West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
October 20, 2004
Minutes

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

Township Representatives: Ken Lehr and Kent Wise

Meeting called to Order: 7:06 PM by Chairman Michael Pillagalli

Michael Pillagalli began the October 20^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 September 15, 2004 meeting, a motion was made by Jerry Napiecek to accept the minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Mary Lou Enoches and passed.

The Financial Report dated September 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 and grooming the ballfields at the various Township Parks. Kent Wise indicated that the crews spent an entire day after the last storm fixing the damage to the infield at the Richard C. Cloud Park.  Kent Wise reported that the bridge at the North Hills development was washed out during the last storm and informed that the Township constructed a temporary road while repairs could be completed on the bridge.  As part of the construction process, Kent Wise indicated the crews seeded along the section of the original bridge that was damaged by the construction of a temporary bridge, seeded and placed straw down at the location where the temporary road enters North Hills, installed gates on both ends of the road accessing the temporary bridge and installed a permanent fence along the property that sits adjacent to the road accessing the temporary road.  Kent Wise reported that the park crew provided support to the road crew with their cleanup efforts after the last storm. Kent Wise stated that the grass management contractor completed work to slice aerate and overseed the baseball and soccer fields at the Community Park and the baseball field at Richard C. Cloud Park. Additionally, Kent Wise indicated that the Township encountered grub problems requiring two treatments to resolve at the Community Park and the Richard C. Cloud Park.  At the Municipal Complex, the crew planted rhododendrons and euonymus in front of the police building. At the Community Park, the crews planted day lilies and various grasses in the beds at the Fern Hill Road and Five Points Road entrances. Kent Wise informed that the crews installed a leaf-box on one of the Township trucks indicating the crews would start their leaf clean-up efforts after Harvest Day. Finally, Kent Wise reported that work on the new bleachers at Flagg Field is underway.  At this time, one of the new bleachers has been completed and the second is in process. Kent Wise stated that he would also like to upgrade the bleachers at Hallowell field in a similar manner.

Recreation: Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Recreation Program distributed copies of Al Roth's end of the year report to the members of the park and Recreation Board. Ken Lehr informed that the 2004 Summer Recreation Program went very well informing that daily attendance was good and no refunds were requested.

Friends of the Park: Ken Lehr reporting for the Friends of West Goshen Park informed that the minimum number of members (quorum) required for approval were not present at their October 7^th quarterly board meeting.  Ken Lehr indicated that he would be meeting with Jan Mulligan to determine what can be done to get people to attend the quarterly meetings.

Old Business: Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Concert Series informed that the tentative dates for the 2005 Summer Concert Series are June 12^th, June 26^th, July 10^th, July 24^th, August 7^th and August 21^st.  Ken Lehr informed that the tentative schedule would not conflict with Father's Day, the 4^th of July or the Turk's Head Music Festival.  Ken Lehr stated that the themes/performers being considered for the 2005 Summer Concert Series are Children's Night, Motown (Special Blendz), Big Band (Chester County Concert Band), Ethnic Band (Irish/Blackthorn) and a big name performer.  Jennifer Grey-Rice suggested offering a Spanish/Latin music concert in 2005. Michael Pillagalli asked Ken Lehr if he had contacted/booked any bands at this time for the 2005 Summer Concert Series.  Ken Lehr indicated that he had made contact with representatives from the Chester County Concert Band and Special Blendz. Additionally, Ken Lehr informed that Blackthorn would be an option for the headline band to perform at 2005 Community Day.

Ken Lehr reporting on 2005 Community Day informed that he has made contact with the agents for The Greaseband and Blackthorn pertaining to performing as the headline band for the 2005 event.  Ken Lehr indicated that the band selected for the Community Day headline band must also be available to perform on the Community Day rain date.

Ken Lehr reporting on upcoming bus trips informed the Township was only able to sell enough tickets to fill 1 bus for the October 2nd trip to Citizens Bank Ballpark to see the Phillies play the Florida Marlins.  Ken Lehr reported that the Township is planning a bus trip to Lancaster on November 6^th.  Ken Lehr indicated that at this time only 4 people have signed up for the Lancaster bus trip informing that the trip would be cancelled the week before November 6^th if more people do not sign up.  Ken Lehr informed that ticket sales for the December 11^th trip to Longwood Gardens were also moving slowly.  Finally, Ken Lehr reported that the Township is planning two bus trips to New York in December. The December 13^th New York trip that includes a visit to Radio City Music Hall to see the Rockettes perform has been sold out. There are only 5 seats available for the December 18^th open bus trip to New York City.

