West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
September 21, 2005
Minutes

Attending: Michael Dolan, Mary Lou Enoches, Ed Smith and Megan Zug

Township Representatives: Ken Lehr and Kent Wise

Meeting called to Order: 7:06 PM by Secretary Ed Smith

After a review of the minutes submitted for the August 17, 2005 meeting, a motion was made by Mary Lou Enoches to accept the minutes as submitted.  The motion was seconded by Megan Zug and passed.

The Financial Report dated August 31, 2005 was reviewed. Ken Lehr stated that line 01451-82905 for "General Recreation Program" is listed with a used percent of 97.7% on the report and informed that $3,000 of those funds went to cover the cost of the Radio City Bus trip scheduled for December 12^th.  Ken Lehr indicated that those funds would be replenished when the tickets for the bus trip are sold. Additionally, Ken Lehr reported that the Park and Recreation Department had to utilize some contingency funds to cover the costs associated with the Summer Concert Series. Megan Zug asked for clarification on line 01454-62231 "Vehicles Gas and Oil."  Kent Wise informed that the parks department truck and mower usage is included in the and that this is part of the Township's annual bid for fuel. There were no other questions or comments pertaining to the Financial Report.

Parks: Kent Wise reported that the crew is busy cutting grass and grooming the ballfields at the various Township parks.  Additionally, the crew spent time preparing for and cleaning up after this year's Community Day. Kent Wise informed the crew completed work on the new shade structure at Community Park.  Kent Wise indicated two skids of pavers have been purchased and, when work slows down in November; the crew plans to install the pavers in the center area of the playground structure to create a permanent bed. Kent Wise reported work is underway on the Township's haywagon including building permanent sides, benches and steps. Kent Wise indicated all work would be completed in time for Harvest Day.  Kent Wise informed that Hallowell Field was overseeded last week and that there are problems getting the seed to take root as a result of football activity on the field. Additionally, Kent Wise stated little or no rainfall during the weeks after the application of the seed is compounding the problem. Kent Wise reported that he would try to spin seed Hallowell Field until November and see if any of the new seed will grow. The field may need to be closed until next fall to allow the grass to fill in. Kent Wise reported the soccer fields at Community Park would be overseeded and top dressed on September 22^nd and the baseball field at Cloud Park would be over seeded on Friday, September 23^rd.  Finally, Kent Wise informed that the crew was busy correcting a blockage in the sewer line at Coopersmith Park on Monday, September 19^th and would be clean-up Coopersmith Park in preparation for the Township picnic scheduled for September 23^rd.

Recreation: Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Recreation Program distributed copies of Al Roth's final report on the 2005 Summer Recreation Program to the members of the Park and Recreation Board. The report noted several new activities offered during this year's program that included field trips to the Skating Palace in Aston Township, the Oasis in Concordville and Moonbounce Adventure in West Goshen Township.  In the report, Al Roth offers his appreciation to head counselors Kerry Fischer, Kevin Finan and Christian Kelly for doing an outstanding job with the 2005 program.  Al Roth also offered thanks to Ken Lehr, Kent Wise and everyone else that provided support to make the 2005 program a success.

Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Teen Program informed that the members of the Summer Teen Program Committee met in early September to review the responses to the evaluations/questionnaires that were given to campers and parents at the end of this year's program. Ken Lehr reported that the Township is looking to expand the 2006 Summer Teen Program to 8 weeks in 2006.  Finally, Ken Lehr informed that the Summer Teen Program Committee would no longer need to meet and as a result, has been disbanded.

Friends of West Goshen Parks: Megan Zug reporting for The Friends of West Goshen Parks informed that members were busy on Community Day staffing the information table and providing support to various Community Day activities.  Megan Zug informed that The Friends took in around $1,800 in proceeds from the soda cart and raffle and indicated additional revenues are expected from the food concessions.  Ken Lehr informed that the Township has a grant of up to $1,500 that will be utilized to bring in a consultant through the winter months to provide organization development for The Friends focusing on recruitment, division of responsibility, communication and long range planning.  Ken Lehr indicated the consultant attend the next Board of Directors Meeting of The Friends of West Goshen Parks.

