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West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
February 20, 2002
Minutes
Attending: Bob Cifone, Dan Dixon, Jerry Napiecek, Michael Pillagalli, Jennifer Grey-Rice, Ed Smith and Joe Waters
Township Representatives: Ray Halvorsen, Ken Lehr, Pat McIlvaine, Al Roth, and Dr. White
Friends of the Park: Kelly Cifone and Pat Kelly
Meeting called to Order: 7:03 PM by Chairman Bob Cifone
Bob Cifone began the February 20th 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 January 16, 2002 meeting, a motion was made by Joe Waters to accept the minutes as submitted. The motion was second by Jerry Napiecek
and passed.
The Financial Report dated January 31, 2002 was reviewed. There were no questions of comments pertaining to the Financial Report.
Parks: Ray Halvorsen reporting for Kent Wise informed that the crews have almost completed their regular "Winter Maintenance" that includes cleaning and painting the
grills and trash barrels at the Township Parks. Ray Halvorsen reported that the crews have begun construction on 2 new walls at the Community Park Amphitheater. The new walls will be utilized
to create a "garden area" on each side of the Amphitheater stage that will greatly improve the appearance of the area. Ray Halvorsen indicated that he had a meeting
with Sharon Lynn to review the ongoing maintenance that has been required to correct electrical problems that are a result of poor workmanship during the original installation at the Community Park.
As a result of this meeting, the Township will allocate an additional $4,000 to $6,000 dollars to the budget that will allow all of the electrical work to be completed this year. Ray Halvorsen informed that the goal is to correct all of the problems with the circuit breakers at the Amphitheater and the Concession Stand as well as completing the maintenance required to ensure that all of the Light Poles and circuit boxes at the base of each Light Pole work. Bob Cifone asked if $4,000 to $6,000 dollar price tag for the electrical work is part of the 2002 budget. Ray Halvorsen stated that the $4,000 to $6,000 dollars is additional funding for the 2002 budget that will allow the Township to complete all of the required electrical work this year. Ray Halvorsen indicated that another area that will need the Township's attention is the bathroom(s) at the Community Park where the original plumbing was installed directly within the concrete walls of the facilities. Joe Waters asked if there have been any recent problems with vandalism at the Township Parks. Ray Halvorsen indicated that once the bathroom facilities have been shut down for the winter months, the occurrences of vandalism decrease. Ray Halvorsen informed that there have been a higher number of incidents at Coopersmith Park and Barker Park than at the Community Park. Finally, Ray Halvorsen stated that the Township has experienced very little graffiti damage since all of the Township Parks are operated as "Day Time" parks.
Recreation:
Al Roth reported that 17 of the 23 confirmation letters sent out to returning summer program councilors have been received indicating the recipients have accepted a job position for this year. Additionally, Al Roth informed that the Township has received applications from 10 new candidates for summer camp positions and indicated that the 2002 Summer Camp program should be in good shape. Applications for summer camp positions will be accepted until March 1st.
Al Roth stated that he would work with Ken Lehr to set-up 3 to 4 interview sessions for summer camp positions during the months of March and April. Jennifer Grey-Rice asked if it would be possible
to move the start time for the first day of summer camp registration to 8:00 AM stating that many residents start getting in line up by 7:00 AM.
Al Roth stated that the Township should look into the possibility of moving up the registration start time for next year's program. Ken Lehr indicated that a change in the start time could be implemented this year since the Township had not yet distributed information for the 2002 Summer Camp program. Ken Lehr stated that the registration for the summer camp program would be revised to be from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM on May 11th and from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM on May 18th.
Al Roth indicated that he would be calling on the summer camp counselors to provide support for this year's summer camp registration. Joe Waters indicated that the Township would still be able to
let the counselors that are supporting the summer camp registration leave by 10:00 AM. Ken Lehr informed that he would work with Tony DiRocco to complete the set-up work required for summer camp
registration between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM on the Friday prior to the first day of registration (May 11th). The 2002 Summer Camp program is scheduled to begin on June 17th and run through August 9th.
Friends of the Park:
Pat Kelly reporting for the Friends informed that there is nothing new to report on at this time. Kelly Cifone indicated that work continues on various fundraising efforts. Ken Lehr stated the he would be meeting with Pat Kelly, Kelly Cifone and Sharon Lynn in the near future to go over fundraising strategies. Joe Waters reported that he has officially passed the torch (and checkbook) to the newly appointed Treasurer for the Friends of the Park, Megan Zug. Joe Waters served as the acting Treasurer of the Friends of the Park for almost 3 years.
