West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
October 18, 2006
Minutes

Attending: Bob Cifone, Mary Lou Enoches, Jerry Napiecek, Michael Pillagalli, Ed Smith and Megan Zug

Township Representatives: Ken Lehr, Sharon Lynn and Kent Wise

Friends of the Park: Peggy Niemeyer

Meeting called to Order: 7:08 PM by Chairman Jerry Napiecek

After a review of the minutes submitted for the August 16, 2006 meeting, Kent Wise asked to update the minutes in the "Parks" section to state the crew overseeded the dogpark two weeks ago, and the crew would come back on Monday, September 25^th, to aerate and overseed the dogpark again.  A motion was made by Bob Cifone to accept the minutes with the revision.  The motion was seconded by Jerry Napiecek and passed.

The Financial Report dated September 30, 2006 was reviewed.  There were no questions or comments pertaining to the Financial Report.

Parks: Kent Wise reported the crew is still busy cutting the grass at the Township parks.  At Robert E. Lambert Park, the crew completed work to aerate and overseed the area within the confines of the dogpark. At Coopersmith Park, the crew spent several days fixing the low spots and sinkholes located within the park. Kent Wise said the crew continued to work on the Township ballfields to get them ready for next spring.  This effort included edging the playing area at Hallowell Field and applying 500 pounds of "Turface" (sports field conditioner) on Hallowell Field and the Little League field a the Community Park.  At Barker Park, the crew spent a day clearing out the right-of-way at Eagle Road and cutting back the edges on the Westtown Way side of the park.  Kent Wise said Dorine Hannum spent time planting chrysanthemums at Community Park.  Finally, Kent Wise informed that the construction at the Margarita's Restaurant site has progressed, indicating that the parking lot adjacent to Coopersmith Park is gone.

Recreation: Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Recreation Program informed there was nothing new to report on the program at this time. The 2007 program is scheduled to run from June 25^th through August 18^th.

Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Teen Program said that surveys from the 2006 program were included in the Park and Recreation Board member's package. The surveys indicated that service projects were popular with parents but not with the teens attending the program. Overall, the parents and teens were satisfied with the 2006 program. Additionally, Ken Lehr stated feedback indicates the Township needs to better market the Summer Teen Program next year.  Ken Lehr reported he plans to meet over the winter with the members of the original Summer Teen Program subcommittee (Jen Dobbins, Gary Brignola and Michael Pillagalli) to discuss the next steps for the program.

Friends of the Park: Megan Zug reporting for the Friends of West Goshen Parks said the next Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for the first Thursday in November (November 2^nd) at 7:00 PM in the West Goshen Township Administration Building.

Old Business: Ken Lehr reported that a 2006 Summer Concert Series wrap-up meeting was held prior to the October Park and Recreation Board meeting. The tentative dates for the 2007 Summer Concert Series are June 10^th, June 24^th, July 8^th, July 22^nd, August 5^th and August 19^th.  Ken Lehr informed that the tentative schedule would not conflict with Father's Day or the Turk's Head Music Festival.  Ken Lehr stated that the themes/performers being considered for the 2007 Summer Concert Series are Children's Night, Motown (Special Blendz), Big Band/Instrumental (Chester County Concert Band), Folk, Traditional Irish and Dixie Land/Jazz. Jerry Napiecek suggested the Township should look at the feasibility of having a Mummers Band perform as part of the 2007 program.  Megan Zug stated that if the Township is considering having Blackthorn as the headline act for Community Day, the Township should not book a Traditional Irish band for the Summer Concert Series dates. Michael Pillagalli asked if the Township should consider offering chamber music at one of the 2007 concerts. Ken Lehr informed that the Township had the Shaw Strings perform several years ago, and that the members of the band did not want to perform in the direct sunlight.  Megan Zug said the Township could set up a tent(s) over the stage area to shade the musicians and their instruments from the direct sunlight. Ken Lehr stated the Township had already tried to locate tent(s) on the amphitheater stage, but the angle of the sun resulted in the tent(s) being ineffective.

