West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
March 21, 2001

Minutes

Attending: Les Bair, Bob Cifone, Dan Dixon, Kathy McDevitt, Michael Pillagalli, Ed Smith and Joe Waters

Township Representatives: Kathy Hahn, Ken Lehr and Kent Wise

Friends of the Park: Peggy Niemeyer

Meeting called to Order: 7:04 PM by Chairman Dan Dixon

After a review of the minutes submitted for the February 21, 2001 meeting, a motion was made by Bob Cifone to accept the minutes as submitted. The motion was second by Michael Pillagalli and passed.

The Financial Report dated February 28, 2001 was reviewed. There were no questions of comments pertaining to the Financial Report.

Parks: Kent Wise reported that the maintenance work on the 10,000-pound trailer has been completed and the crews have started working on maintaining the 7,000-pound trailer. Kent Wise informed that the trailer deck has been washed and a sealer applied to the surface. Kent Wise indicated that he would need to purchase a new battery box for the trailer. Kent Wise reported that work to open the Township ball fields is underway. At Flagg Field, 8 tons of "Diamond Text" mixed with a new sports field conditioner product "Turface" has been applied to the base paths to prevent compaction and absorb moisture. Additionally, work on the new dugouts is in process. The crews removed the excess "footer" dirt and over 11 yards of concrete have been poured. At this time, the slab for one of the dugouts is ready for the block work to begin. At Hallowell field, the crews continued their grass management efforts by top-dressing the infield with "Turface" and over-seeding the outfield. Kent Wise reported that the crews are continuing with their "spring clean-up" efforts at the Box Elder and Hamlet Crest parks. Work on the new "tie" wall in back of the Community Park playground continues. The crews have installed 8 ton of clean stone behind the wall and utilized the dirt removed from the Flagg Field dugout area for backfill. Kent Wise reported that the crews are in the process of changing the oil and filters and sharpening the blades on all of the Township's mowing equipment. Kent Wise indicated that the crews would be cutting grass within the next 2 weeks. Kent Wise informed that employee Tom Ward has resigned after only 6 months of service. New hire Ralph Cooling is expected to start on Friday, March 23^rd.

Recreation: Ken Lehr reporting for Al Roth informed that the Township is going through the process of interviewing candidates for Summer Camp positions. Ken Lehr informed that interview sessions have been scheduled from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on March 29^th, April 16^th and April 25^th. Anyone available to help out with the interview process should contact either Al Roth or Ken Lehr. Summer Camp parent orientation is scheduled for 7:00 PM on April 25^th. Registration for the summer camp program is scheduled from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM on May 12^th and from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM on May 19^th.

Friends of the Park: Peggy Niemeyer reported that the Friends are currently working to provide a list of the concerts scheduled for the Summer Concert Series in their upcoming newsletter. The Friends will be looking to recruit volunteers at their next meeting scheduled for May 3^rd at 7:30 PM. Peggy Niemeyer informed that the Friends would soon have their own dedicated phone line and number. The new phone number will be particularly helpful for events like Community Day where there is a great deal of coordination required between the Friends and the crafters/volunteers that support the event. Peggy Niemeyer reported that "Cast in Bronze" will be back in the area in the June timeframe and suggested that the Township should look into the possibility of having this group perform as part of the planned 2001 Holiday Event.

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. However, the sub-committee is recommending that no more than 2 of the tennis courts can be scheduled for exclusive usage at a given time. This will ensure that at least 2 of the tennis courts at the Community Park remain open for public usage. Ken Lehr informed that the Board of Supervisors is in agreement with the sub-committee recommendation. Ken Lehr reported that he had received letters from the tennis clubs that had requested exclusive use of the tennis courts and stated that the clubs were extremely unhappy with the Township's position to limit the number of tennis courts available. Ken Lehr indicated that based on this decision, the tennis clubs would not be able to hold their league play on the tennis courts at the Community Park. Ken Lehr stated that he would respond to all of the letters the Township received from the tennis clubs and informed that he would have a "draft" policy for tennis court usage available for review at the April Park and Recreation Board meeting.

