West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
February 18, 2004
Minutes

Attending: Les Bair, Bob Cifone, Mary Lou Enoches, Jerry Napiecek, Michael Pillagalli, Jennifer Grey-Rice and Ed Smith

Township Representatives: Ken Lehr, Sharon Lynn and Kent Wise

Public Representatives: Charles Fisk – Attending for the West Chester STARZ Baseball Team.

Meeting called to Order: 7:02 PM by Chairman Michael Pillagalli

Michael Pillagalli began the February 18^th 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 21, 2003 meeting, a motion was made by Mary Lou Enoches to accept the minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Jerry Napiecek and passed.

The Financial Report dated January 31, 2004 was reviewed. Jennifer Grey-Rice began discussion on the CD due on April 15, 2004 listed under the Capital Reserve Investment – Park Loan category by asking if the Township would be able to shop for a better rate when the CD comes due. Sharon Lynn stated that the Township would shop for a better rate in April informing that the financial institution selected would need to be approved by the Board of Supervisors. Additionally, Sharon Lynn indicated that the financial institution selected would not have to be located within the Township. There were no other questions or comments pertaining to the Financial Report.

Parks: Kent Wise reported that the crews are continuing their clean-up efforts at the Community Park focusing on the area adjacent to The Arc of Chester County Parking lot. This effort includes cleaning up debris that is on the ground and cutting down damaged trees. Kent Wise reported that the crews are busy performing their regular winter maintenance on the Township's mowing equipment including changing oil and filters, installing new belts and sharpening blades. Kent Wise informed that the crews are restoring the wooden park signs at the Fresh Meadows and Paoli Pike Parks. The work on the Fresh Meadows sign is complete and the sign will be re-installed once the ground thaws. Kent Wise indicated that the effort on the Paoli Pike Park sign is very time consuming and that the sign will look new when the work is complete. Kent Wise informed that the crew had also completed maintenance on the Township's 7,000-pound trailer including sanding and painting the trailer decking. Kent Wise indicated that the crews have also started the maintenance process on the Township's 10,000-pound trailer. Finally, Kent Wise reported that the Park crew continues to provide assistance to the Road crew during inclement weather conditions.

Recreation: Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Recreation Program informed that the Township continues to accept applications for Summer Recreation positions. Ken Lehr indicated that the first interview with a prospective counselor was held yesterday (February 17^th). Ken Lehr stated that the interview process for Summer Recreation positions would run through the month of March and possibly into the first week of April. The 2004 Summer Camp program is scheduled to begin on June 21^st and run through August 13^th.

Friends of the Park: Ken Lehr reporting for the Friends of West Goshen Parks informed that there is nothing new to report on the Friends at this time.

Old Business: Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Concert Series indicated that the tentative dates for the 2004 Summer Concert Series are June 13^th, June 27^th, July 11^th, July 25^th, August 8^th and August 22^nd. Ken Lehr stated that the themes being considered for the 2004 Summer Concert Series are Children's Night, Gilbert and Sullivan Society, Motown, Military Band, Folk Night and Country. Jennifer Grey-Rice asked if the Township had lined up any back-up performers in the event that the primary entertainment backs out or is unable to perform. Information on the Summer Concert Series is listed below: 

Ken Lehr reporting on the CHESCO Every Step Counts walk informed that the inaugural event has been scheduled for April 4^th at the Community Park. The event will feature a 2-mile walk promoting a healthy lifestyle through walking. Ken Lehr indicated that the volunteer requirements for the April 4^th event would be finalized for review at the March Park and Recreation Board meeting.

