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

Attending: Robert Cifone, Jennifer Dobbins, Mary Lou Enoches, Jerry Napiecek, Michael Pillagalli, Nancy Pines, Ed Smith, and Megan Zug

Township Representatives: Casey LaLonde,Ken Lehr, Ed Meakim, Tom Steines, Dr. Robert White, and Kent Wise

Public Representatives:  Renee Rodkey and Nicholas Carline – Proposed 8^th grade walk at the Community Park in memory of Abigail Rodkey

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

After a review of the minutes submitted for the February 20, 2008 meeting, a motion was made by Jerry Napiecek to accept the minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Megan Zug and passed.

The Financial Report dated February 29, 2008 was reviewed.  There were no questions or comments pertaining to the Financial Report.

Mary Lou Enoches welcomed new Park and Recreation Board members Jennifer Dobbins and Nancy Pines.

Public Representatives Renee Rodkey and Nicholas Carline (8^th grader) addressed the members of the Park and Recreation Board informing of a proposed walk at Community Park in memory of Renee Rodkey's daughter Abigail who passed away at age 12. The proposed walk would include the 8^th grade class and the funds collected for selling T-shirts would go towards a memorial fund to be presented to the Children's Hospital neurological center to purchase gift cards and pre-paid VISA cards for children being treated at the hospital.  Renee Rodkey informed that to date over $10,000 has been raised for this cause through word of mouth.  Renee Rodkey stated that Nicholas Carline came up with the idea for this proposed event.  Renee Rodkey indicated she expected 200 to 300 people to participate in the event that should last about 1.5 to 2 hours (9:30 AM to 11:30 AM).  Renee Rodkey state the preferred date for the walk would be Saturday, June 14^th.  Kent Wise informed that the athletic fields at the Community Park would be at full capacity on a Saturday and expressed concern over the amount of parking that would be available to support the event.  Jerry Napiecek asked if Sunday, June 15^th would be an acceptable alternative date for the walk.  Renee Rodkey indicated the Sunday, June 15^th date would be acceptable as well as a later time slot (5:00 PM to 7:00 PM) on Saturday June 14^th.  Casey LaLonde informed the Township is in the process of finalizing a plan for park usage including fee structures and indicated that the Township would present the plan to the members of the Park and Recreation Board at their April meeting.

 Parks:  Kent Wise reported that the Township's five ballfields opened last Saturday (March 15^th).   At Flagg Field, a new base system has been installed. Additionally, work has been done to re-edge the infield base lines and remove the lips where the grass meets the infield basepaths.  At the Community Park Little League Field, the infield base paths have also been re-edged.  Kent Wise reported that the crew rolled the infield area on the Community Park Little League, Softball, and Flagg Fields.  Kent Wise informed that the Township will need to replace the home plate at the Little League and Softball Fields and also replace the pitching rubber at the Little League Field.  Kent Wise reported that the playground school bus donated by the Friends of West Goshen Parks is on backorder.  Kent Wise indicated that the site at Coopersmith is ready, and that the school bus will be installed when it arrives.  Kent Wise informed that the spiral slide ordered to replace the slide vandals damaged at South Concord Road Park is scheduled to be shipped tomorrow (March 20^th).  Kent Wise reported that all of the barbecue grills are ready to go at the Township's parks.  At Community Park, 40 yards of bedding mulch have been added to the existing flower beds. At the dogpark, the crew spent two days performing clean-up efforts including digging up the water line and removing the dog fountain, correcting some of the drainage issues and removing all plants from inside the dogpark confines.  Kent Wise reported that vandals damaged the steel door at the amphitheater, using a large rock to try and break into the storage area.  Kent Wise informed that a new steel door will be installed tomorrow (March 20^th).  Kent Wise estimates the cost of repairs to be between $1,500 and $2,000. Kent Wise indicated that the new door will still need to be painted once the installation is complete.

Recreation: Tom Steines, reporting on the Summer Recreation Program, informed that the Township is focusing on lining up the counselors at this time.  Tom Steines indicated that the Township has received over 24 applications for the 17 available positions. At this time the Township has interviewed 17 of the applicants. Offers will go out to counselors in early April pending the required Police background checks. Offers to junior counselors will follow later in the month.  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).  Counselor orientation (including first aid and CPR training provided by Good Fellowship) is scheduled for Saturday, June 7^th.  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 has one returning counselor.  The Township will need to hire two additional counselors to support this year's program.  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: Megan Zug, reporting for the Friends of West Goshen Parks, said the  Board of Directors meeting originally scheduled for March 6^th was rescheduled for March 13^th.  Megan Zug informed that Jennifer Dobbins is on the ballot for the open Treasures position. Megan Zug indicated that the Friends are starting to receive funding for the Summer Concert Series and indicated that Peggy Neimeyer contacted the crafters to inform them they will not be part of the 2008 Community Day activities.  Finally, Megan Zug reported that the Friends of West Goshen Parks are still looking for someone to fill the open secretary position.

Old Business:  Ken Lehr reporting on the Egg Hunt and Decorated Hat Parade said a good crowd was on hand for this year's event.  Ed Smith indicated that he and Jerry Napiecek heard a complaint from a woman whose child was participating in the event that an adult located the golden egg and directed her child to the location of the egg.  Additionally, there were reports of parents scooping up 20-30 eggs in the 2-3-4 year old section.  Ken Lehr stated we would try to restrict the parents from entering the areas for the older children's egg hunt next year.  Megan Zug offered thanks to Kent Wise and his crew for sectioning off the area utilized for the 2-3-4 year olds to keep the geese out of the area prior to the egg hunt.

