West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
March 21, 2007
Minutes

Attending: Les Bair, Bob Cifone, Michael Dolan, Mary Lou Enoches, Jerry Napiecek, Michael Pillagalli, and Ed Smith

Township Representatives: Ken Lehr, Sharon Lynn, Pat McIlvaine, Tom Steines, and Kent Wise

Meeting called to Order: 7:01 PM by Chairman Jerry Napiecek

Jerry Napiecek began the March Park and Recreation Board meeting by leading those present in a moment of silence for former Park and Reaction Board member Bob McCardell who passed away earlier in the week.

Tom Steines was introduced as the new Assistant Park and Recreation Director/Summer Program Coordinator.

After a review of the minutes submitted for the February 21, 2007 meeting, a motion was made by Bob Cifone to accept the minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Michael Pillagalli and passed.

The Financial Report dated February 28, 2007 was reviewed. There were no questions or comments pertaining to the Financial Report.

Parks: Kent Wise reported that the crew spent time maintaining the park signs for Fresh Meadows Park and Barker Park.  Kent Wise said the refurbished Fresh Meadows Park sign has been reinstalled, and indicated that the refurbished Barker Park sign still needed to be reinstalled.  Kent Wise reported that the crew also spent time sanding, replacing damaged boards and legs, and refinishing four of the five umbrella table stands at Community Park.  Kent Wise informed that due to the weather, the crew was only able to work outside one day in the last month.  That time was spent applying "Turface" (sports field conditioner) to the Little League Field at Community Park and raking Community Park. Kent Wise indicated that the Township ballfields officially open on March 15^th.  The recent inclement weather would result in the fields remaining closed for at least one more week.  Kent Wise reported that the crew is preparing for the Egg Hunt.  The preparation includes installing 100 yards of playground mulch and 40 yards of bedding mulch at Community Park.  Kent Wise offered thanks to the Friends of West Goshen Parks for their purchase of two spring animals and a melody maker for installation at the Community Park.  Kent Wise indicated that it would take six weeks for these items to come in. They would be installed at that time. Kent Wise informed that he would need to take down one of the deteriorating facades to provide room for the melody maker.  The spring animals would be located in the tot lot. Kent Wise reported that the Township experienced vandalism at Coopersmith Park where some of the doors were defaced with graffiti.  Additionally, Kent Wise informed that someone was playing rugby on the small field at Coopersmith Park.  The field will need to be rolled out and reseeded to correct the damage.  Finally, Kent Wise reported that the Parks Department continues to assist the Roads Department in times of inclement weather.

Recreation: Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Recreation Program informed that the Township has hired West Goshen Township resident Tom Steines for the new Assistant Park and Recreation Director/Summer Recreation Coordinator position.   Ken Lehr indicated that Tom Steines was already helping with the interview process for counselor and junior counselor positions.  Ken Lehr said that the interview process for counselors would run through the end of March and that the interview process for the junior counselors would run through May. Ken Lehr reported that registration for the Summer Recreation Program is scheduled for Saturday, April 28^th and Saturday, May 5^th.  Ken Lehr, reporting on the Summer Teen Program informed that he and Tom Steines planned to meet with Jen Dobbins and Gary Brignola (original members of the Summer Teen Program Committee) to review ideas on how to better market the Summer Teen Program. Ken Lehr reported that registration for the Summer Teen Program is scheduled for Saturday, April 28^th and Saturday, May 5^th.

Friends of the Park: Ken Lehr reporting for the Friends of West Goshen Parks informed that their Board of Directors meeting was held on Thursday, March 1^st.  Ken Lehr said the general membership meeting is scheduled for the first Thursday in May (May 3^rd). Ken Lehr indicated that  the terms of several Board members (Patricia Ryan Kelly, Mary Ann Fell, and Megan Zug) are expiring this year. Additionally, Megan Zug's term as Treasurer will expire in 2008. Ken Lehr stated that Megan Zug was not looking to return to the Treasurer's position once the term expired.  Ken Lehr indicated that the Friends were planning to add Ryan Kelly to the ballot as a voting Board member.   Ken Lehr reported that letters sent to past sponsors resulted in a $500.00 donation from PECO and West Goshen Automotive and Fleet Service, a $1,000.00 donation from Faulkner Auto of West Chester and a $1,500.00 donation from Goshen Manor/Goshen Terrace and Park Valley Associates.  Ken Lehr offered thanks to Lee McFadden and  Kelly Cifone. Ken Lehr indicated that the Friends of West Goshen Parks still needed to follow up with representatives from QVC and Commerce Bank.

Old Business: Ken Lehr reporting on the Egg Hunt and Decorated Hat Parade informed that this year's event is scheduled for 10:30 AM on Saturday, March 31^st with a raindate of Saturday, April 7^th.  Ken Lehr indicated that he and Kent Wise would be walking Community Park to map out the area for the festivities on Friday morning (March 25^th). Ken Lehr offered thanks to Al Roth, Michael Pillagalli, and Mary Lou Enoches for extra assistance stuffing eggs.  Ken Lehr informed that Dorine Hannum volunteered to be the Easter Bunny for this year's event.  Ken Lehr asked that all volunteers arrive at the Community Park by 9:00 AM to help with preparations.

