West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
March 17, 2004
Minutes

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

Township Representatives: Ken Lehr, Sharon Lynn, Pat McIlvaine and Kent Wise

Meeting called to Order: 7:08 PM by Chairman Michael Pillagalli

Michael Pillagalli began the March 17^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 February 18, 2004 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 February 29, 2004 was reviewed. There were no questions or comments pertaining to the Financial Report.

Parks: Kent Wise reported that the crews are continuing their efforts performing regular winter maintenance on the Township's mowing equipment and indicated the crews have completed their maintenance efforts on the Township's 10,000 pound trailer. Kent Wise informed that the work to restore the wooden park signs at the Fresh Meadows and Paoli Pike Parks has also been completed. Kent Wise reported that work is underway on all five of the Township's ballfields. This effort includes spreading 20 tons of Diamond Tex mixed with 50 bags of a new sports field conditioner product "Turface" to the base paths to prevent compaction and to absorb moisture. Kent Wise informed that work to edge the base paths at Flagg Field has been completed and indicated this task still needs to be performed at the other Township ballfields. Kent Wise reported the crew has also started spring clean-up efforts at Coopersmith Park including some tree work and hand raking of the park area in preparation for the upcoming Egg Hunt. Kent Wise stated that the spring clean-up efforts at Paoli Pike and Box Elder Parks have been completed and indicated tree work continues at Community Park, focusing on the area adjacent to The Arc of Chester County Parking lot. 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 as long as there are no more snow days, the 2004 Summer Recreation Program is scheduled to begin on June 21^st and run through August 13^th. Ken Lehr indicated that flyers advertising the 2004 Summer Recreation Program would be distributed at the area schools next week (week of March 22^nd). Ken Lehr reported that the Township extended the deadline for accepting applications for Summer Recreation positions through the month of March. Jerry Napiecek asked Ken Lehr how many of the counselors were expected to return for this year's program. Ken Lehr indicated that he expected about ½ of counselors to return and indicated the Township would need to hire about 13 new Summer Recreation counselors to support the 2004 program. Ken Lehr reported that at this time, the Township had received 9-10 applications for the available Summer Recreation positions. Mary Lou Enoches asked what the age requirements for Summer Recreation counselor positions are. Ken Lehr informed that Summer Recreation counselors were required to be at least 18 years old.

Friends of the Park: Ken Lehr reporting for the Friends of West Goshen Parks informed that the annual General Membership Meeting is scheduled for Thursday May 6^th at 7:00 PM. Ken Lehr stated that new officers would need to be selected to replace outgoing President Pat Kelly and the vacant secretary position. Ken Lehr reported that current Vice President Kelly Cifone and Treasurer Megan Zug expressed a willingness to remain in their current positions for 2004.  Ken Lehr informed that the Friends of West Goshen Parks have written descriptions detailing the open officer position responsibilities and indicated the Friends are looking for help to fill the openings. Les Bair asked what the current membership count is for the Friends. Ken Lehr informed that the current membership is at about 50 members.

Old Business: Ken Lehr reporting on the Egg Hunt thanked the members of the Park and Recreation Board for their efforts filling Easter Eggs with candy to support this year's Egg Hunt. Ken Lehr indicated that the Township would need to purchase additional candy to fill the remaining eggs. The Egg Hunt is scheduled for Saturday, April 3^rd at 10:30 AM with a raindate 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 eggs.

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 informed that the Chester County Hospital did the planning and promotion for the event. About 500 people have registered. Ken Lehr reported that volunteers would be needed to staff the information tables and provide help directing the flow of traffic for the event. The actual 2-mile walk will require 2 laps around the Community Park walking path. Ken Lehr reported that the West Goshen Police will provide traffic control support for the event and indicated the Township would shut down the Community Park ballfields during the hours of this event. Ken Lehr reported that the Township is also promoting a healthy lifestyle by forming the West Goshen Walks walking club. The club will meet at the Community Park each weekday at 7:00 AM starting on April 5^th.

Ken Lehr reporting on upcoming bus trips informed that the Township has planned 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 prior to leaving for the game. Ken Lehr informed that the Township has lined up a return to Baltimore for a Devil Rays/Orioles game on June 5^th.  The bus will depart from the Township Building at 1:00 PM; and arrive at Baltimore's Inner Harbor at 3:00 PM. The bus will return immediately after the completion of the 7:05 PM Orioles game. The cost of this trip is $40.00 per person. Additionally, on August 1^st, the Township has planned a return trip to Yankees' Stadium. The bus will depart from the Township Building 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. The cost of this trip is $40.00 per person. Ken Lehr indicated that the Township is also planning a trip to Citizens' Bank Ballpark on October 2^nd to see the Phillies play the Florida Marlins. Finally, Ken Lehr reported that the Township is planning a bus trip to Lancaster in the fall as well as two bus trips to New York in December. The first New York trip will include a visit to Radio City Music Hall to see the "Rockettes" perform and the second trip will be an open bus trip to New York City. Ken Lehr stated that these bus trips would appear on the schedule next month (April).

Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Concert Series indicated that the 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 entertainment for all of the planned concerts has been finalized at this time except for the June 27^th Folk Night. Ken Lehr indicated that if a Folk Band cannot be lined up for the June 27^th date, the Township has information on a Brazilian Band that could be contacted to perform on that night under a Brazilian/Latin Music theme. Ken Lehr informed that the August 8^th Gilbert and Sullivan performance will feature an abbreviated version of "Mikado." Information on the Summer Concert Series is listed below:

Michael Pillagalli asked for an update on the field usage request made by Township resident Charles Fisk representing the West Chester STARZ Baseball team. Sharon Lynn informed that she and Dorine Hannum met with Charles Fisk and indicated the Township was able to provide practice time slots between 2:45 PM and 5:00 PM several days a week. Sharon Lynn reported that Charles Fisk is still looking to line-up a three hour time slot once a week on one of the Township ballfields for scheduled games. Sharon Lynn indicated that Charles Fisk contacted East Side Little League president Bob Timko who indicated that nothing additional is available at this time. Sharon Lynn informed that one team relinquished its time slot on Saturdays after July 15^th freeing up five Saturdays that could be allocated to Charles Fisk. Sharon Lynn stated that Charles Fisk informed this would be unacceptable and indicated he would meet with the Board of Supervisors to review his field usage request.

Michael Pillagalli updated the members of the Park and Recreation Board with the information contained in a letter from the Board of Supervisors. The letter was in response to a letter sent by Michael Pillagalli on behalf of the members of the Park and Recreation Board asking the Board of Supervisors to revisit the request for a $250.00 donation to one of the funds established for Kathy McBratney. The letter from the Board of Supervisors stated that the amount of the donation would be limited to $100.00 citing a tax increase for the first time in 9 years and a tight 2004 Budget as the reasons. Additionally, the letter informed that Township donations to organizations like the Library and Visiting Nurses have also been scaled back this year. In light of the decision to limit the donation at $100.00, the members of the Park and Recreation Board agreed to supplement the donation with their own money combining these funds with the Township's donation. Ken Lehr indicated that he would also like to make a contribution to supplement the donation.

New Business: Ken Lehr reporting on Community Day informed that one of the bands the Township was considering for the headline band at Community Day (Rhythm and Bluefish) would not be available to perform on the rain date. Ken Lehr indicated that in light of this, the Township had made arrangements to have the Sensational Soul Cruisers perform as the headline band for this year's event. Ken Lehr reported that the Sensational Soul Cruisers are available to perform on both the primary and rain date.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM. The next meeting is scheduled for April 21, 2004.

   Respectfully Submitted,
   Ed Smith