Ken Lehr reporting on upcoming bus trips informed that the Township has planned a bus trip to the Philadelphia Flower Show on March 8^th. Ken Lehr informed that at this time, 1 bus has been filled and indicated the Township is looking to fill a second bus. The bus trip is a joint venture supported by West Goshen Township, the Borough of West Chester and East Goshen Township. The bus will depart from the Municipal Complex at 9:00 AM; and arrive at the Pennsylvania Convention Center at 10:00 AM.  The bus will depart from the Pennsylvania Convention Center at 4:00 PM returning to the Municipal Complex at 5:00 PM. The cost of the bus trip is $40.00 per person. Ken Lehr reported that the Township is also planning a bus trip to the new Citizens Bank Ballpark to see the Phillies play the Cleveland Indians in the final exhibition game tune-up before the start of the regular season. The bus will depart from the Municipal Complex at 11:00 AM; and arrive at Citizens Bank Ballpark at 12:10 PM.  The game is scheduled to begin at 1:05 PM. Ken Lehr indicated that the Township is looking for someone to serve as the bus captain for this trip. The duties would include helping with the sign-in process at the Township Building. Ken Lehr informed that the person serving as the bus captain would be able to attend the game free of charge. Ken Lehr stated that since the bus trip is scheduled on the same day as the Egg Hunt, any Park and Recreation Board member attending the Bus Trip would be asked to provide the required support for the Egg Hunt activities prior to leaving for the game.

New Business: Ken Lehr reporting on the Egg Hunt 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. Ken Lehr informed that Dan Dixon had asked the Township to look into purchasing hinged eggs to replace the Easter eggs that are in poor condition. Ken Lehr stated that all of the new eggs purchased for this year's event are hinged eggs. Ken Lehr informed that Dorine Hannum volunteered to be the Easter Bunny for this year's event. The Egg Hunt is scheduled for Saturday, April 3^rd at 10:30 AM with a rain date on Saturday, April 10^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 reported that Township resident Justin King has requested the use of the Community Park Amphitheater on July 17^th from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM for the purpose of presenting a charity concert. Ken Lehr indicated that the plan is to have 4 bands perform 45 minutes each. Additionally, Ken Lehr indicated people attending the event would be asked to bring a donation for Chester County Cares. Ken Lehr informed that the Township had approved a similar request last year and indicated that the event had to be cancelled due to inclement weather conditions. Ken Lehr expressed some concern that the proposed July 17^th concert could open the way for additional requests for the use of the Township's facilities. Les Bair asked if the Township holds liability insurance in the event something were to happen at the proposed event. Ken Lehr responded that the liability insurance the Township holds would provide the required coverage. Kent Wise indicated that 2 members from the Park crew would be needed to support the proposed charity concert and stated that he did not see any issues as long as there was a police presence at the proposed event. Mary Lou Enoches made a motion to allow Justin King to use the Amphitheater at the Community Park on July 17^th for the purpose of presenting a charity concert. The motion was seconded by Bob Cifone and passed. Sharon Lynn indicated that the Township would need to review the lyrics of the songs the bands will be performing prior to the concert to ensure they meet Township standards.

Public Representatives: Charles Fisk representing the West Chester STARZ Baseball team addressed the members of the Park and Recreation Board stating that as a result of a conversation and recommendation by Michael Pillagalli he would like to discuss the process for obtaining baseball field usage for this not-for-profit organization with the members of the Board. Charles Fisk stated that the West Chester STARZ baseball team would like to be included in the upcoming field usage scheduling process. Charles Fisk indicated that the team would like to utilize Flagg Field for 2 practice sessions per week starting in the 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM timeframe as well as a 3 hour block each week for a game. Charles Fisk reported that the West Chester STARZ baseball team is comprised of 15 players in the 14 year-old and under age bracket and stated that the team includes a large percentage of West Goshen Township children. Charles Fisk informed that the West Chester STARZ team also plans to provide support for the ARC of Chester County's "Physically Challenged Day" as well as a proposed "Inter City Day" with the Borough of West Chester children. Sharon Lynn stated that the Township has a field usage contract with the West Chester East Side and West Side little leagues and suggested that Charles Fisk should come to the Township Building between the hours of 7:00 AM and 3:30 PM and meet with Dorine Hannum to determine if there are any time slots open on the fields. Charles Fisk stated that he would like to know how the West Chester Adult League schedules their time on the Township baseball fields and requested that someone from the Township supply him with a copy of the contract the Township currently operates under with the West Chester East Side and West Side little leagues. Kent Wise expressed concern over the possibility of opening up the Township baseball fields in the early afternoon stating that the crews need the entire day to perform the required maintenance on the fields. Kent Wise informed that the current practice has the Summer Recreation Program clinics completing by 3:00 PM. On days when there are not clinics, Township baseball fields shut down until 2:45 PM to give the crews a window of time for field maintenance and cutting the grass. Charles Fisk indicated that he would contact Dorine Hannum to review the availability of the Township baseball fields.

