West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
May 16, 2007
Meeting Notes

Attending: Bob Cifone, Jerry Napiecek and Ed Smith

Township Representatives: Ken Lehr and Kent Wise

Meeting called to Order: 7:10 PM by Chairman Jerry Napiecek

The review and approval of the minutes submitted for the April 18, 2007 meeting was deferred until the June 20, 2007 Park and Recreation Board meeting since the quorum required for approval was not present at the May 16, 2007 meeting.

The Financial Report dated April 30, 2007 was reviewed.  There were no questions or comments pertaining to the Financial Report.

Parks: Kent Wise reported that the number one priority for the Parks crew is cutting the grass at the various Township parks. At this time, two crews are required to complete this task each week.  Kent Wise said the crews cut the Township ballfields two times per week.  Kent Wise informed that the crews are doing bed work at Community Park, including spreading 40 yards of mulch.  Kent Wise said another 40 yards of mulch would be delivered tomorrow (May 17^th). Additionally, Kent Wise stated that a weed control program has been started in the bed areas.  A second fertilizer treatment has been applied on all of the sports fields.  At Robert E. Lambert Park, Kent Wise reported that the crews installed reinforcement hardware to the outside panels of all the ramps at the skatepark. Kent Wise said a member of the Parks crew spends about five hours each day performing clean-up duties and emptying the trash barrels at the dogpark facilities.  Kent Wise indicated that the crews completed overseeding the ballfield at Coopersmith Park and the grass areas at Robert E. Lambert Park, excluding the dogpark. Kent Wise reported that there were no new instances of vandalism at the Township parks.

Recreation: Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Recreation Program informed that after two dates of registration, there are still openings at all three parks. At this time there are three openings at Barker Park. Community Park and Coopersmith Park are about half full. Ken Lehr reported that the soccer and skateboarding clinics were the most popular to date.  Ken Lehr informed that head counselors for this year's program are Matt Krykew (Coopersmith Park), Kelly Kelly (Community Park) and Nick Napiecek (Barker Park).  The 2007 Summer Recreation Program is scheduled to begin on June 25th and run through August 17th.

Ken Lehr, reporting on the Summer Teen Program, informed that after two dates of registration, eleven teens have registered for this year's program.  Ken Lehr informed that the head counselor for this year's program is Matt Froncillo. The 2007 Summer Teen Program is scheduled to begin on June 25th and run through August 17th.

Friends of the Park: Ken Lehr, reporting for the Friends of West Goshen Parks, informed that the general membership meeting was held on the first Thursday in May (May 3^rd) at Barker Park.  Ken Lehr indicated that Ryan Kelly was added to the Board of Directors.

Old Business: Ken Lehr, reporting on the Battle of the Bands, informed that this year's event featured three local bands.  Seven to ten bands normally participate in this event. Ken Lehr said fliers advertising the event were sent to the area middle schools, high schools, and other selected areas.  Ken Lehr stated that this is a hard audience to get a message to. Ken Lehr said the quality of the three participating bands was good. The winning band "Durant" was a repeat winner of the event. Ken Lehr discussed the option of having the winning band perform at Community Day around 1:00 to 1:30 pm on the amphitheater stage if time permits.  Ed Smith suggested having the winning band perform at the skatepark on June 21^st as part of the International Go Skateboarding Day festivities.  Ken Lehr indicated that he did not think this would be a good fit, stating that there would not be a natural audience to support musical performances.  Ken Lehr discussed the possibility of offering all three Bands half hour time slots to perform during Community Day festivities. Additionally, Ken Lehr indicated that he would consider offering the two runner-up bands a $50.00 stipend for performing at Community Day.  Ken Lehr stated the Township did not use a sound man for the "Battle of the Bands" and could pass along some of the savings to the bands that participated in the event.  Finally, Ken Lehr offered thanks to Ed Smith and John Smith for judging 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 indicated he would distribute a sign-up sheet at the June Park and Recreation Board meeting asking the members to volunteer to provide support for one or more of the concerts. Jerry Napiecek offered to provide support for the June 10^th concert.  Ken Lehr informed that the original band of the June 24^th concert (The Hooligans) backed out and would be replaced by "The Brothers McGillian". The rainsite for the Summer Concert Series is the West Chester East High School auditorium.  Information on the Summer Concert Series is listed below:

Ken Lehr, reporting on Community Day, informed that there was nothing new to report at this time.  The next Community Day planning meeting is scheduled for 6:00 PM on Wednesday, June 20^th prior to the next Park and Recreation Board meeting.

