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West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
January 18, 2006
Minutes
Attending: Bob Cifone, Michael Dolan, Mary Lou Enoches, Jerry Napiecek, Michael Pillagalli, Ed Smith, and Megan Zug
Township Representatives: Ken Lehr, Pat McIlvaine and Kent Wise
Friends of the Park: Peggy Niemeyer
Meeting called to Order: 7:03 PM by Chairman Jerry Napiecek
After a review of the minutes submitted for the November 16, 2005 meeting, Megan Zug asked to update the minutes on page 1 within the section pertaining to the review of the October 19, 2005
minutes to state "a motion was made by Megan Zug to accept the minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Mary Lou Enoches and passed".
Additionally, on page 2 within the Friends of West Goshen Parks section, Megan Zug asked that the text should be updated to indicate that the fundraising by the Friends would go to cover costs for the 2006 Summer Concert Series and Community Day. A motion was made by Bob Cifone to accept the minutes with the revision. The motion was seconded by Mary Lou Enoches and passed.
The Financial Report dated December 31, 2005 was reviewed. There were no questions or comments pertaining to the Financial Report.
Parks:
Kent Wise reported that the crew is performing winter maintenance on every piece of the Township's equipment including checking the belts, hoses and sharpening the blades on the mowers and servicing the chain saws and weed trimmers. Additionally the crew is cleaning, sanding and repainting the trash barrels (60 to 70) and grills located at the various Township parks. Kent Wise informed that on the good weather days, the crew is performing tree work including staking some of the younger trees and relocating/ removing some of the larger trees. Kent Wise indicated that the large maple tree next to the Community Park pavilion was located too close to the structure. He stated that the roots would eventually buckle the concrete in that area. Kent Wise reported the crew completed efforts on the new landscape tie wall in the back of the Community Park (dump site). Kent Wise reported the Township is pricing new equipment that includes one new truck, a tractor and a walk-behind mower. Kent Wise stated that the Township has also purchased new miter saws that would be utilized to construct new picnic tables and make repairs to the existing picnic tables. Kent Wise indicated he would like to remove all of the existing oak picnic tables stating they are too heavy. Megan Zug asked if the Township was utilizing treated lumber for the picnic tables stating there have been several articles warning of the danger of utilizing treated lumber for eating surfaces. Kent Wise stated the new treated lumber the Township utilizes is suitable for eating surfaces and does not contain any arsenic products. Kent Wise informed that repairs have been made to the tube slide damaged by vandals at Coopersmith Park. Additionally, Kent Wise indicated that the Township brought in an inspector to take a look at the playground equipment at the Community Park. Kent Wise reported that the Township also experienced vandalism at the Hamlet Crest Park where some of the playground structures were spray painted. Kent Wise indicated the crews have been able to clean up most of the damage but indicated there is still work to do. According to Kent Wise, several of the doors at the Community Park were also spray painted. Kent Wise stated that the instances of vandalism at the Community Park seem to coincide with ice hockey tournaments held at the Ice Line facility.
Recreation:
Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Recreation Program and the Summer Teen Program informed that confirmation letters have been sent out to returning counselors and indicated applications would be accepted through the first week of March.
Friends of West Goshen Parks:
Megan Zug reporting for The Friends of West Goshen Parks informed that the elections for the Friends' Board positions are complete and stated that the Friends are in compliance with their by-laws. The new Board of the Friends consists of Lee McFadden, Megan Zug, Pat Kelly, Jan Mulligan, Mary Ann Fell, Peggy Niemeyer and Mary Ann Gemmill. The Officer positions are held by Jan Mulligan (president), Kelly Cifone (vice-president) and Megan Zug (treasurer). Megan Zug informed that Susan Lohoefer (consultant) is meeting individually with the officers and board members with the goal to have recommendations focusing on recruitment, division of responsibility, communication and long range planning. Megan Zug indicated questionnaires were sent out to the officers and board members in advance of their meetings. Susan Lohoefer will finalize the report in about one month. Megan Zug reported that the annual Friends' membership meeting is scheduled for the 1st Thursday in May. She stated the meeting will be well publicized. Ken Lehr indicated notice for the Friends' annual Membership Meeting will be posted in the Township's spring newsletter.
Old Business:
Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Concert Series informed the entertainment for the Children's Night (Makin Music) and Motown (Special Blendz) have been finalized. Ken Lehr informed that the Township would know by the end of the week if the U.S. Navy Jazz Band will perform at the Big Band/Jazz concert. Ken Lehr stated the Township would know by the end of the month on the availability of Janis Ian for the planned folk concert. The dates for the 2006 Summer Concert Series are June 11th, June 25th, July 9th, July 23rd, August 6th and August 20th.
Ken Lehr reporting on Community Day informed that the Friends are looking for someone to take over the responsibilities of organizing the Crafters for the 2006 Community Day and beyond.
Mary Lou Enoches indicated she knows someone that may be willing to take over the crafters efforts for Community Day.