Ken Lehr reporting on the Easter Egg Hunt asked if all of the members of the Park Board were able to fill their bags of 200 Easter Eggs with candy for this year's event. Both Michael Pillagalli and Les Bair reported that they had already started work filling their second bag of Easter Eggs. Dan Dixon indicated that he would be able to make arrangements to have Community Service workers help filling the Easter Eggs if additional volunteers are needed. Additionally, Kent Wise reported that Township employee Len Sload would be able to help fill Easter Eggs and distribute fliers for the upcoming event.  Ken Lehr informed that "Participation" medals would be given out to everyone participating in the Decorated Hat contest at the Easter Egg Hunt. Ken Lehr stated that he planned to offer a similar medal to the participants in the July 4^th Decorated Bike parade and the Harvest Day Scarecrow making contest. Peggy Niemeyer asked if the Township had Numbers and Pins for the participants in the Decorated Hat contest. Ken Lehr indicated that he would check to make sure there were enough Numbers and Pins to support this year's event and informed that he would contact Dick Fitch if additional Numbers and Pins were required. Kathy McDevitt asked if prizes have been lined up for the Decorated Hat contest. Ken Lehr reported that Jeanne Denham, Noreen Crowley, LaRue Morgan, Nancy Rodgers and Pat McIlvaine have volunteered to be judges for the Decorated Hat contest and indicated that 1 additional judge may still be required. Dan Dixon reported that he wold make arrangements with the West Goshen Fire Company for the use of their fire truck to transport the Easter Bunny to Coopersmith Park. Dan Dixon asked if the Township should provide coffee and donuts for the volunteers. Ken Lehr informed that in the event of rain, a decision to postpone the Easter Egg Hunt would be made before 8:00 AM. Ken Lehr indicated that he would also update the Township phone message and letter signs to inform the public on the status of the event. The Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for 10:30 AM on Saturday, April 7^th with a rain date on Saturday, April 14^th. All volunteers are asked to arrive at Coopersmith Park by 9:00 AM to help with preparations and hide the Easter Eggs.

Ken Lehr reporting on the March 8^th bus trip to the Philadelphia Flower Show informed that all of the ticket were sold and 4 people had to be turned away. Ken Lehr stated that everyone attending the event had a good time and indicated that the Township would like to make the bus trip to the Philadelphia Flower Show an annual event. Ken Lehr informed that the Township is planning a return trip to Baltimore on Sunday, July 8^th 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. Michael Pillagalli asked if any bus trips are being planned for the "Holiday Season". Ken Lehr informed that Kelly Cifone usually plans all of the "Holiday Season" bus trips and stated that he expected the Township to offer a trip to Radio City again this year. Ken Lehr reported that the Township has also received many requests to offer a bus trip to New York during the "Holiday Season" for shoppers. Dan Dixon indicated that Kathy McBratney was upset with the Township for offering the trip to the Philadelphia Flower show at a lower price than a comparable trip sponsored by the Borough of West Chester. Dan Dixon asked if the Township makes any profits from these bus trips. Ken Lehr informed that all Township sponsored bus trips are a "break even" deal and stated that the Borough of West Chester sponsored trip actually generated profits. Ken Lehr reported that the West Goshen sponsored bus trip to the Philadelphia Flower Show did pull people from the Borough of West Chester sponsored bus trip. Dan Dixon asked if the Township would better serve residents by communicating and working with other area recreational departments to offer more services and reduce costs. This would also help to reduce the duplicate services offered by neighboring recreation departments. Bob Cifone stated that the Township should continue to offer "non-profit" bus trips and provide the best possible service for the residents.

New Business: Ken Lehr reported that the VFW Bike Safety Program has been scheduled for Saturday June 2^nd with a rain date of Sunday June 3^rd. Ken Lehr informed that Jim Murphy from the VFW 106 Post has requested a 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM time slot for the Bike Safety program. Ed Smith indicated that in previous years, the majority of the participants come through during the first hour of the event and questioned whether the program would require 3 hours to complete. Ken Lehr indicated that Jim Murphy was going to discuss the timing requirements for this year's planned event with the members of VFW Post 106. Kathy Hahn informed that a group consisting of 80 to 100 people has reserved the Community Park for a function that will end at 12:00 PM on Saturday June 2^nd. Based on this information, Kathy Hahn asked if the time slot for the Bike Safety Program could be shifted back 1 hour (1:00 PM to 4:00 PM) if the VFW Post determines a 3 hour time slot is required for this year's event.

Dan Dixon reporting on Community Day informed that a meeting to begin the planning process for the year 2001 Community Day has been scheduled for April 2^nd at 6:30 PM. Ken Lehr indicated that he would reserve a conference room for the meeting. Dan Dixon indicated that he would line up the pizzas.

Ken Lehr reported that the Township had received a letter from Canine Partners for Life requesting the use of the Community Park for an event planned on Friday May 11^th. The request indicated that between 80 to 300 people are expected to attend the event. The members of the Park Board stated that the Canine Partners for Life would not be able to solicit pledges during the event. Additionally, the members of the Park Board reiterated that Township regulations require all of the dogs participating in the event to be restrained and stated that participants must clean up after their dogs during and after the event.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 PM. The next meeting is scheduled for April 18^th.

   Respectfully Submitted,
   Ed Smith