Old Business:
Ken Lehr reported that the Township is planning Bus Trips in conjunction with other local municipalities (The Borough of West Chester, East Goshen Township, West Whiteland Township and Downingtown Area Recreation Consortium) to the Philadelphia Flower Show on Monday, March 4th and Thursday, March 7th.
The bus will leave the West Goshen Municipal Complex at 8:30 AM and return at 5:00 PM.
Ken Lehr indicated that he is reviewing the results of a Survey completed by the people attending last year's Baltimore trip and informed that the Township is considering a Bus Trip to Baltimore over the June 28th, 29th and 30th weekend to see an Orioles-Phillies game. Ken Lehr informed that there would be a conflict with a Summer Concert Series event on June 30th and
suggested that the Township look to schedule the Bus Trip on Saturday, June 29th. Dan Dixon expressed concern that a Saturday trip would be a long day considering that the Bus would
leave the West Goshen Municipal Complex in the 10:00 AM time frame and the Saturday game is not scheduled to start until 7:00 PM.
Dan Dixon asked if the Township should consider going to Baltimore to see someone other than the Phillies play. Jerry Napiecek asked if the Survey of people attending last year's trip indicated that the majority of the people are going specifically to see the Phillies play. Joe Waters asked if it would be possible for the Township to offer Bus Trips to an Orioles-Phillies game in June and another game that does not feature the Phillies in August. Ken Lehr stated that the Township could look into offering a trip to Yankee Stadium in August and indicated that this Bus Trip would only include the baseball game and not an entire day in New York City. Ken Lehr informed that the Township would only line up 1 bus for a proposed trip to Yankee Stadium. Kelly Cifone asked if it would be possible to add $1.00 to the price of the tickets for the Friends of the Park. Based on the discussion by the members of Park and Recreation Board, Ken Lehr indicated that he would purchase tickets for the June 29th Orioles-Phillies game and line up 2 buses for the trip.
Jennifer Grey-Rice reporting on the Easter Egg Hunt informed that this year's event would have the same format as last year's event. Ken Lehr distributed bags containing 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. Additionally, Ken Lehr stated that the Township would also have Easter Eggs that contain toys for this year's event. Ken Lehr informed that "Participation" medals (with the date of the
event) would be given out to everyone that takes part in the Decorated Hat contest at the Easter Egg Hunt. Dan Dixon asked if the Township still had the Easter Bunny costume and asked if anyone had
volunteered to be the Easter Bunny for this year's event. The Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for Saturday, March 23rd with a rain date on Saturday, March 30th.
Ken Lehr reported that he confirmed with Tracy McDevitt that the MS "Race for the cure" would again be held at the Community Park on Sunday, April 28th. Joe Waters
asked if anyone from the West Goshen Township Police department had been notified of the date and time for the planned MS "Race for the cure". Ken Lehr stated that he would make sure members of the
Police department are aware of the planned event.
Ken Lehr reporting on the 2002 Summer Concert Series indicated that he would like to schedule a meeting with the members of the Summer Concert Series sub-committee to review demo tapes the
Township has received from bands that are interested in performing at one of this year's concerts. Dan Dixon stated that he would look for his committee assignment list to determine the current
Park and Recreation Board members that are assigned to this sub-committee. Ken Lehr requested a meeting with the new "Teen Activity" sub-committee consisting of Ed Smith, Jennifer Grey-Rice and
Jerry Napiecek to discuss options/recommendations for presenting a "Teen Battle of the Bands" in the spring at the Community Park. The tentative dates for the 2002 Summer Concert Series are
June 16th, June 30th, July 14th, July 28th, August 11th and August 25th.
Ken Lehr reporting on the 2002 Community Day informed that he would like to schedule a meeting to review the food options for this year's event.
Joe Waters suggested that the Township should go back to basics on the food options and offer more economic selections for this year's event. Joe Waters informed that pizza did not sell well at last year's event. Additionally, Joe Waters indicated that the soda truck worked out very well. The date for this year's event (normally scheduled for the 2nd Sunday in September) has been pushed back by 2 weeks to Sunday, September 22nd with a rain date of Sunday, September 29th.
Dr. White reported that the Township had acquired 3 acres of land next to the site of the proposed new WAWA store at the intersection of Rt. 100 and Greenhill Road. The location of the
land sits between an area the school board is planning to locate ball fields and the proposed WAWA. The Township is scheduled to take possession of the land in the early March timeframe.