Ken Lehr, reporting on Township bus trips, informed that the May 12^th trip to New York went well, and that he would have a formal report on the trip at the next Park and Recreation Board meeting. Ken Lehr informed that the report/survey on the April 15^th trip to Washington, DC was positive.  Ken Lehr noted that 54 people signed up for the trip but, due to rains, only 32 participants actually attended.  Of those 32, 11 submitted responses to the survey.  Ken Lehr reported that at this time there are eight remaining seats for the June 23^rd trip to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and six remaining seats for the August 4^th trip to Yankee Stadium. Ken Lehr informed that the Township has received requests for a trip to Shea Stadium.  Ken Lehr stated that the Mets play the Phillies on September 14^th, 15^th, and 16^th.  The Township is planning to line up one bus and see what level if interest there is. Ken Lehr reported that the bus trip would be scheduled for Saturday, September 15^th so there would be no conflict with the West Chester Restaurant Festival.  Ken Lehr informed there would be an update on the fall bus trip schedule at the June Park and Recreation Board meeting.

Ken Lehr reported that at this time only four people have signed up for the yoga/pilates session.  His recommendation is to cancel the class and refund money to those who signed up. Ken Lehr stated he would look to offer the yoga/pilate class again in the fall, givintg enough advance notice to fill the class.  Ken Lehr stated that the fall yoga/pilates class would be advertised in the Township's Summer Newsletter.

Ken Lehr, reporting on the Senior Water Walking sessions at ACAC, informed that the dates for the fall program would be finalized in the summer. Ken Lehr informed that ACAC was planning to double the fee (to $50.00) for the fall sessions.

Ken Lehr, reporting on the proposed Animal Planet Expo, informed that the organizers have requested the use of Hibernia Park for their August event.

Ken Lehr indicated there was nothing new on the Jerrehian property to report at this time.

Kent Wise, reporting on Robert E. Lambert Park, informed that ramps at the skatepark have been repaired and all grass areas except the dogpark have been overseeded.   Ken Lehr indicated that Will Hemler is doing a photo shoot/video at the skatepark for publicity and marketing purposes, informing that the skatepark has a good sampling of skateboarding equipment. Ken Lehr reported that the Township would receive a DVD copy of the video. Ken Lehr said professional skateboarders were on hand for the video. They did not have to wear helmets as they were covered under the insurance waiver.  Ken Lehr reported that he would attend a meeting with the staff of the skatepark at 8:00 PM tonight (May 16^th) to go over their June schedules. Ken Lehr indicated that the Township is looking to hire two to four additional attendants. The plan is to staff three four hour shifts to cover the eleven hours per day the skatepark will be open during summer.  Finally, Ken Lehr informed that he, Kent Wise, and Ray Halvorsen did a walk-through of the skatepark with a representative from the firm that designed the park. The Township has a one year maintenance agreement on the facilities and is looking to replace some of the landscaping and correct issues with the fountains.

New Business: Ken Lehr informed that the Township received a request from American Legion Post 134 for a flag retirement ceremony at the Community Park on Saturday, June 9^th.  Ken Lehr stated that he would not be available to support the event on June 9^th.  Twenty to thirty people normally attend the flag retirement ceremonies.  Jerry Napiecek indicated that he would be able to provide support for the event.

Ken Lehr indicated that he would discuss the Treasurer's Report at the next (June) Park and Recreation Board meeting when a quorum of the membership is present.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 PM.  The next meeting is scheduled for June 20, 2007.

     Respectfully Submitted,
     Ed Smith