West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
March 16, 2005
Minutes

Attending: Les Bair, Bob Cifone, Dan Dixon, Jerry Napiecek, Michael Pillagalli and Ed Smith

Township Representatives: Sharon Lynn, Ken Lehr and Kent Wise

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

Michael Pillagalli began the March 16^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 16, 2005 meeting, a motion was made by Jerry Napiecek to accept the minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Les Bair and passed.

The Financial Report dated February 28, 2005 was reviewed. There were no questions or comments pertaining to the Financial Report.

Parks: Kent Wise reported that the parks crew has been busy assisting the road crew during the recent inclement weather conditions. Kent Wise informed that parks crew completed winter maintenance projects including changing the oil and filters and sharpening the blades on the Township's mowing equipment and maintaining the Township's 7,000 and 10,000-pound trailers. Kent Wise reported that the crews raked and cleaned up the wooded areas at Hallowell and Coopersmith Parks and indicated the spring clean-up efforts are currently underway at both Coopersmith and Barker Parks.

Recreation: Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Recreation program informed that he and Al Roth are in the process of interviewing applicants for counselor positions stating the Township had received 21 applications to date. Ken Lehr indicated the Township would need to hire five additional counselors to support the new Teen Summer Recreation Program. Ken Lehr stated that at this time the Township is expecting 13 counselors to return from last year. Jerry Napiecek asked about the salary structure for the counselor positions. Ken Lehr reported that the counselor positions pay $8.75 and hour and informed applicants must be at least 18 years old for counselor positions and 16 years old for junior counselor positions. Registration for the Summer Recreation Program and the Teen Summer Recreation Program is scheduled from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM on May 14^th and from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM on May 21^st.  The Summer Recreation parent orientation is scheduled for 7:00 PM on Wednesday, April 27^th with the parent orientation for the new Teen Summer Recreation Program piggybacking at 8:00 PM. The 2005 Summer Recreation Program is scheduled to begin on June 20^th and run through August 12^th. 

Friends of the Park: Ken Lehr reporting for the Friends informed that the next Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for 7:00 PM on Thursday, April 7^th.

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 event. Dan Dixon informed that the Goshen Fire Company would have a fire truck at the Township Building by 10:00 AM to transport the Easter Bunny to Cooper-smith Park. The Egg Hunt is scheduled for Saturday, March 19^th at 10:30 AM with a rain date on Saturday, March 26^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 upcoming bus trips informed that the Township is planning a return trip to Yankee Stadium on Saturday, April 30^th and a return trip to Baltimore's Camden Yards on Sunday May 22^nd. Each trip costs $40.00 per person and includes round-trip transportation, a lower-level ticket to the game and a tip for the bus driver. People attending both games can purchase a combination ticket at a discounted rate of $75.00 per person. At this time about ¼ of the available tickets for each "baseball" bus trips have been sold. Ken Lehr indicated that a tour of the Township's parks has been scheduled for June 11^th stating a shuttle bus has been lined up to provide the transportation. Finally, Ken Lehr informed that the Township has planned an open bus trip (drop-off and pick-up) to New York City on June 18^th and an open bus trip (drop-off and pick-up) to Washington DC on July 16^th.

Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Concert Series informed that the schedule for the 2005 program is almost complete. Ken Lehr informed that the Township has looked at the possibility of having Janis Ian or Richie Havens perform at a headline entertainer concert on August 7^th. Ken Lehr stated that for a cost of $1,700 to $2,000 less, the Township could line up Irish Rock Band "Blackthorn" to perform at the August 7^th concert. Finally, the Township has booked "Hip Pickles" at the July 24^th concert. This band came highly recommended by a representative from Doylestown Township. Information on the Summer Concert Series is listed below:

Ken Lehr reporting on 2005 Community Day informed that he along with Sharon Lynn and Kelly Cifone met with representatives from the Commerce Bank on Tuesday, February 22^nd. The purpose of the meeting was to secure sponsorship to cover the cost of the Community Day headline band "The Greaseband" as well as sponsorship for the Summer Concert Series. Ken Lehr informed that no official commitment has been offered at this time indicating representatives from the Commerce Bank did express an interest in sponsoring the "The Greaseband" performance at 2005 Community Day.