Information on the 2006 Summer Concert Series is listed below:

Date

Theme

Featured Performers

Location

Attendance

June 11th

Children's Concert

John Flynn

Community Park

450

June 25th

Big Band

U.S. Navy Jazz Band

Pierce Middle School

70

July 9th

Irish Rock Concert

Blackthorn

Community Park

1,200

July 23rd

Folk Concert

Jeffrey Gaines

Community Park

300

August 6th

Motown Revisited

Special Blendz

Community Park

700

August 20th

Latin

Synthesis

Community Park

150-175

Ken Lehr reporting, on Movie Nights informed that eighty people attended the October 7^th presentation of "Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit".  Ken Lehr said many of the movie companies no longer issue new releases in 16mm forcing the Township to line up movies that were not issued in the current year.  Ken Lehr stated that this is hurting the attendance at this year's presentations. As a result, a budget request was submitted for funding to allow the Township to go into a joint venture with the Borough of West Chester for the purchase of a DVD player and a digital video projector in 2007.  Information on Movie Nights is listed below:

Date

Movie

Location

Attendance

October 7th

Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit

Community Park

80

October 21st

March of the Penguins

Community Park

N/A

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 29^th.  Ken Lehr indicated the pumpkin run is scheduled for Tuesday, October 24^th.  All volunteers are asked to arrive at the Community Park by noon to help with preparations and set up the pumpkin patch. Kent Wise asked Michael Pillagalli if he had contacted Phil and Linda Hicks to line up their haywagon for this year's event. Michael Pillagalli indicated that he contacted Phil and Linda Hicks to line up their haywagon. Kent Wise informed that the Township also is planning to borrow East Goshen's tractor and haywagon for this year's event. Kent Wise informed the pumpkin patch would be located at the lower end of the Community Park by the retention basin and indicated the hay wagon ride would include a loop from the pavilion, past the past the retention basin to the pumpkin patch and return to the pavilion.  Peggy Niemeyer suggested buying extra cider, stating the Township ran out of cider during last year's Harvest Day festivities.

Ken Lehr, reporting on upcoming bus trips, informed that the Township has reserved two buses for the December 2^nd open bus trip to New York and 2 buses for the December 11^th trip to Radio City Music Hall.  Ken Lehr said Mary Lou Enoches volunteered to be the bus captain for the Radio City Music Hall trip, and stated he is still looking for a bus captain for the December 2^nd open bus trip. Ken Lehr reported the Township is also planning a bus trip on February 21^st to the Franklin Institute to see the King Tut Exhibit. Additionally, plans on a joint venture with the Borough of West Chester and East Goshen Township for a trip to the Philadelphia Flower Show have been finalized. Finally, a trip to Washington, D.C to see the cherry blossoms has been tentatively scheduled for April 15^th.

Ken Lehr reported that the Township has been in contact with ACAC to start the planning process for a "Teen Scene" night scheduled for Saturday, November 18^th.  The event would be open to all residents of the West Chester Area school district. Ken Lehr indicated the event would be a joint venture supported by West Goshen Township and the Borough of West Chester. Ken Lehr stated the format for this event would be the same as the March 2006 program.

Ken Lehr reported he has been in contact with ACAC to offer Senior Water Walking sessions in November, February, March and April. Each session will meet twice per week and run for four weeks.  Ken Lehr indicated there is capacity in each session for six people. Ken Lehr reported Water Walking sessions that were offered in March and May of the current year were very popular with seniors.

Ken Lehr informed that the Annual Holiday Decorations Workshop has been scheduled for Thursday, December 7^th from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.  Ken Lehr indicated between ten and twelve people attended last year's workshop.

Ken Lehr, reporting on the Holiday Breakfast at the Stadium Grille, informed that the event has been scheduled for Saturday, December 16^th.  Ken Lehr said the Stadium Grille was also available on Sunday, December 17^th if an overflow date is required.  The cost of the event is $8.00 per person.

