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West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
May 19 2004
Minutes
Attending: Bob Cifone, Mary Lou Enoches, Jerry Napiecek, Michael Pillagalli, Jennifer Grey-Rice, and Ed Smith
Township Representatives: Ken Lehr, Nick Palso and Kent Wise
Friends of the Park: Peggy Niemeyer and Holly Niemeyer
Meeting called to Order: 7:20 PM by Chairman Michael Pillagalli
Michael Pillagalli began the May 19th 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 April 21, 2004 meeting, Kent Wise asked to update the minutes on page 1 within the "Parks" section revising the text to indicate that
on Monday morning (April 19th) it took two members of the crew 3½ hours to empty all of the trash at the Community Park accumulated from the weekend activities. A motion was made by Mary
Lou Enoches to accept the minutes with the revision. The motion was seconded by Bob Cifone and passed.
The Financial Report dated April 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 five days a week. Kent Wise informed that the first of four soil balance treatments has been applied to the Township ballfields stating the treatments in conjunction with the rainy weather have resulted in the crews needing to cut the grass on the ballfields twice a week. Kent Wise reported that the crews cut the grass at the new Wawa site for the first time two weeks ago indicating the crews would need to cut the grass at this site about every third week. Kent Wise informed that a weed control program is currently underway at the Township Parks stating that the third application has already been applied to the selected areas. Kent Wise reported that recent storms have caused damage at the Community Park. Kent Wise informed that the crews have completed grading and re-seeding the affected areas at the Community Park and indicated that one dozen pine trees were purchased and planted to restore the area. Kent Wise stated that there is still additional work to do and reported that the work done to date looks good. Finally, Kent Wise informed that the crews are also busy supporting picnics at the various Township parks during the week as well as on weekends.
Recreation: Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Recreation Program informed that the first day of registration for this year's program took place on Saturday, May 15th.
Ken Lehr informed that after the first day of registration, Barker Park is filled to capacity, the Community Park is about 1/2 filled and Coopersmith Park is about 1/3 filled.
Ken Lehr stated that the trend over the last several years is for Barker Park to fill during the 1st day of registration and the Community Park to fill by the start of the Summer Recreation Program. Additionally, Ken Lehr indicated that there was a long line at the Barker Park registration table and shorter lines at both the Community Park and Coopersmith Park registration tables. Ken Lehr indicated that at this time, all of the counselor positions for the Summer Recreation Program have been filled. Ken Lehr offered thanks to Michael Pillagalli for helping out with the interview process. The Summer Recreation staff orientation is scheduled for Saturday June 5th from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The orientation program will include first aid and CPR instructions provided by Good Fellowship. Ken Lehr asked that members of the Park and Recreation Board interested in attending the first aid and CPR training to contact him prior to attending the June 15th orientation session. The first aid and CPR instructions are scheduled to begin immediately after the lunch break. The 2004 Summer Recreation Program is scheduled to begin on June 21st and run through August 13th.
Michael Pillagalli suggested that the Township should look at the possibility of increasing the cost of Summer Recreation registration by $10.00 and automatically signing up those registering as members
of the Friends of West Goshen parks.
Friends of the Park:
Ken Lehr reporting for the Friends of West Goshen Parks informed that the members of the Park and Recreation Board expressed concern during the Community Day planning meeting that preceded the May Park and Recreation Board meeting over the fact that the Friends' membership renewal letters have not been sent out at this time. Based on this situation, the Friends have no membership count for 2004. As a result of this situation, the members of the Park and Recreation Board have serious concerns about their ability to secure enough volunteers to support the planned 2004 Community Day activities.
Peggy Niemeyer informed that around $5,000 in proceeds is generated from Community Day consisting of monies from the Crafters, donations and soda sales. Jerry Napiecek asked how many
Friends memberships are renewed each year.