Sharon Lynn provided the members of the Park and Recreation Board with an update on the status of Lambert Park to be located next to the Wawa at the intersection of Pottstown Pike and Greenhill Road. Sharon Lynn informed that a meeting to discuss the Henderson North Project with the School Board was held on March 7^th. At that time the School Board informed there is a delay in the project as a result of water supply and traffic issues. Sharon Lynn indicated the Township has an agreement with the School Board identifying who is responsible for funding the various phases of the project. The agreement is in draft form at this time and Sharon Lynn stated the plan is to have the Board of Supervisors review and approve the agreement by the end of the month (March). The schedule would have the project going out for bids in April, notification of award the second week in July and a tentative opening date in the fall of 2006. Sharon Lynn reported that Township representatives have met with the architect (YSM Associates) indicating there is room available to expand the proposed skate park by one-third of the original capacity. Sharon Lynn stated the Township plans to utilize this area for a youth playground area at this time. When completed, Lambert Park will feature a skatepark, two tennis courts and a dog walk area. Dan Dixon asked for a status on the project grant money. Sharon Lynn reported that the Township's first grant for this project was for $76,000 and indicated the Township was granted an extension and has until June 30, 2005 to utilize the funding. Sharon Lynn stated that the Township would use some of the funding to for the landscape architect and is also considering purchasing some of the skatepark equipment that would be placed in storage until the skatepark opens. Sharon Lynn informed that the Township has a second grant of $40,000 and indicated the Township has until June 2006 to utilize those funds. Sharon Lynn reported that the targeted cost of the entire project is $900,000. Bob Cifone asked if it would be possible to build the dog walk area now so the park area could be utilized prior to the fall of 2006. Sharon Lynn informed that the Township would be putting up signs at the site in the near future to inform the public of the grant money.     

New Business: Ken Lehr informed that the Chester County Astronomical Society will set up telescopes at the Community Park on April 26^th from 8:00 – 10:00 PM for a free public viewing of Saturn and Jupiter.

Ken Lehr reported that Township resident Justin King has requested the use of the Community Park Amphitheater for the purpose of presenting a charity concert. Ken Lehr indicated that people attending the event would be asked to bring a donation for Chester County Cares. Additionally, Ken Lehr stated that Justin King would also like to provide support for any new Township Park(s) that are in the development stage. Ken Lehr reported that the Township has designated 1 afternoon (3 hours) at the Community Park Amphitheater on Saturday afternoon July 9^th for a community concert. Ken Lehr informed that Justin King's charity concert would be part of the July 9^th community concert event.

Ken Lehr reporting on the CHESCO: Every Step Counts walk informed that the second annual event is scheduled for Saturday, May 7^th from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Community Park. Participants will receive a pedometer, T-shirt and a calendar of information that includes upcoming events. The goal of the program is to promote a healthy lifestyle through walking. Ken Lehr stated that the West Goshen Park and Recreation Department is an active participant in this program and also supports the Activate Chester County program.

Ken Lehr informed that DCNR (Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) has offered to hold a Park and Recreation workshop in Chester County (West Chester Borough Building) on Wednesday, May 11^th from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Ken Lehr indicated fliers for the workshop were included in the information packet for the March Park and Recreation Board meeting. The cost of the workshop is $15.00 per person or $50.00 for the entire Park and Recreation Board. Ken Lehr indicated that the Township has budgeted funds for this event and requested anyone interested in attending let him know at the April Park and Recreation Board.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 PM. The next meeting is scheduled for April 20^th 2005.

   Respectfully Submitted,
   Ed Smith