July 21, 2004

West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
July 21 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, Pat McIlvaine and Kent Wise

Friends of the Park: Peggy Niemeyer and Holly Niemeyer

Meeting called to Order: 7:00 PM by Chairman Michael Pillagalli

Michael Pillagalli began the July 21^st 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 June 16, 2004 meeting, a motion was made by Les Bair to accept the minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Mary Lou Enoches and passed.

The Financial Report dated June 30, 2004 was reviewed. There were no questions or comments pertaining to the Financial Report.

Parks: Kent Wise reported that the crews are busy cutting grass at the various Township parks and grooming the Township ballfields. Kent Wise informed that the crew has completed trimming the bushes at the Community Park and the fence line at Hamlet Crest Park. Kent Wise reported that the crew has completed mulching and edging about 60 to 70 percent of the beds at the Community Park and indicated the crew plans to start work on the beds at the Township Building tomorrow (July 22^nd). Kent Wise informed that the Township utilized the time of four community service candidates to paint the comfort station at Barker Park. Kent Wise indicated that the Township was required to bring in an electrician to correct problems with the night lighting at the Community Park stating that the light on the flagpole still needs to be fixed. Michael Pillagalli asked what percent of the original electrical work at the Community Park has needed to be replaced at this time. Kent Wise informed that all of the original electrical work with the exception of the trunk line that connects the maintenance shed to the concession stand and the amphitheater has been replaced. This includes all of the lighting mounted on poles as well as the entire night lighting circuit. Kent Wise reported that the rework is a direct result of poor workmanship by the original electrician. Kent Wise informed that many of the problems resulted from the fact that the original electrician did not utilize conduit when the underground electrical hook-up at the Community Park was installed which resulted in many of the wiring splices going bad.

Recreation: Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Recreation program informed that the 2004 Summer Recreation program is ½ over stating everything is going well to date. Ken Lehr informed that the Township had to replace one of the counselors due to sickness. Ken Lehr indicated that the Township brought in a replacement counselor from a list of applicants that had originally applied for a Summer Recreation position. Ken Lehr indicated that the new counselor still needs to get CPR training and informed that all other counselors have received CPR training and are in possession of their CPR training cards.

Friends of the Park: Ken Lehr reporting for the Friends of West Goshen Parks informed that the he and Michael Pillagalli met with new Friends president Jan Mulligan to make her familiar with the members of the Park and Recreation Board and their duties. Peggy Niemeyer stated she would defer any discussion pertaining to Community Day until the portion of the meeting dedicated to Community Day topics.

Old Business: Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Concert Series informed that between 800 and 900 people attended the Motown concert on July11th featuring Special Blendz. Ken Lehr informed that the next concert (July 25^th) would feature the U.S. Navy Jazz Band and reported that the August 8^th Gilbert and Sullivan presentation will feature a full costume version of "The Mikado". Information on the Summer Concert Series is listed below:

Date	Theme	Featured Performers	Location	Attendance
June 13th	Childrens' Night	Cool Beans Music	Community Park	225
June 27th	Festa in Rio	Minas	Community Park	300
July 11th	Motown	Special Blendz	Community Park	800-900
July 25th	Military Band	US Navy Jazz Band	Community Park
August 8th	Gilbert and Sullivan	Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Chester County	Community Park
August 22nd	Country Western	Country Joe	Community Park

Ken Lehr reporting on upcoming bus trips informed that the August 1^st return trip to Yankee Stadium has been sold out. The bus will depart from Community Park at 9:00 AM; and arrive at Yankee Stadium at 11:30 AM. The bus will return immediately after the completion of the 1:00 PM Yankees-Orioles game. Ken Lehr indicated the October 2^ndtrip to Citizens Bank Ballpark to see the Phillies play the Florida Marlins is being promoted jointly by East Goshen and West Goshen Townships. Ken Lehr informed that 2 buses have been lined up for the trip and stated that at this time, 18 seats have been filled by West Goshen Township and 8 seats filled by East Goshen Township. The bus will depart from the Community Park at 5:00 PM; and arrive at Citizens Bank Ballpark at 6:00 PM. The bus will return immediately after the completion of the 7:05 PM Phillies-Marlins game. Ken Lehr reported that the Township is planning a bus trip to Lancaster on November 6^th. The trip will take in 2 area outlet centers and culminate with dinner at Miller's Buffet. Finally, Ken Lehr reported that the Township is planning two bus trips to New York in the December timeframe. The December 13^th New York trip will include a visit to Radio City Music Hall to see the Rockettes perform and the December 18^th trip will be an open bus trip to New York City.

Ken Lehr reporting on the Decorated Bike Parade held on Saturday, July 3^rd informed participation in this year's event was down from last year. Ken Lehr attributed the decline to the fact that the extended weekend resulted in many families planning trips for the long July 4^th holiday weekend. Peggy Niemeyer informed 24 children pre-registered while 26 children registered the day of the event. Additionally, Peggy Niemeyer indicated 10 additional children arriving late (after registration) were also allowed to participate without being registered. Finally, Peggy Niemeyer stated that there were many non-resident children participating in this year's event.

