West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
March 19, 2008
Minutes

Attending: Bob Cifone, Jennifer Dobbins, Mary Lou Enoches, Jerry Napiecek, Michael Pillagalli, Nancy Pine, and Ed Smith

Township Representatives: Ken Lehr, Tom Steines, and Kent Wise

Meeting called to Order:7:00 PM by Chair Mary Lou Enoches

After a review of the minutes submitted for the March 19, 2008 meeting, a motion was made by Jerry Napiecek to accept the minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Bob Cifone and passed.

The Financial Report dated March 31, 2008 was reviewed. There were no questions or comments pertaining to the Financial Report.

Parks: Kent Wise reported that the crew is finishing spring maintenance efforts, and is ready to start working on the beds at the various Township parks and the Township Building. Kent Wise informed that the crew started cutting grass last week and worked on grooming the Township's ballfields. Additionally, Kent Wise indicated that the water has been turned on at the Community Park concession stand and the restrooms at the Township parks. Kent Wise reported that the crew spent three days at Coopersmith Park cleaning up an ash tree that had uprooted and taken down another five trees in the process. Kent Wise indicated that 100 yards of playground mulch has been used to top off all eight of the Township's playgrounds. Kent Wise said the play school bus donated by the Friends of West Goshen Parks has arrived. Plans are to install the school bus at Coopersmith Park over the next couple of weeks. Kent Wise reported that vandals damaged the tube slide at Hamlet Crest Park, setting the structure on fire. Kent Wise indicated that new parts have been ordered to repair the slide. At the South Concord Road Park, a new slide has been installed to replace the one damaged by vandals earlier in the year. Michael Pillagalli asked what these two acts of vandalism cost the Township taxpayers. Kent Wise reported that the parts to replace the tube slide at Hamlet Crest Park cost $785 and will require additional time for installation. The cost to replace the slide at the South Concord Road Park was $1,800. Michael Pillagalli stated that the public needs to know the costs associated with acts of vandalism suggesting this information should be placed in the Township Newsletter. Kent Wise informed that he had an electrician at Community Park to take a look at why the lights at the lower end of the park are not working. Kent Wise indicated that the electrician will need to do some digging/trenching at the Community Park to fix this problem. Finally, Kent Wise stated that Coopersmith Park still gets a lot of activity/usage even though there is limited parking available at the facility. Ken Lehr reported that the limited parking is resulting in larger picnics shifting from Coopersmith Park to the Community Park.

Recreation: Tom Steines, reporting on the Summer Recreation Program, said the counselor interviews are complete. At this time, 21 of 25 positions have been confirmed pending the required background checks. Tom Steines indicated that all of the counselor positions should be filled by next week. Community Park and Barker Park will have new head counselors. Tom Steines reported that field trips for this years program include Ice Line, Water World, the Bowling Palace, roller skating, and a trip to the movies. Tom Steines informed that there will be eight field trips offered (one each week of the program), and stated that the registration fee for the Summer Recreation program will include four of the field trips. Participants can attend the other four field trips at an additional cost. Registration for the Summer Recreation Program is scheduled for Saturday, May 10^th (8:00 am to 11:00 am) and Saturday, May 17^th (9:00 am to 11:00 am). The 2008 Summer Recreation Program is scheduled to begin on June 23^rd and run through August 15^th.

Tom Steines, reporting on the Summer Teen Program, informed that the 2008 program will have a new head counselor (Anthony Froncillo) this year. The program will feature weekly field trips to amusement parks, water parks, and other attractions such as whitewater rafting. Additionally, teens will participate in selected community service projects. Registration for the Summer Teen Program is scheduled for Saturday, May 10^th (8:00 am to 11:00 am) and Saturday, May 17^th (9:00 am to 11:00 am). The 2008 Summer Teen Program is scheduled to begin on June 23^rd and run through August 15^th.