Ken Lehr reporting on Movie Nights informed that about 1,000 people attended the October 9^th presentation of "Shrek II" and 200 to 210 people attended the October 16^th presentation of "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban". Ken Lehr informed that the October 16^th presentation had to be moved indoors due to inclement weather. Information on Movie Nights is listed below:

Date

Movie

Location

Attendance

October 9th

Shrek II

Community Park

1,000

October 16th

Harry Potter

Community Park

200 - 210

October 23rd

Spiderman 2

Community Park

N/A

Ken Lehr reporting on Harvest Day informed that the Township would again have two hay wagons for this year's event. Ken Lehr indicated that Township purchased 619 pumpkins for this year's event at a cost of about 61 to 62 cents/pumpkin.  Ken Lehr asked that all volunteers arrive at Coopersmith Park by noon to help with preparations and set up the pumpkin patch. Ken Lehr asked if anyone would be able to help out with the task of heating water for the hot cider and cocoa that would be provided to people attending the event.  Michael Pillagalli offered to provide help with this task. Kent Wise reported that he contacted Sonny Hicks and made arrangements to pick up his hay wagon and 40 bails of straw on Friday night (October 22^nd). Additionally, the Township borrowed a hay wagon from East Goshen Township to transport the pumpkins purchased for this year's event. Kent Wise stated since the Township already had two hay wagons, there was not a need to borrow Phil and Linda Hicks' hay wagon. Kent Wise indicated that he would still pick up Phil and Linda Hicks' hay wagon because the Township may need to borrow it again for next year. Ken Lehr suggested using Phil and Linda Hicks' hay wagon as a stage for Makin' Music.  Bob Cifone asked if the Township should consider purchasing a hay wagon(s).  Kent Wise stated that having a Township owned hay wagon would be ideal but there could be problems finding a storage location.  Kent Wise indicated that a Township might have space next year at the Turner Lane facility informing that the Turner Lane facilities are shared with the road crew.  Kent Wise estimated that a nice hay wagon would cost about $4,000. Kent Wise stated that as long as the Township does not schedule Harvest Day on the same date as East Goshen Township's Halloween event, the Township would be able to borrow their hay wagon again next year. Harvest Day activities are scheduled from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Sunday, October 24^th rain or shine.

Ken Lehr informed that the Township is planning a Holiday Breakfast with Santa at the Stadium Grille on Saturday December 18^th from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM.  Ken Lehr indicated that the format for the event would be the same as last year. Ken Lehr reported that advertising for this year's event is in the Fall Township Newsletter and informed that fliers advertising the event would be sent out to schools in late November. Ken Lehr stated that he has already contacted the Stadium Grille and Santa to reserve the date. Finally, Ken Lehr indicated that the $5.00 cost to attend the Holiday Breakfast with Santa is the same as last year.

New Business: Michael Pillagalli began a discussion on a letter the Township received from resident Richard Morton requesting the Township to install additional toddler swings in the children's play area at the Community Park.  Kent Wise informed that the Township has one toddler swing in the Community Park play area. Additionally, Kent Wise reported that representatives from the ARC of Chester County approached the Township making a request for a handicapped swing in the children's play area.  Kent Wise stated the Township honored this request and stated that the handicap swing can also serve as a toddler swing.  Kent Wise informed that the Township also has toddler swings at Barker Park, Coopersmith Park and Hamlet Hill Park. Kent Wise reported that he added a $15,000 line item in the budget to cover the cost of installing a shaded area/shelter in the children's play area and stated he is waiting to see if the Friends of West Goshen Parks will be able to come up with some or all of the funding required for this project.

Michael Pillagalli reported that he attended a meeting with Ken Lehr and Al Roth and several Township parents to discuss the possibility/feasibility of the Township offering a Summer Recreation Program for teens. Michael Pillagalli indicated that the proposed teen Summer Recreation Program would run for five weeks at the Community Park and feature all-day field trips, Community Service opportunities and discussion/guidance on career possibilities. Michael Pillagalli asked if there was anything in the budget to cover supervision for the proposed teen Summer Recreation Program. Ken Lehr reported that he put in a request to the Board of Supervisions for a couple of counselors for the proposed teen Summer Recreation Program.  Ken Lehr stated that the new counselors would report to Al Roth and indicated Al Roth would assume responsibility for the teen Summer Recreation Program.  Kent Wise expressed concern about holding the teen Summer Recreation Program at the Community Park stating there is no storage capacity available for the new equipment that would be required to support the program. Additionally, Kent Wise stated that the crews would have to work around the people attending the teen Summer Recreation Program. Ken Lehr reported that the Community Park was chosen as the site for the proposed teen Summer Recreation Program because this park has the most available facilities. Additionally, Ken Lehr stated that the Township expects the enrollment for the teen Summer Recreation Program to be in the area of about 25-30 teens.

Mary Lou Enoches asked why the current Summer Recreation Program is a half-day program stating the many parents work full time jobs making it difficult to coordinate dropping off and picking up children from the program. Michael Pillagalli informed that the Summer Camp program was initiated 50 years ago in the current half-day format and stated that staffing a full day program would be an issue.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 PM.  The next meeting is scheduled for November 17, 2004

     Respectfully Submitted,
     Ed Smith

Copyright 2008, West Goshen Twp.