Old Business: Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Concert Series informed that 200 people attended the final concert for the 2005 series featuring "Country Joe and the Honky Tonk Heroes" on August 21^st.  Ken Lehr requested a Summer Concert Series wrap-up/planning meeting, which was scheduled for 6:00 PM on October 19^th.  Information on the Summer Concert Series is listed below: 

Ken Lehr, reporting on Community Day, requested a wrap-up meeting for the 2005 Community Day.  The meeting is scheduled for 6:00 PM on Wednesday, November 16^th prior to the Park and Recreation Board meeting. Ken Lehr stated the weather was great and a steady flow of people attend this year's event. Ken Lehr informed that he did not receive much feedback from the crafters that participated in this year's event and indicated that Community Day has evolved into a day that features family activities with less focus on the crafters.  Mary Lou Enoches suggested the Township should advertise the event as a Community Day and Craft Show. Ken Lehr asked the members of the Park and Recreation Board if the Township should look into the feasibility of having two separate events (Community Day and a separate Craft Show).  Ken Lehr stated that the crafters have been part of Community Day for the last eight to nine years and indicated a small number of people attending this year's event were there specifically for the crafters.  Mary Lou Enoches reported that one negative issue brought to her attention pertained to the Stadium Grille not being allowed to sell sodas at this year's event.  Megan Zug indicated that The Friends may not sell sodas at next year's event. This decision is based on the knowledge that Pepsi would not have a soda cart available for next year's event compounded by the fact The Friends did not make a profit on soda sales at this year's event . Megan Zug stated The Friends made about $700.00 in profit from the soda sales at the 2004 Community Day. Megan Zug reported that Pepsi charged $11.00 per case for the bottled water and stated The Friends would be better off purchasing the water from BJ's next year.

Ken Lehr reporting on Movie Nights informed that a decision to move the September 17^th presentation of "Racing Stripes" indoors was made at around 7:15 PM due to lightning.  Ken Lehr informed that around 400 people were at Community Park at 7:15 PM and that only 60 people were present at the Township Administration Building when the presentation actually started at 8:30 PM.  Ken Lehr distributed a sign-up sheet asking the members of the Park and Recreation Board to volunteer to provide support at one of the remaining presentations. Ken Lehr stated that the additional support is required when the presentations have to be moved inside to the Township Building due to weather conditions.  Ken Lehr indicated the Township is planning to distribute quizzes during the October 1^st presentation providing patrons the opportunity to win movie posters. Information on Movie Nights is listed below:

Ken Lehr reporting on upcoming bus trips informed the remaining two trips for 2005 are the December 3^rd open bus trip to New York and the December 12^th trip to Radio City Music Hall.

Ken Lehr reporting on Harvest Day informed that this year's activities are scheduled from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Sunday, October 30^th.  Ken Lehr informed that Michael Pillagalli would contact Phil and Linda Hicks to line up their hay wagon for this year's event. Ken Lehr indicated that he would like to use the haywagon as a stage for the planned entertainment stating this arrangement worked well last year. Kent Wise informed that the Township also planned to borrow East Goshen's haywagon for this year's event.

Ken Lehr informed that Harry Helms and the American Legion Bernard F. Schlegel Post # 134 have withdrawn their request to locate a permanent flag disposal facility within one of the Township Parks.  Ken Lehr informed that Mr. Helms and the American Legion Bernard F. Schlegel Post # 134 would like to continue utilizing their temporary facility at Community Park for the foreseeable future.

New Business: Ken Lehr informed that Township is planning a walk of the Jerrehian property on Saturday, September 24^th.  Ken Lehr requested that anyone wanting to attend the walk be at the Township Building by 8:45 AM.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 PM.  The next meeting is scheduled for November 16, 2005.

     Respectfully Submitted,
     Ed Smith

Copyright 2008, West Goshen Twp.