West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
November 20, 2002
Meeting Notes

Attending: Bob Cifone, Michael Pillagalli, and Ed Smith

Township Representatives: Ken Lehr, Sharon Lynn, Al Roth and Kent Wise

Meeting called to Order: 7:06 PM by Chairman Bob Cifone

Ken Lehr informed that the review and approval of the minutes from the October 16^th meeting would have to be deferred until the January 15, 2003 Park and Recreation Board meeting since the minimum number of members (quorum) required for approval were not present at the November meeting.

The Financial Report dated October 31, 2002 was reviewed.  There were no questions or comments pertaining to the Financial Report.

Parks: Kent Wise reported that the crews are still busy cutting grass at the various Township Parks.  Kent Wise informed that the crews began their fall leaf clean-up efforts 3 weeks ago and indicated that the weather has not been cooperating.  Kent Wise reported that the crews have closed the restrooms at Coopersmith and Barker Parks and drained the water from the systems at the Community Park Concession Stand and ball fields. Kent Wise stated that he planned to close the restrooms at the Community Park on Monday, November 25^th depending on the weather. Kent Wise indicated that he was holding off closing the Community Park restrooms so the facilities would be available for people attending the soccer games that are scheduled for this weekend. Kent Wise informed that he is planning to rent portable toilet facilities for the upcoming Holiday Event and the arrival of Santa at the Community Park.  The portable facilities would be delivered to the Community Park on Friday, December 13^th and removed on Monday, December 16^th.  Kent Wise reported that the crews are in the process of installing 200 feet of post and rail fence around the parking area of Concord Road Park.  Kent Wise informed that the Township had contracted Shady Tree, Inc. to remove 3 trees at the recycling center on Turner Lane. Kent Wise stated that the plan is to convert this area into a yard and indicated that the remaining efforts include installing fencing, paving the parking area and building the required storage bins. Kent Wise reported that the Township brought in a contractor to aerate the soccer fields at the Community Park using equipment that utilizes 12-inch knives to "slice aerate" the playing surface. Kent Wise informed that the work to aerate the 3 baseball fields at the Community Park was done by the Township.  Finally, Kent Wise informed that the 2003 Budget for the Parks Department had been submitted to and approved by the Board of Supervisors.

Recreation: Al Roth reporting on the Summer Camp program informed confirmation letters for the 2003 program would be mailed in December and January to returning summer camp program councilors. Al Roth indicated that he would establish times for interviewing new candidates for summer camp positions. Al Roth informed that the 2003 Budget for the Summer Camp program had been submitted to and approved by the Board of Supervisors.  Ken Lehr reported that the 2003 budget had been adjusted for inflation.

Friends of the Park: Ken Lehr reporting for the Friends informed that there was nothing new to report at this time.

Old Business: Ken Lehr reporting on Harvest Day informed that the 2002 version was a success even though attendance was down from last year.  Ken Lehr indicated that there were about 150 pumpkins left over from the event compared to 50 from the previous year.  Ken Lehr offered thanks to Kent Wise and his crews for doing an excellent job supporting this year's event.

Ken Lehr reporting on Movie Nights informed that about 125 people attend the October 26^th presentation of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone". Ken Lehr stated that this is the final presentation for the 2002 season stated the turnout was good and everyone appeared to enjoy the presentations. Information on Movie Nights is listed below:

Date

Movie

Location

Attendance

October 12^th

Spider-Man

Township Building

200-250

October 19^th

Scooby-Doo

Community Park

250

October 26^th

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Community Park

125

Ken Lehr reporting on the 2003 Summer Concert Series informed that the Township is planning to offer 6 concerts in the June through August time frame.  Ken Lehr stated that concerns about holding a concert on Fathers Day were expressed at the November 4^th Summer Concert Series Planning session and indicated that everyone attending the meeting agreed that the Township should avoid scheduling concerts on Father's Day and the same date as Turk's Head Festival. Ken Lehr informed that the themes for the 2003 Summer Concert Series include "Children's Concert", "Night in the Hawaiian Islands", "Motown", "Chester County Concert", "Folk Night" and "Accapello Night".  The tentative dates for the 2003 Summer Concert Series are June 22^nd, June 29^th, July 13^th, July 27^th, August 10^th and August 24^th.