Sharon Lynn provided an update on the Jerrehian property informing there are no new submissions and/or contracts to report on at this time.

New Business: Ken Lehr informed that the Township was participating in a joint venture with East Goshen and Willistown Townships to offer a "Getting the Perfect Compost" workshop to be held at the East Goshen Township Building on Sunday, October 22^nd at 7:00 PM. Admission to the event will be $5.00 per person.

Ken Lehr, reporting on Robert E. Lambert Park, informed that as of October 1^st thirty annual passes were purchased for the new skatepark (28 by Township residents).  Additionally, Ken Lehr informed that there were 1644 daily registration for the skatepark to date, indicating most of the patrons were not Township residents.  Ken Lehr stated the fees received from the patrons attending the new skatepark offset the cost of the attendants. Sharon Lynn informed that the Township has received six to ten requests asking the Township to create a separate space for small dogs at the new dogpark.  Sharon Lynn stated the there is a limitation on space that would prohibit the Township from dividing the current structure into isolated areas for small and large dogs. Additionally, Sharon Lynn stated her observation is there is no issue mixing large and small dogs together. Sharon Lynn suggested the Township could locate a new table in the open area of the dogpark that could serve as a shelter for the small dogs providing a place to get away from intimidating large dogs. Sharon Lynn reported the Township is looking at locating a new sign displaying the dogpark rules within the confines of the dogpark. Sharon Lynn and Ken Lehr met with the Township's insurance carrier to confirm patrons using the new dogpark do so at their own risk, and verified the Township is not liable for any injuries to pets and/or their owners within the confines of the new dogpark. Ken Lehr informed that about 1/3 of the patrons of the dogpark are Township residents. Sharon Lynn indicated she had a follow-up discussion with Rosanne Dillingham and Vince Gallagher, residents of 1017 Woodview Lane (property adjacent to the entrance to Robert E Lambert Park), informing them that the two big light standards located within the Park are Township lights, and that the lights do not appear to shine on the residents property.  Additionally, Sharon Lynn confirmed that the bumps on the original pavement were water control and not speed bumps. The bumps were removed during the final paving of the road surface. Finally, Ken Lehr indicated that he had responded to emails pertaining to Robert E. Lambert Park.

Ken Lehr informed that he has requested budget to cover the cost of sending members of the Park and Recreation Board to Hershey on Sunday, March 25^th to attend this Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society Citizens' Symposium. Ken Lehr informed Mark Fenton would be the keynote speaker at the upcoming symposium.

Jerry Napiecek said he had heard several negative comments pertaining to politicians campaigning during this year's Community Day festivities.  Michael Pillagalli asked if the Township can legally ban politicians from attending future events.  Sharon Lynn informed politicians and representatives have asked for permission to attend Township event in the past and were instructed to not attend.  This year due to the many contested races, they were allowed a presence at Community Day. Mary Lou Enoches stated she would like to see a motion made to have political campaigning restricted at Township events. Bob Cifone stated the Township should only provide a non-partisan place for residents to register to vote at events like Community Day.  Jerry Napiecek indicated he would write a letter stating the desire of the members of the Park and Recreation Board is to limit political campaigning at all future events. Jerry Napiecek stated he would bring copies of the letter to the November Park and Recreation Board meeting for review. The finalized letter would then be sent to the Board of Supervisors.

Ken Lehr reported he was working on the 2007 calendar and noticed the third Wednesday in November (11/21) is the night before Thanksgiving.  Jerry Napiecek made a motion to reschedule the November 2007 Park and Recreation Board meeting to fall on the second Wednesday in November (11/14). The members of the Park and Recreation Board gave unanimous approval for the motion.

Michael Pillagalli asked if the 2007 budget has been finalized.  Sharon Lynn indicated a copy of the proposed 2007 budget would be sent to the Board of Supervisors next week.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 PM.  The next meeting is scheduled for November 15, 2006.

     Respectfully Submitted,
     Ed Smith