Jerry Napiecek updated the members of the Park and Recreation Board with information passed on by Dan Dixon. Jerry Napiecek informed that a request for a $250.00 donation in the name of the West Goshen Park and Recreation Board to one of the Funds established for Kathy McBratney was presented to the Board of Supervisors for approval. The Supervisors approved a donation in the amount of $100.00. Michael Pillagalli asked if the $100.00 donation is from the Board of Supervisors and is in addition to the $250.00 amount requested by the members of the Park and Recreation Board. Jerry Napiecek indicated that it was his understanding that the $100.00 donation was the total amount approved. Les Bair stated that Ken Lehr talked to and worked with Kathy McBratney on many joint efforts between the Township and the Borough of West Chester and indicated that the requested amount of $250.00 for the donation was appropriate. Jennifer Grey-Rice stated the members of the Park and Recreation Board need to question why the donation amount was lowered from $250.00 to $100.00. Mary Lou Enoches also suggested contacting the Board of Supervisors for an explanation. Sharon Lynn informed that the recent tax increases and tight 2004 Budget contributed to the decision by the Board of Supervisors to limit the donation to $100.00. Additionally, Sharon Lynn reported that Township donations to organizations like the library and Visiting Nurses have also been scaled back this year. Sharon Lynn suggested that someone from the Park and Recreation Board draft a letter to the Board of Supervisors requesting that they revisit the request for a $250.00 donation. Les Bair made a motion to send a letter to the Board of Supervisors asking them to reconsider the request for the $250.00 donation from the Township to one of the Funds established for Kathy McBratney. The motion was seconded by Mary Lou Enoches. Michael Pillagalli indicated that he would draft the letter to the Board of Supervisors by March 4^th. Bob Cifone suggested that the members of the Park and Recreation Board could supplement the donation with their own money combining these funds with the Town- ship's donation. Sharon Lynn stated that she would hold off sending the $100.00 donation from the Township until the issues pertaining to the donation amount are resolved. Ken Lehr indicated that he would also like to make a contribution to supplement the donation.

Bob Cifone reminded the members of the Park and Recreation Board that the Borough of West Chester's Recreation Department has scheduled an Italian Dinner Night on February 28^th. The proceeds from the dinner will benefit the Borough of West Chester's summer camp program.

Jerry Napiecek reported that Dan Dixon informed he had spoken to a representative from the West Chester School District who indicated the development of the Pottstown Pike site is behind schedule. Additionally, the School District contact informed that ground breaking at the site would take place late in 2004 at the earliest. Sharon Lynn stated that the Township could not proceed with their development plan on our own. Sharon Lynn informed that the delay is a result of a decision made by the School Board facilities director in May of 2003 to re-investigate what should be done at the Pottstown Pike site. The re-investigation took from May of 2003 to December of 2003 to confirm the original plan. Sharon Lynn reported that the School District has hired a Site Engineer (YSM) and indicated that Township is currently working with the School District to resolve the water issues at the site. Sharon Lynn stated that the cost of resolving these issues would be shared between the School District and the Township.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 PM. The next meeting is scheduled for March 17, 2004.

   Respectfully Submitted,
   Ed Smith