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West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
July 17, 2002
Minutes
Attending: Les Bair, Bob Cifone, Jerry Napiecek, Michael Pillagalli, Jennifer Grey-Rice and Ed Smith
Township Representatives: Ken Lehr, Al Roth and Kent Wise
Public Representatives: Justin King – Attending to present a proposal for a Benefit Concert featuring local bands at the Community Park Amphitheater.
Meeting called to Order: 7:04 PM by Chairman Bob Cifone
Bob Cifone began the July 17th meeting by leading the members of the Park and Recreation Board in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the American flag.
The review and approval of the minutes submitted for the May 15, 2002 meeting was deferred until the July Park and Recreation Board meeting since the minimum number of members (quorum) required
for approval were not present at the June meeting. After a review of the minutes submitted for the May 15, 2002 meeting, a motion was made by Jerry Napiecek to accept the minutes as submitted.
The motion was second by Michael Pillagalli and passed. Additionally, Ken Lehr informed that the information for the June 19th 2002 meeting had to be submitted as "Meeting Notes"
since a quorum was not present for that meeting and stated that the June meeting notes would not have to be approved by the members of the Park and Recreation Board.
The Financial Report dated June 30, 2002 was reviewed.
Al Roth asked if the line item for Ryan Homes represented the proceeds from 1 or multiple property transfers. Bob Cifone informed that the Township collects a percentage from the developers for each home sale. These funds go into the Restricted Park Capital account and are utilized for new land acquisitions and developing recreational facilities.
Parks:
Kent Wise reported that the crews continue cutting grass and working on the ball fields at the various Township Parks. At the Community Park, the crews are edging and mulching the various flower and shrub beds located throughout the park. Kent Wise informed that the crews are spending a lot of time clearing the wooded lot directly behind the recycle center on Turner Lane. Kent Wise stated that the crews are almost through removing the dirt from the areas so that bins for storing playground and landscape mulch can be constructed. Kent Wise indicated that since the road crew has been very busy, the park crew is doing most of the work at Turner Lane. At the Richard C. Cloud Park, work to install a basketball backboard and net within the existing parking area has been completed. Bob Cifone stated that the new basketball facilities have been a big hit with the local residents. Kent Wise informed that the new summer helpers (Tom Ralph and Scott Laudenslager) would be working on painting projects at Coopersmith Park, Barker Park and the Community Park over the next several weeks. Kent Wise reported that he, along with Sharon Lynn, Ray Halvorsen and Ken Lehr recently visited a Skate Park located within Cheltenham Township to evaluate whether this type if facility is something the Township should consider providing. Kent Wise updated the members of the Park and Recreation Board on an option for installing backboards at the Community Park tennis courts that would allow someone to play by themselves. Kent Wise distributed information about a fiberglass panel product that could be utilized for the proposed backboards. Kent Wise informed that the fiberglass panels would hold up to the weather and require less maintenance (painting) than a plywood solution. Kent Wise indicated that the fiberglass panels were fairly expensive. Finally, Kent Wise informed that the crews are working on a minor sewer problem at the Community Park and indicated that the Township will need to dig up some of the existing sewer lines to repair the problem.
Public Representatives:
Justin King distributed copies of a proposal to organize a Benefit Festival (Concert) utilizing the Community Park amphitheater that would feature up to 4 local bands. The goal the proposed event is to raise donations (canned food, clothing and/or monetary donations) that would be distributed to organizations like the Salvation Army as well as various local churches. Justin King requested the use of the amphitheater for the proposed event on a Friday or Saturday in the August timeframe. Les Bair stated that the proposal indicates that certified police staff from the Aldan area would provide security with the cost being covered by the performing artists. Les Bair asked if the Township would have any liability for the proposed event. Ken Lehr informed that the current policy is to only use the Community Park amphitheater for Township sponsored events and asked would the Park and Recreation Board want to promote the proposed Benefit Festival as a teen activity presented by the Township's Park and Recreation Board. Jennifer Grey-Rice asked Justin King how he planned to advertise for the proposed event. Justin King stated that he planned to work with the Moonbreeze Record Studio to promote the event and indicated that he would need to have approval by the end of the week (July 19th)
in order to organize an event in the August timeframe.