Ken Lehr reported that the 2002 Community Day wrap-up meeting was held on Monday, November 4^th.  The purpose of the meeting was to discuss what worked and identify opportunities for improvement prior to the start of planning for next year's event. Ken Lehr informed that the Greaseband would not be available to perform on the tentative date (September 14^th) for the 2003 Community Day.  Ken Lehr indicated that there were discussions about moving the date to September 7^th but the general consensus was to keep the date for the 2003 Community Day at September 14^th.  Ken Lehr reported that the Township would consider other bands from a list that includes The Chatterband, Party Dolls and Rhythm and Bluefish stating all three bands come highly recommended. Ken Lehr informed that the agent for The Chatterband indicated the band would be available to perform on both the September 14^th date as well as the September 28^th rain date.  Ken Lehr reported that he planned to contact the Stadium Grill to determine if they would be able to provide food options for the 2003 Community Day. Ken Lehr stated that the Township would like to find a food vendor that could provide a diverse menu of options for less than $5.00. Bob Cifone informed that he would contact Megan Zug to get the bottom line on the profits the Friends made on the soda sales at Community Day. Bob Cifone indicated that based on the profit figures, the Township might want to consider having the food vendors sell sodas at next year's Community Day with a percent of the proceeds going to the Friends.

Ken Lehr reported that the Township is planning a Bus Trip to New York City on Saturday, December 7^th.  The cost of the bus trip is $20.00 per person. That covers the cost of the bus and a tip for the driver.  Additionally, $1.00 from the cost of each ticket purchased would go to the Friends of the Park. Ken Lehr indicated that about ½ of the seats have been sold at this time. Ken Lehr informed that people would have an option to visit the World Trade Center site as part during the trip or spend the entire shopping in New York.  The bus will depart from the Township Building at 8:00 AM and arrive in New York City at 10:30 AM.  At that time, people wishing to visit the World Trade Center will have about 2 hours to visit the site.  The bus will depart from New York City at 5:00 PM and arrive back at the Township Building at 7:30 PM.

Ken Lehr reporting on the 2002 Holiday Event informed that the Uptown String Band would be performing at this year's event. Ken Lehr reported that the Township would also provide refreshments that include hot cider, cocoa, holiday cookies and roasted chestnuts. Anyone able to volunteer time to help with the process of putting sand and candles in the luminary bags should report to the Community Park by 10:00 AM on Friday, December 13^th.  The Holiday Event is scheduled from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday, December 13^th at the Community Park.  In the event of rain, activities will be move indoors to the West Goshen Township Administration Building.

New Business: Ken Lehr reporting on the 2003 officer positions informed that members are normally nominated to hold the officer position for a 2-year term. The current officers completing the first year of their term are Bob Cifone, Chair, Jerry Napiecek, Vice-Chair and Ed Smith Secretary. Ken Lehr indicated that the nominations for the 2003 officer positions would need to wait until the January 22, 2003 meeting since the minimum number of members (quorum) required for approval of the nominations were not present at the November meeting.

 Ken Lehr reminded everyone that the Park and Recreation Board would not hold a meeting on the third Wednesday in December 2002.  The next meeting of the Park and Recreation Board will be on January 22, 2003.

 Sharon Lynn reported that the Board of Supervisors are looking to develop a comprehensive plan that would detail the current Township zonings and identify how they pertain to every parcel of land located within the Township. Sharon Lynn stated that the objective would be to update the Township's 1970 plan with what has been developed and what is left to develop. Sharon Lynn indicated that the Board of Supervisors would like 2 members (1 primary and 1 alternate) from the Park and Recreation Board to serve on the committee that will develop the comprehensive plan.  The committee will meet 1 night each month for the next 12 months with the kick-off meeting scheduled for Monday, December 9^th at 5:00 PM. Sharon Lynn reported that representatives from the Engineering Firm "McCormick, Taylor and Associates" would also attend the meetings.  Sharon Lynn informed that the County has committed to funding 75% of the costs for the Engineering Firm.  Both Bob Cifone and Michael Pillagalli volunteered to serve on the new committee. Sharon Lynn indicated that the members of the new committee planned a drive-around of the Township on Wednesday, December 18^th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon.

  Sharon Lynn reported that Joe Waters had formally resigned his position as alternate member of the Park and Recreation Board. Sharon Lynn informed that the Board of Supervisors would like to appoint Mary Lou Enoches as the new alternate member of the Park and Recreation Board during the January 22^nd 2003 meeting. Additionally, Sharon Lynn indicated that a member of the Park and Recreation Board would need to be appointed to fill Joe Waters position on the Board of the Friends of the Park.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM.  The next meeting is scheduled for January 22^nd, 2003.

     Respectfully Submitted,
       Ed Smith

Copyright 2008, West Goshen Twp.