Ken Lehr reporting on upcoming bus trips informed that an accident on the Pennsylvania Turnpike caused a 1½ hour delay for buses traveling to New York for the December 12th Radio City Music Hall trip. Ken Lehr informed the travel agent (Chrissie Kelly from Lowee's Group Tours) was notified while the buses waited in traffic and contacted Radio City Music Hall, exchanging all of the 11:00 am tickets for 2:00 pm tickets. This scheduling change was facilitated without any additional charge to the group and resulted in allowing those attending to see the show in its entirety. Ken Lehr indicated that he had sent a letter of thanks from the Township to Lowee's Group Tours. Ken Lehr reported the Township is planning three bus trips in the spring including an open bus trip to New York City on May 13th, a May 27th trip to Yankee Stadium and a June 10th trip to RFK Stadium to see the Phillies play the Washington Nationals. Ken Lehr indicated that the Township is also planning fall trips to Yankee Stadium and Washington D.C., and said the Washington trip would be a joint venture with the borough of West Chester.
Ken Lehr reporting on the Holiday Breakfast with Santa at the Stadium Grill informed that 101 people attended this year's event.
Ken Lehr indicated that the traffic issues associated with decorating gingerbread men were resolved. Jerry Napiecek stated Santa (Kevin Stevenson) was great and thanked Mary Lou Enoches for lining up Santa for this year's event. Ken Lehr indicated that he emailed pictures taken during the festivities to those who requested copies.
Ken Lehr reported that the Township would offer two 4 week Senior Water Aerobics sessions at ACAC. Session #1 will be offered from 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm on February 7th, 9th, 14th, 16th, 21st, 23rd, 28th and March 2nd.
Session #2 will be offered from 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm on March 7th, 9th, 14th, 16th, 21st, 23rd, 28th and 30th.
The cost for each session is $25.00 per person and there is capacity in each session for about 6 people. Ken Lehr indicated that at this time the February session is about ½ filled.
Megan Zug asked if it would be possible to offer an evening class to accommodate seniors that may not be able to participate in the 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm time slots. Ken Lehr indicated that the Senior Water Aerobics sessions were locked in to ACAC's schedule and availability.
Ken Lehr informed that West Goshen Township along with East Goshen Township and the Borough of West Chester would be offering a Teen Night at ACAC on Saturday, March 4th from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM. Ken Lehr stated that West Whiteland Township would not be participating in the upcoming event. The event will be open to residents of the West Chester Area School District. Ken Lehr indicated that the facilities at ACAC have the capacity to handle between 200 to 300 teens for the planned event.
New Business: Ken Lehr informed that the Calendar of Upcoming Events does not include the new bus trips identified in the "Upcoming Bus Trips" or the planned March 6th trip to the Philadelphia Flower Show. Additionally, Ken Lehr indicated the proposed June 10th councilor orientation would need to be rescheduled to June 3rd to avoid a conflict with the June 10th bus trip to RFK Stadium. Jerry Napiecek asked if any decision had been made on what movies would be presented as part of this year's Movie Nights. Ken Lehr indicated that he normally does not put together the Movie Nights program until sometime in the summer.
Mary Lou Enoches began a discussion on the new Township skatepark by informing that she received a phone call from Dave Fairman offering his services to the Township (at no charge) for the
purpose of reviewing how the proposed skatepark would be constructed.
Mary Lou Enoches stated that this would be a great opportunity for the Township to utilize Dave Fairman's background and knowledge to review what is being planned. Ken Lehr indicated that representatives from the Township had met with Dave Fairman early on in the planning process for the new skatepark. Mary Lou Enoches asked if someone from the Township could contact Dave Fairman and provide him with an update on the status of the new skatepark. Ken Lehr stated that the Township would like to include Dave Fairman with the opening ceremonies and the staffing for the new skatepark. Pat McIlvaine suggested the Township should also consider having Dave Fairman offer a safety clinic at the new skate park. Jerry Napiecek offered to contact Dave Fairman on behalf of the Township. Pat McIlvaine stated that Sharon Lynn should be the Township representative to contact Dave Fairman. Pat McIlvaine reported that a representative from Verizon (Stan Shuck) contacted her informing that Verizon would like to provide sponsorship for the grand opening of the new skatepark. Additionally, Stan Shuck requested that the Township include Beth Mulhern in the opening ceremonies. Finally, Pat McIlvaine informed that some of the buildings are up and the sewer lines are in and that the Township is looking to complete construction in May.
Pat McIlvaine indicated there is nothing new to report on the development of the Jerrehian property at this time. Michael Pillagalli stated there are significant concerns over the lack of
parking and facilities being planned at this time.
Additionally, Michael Pillagalli expressed concern over how the noise from the events scheduled at Greystone Hall would impact new residents in the planned development area.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 PM. The next meeting is scheduled for February 15, 2006.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ed Smith
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