dixon informed that the Township had received a note from the East High School thanking Ken Lehr for his efforts in making the Art Show a success.
Dan Dixon stated that the Art Show was an outstanding event. Ken Lehr informed that he is looking into the possibility of holding an East and Henderson High School joint-faculty exhibit in the June timeframe.
Dan Dixon indicated that the Township had received a note from the Community Service Council of Chester County thanking the Township for their yearlong collections of personal care and
laundry products. Dan Dixon thanked Ken Lehr, Kent Wise and his crew for collecting donated goods at all Township sponsored events for the benefit of the Community Service Council.
Al Roth informed that the Fern Hill School was the first school to hold an Art Exhibit at the Township Building. Al Roth indicated that the Fern Hill School was very happy with how the
Art Exhibit turned out and stated that the school is looking forward to return visit at a future date.
Dan Dixon informed that he planning another dinner for the homeless at the Safe Harbor during the month of March and asked if anyone would be interested in helping cook meals. Michael
Pillagalli asked if Dan Dixon could plan the dinner in the April time stating that this would allow more time to organize the activities.
Dan Dixon asked for an update on the ongoing problem the Township is having with vandalism at the Township Parks.
Kent Wise reported that there were no new incidents of vandalism until the night of February 20th when the windows in the bathroom at Barker Park were broken. Kent Wise indicated that the West Goshen police have been informed of this incident. Ray Halvorsen informed that he had a meeting with Chief Carroll to discuss the ongoing problems the Township is having with vandalism at the Township Parks and issue a request for a stronger police presence at the Township Parks as well as the Ice Line. Ray Halvorsen reported that Chief Carroll instructed his staff to stay on top of the situation. Additionally, members of the West Goshen police force talked to representatives from the Ice Line and requested that they start policing activities that are going on in the Ice Line parking lot. Ray Halvorsen stated that the Township needed to do something now stating that the occurrences of vandalism will increase as the weather gets warmer. Dan Dixon stated that the Ice Line parking lot is extremely littered on Saturday and Sunday mornings and indicated that bringing the parking lot under control would have a direct positive impact on the Community Park.
Kathy McDevitt asked for an update on the new building going up next to the Community Park. Ray Halvorsen stated that the new building is going to be a school for the handicapped.
Dan Dixon stated that there are severe punishments under the law for selling drugs within a specific distance of a school and indicated that the Township could utilize this legislation to help combat the problems surrounding the Ice Line parking lot.
Michael Pillagalli asked if there were plans to construct approximately 20 townhouses on the site of the water authority complex.
Ray Halvorsen confirmed that plans to construct 20 townhouses and a 50-space parking lot are in the works.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 PM. The next meeting is scheduled for March 21st.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ed Smith
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