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West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
April 17, 2002
Minutes
Attending: Les Bair, Bob Cifone, Jerry Napiecek, Michael Pillagalli, Jennifer Grey-Rice and Ed Smith
Township Representatives: Ken Lehr, Pat McIlvaine, Al Roth, and Kent Wise
Friends of the Park: Kelly Cifone
Meeting called to Order: 7:05 PM by Chairman Bob Cifone
Bob Cifone began the April 17th meeting by leading the members of the Park and Recreation Board in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the American flag.
After a review of the minutes submitted for the March 20, 2002 meeting, a motion was made by Michael Pillagalli to accept the minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Les Bair
and passed.
The Financial Report dated March 31, 2002 was reviewed. There were no questions or comments pertaining to the Financial Report.
Parks: Kent Wise reported that the crews have completed their spring cleanup and are now into the 2nd full week of cutting grass at the various Township Parks. At the Community Park, the crews have completed backfilling, grading and reseeding all but one of the trenches that were required to correct the ongoing electrical problems at the park. Kent Wise informed that three extra circuits have been added to the electrical hook-up at the concession stand and indicated that the addition of the extra circuits should eliminate the electrical capacity issues the Township has encountered in previous years during Community Day. Kent Wise reported that the crews are continuing their efforts on the baseball and soccer fields at the various Township Parks and stated that the parks are busy with activity every day. The area Little Leagues supported this effort by donating 25 tons of Diamond Text for use on the Township Ball fields. Kent Wise indicated that the crews have also started edging and mulching the plant beds at the Community Park. Kent Wise reported that the bathroom facilities at the Community Park were a target of vandalism on Friday, April 12th informing that someone set a fire in the men's restroom that resulted in extensive smoke damage. Kent Wise stated that vandals placed paper towels in one of the trashcans inside the restroom facilities and set the contents on fire. West Goshen Township Police who were onsite to lock up the bathroom facilities at around 9:00 PM discovered the fire. Kent Wise indicated that the cleanup effort took about 2 days and required the crews to wire brush the bathroom walls and apply a coat of a sealer. The bathroom walls still need to be repainted at this time. Michael Pillagalli requested that he be informed of any future occurrences of vandalism stating that he has contacts/resources that could help identify the culprit(s). Bob Cifone asked if the Township has insurance to defer the cost of the clean-up efforts. Kent Wise informed that the Township does have insurance coverage for this type of damage and indicated that the deductible is high ($1,000). Kent Wise stated that he has talked to Sharon Lynn and Ray Halvorsen about the possibility of increasing the police presence at the Community Park to help reduce the occurrences of vandalism. Pat McIlvaine asked if there is anything the Township can do to deter people from letting their dogs run unleashed at the Community Park. Kent Wise informed that Township police can issue a $300.00 citation to anyone that lets their dog run unleashed and stated that in order to bring the situation under control, a stronger police presence at the Township Parks may be required. Ken Lehr informed that at this time, neither he nor Kent Wise have the authority to issues citations. Kent Wise indicated that there is also a problem with the long, variable length leashes and stated that the Township has rules that indicate a 6 to 8 foot leash is the maximum length allowed at the Township Parks. Finally, Kent Wise reported that there are still problems with people not cleaning up after their dogs at the various Township Parks.
Recreation:
Al Roth reported that the remaining 5 openings for the 2002 Summer Camp program have been filled and indicated that the names of the applicants that were not initially hired have been placed on a waiting list for future reference. Al Roth informed that all of the applicants for 2002 Summer Camp positions have received notification from the Township on the status of their application. Summer Camp parent orientation is scheduled for 7:00 PM on April 25th.
Registration for the summer camp program is scheduled from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM on May 11th and from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM on May 18th. Ken Lehr informed that he would work with
Tony DiRocco to complete the set-up work required for summer camp registration on Friday May 10th. Anyone available to help with the set-up for Summer Camp registration should report to
the Township Building in the 4:00 PM timeframe. Al Roth estimated that he would need help from 10 to 11 staff members to support the first day (May 11th) of 2002 Summer Camp registration.
Al Roth asked if any members of the Park and Recreation Board would be available to help with registration. Bob Cifone and Jerry Napiecek indicated that they would be able to provide support for Summer Camp registration. Al Roth stated that he would only need 1 or 2 staff members for the second day (May 18th)
of Summer Camp registration. Ken Lehr informed that a traffic control person would be available at 7:00 AM on May 11th to support the first day of registration. The 2002 Summer Camp program is scheduled to begin on June 17th and run through August 9th.