Holly Niemeyer indicated that about 60 members renew their memberships each year. The members of the Park and Recreation Board discussed various options for increasing the membership of the Friends of West Goshen Parks. Mary Lou Enoches stated that Park and Recreation Board should consider sending a letter of thanks to the Friends when their membership provides support for Township events and suggested placing a Friends membership drive notice in the Township newsletter. Michael Pillagalli recommended sending a letter to everyone that signed up for the Township's Summer Recreation Program to solicit additional volunteer support. Ken Lehr stated the Township could add a checkbox on event forms instructing the applicants to check the box if they would like to be notified about future Township activities. Ken Lehr informed that a new president for the Friends of West Goshen Parks has been nominated (Jan Mulligan) stating at this time the new president has not taken over the assigned duties. Peggy Niemeyer indicated that the mailing of the membership renewal letters has been held up stating this issue needs to be addressed immediately. Mary Lou Enoches asked for a commitment on a cutoff date for mailing the membership renewal letters. Ken Lehr stated that he would make the required contacts tomorrow (May 20th)
to ensure that the membership renewal letters would go out ASAP. On the topic of the vacant Friends' secretary position, 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.
Ken Lehr informed that the Friends bylaws state that at least one member of the Park and Recreation Board must serve on the Board of Directors of the Friends of West Goshen Parks.
Old Business:
Ken Lehr reporting on the Battle of the Bands informed that 8 area bands and over 200 people attended this year's event. Ken Lehr offered thanks to Ed Smith, Pat Kelly, Bill Kelly and Jim Hipp for judging the talent at this year's event. Ken Lehr informed that problems were encountered with the sound system set-up that resulted from the Township having to utilize a new sound engineer because Jim Mobile was not available on this date. Ed Smith suggested the Township should look into adding some judges in the same age bracket as the contestants for next year's event. Additionally, Ed Smith asked if the prizes could be expanded to include a cash prize for the first, second, and third place bands. Ken Lehr stated that the Township would look into having some of the Summer Recreation Counselors serve as judges at next year's event. Ken Lehr informed that the winning band "Driving GT" received a prize of $300.00 and would be offered the chance to perform at Community Day
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Ken Lehr reported that the VFW Bike Safety Program has been scheduled for Saturday May 22nd from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM with a rain date of Sunday May 23rd. The event
will utilize a bicycle safety challenge course to demonstrate various aspects of bicycle safety including turning, braking, straight-line riding and hand signaling. Ken Lehr indicated that he had a
conflict and would not be able to attend this year's program informing Ed Smith and Nick Palso would be on hand to provide support.
Mary Lou Enoches indicated that she would also try to be available to help out. Ken Lehr reported that the members of the VFW plan to grill hot dogs in front of the Community Park pavilion for those participating in the event. Participants would also be able to get birch beer from a keg at the same location. The food and drinks will be provided free of charge to anyone participating in the Bike Safety Program. Ken Lehr informed that the Township would distribute fliers advertising the event to the local schools.
Ken Lehr reporting on upcoming bus trips informed that the Township has lined up a return to Baltimore for a Devil Rays/Orioles game on June 5th. The bus will depart from
Community Park 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. Ken Lehr informed that at this time, 16 of the 47 available seats have been filled for this event. On August 1st,
the Township has planned a return trip to Yankee 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 informed that the Township has lined up two buses for the Yankee Stadium trip and at
this time, about ½ of the available seats (1 bus) have been filled. Ken Lehr indicated that the Township is also planning a trip to Citizens Bank Ballpark on October 2nd to see the Phillies play the Florida Marlins. Finally, Ken Lehr reported that the Township is planning a bus trip to Lancaster on November 6th as well as two bus trips to New York in December timeframe. The December 13th New York trip will include a visit to Radio City Music Hall to see the "Rockettes" perform and the December 18th trip will be an open bus trip to New York City. Ken Lehr reported that the Township would start advertising for the fall trips at the end of the summer.
Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Concert Series indicated that there was nothing new to report at this time. Information on the Summer Concert Series is listed below:
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