Friends of the Park: Ken Lehr, reporting for the Friends of West Goshen Parks, said that the annual membership meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 1^st at Coopersmith Park. Ken Lehr indicated that Megan Zug would be stepping down from her position as Treasurer and that Jennifer Dobbins would be on the ballot for the open position. Ken Lehr pointed out that the bylaws of The Friends of West Goshen Parks require that one board member must be from the Park and Recreation Board. Jennifer Dobbins will fulfill this role.

Old Business: Ken Lehr, reporting on Township bus trips, said that the April 19^th Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island trip has sold out. Ken Lehr said that tickets for the August 17^th trip to Yankee Stadium (with the tier reserved seats) will go on sale next week. The cost of this trip is $50 per person. The Township will also offer a return trip to Shea Stadium on Saturday, September 6^th to see the Mets battle the Phillies. The cost of the Shea Stadium trip is $59 per person. Ken Lehr informed that the Township would use buses from David Thomas Tours for this trip. Ken Lehr indicated that it is typically his policy to use a Township business (Krapf's coaches) if they have a comparably-priced bus available for the function. Ken Lehr reported that the Township would offer a trip to Cape Cod (joint venture with the Borough of West Chester and East Goshen Township) departing from the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry (Paoli Pike across from the East Goshen Park) on October 2^nd and returning on October 6^th. The Cape Cod trip will feature hotel accommodations on the water, whale watching, a diner cruise, and much more. The cost of the trip is $769/person for a single occupancy room, $619/person for a double occupancy room, $599/person for a triple occupancy room and $579/person for a quad occupancy room. Ken Lehr reported that the Township is reviewing the feasibility of offering a trip to Lancaster that would include a show/performance at the American Music Theater. Ken Lehr indicated that the Township is looking at offering this trip in August for a Doo-Wop performance. Ken Lehr said the cost of the show tickets would $45/person. The cost would go up if the Township also included dinner with the trip. Mary Lou Enoches asked if the Township would get a better response on the trip if they waited until the November/December timeframe when the American Music Theater presents their Christmas shows (November 1^st through December 30^th). The members of the Park and Recreation Board felt that the Christmas show would be a better option and that the Township should look at offering the trip on December 6^th or 7^th and line up one bus for the inaugural event. Ken Lehr expressed concern about the Township's ability to line up a bus for a December 6^th or 7^th trip.

Ken Lehr, reporting on senior water walking, informed that at this time all of the spring sessions are filled with a wait list. Ken Lehr indicated that the Township would look to line-up the fall sessions in the early summer.

Ken Lehr, reporting on the Yoga-Pilates sessions, said the third session of this very popular class is scheduled to run from April 29^th through May 27^th. The cost of the session is $50.00 for West Goshen Township residents and $60.00 for non-residents.

Ken Lehr, reporting on the Adventure Boot Camp for women, informed that the Township has received registrations for the third session which is scheduled to run from April 14^th through May 9^th.

Ken Lehr reported on the April 26^th "Teen Scene" at ACAC, informing that Tom Steines would be on hand to provide support for the event and that he was looking for additional volunteers to help out for the event.  Ken Lehr stated that "Teen Scene" is a good event that requires volunteer help.  Jerry Napiecek indicated that he would provide support for the event.

Ken Lehr, reporting on the Battle of the Bands, informed that this year's event is scheduled for Saturday, May 10^th from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Set-up for the event will take place between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM. Ken Lehr informed that the winning band will receive $300 and be featured at a future West Goshen event.

Ken Lehr, reporting on the Summer Concert Series, said the Township would advertise this year's series in the West Chester Recreation Brochure and to the local schools via a children's newsletter. Information on the 2008 Summer Concert Series is listed below:

Ken Lehr, reporting on Community Day, informed that he had contacted a representative from the band "Blackthorn." Some of the members of the group may not be available to perform on September 14^th. As a result, Ken Lehr said he contacted a representative from "The Greaseband." The band is willing to hold the date for the Township. Ken Lehr asked how the members of the Park and Recreation Board want to proceed if "Blackthorn" is not available. Jerry Napiecek stated the Township needs to know by the end of the month if "Blackthorn" is available to perform. Mary Lou Enoches indicated both bands have good followings, so the Township would be OK with either band.