Ken Lehr reporting on Movie Nights informed that the Township is planning to present 2 nights of family friendly movies during this year's program. The movies selected for this year's program includes "Shrek II" and "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban". Information on Movie Nights is listed below:

Date	Movie	Location	Attendance
October 9th	Shrek II	Community Park	N/A
October 16th	Harry Potter	Community Park	N/A

Peggy Niemeyer began the Community Day discussion informing that at this time, 26 crafters have signed up to participate in this year's event. Peggy Niemeyer reported that over 500 baby food jars left over from last year's Community Day were stored at the Township Building. These jars will be used to support this year's sand art activities. Peggy Niemeyer indicated that members of the Friends are working to get prizes for the raffle baskets. Additionally, Mary Ann Fell has contacted 20 local businesses soliciting donations to support this year's event. Peggy Niemeyer stated that the Friends are looking for members of the Park and Recreation Board to provide volunteer support for various activities planned for this year's that include the soda cart, kids crafts, sand art, Friends membership table and selling raffle tickets. Ken Lehr reported new Friends president Jan Mulligan requested a meeting with the members of the Park and Recreation Board in early August to discuss planning for the 2004 Community Day. Ken Lehr suggested having the next Community Day planning session before or after the August 18^th Park and Recreation Board meeting. The members of the Park and Recreation Board agreed to meet at 6:00 PM on August 18^th to continue planning for the 2004 Community Day. Ken Lehr indicated that he would ask Jan Mulligan to attend the August 18^th planning session.

New Business: Ken Lehr reported that the supervisors have again reserved the pocketbook booth at the Goshen Fair. Ken Lehr requested that anyone interested in volunteering time to assist with the running of the booth contact Sandy Turley to reserve the desired time slot(s).

Ken Lehr reported that intern Nick Palso is going to Penn State and that Friday, July 23^rd would be his last day. Ken Lehr indicated that Brendan Phillips would fill the open position part-time for the remainder of the summer. Jennifer Grey-Rice asked if the Township is planning a going away gift or activity for Nick Palso. Ken Lehr suggested donations could be utilized to purchase a Barnes and Noble gift certificate that could be used at the Penn State Book Store

Ken Lehr reported that about 100 people attended the charity concert at the Community Park organized by Justin King. Ken Lehr indicated that another individual has approached the Township requesting the use of the Community Park for a similar type event. Ken Lehr recommended that the Township designate 1 afternoon at the Community Park amphitheater for the purpose of presenting a Community Concert. The event would be 4 to 5 hours in duration and all of the artists wanting to perform at the concert would be required to submit lyrics for the songs they plan to perform to the Township prior to the event. Kent Wise asked if it would be possible to schedule the proposed Community Concert on the same day as the Battle of the Bands stating it would be easier on the crews if both events were held on the same date. Jerry Napiecek suggested the Battle of the Bands should be scheduled first followed by the Community Concert. Michael Pillagalli recommended putting a cap/limit on the number of bands that will be allowed to perform at the proposed Community Concert and allow each band one-half hour to 45 minutes for their performance. Ken Lehr stated that he would like to limit the participation in the proposed Community Concert to 6 bands.

Sharon Lynn reporting on the planned skatepark on the 3-acre parcel of land at the intersection of Pottstown Pike and Greenhill Road informed that the School District met with the landscape architect to review the development plan. Sharon Lynn indicated that architects moved the bathroom facilities closer to the proposed skatepark and also made changes to the stormwater management design. Sharon Lynn informed that bids should go out for the land development this fall with the expectation that work on the proposed skatepark would begin in the spring of 2005.

Pat McIlvaine informed that on many summer days at the Community Park, the playground equipment is too hot for the children to use and suggested the Township should look into the feasibility of placing loose tents over the structures. Pat McIlvaine also suggested creating a shaded/sheltered area for the parents to sit while the children use the playground equipment. Kent Wise indicated the Township would not be able to leave the proposed tents up overnight due to fear of vandalism and stated the crews would not have the time available to put up the proposed tents up on a daily basis. Kent Wise reported that one of the facades in the playground area was removed in the spring and stated the Township could construct a permanent shaded structure in this location that could contain several benches and a picnic table that could seat up to 12 people. Kent Wise indicated the cost of the structure would be in the range of $7,000 to $15,000 and asked if the Friends of West Goshen Parks would be able to cover some of the construction costs. Jennifer Grey-Rice stated that any surplus in the Park and Recreation Board budget could also be used to help cover the cost. Sharon Lynn asked Ken Lehr to bring up this issue at the next meeting of the Friends of West Goshen Parks.

Holly Niemeyer indicated that the Friends are still trying to line up volunteers for Community Day and other events. Sharon Lynn informed that a section of the next Township Newsletter would be dedicated to soliciting volunteer help for the Friends of West Goshen Parks. Additionally, Ken Lehr indicated he would be adding a link from the West Goshen Township webpage to the Friends of West Goshen Parks webpage.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 PM. The next meeting is scheduled for August 18^th 2004.

Respectfully Submitted,
Ed Smith



	Copyright 2008, West Goshen Twp.