Friends of the Park:
Kelly Cifone reporting for the Friends informed that fundraising efforts to date have netted $5,600 in donations to help cover the cost of the Summer Concert Series. Kelly Cifone indicated that at this time, the Friends have already received responses from nine Crafters requesting space at this year's Community Day. Kelly Cifone informed that Friends received $125.00 (½ of the proceeds) from the 50/50 raffle held at Faulkner Pontiac on their April 12th Cruise Night. The next general membership meeting for the Friends of West Goshen Parks will be held on Thursday, May 2nd at 7:00 PM in the West Goshen Township Administration Building. Kent Wise stated that Peggy Niemeyer asked if it would be possible to find space in one of the Township's sheds to store some boxes for the Friends. Kent Wise indicated that he would find available room to satisfy this request.
Old Business:
Ken Lehr reporting on the Easter Egg Hunt informed that the attendance numbers were similar to last year's event (approximately 500 people). Bob Cifone indicated that the only problem encountered was getting the children lined up to allow the Egg Hunt to get started. Jennifer Grey-Rice reported that Joe Waters provided instructions to start the Egg Hunt via the bullhorn and stated that parents attending the event need to have better control of their children. Ken Lehr informed that the only complaint he received pertained to the younger children participating in the Egg Hunts for all 3 age groups. Ken Lehr stated that 2002 Easter Egg Hunt was a success and stated that everyone attending had a good time.
Ken Lehr reported that the MS "Race for the cure" would again be held at the Community Park on Sunday, April 28th. Ken Lehr indicated that the race organizers offered
to distribute any available literature/information about the Friends of the Park to the runners that participate in the event. Ken Lehr stated that he would make sure
members of the Police department are aware of the planned event.
Ken Lehr reported that the VFW Bike Safety Program has been scheduled for Saturday May 4th from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM with a rain date of Saturday May 11th. The event
will utilize a bicycle safety challenge course to demonstrate various aspects of bicycle safety including turning, braking, straight-line riding and hand signaling.
Additionally, a mechanic will be on-hand to inspect each participant's bicycle to ensure that they are in a safe operating condition. Ken Lehr informed that he had spoken with representatives from VFW Post 106 and indicated that five to six volunteers would be needed to support this year's event. Bob Cifone stated that the Bike Safety Program is a good time for all. Ken Lehr indicated that the VFW Post 106 would utilize the Pepsi Trailer again for this year's event. Kent Wise asked if arrangements could be made to have the Pepsi Trailer be delivered to the Community Park on the Friday prior to the event.
Ken Lehr reporting on the proposed Teen Battle of the Bands informed that a tentative date for the event has been scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Saturday, May 11th at the Community Park. Ken Lehr indicated that Jim Mobile would not be on hand for the event but would send an assistant (Dave Jarrett) to provide soundboard services for the event. Ken Lehr informed that Lee McFadden is helping out with the advertising for the event by running ads on the East and Henderson High School morning news programs. The winning band will be offered the chance to perform on Community Day. Ken Lehr informed that the winning band could also be offered $200.00 to $300.00 for their Community Day performance if the budget permits.
Ken Lehr reporting on upcoming bus trips informed that the Township has planned a trip to Baltimore to see the Phillies play the Orioles on Saturday, June 29th. The cost of the
bus trip is $29.00 per person. Ken Lehr informed that Township had reserved 2 buses for this trip.
The buses will depart from the Township Building at 1:00 PM; and arrive at Baltimore's Inner Harbor at 3:00 PM. The bus will return immediately after the completion of the 7:05 PM Phillies-Orioles game. Ken Lehr estimated that the buses should return to the Township Building at around midnight. Ken Lehr reported that the Township would also offer a trip to Yankee Stadium to see the Yankees play the Texas Rangers on Saturday, August 24th.
The cost of the bus trip is $49.00 per person.
Ken Lehr informed that Township had reserved 1 bus for this trip. The bus will depart from the Township Building at noon; and arrive at Yankee Stadium at 3:00 PM. The bus will return immediately after the completion of the 4:05 PM Yankees-Rangers game. Ken Lehr estimated that the buses should return to the Township Building at around 11:00 PM. Ken Lehr informed that the Friends are continuing to look into the feasibility of offering a Bus Trip Gettysburg this year.
Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Concert Series informed that the Township would feature the West Chester East High School Jazz Band and Jazz Ensemble at a "sneak preview" for the Summer
Concert Series on June 2nd from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Information on the Summer Concert Series is listed below:
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