Kent Wise began a discussion on the USA Hockey National Championship for Girls fireworks show. He was not happy with the clean-up effort by the group. Kent Wise reported that about fifteen volunteers showed up prior to the start of the fireworks to tape/rope off Community Park. They never came back after the display to help with the clean-up efforts. He had to get Casey LaLonde to go over to Ice Line to get help. Kent Wise stated that the fireworks made a mess of Community Park, indicating that debris was everywhere. Additionally, Kent Wise reported that five police officers were on hand for traffic control, and that Goshen Fire Company provided three fire trucks,two ambulances and about 25 volunteers that walked the Community Park after the fireworks display to make sure there were no embers burning. Mary Lou Enoches asked whether the Township should allow an event like this again in the future.

Mary Lou Enoches began a discussion on the policies approved by the Board of Supervisors regarding requests for park usage by charitable groups. Mary Lou Enoches asked if the Township had contacted Renee Rodkey on the request for the use of the Community Park for an 8^th grade walk in memory of Abigail Rodkey. Ken Lehr informed that he had contacted Renee Rodkey, suggesting the proposed event be held on Sunday, June 15^th. Mary Lou Enoches stated that the approved price structures that feature four tiers of pricing looks OK (see chart below). Kent Wise indicated that he was OK with the pricing structure, stating that the demand for use of Township facilities is growing and that the Township needed to do something. Kent Wise informed that the organizers for the upcoming MS Walk at the Community Park asked to be able to set-up for the event at 6:00 AM, requiring someone from the parks crew to be onsite at that time. Additionally, an event of this size (1,000 people) also requires the bathroom facilities to be available for the duration of the event. Bob Cifone asked if the new fee structure would cover the costs incurred by the Township to support the event. Kent Wise indicated that he felt the new fee structures were fair. Nancy Pine stated that the length of time an event requires does not appear to be a consideration in the fee structures, and asked if this is something the Board of Supervisors might want to take a look at for the Tier 2, 3 and 4 fees. Ken Lehr informed that the Township would post the fee structure on the Township website, and indicated that the spring newsletter had already gone to print so it was too late to include the fee structure in that mailing. Ken Lehr stated that the new fee structure is effective immediately and is not retroactive.

New Business: Ken Lehr informed that he received an email from Harry Helms requesting the use of the Community Park on Saturday, June 14^th at 10:00 AM for the American Legion Flag Service. Ken Lehr stated that between 20 and 30 people normally attend these flag retiring services. No fees would be accessed for this request because the function is providing a community service.

 Mary Lou Enoches said that she read an article on March 31^st informing that Tredyffrin Township is looking at the feasibility of creating a dogpark. Mary Lou Enoches stated that the article indicated many other Townships are also considering creating dogparks. Ken Lehr informed the West Goshen Township dogpark re-opened on April 1^st. Ken Lehr reported that Casey LaLonde is working with a group of dogpark users called "Watch Dogs" to help get the word out that everyone has to clean up after their pets. Kent Wise reported that the work done at the dogpark over the winter has resulted in the facility draining better.

Michael Pillagalli informed that he is shocked by the amount of trash that has been discarded along the side of Five Points Road. Kent Wise informed that the Road Department tries to clean up 1-2 times a year. Kent Wise indicated that in the past, volunteers provided much of the cleanup efforts, and that it is too dangerous to allow cleanup efforts on Five Points Road unless the road crews set up a safety zone.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:59 PM. The next meeting is scheduled for May 21, 2008.

Respectfully Submitted,
Ed Smith

Copyright 2008, West Goshen Twp.