Ken Lehr reporting on the "Battle of the Bands" informed that this year's event is scheduled for Saturday, May 5^th.  Ken Lehr indicated that fliers advertising the event would be distributed three to four weeks in advance of the event. Ken Lehr asked Mary Lou Enoches to contact her musician friend (John Smith) to see if he would be willing to be a judge for the event again this year. Ed Smith also volunteered to be a judge for this year's event. Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Concert Series informed that the schedule for the 2007 program has been finalized. Ken Lehr informed that he had worked out an arrangement with the Chester County Pops Orchestra to alleviate their concern with having string instruments perform in the direct evening sunlight. Ken Lehr indicated the orchestra would perform two sets.  The first set (6:00 PM) would be without their string instruments and would be interactive with the children present. The second set (7:00 PM) would feature the entire orchestra including the strings.  Ken Lehr indicated that the Township has been in touch with the Brickette Lounge for recommendations for the August 19^th Country Western Concert. The recommended bands are "Straight Shooter", "Double Clutching Weasels," and "Apple Jack".  Additionally, Ken Lehr informed that the Township had not made a decision on the entertainment for the June 24^th Irish Concert.  Information on the Summer Concert Series is listed below:

Ken Lehr informed that there was nothing new to report about Community Day at this time.

Ken Lehr reporting on upcoming bus trips informed that the March 5^th trip to the Philadelphia Flower Show was close to a sellout. The Township passed the break-even mark on this trip. Ken Lehr informed that fliers for the May 12^th "Tour New York City on your own", the June 23^rd trip to Ellis Island/Statue of Liberty and the August 4^th trip to Yankee Stadium were included in everyone's information package.  Ken Lehr indicated that the Township lined up two 47 passenger buses for the May 12^th (Tour New York City on your own) trip, one 54 passenger bus for the June 23^rd (Ellis Island/Statue of Liberty) trip and two 54 passenger buses for the August 4^th Yankee Stadium trip.

Ken Lehr, reporting on the March 10^th Teen Night at ACAC, said the turnout for the event was good (120-140 participants). Ken Lehr indicated that the crowd included many walk-ins.  Teen Night at ACAC is a joint venture between West Goshen Township, East Goshen Township, and the Borough of West Chester.  Ken Lehr indicated that the Park and Recreation Board members attending the event were vigilant helping to ensure that everything went well.  Ken Lehr informed that ACAC would like to offer a similar event in June.  Additionally, Ken Lehr reported that there were many requests for the Township to offer more events like Teen Night.

Ken Lehr reporting on the Senior Water Walking sessions at ACAC informed that there was nothing new to report at this time.  Ken Lehr indicated that the dates for the fall program would be finalized in the summer.

Ken Lehr reporting on the Senior Exercise Sampler program informed that Friday's session (March 16^th) was cancelled due to inclement weather.  Ken Lehr indicated that the final session for the Senior Exercise Sampler is scheduled for Friday, March 25^th.

Ken Lehr reported that the Township is partnering with Ageless Exercise to offer Basic and Intermediate Yoga at the West Goshen Township Administration Building. Ken Lehr said six people signed up for the initial offering which is about half way through the scheduled sessions.  Ken Lehr indicated that feedback on the initial offering was positive.  Ken Lehr stated the only change requested has been to push back the classes so they run from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Sharon Lynn provided an update on the Jerrehian property informing that there was not much new to report at this time. Sharon Lynn indicated that the developer (Pulte) was still obtaining the required approvals for the development of the property. Sharon Lynn said that Pulte turned down the Township's request to cover the cost of developing a deer management plan for the property.  The Board of Supervisors would look into this again next year

Ken Lehr, reporting on Robert E. Lambert Park, informed that as a result of the cold weather and snowfall, the Township was not been able to open the skatepark during the month of February. Ken Lehr indicated that the Township was able to open the skatepark on weekends during the month of March until the latest snowfall on Friday, March 16^th.  Ken Lehr reported that he would attend a meeting with the staff of the Skate Park at 8:00 PM tonight (March 21^st) to go over their schedules.  Ken Lehr said the Township would like to start opening the skatepark daily with after school hours as soon as possible.

New Business: Jerry Napiecek welcomed Tom Steines (new Assistant Park and Recreation Director/Summer Program Coordinator). Tom Steines is a resident of West Goshen Township and a graduate of Penn State University with a degree in Park and Recreation Management. Sharon Lynn said that Al Roth will train Tom Steines on the responsibilities Al Roth had pertaining to the Summer Recreation Program.

Ken Lehr began a discussion of the request the Township received to hold an Animal Planet Expo at Community Park on August 18^th.  Ken Lehr indicated that there were many issues with holding the Animal Planet Expo at Community Park, including the requirement to drive a tractor trailer on the Community Park grass and the request by the promoters to sell merchandise during the event.  Ken Lehr indicated he would like to form an ad-hoc committee to review the proposal and come up with a recommendation. Jerry Napiecek and Ed Smith volunteered to be part of the new ad-hoc committee. The initial meeting for the new committee was schedule for 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday, March 28^th.  Kent Wise asked if representatives from the Animal Planet Expo have visited Community Park. He expressed concern over the requirement for a 300 by 300 foot flat area and the number of exhibit tents the Expo would require.   Additionally, Kent Wise indicated he has concerns about damage to Community Park, stating that the only large flat area available is the soccer field. Finally, Kent Wise expressed concern over the timeframe for the event, which requires two days for setup, one day for the actual event, and one day to breakdown. Kent Wise informed that organizations pay fees for the use of the soccer fields and that the fields would not be available for the duration of the Expo (four days). Sharon Lynn indicated that the organizers may think that the entire Community Park is open space.

Sharon Lynn informed the members of the Park and Recreation Board that after 31 ½ years of service, she has decided to take a new position as Township Manager for Provincetown, Massachusetts. Sharon Lynn indicated she would begin her new job in three weeks.  The members of the Park and Recreation Board offered thanks to Sharon Lynn for her outstanding service to the Township and wished her well on her new endeavors.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 PM.  The next meeting is scheduled for April 18, 2007.

     Respectfully Submitted,
     Ed Smith