Justin King reported that the Moonbreeze Record Studio would provide live sound production on the day of the event, record and produce a Benefit Festival CD that would be sold for additional donations and provide public promotion of the event. Justin King indicated that advertising would include both printed advertisements and web mailings and informed that the proposed event would be billed as a family event. Jerry Napiecek informed that all of the bands that performed during the recent "Battle of the Bands"
were required to submit the lyrics for the songs they planned to perform to the Township for review. Jerry Napiecek stated that bands performing at the proposed Benefit Festival would also be
required to submit lyrics to the Township for review. Justin King stated that if the event were successful, he would like to see this become an annual event.
Bob Cifone indicated that specific charities targeted to receive the benefits from the Benefit Festival would need to be identified prior to the event. Bob Cifone informed that holding the proposed event at the Community Park amphitheater would require support from Kent Wise and his crew. Kent Wise expressed concern about being able to support the proposed Benefit Festival stating that he already has a full plate with all of the picnics scheduled at the Township Parks in August. Ken Lehr reviewed the schedule for August and indicated that due to scheduled picnics, the only times available for the proposed event were Friday, August 16th and Sunday, August 18th.
The members of the Park and Recreation Board suggested that the initial Benefit Festival should be limited to 3 hours of performing time allowing for an additional hour before and after the event for
set-up and clean-up.
Recreation: Al Roth reported that the 2002 Summer Camp is already in the 5th week of the 8-week program. Al Roth informed that the about 200 kids plus parents recently attended a trip to the Family Fun Spot. Al Roth indicated that the attendance for the 2002 Summer Camp program (morning sessions and clinics) is the best the Township has ever experienced. Al Roth reported that the counselors are doing a good job and stated that he is very pleased with the 2002 Summer Camp program to date. Al Roth informed that he has had to spend more money than usual and indicated that a large portion of these expenditures were a result of lining up several extra buses for transporting the children to and from the various special activities. Al Roth stated that he has received many positive comments this year from the parents of children participating in the 2002 Summer Camp program. Al Roth reported that a new activity for this year is a planned trip to the Brandywine Picnic Park scheduled for July 23rd.
Al Roth informed that the children attending would be required to wear life vests in order to enjoy canoeing and paddle boating on the Brandywine River and indicated that there would be plenty of
supervision (4 to 1 ratio of children to counselors) to support these activities. Al Roth reported that the cost for the trip to the Brandywine Picnic Park is $10.00 per child. The Brandywine
Picnic Park will also provide sodas and popcorn for the children attending. The 8-week 2002 Summer Camp program will through Friday August 9th.
Friends of the Park:
Ken Lehr reporting for the Friends informed that during the July Board of Directors meeting, Megan Zug (Treasurer for the Friends) stated that she is continuing to work to get the financials in order and has proposed changes to the by-laws that would eliminate the need for an annual audit. Ken Lehr informed that at this time, crafters have reserved about half of the available spaces (27 out of 52) for Community Day. Ken Lehr stated that the Friends are looking for volunteers to help support Community Day.
Old Business: Ken Lehr reporting on upcoming bus trips informed that there were only 3 sets remaining for the August 24th trip to Yankee Stadium. The cost of the bus trip is $49.00 per person. Ken Lehr indicated 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 informed that the Township is working with Mary Ann Fell to co-sponsor a Bus trip with the Friends to Gettysburg in the late September, early October time frame this year.
Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Concert Series informed that the average attendance for the first 3 concerts is around 250 and stated that the band performing at the July 14th concert (Orchestra Insaciable) was very good. Ken Lehr reported that the next event on the schedule is the July 28th Motown concert and stated that 650 people attended last year's Motown Concert. Ken Lehr informed that the Friends are planning to sell baked goods during the Motown Concert as a fundraiser. Jennifer Grey-Rice asked if the Friends would be able to line-up enough baked goods to support the planned sale. Les Bair indicated that the Friends had no problems supporting the baked goods sale at last year's Motown Concert. Information on the Summer Concert Series is listed below:
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