Dr. White stated that the Board of Supervisors is looking for input from the Park and Recreation Board on how the Township should utilize this land. Additionally, Dr. White informed that the Township would also solicit input from residents via the Spring Township Newsletter. Dr. White indicated that the Board of Supervisors would consider the recommendations offered by the Park and Recreation Board and those offered by Township residents with equal weight. Jennifer Grey-Rice stated that she is in favor of the Township asking residents for input on ways to utilize the land and suggested the Township may get a better response by offering a survey in the Township Newsletter that gives residents up to 3 options to select. Dr. White indicated that there is enough area in the 3-acre parcel of land to support a Community Center, parking area and 1 other permanent attraction (i.e. tennis court). Dr. White informed that there are no restrictions on how the Township can utilize this land and stated that the area of the property facing Rt. 100 could be lighted. Joe Waters asked if the goal for the Township is to make money on the property and/or provide a service. Dr. White indicated that if a Community Center were to be constructed on the site, the facility could be rented out to help cover costs and stated that the primary goal for the Township is to provide a meeting area that could be utilized by Church groups, Scouts, etc. Dr. White informed that the Township had discussion with the school board to see if the access road could be located is a way that could be utilized by the Township. Dan Dixon stated that this might be a good location for the Township to offer "Teen"
activities since the location of the property is not close to any residential area. Jennifer Grey-Rice expressed concern that the property might become a "Hang Out" for teens similar to the
situation that exists at the Ice Line. Dr. White suggested looking into the possibility of offering shuffleboard courts and/or bocce ball facilities within the 3-acre parcel of land stating that
there are no recreational facilities of this type within the Township. Joe Waters stated that if a decision is made to construct an expensive building on this site; the Township should look into
the possibility of taking out a mortgage in lieu of using the Premium Expansion Fund to cover the construction costs. Ray Halvorsen indicated that additional staff would be required to support the
proposed Community Center stating that the new center could be utilized 7 nights a week. Ray Halvorsen stated that Kent Wise and his crew would not be responsible for the ongoing support for events
held at the proposed Community Center. Michael Pillagalli asked what would happen if the response from Township Residents indicates that they are not if favor of the proposed Community
Center. Dr. White responded stating that if Board of Supervisors believes there is a need in the Township for the proposed Community Center, the recommendation would be to go ahead and build the
center. Ken Lehr asked the members of the Park and Recreation Board to submit their suggestions/options on ways to utilize the land by March 11th so Kathy Hahn can include the suggestions/options in the Spring Township Newsletter. The members of the Park and Recreation Board discussed various options for utilizing the land that include: Community Center, Tennis Courts, Roller Blade Rink, Skate Board Park, Dog Park, Shuffleboard Courts, and bocce ball facilities. Ken Lehr indicated that he would pass the suggested options to the Board of Supervisors for review.
Ray Halvorsen informed that he would be traveling with Kent Wise to New Jersey to take a look at an existing Skate Board Park and determine if this is something the Township should consider.
Jennifer Grey-Rice stated that the Township needs to get more activities for "Teens" and suggested that a Skate Board Park would be a good option. Ray Halvorsen indicated that the
Basketball Courts at the Community Park are not heavily utilized and stated that the Township could look into converting the Basketball Courts into a Skate Board Park.
Dan Dixon stated that a Skate Board Park located within the Community Park could draw "Teens" from outside of West Goshen Township. Joe Waters asked if locating a Skate Board Park within
the Community Park were not feasible, would the Township look to acquire land dedicated for this purpose.
Dr. White indicated that he would prefer to look at the possibility of converting the Paoli Pike Park into a Skate Board Park and indicated that if a piece of land became available, the Township has the commitment to look into acquiring the land.
New Business: Ken Lehr asked if any members of the Park and Recreation Board would be interested in attending the Park and Recreation Board Citizen Symposium scheduled for Sunday,
March 24th at the Adam's Mark Hotel in Philadelphia. Ken Lehr informed that the Township sent members of the Park and Recreation Board to a symposium in Hershey several years ago and indicated that the Board of Supervisors included funding for this type of activity within the current budget. Ken Lehr reported that the cost for the symposium would be $75.00 per person and asked that anyone interested in attending contact him by the end of February. Bob Cifone asked if it would be possible to have the Township send and member or members of the Friends of the Park to the symposium. Ken Lehr indicated that funding to send repre- sentatives from the Friends of the Park was not included in the budget.
Kelly Cifone informed that there would be a benefit dinner on Saturday, February 23rd at the Italian Social Club with the proceeds helping West Chester Recreation to cover the cost for sending a child to their summer camp program.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 PM. The next meeting is scheduled for March 20th.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ed Smith
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