Ken Lehr, reporting on Township bus trips, informed that the March 29^th trip to Washington, D.C. has filled up three buses to date (one bus from Krapf's coaches and two from David Thomas Tours).  There is also a wait list for the trip.  Ken Lehr reported the tickets for the May 4^th Yankee Stadium trip have been ordered.  The Township was not able to purchase any of the tier reserved seats. As a result, the Township purchased enough bleacher seats to fill two buses.  Ken Lehr stated that anyone who signed up for the May 4^th trip expecting the more expensive tier seats will be offered a partial refund if they still want to attend the May 4^th game, a full refund if they cancel their order, or a ticket for the August 17^th trip that will feature the tier reserved seating.  At this time the majority of the people are opting for tickets to the August 17^th game with the tier reserved seats.  Ken Lehr informed that there are only four available seats remaining for the April 19^th Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island trip.  Ken Lehr reported that at this time, 8-10 people have signed up for the June 21^st trip to New York City.  Ken Lehr reported that he met with Mary Lou Enoches to review 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 stated that he would provide an update on the proposed Lancaster trip at the April Park and Recreation Board meeting. 

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, informed that the first session ended last week (March 11^th).  Ken Lehr indicated that the Township is also offering a winter/spring session from March 25^th through April 22^nd and a third session from April 29^th through May 27^th.  Ken Lehr reported that at this time interest in the second session is strong enough to warrant splitting the session into 6:30 PM and 7:30 PM time slots.  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, did not have any registrations for the second session (March 3^rd through March 28^th).  A third session is scheduled to run from April 14^th through May 9^th.

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.  Ed Smith volunteered to be a judge for this year's event.  Additionally, Ed Smith indicated he would take to a neighbor that is a musician (Jessie Margera) to see if he would also be willing to be a judge for the event.  Ken Lehr informed that the winning band will receive $300.00 and be featured at West Goshen Community Day on Sunday, September 14^th.

Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Concert Series informed that there is nothing new to report at this time.  Information on the 2008 Summer Concert Series is listed below:

Ken Lehr, reporting on Community Day, informed that he has contacted a representative from the band "Blackthorn" to see if they would be available to perform at this year's event.  Ken Lehr indicated he would have more to report on Community Day at the April Park and Recreation Board meeting.

Casey LaLonde, reporting on the proposed fireworks show that would be part of the U.S.A. Hockey National Championship for Girls at Ice Line, informed that the Township is working with Kent Wise and the police to determine whether it would be feasible to allow the group to utilize the girl's softball field at the Community Park for the fireworks display.  Casey LaLonde stated that the Township would allow the group to utilize the girl's softball field at the Community Park if the group made a $1,500 donation to cover all costs to the Township with the remaining balance going to the Friends of West Goshen Parks.  The event is currently scheduled for April 2^nd.  Casey LaLonde expressed concern whether Ice Line's facilities will have the capacity to handle the parking for the event.  Additionally, Casey LaLonde informed that the Township would hand out notices informing the neighbors living close to the Community Park of the planned fireworks display.  Casey LaLonde indicated that the Township would not advertise this event on the Township website.  Mary Lou Enoches asked if there is enough insurance coverage for the event and expressed concern over potential damage to parked cars from the fireworks display. Casey LaLonde indicated that the hockey club would provide the required insurance stating West Goshen Township would be additionally insured.

Mary Lou Enoches began a discussion of a review of policies regarding requests for park use by charitable groups.  Mary Lou Enoches stated many of the items were already reviewed during the request by Renee Rodkey and Nicholas Carline for the use of the Community Park for a proposed walk at the Community Park in memory of Renee Rodkey's daughter Abigail. Mary Lou Enoches suggested the Township should do whatever is possible to allow this event to take place.  Jerry Napiecek stated that because this request is coming from West Goshen residents, they should be able to get a discount to use the Community Park.

New Business:  Ken Lehr distributed copies of the Park and Recreation Board manuals to the members of the Park and Recreation Board.  Mary Lou Enoches offered thanks to everyone involved with creating the new handbook.

Jerry Napiecek asked if there were any updates on the status of the Jerrehian property.  Dr. Robert White informed that Andrew Diniman had suggested helping to procure partial state funding for a different plan for the property that would move the access road and eliminate proposed housing development to the south of the road freeing up about 250 acres.  The Township would then try to obtain funding from the state to purchase this land.  This would increase the open space the Township would receive by 2 to 3 times over what was called for in the current conditional usage plan. Dr. Robert White reported that the Township is changing the zoning on this property to R3B which would protect the existing plan to develop the property with overlays that would allow the supervisors to set conditions on housing for the zone.  Favorable conditions would be given to a potential builder in return for more open space.  Dr. Robert White informed that the original conditional usage plan for the property ran out in January 2008 and was extended for another year.  This plan allows for 535 homes to be built on the site.  Dr. Robert White informed that Michael Pillagalli would attend meetings on the Jerrehian property to provide advice on existing structures on the property.  Mary Lou Enoches expressed concern that the existing road systems are struggling to handle the current capacity and asked what would happen if another 500 homes are added to the mix.  Mary Lou Enoches stated that any development plan must ensure that the road systems will be able to handle the increased capacity.

Casey LaLonde informed the members of the Park and Recreation Board that the Ground Round property would be sold to Citidel Bank.  Casey LaLonde indicated that the development plan would include a bank and a two story office building. Construction is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2008 once the plans are approved.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:01 PM.  The next meeting is scheduled for April 16, 2008.

Respectfully Submitted, 
Ed Smith   

Copyright 2008, West Goshen Twp.