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

Attending: Bob Cifone, Jerry Napiecek, Michael Pillagalli, Nancy Pine, Ed Smith, and Megan Zug

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

Friends of the Park: Peggy Niemeyer

Public Representatives: Kate Houch and David Houch (attending as part of a political and environmental project)

Meeting called to Order: 7:00 PM by Vice-Chair Jerry Napiecek

Gerry Napiecek asked to update the October 22^nd submitted minutes within the section pertaining to the Parks department to state "Kent Wise informed that the crew removed the Community Day Monster Truck ramp at the Community Park and re-graded and re-seeded the area." A motion was made by Michael Pillagalli to accept the minutes with the revision. The motion was seconded by Bob Cifone and passed.

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

Parks: Kent Wise reported that the crew spent time last month cleaning up leaves at the various Township parks. Kent Wise indicated that the crew had to return to some of the Parks three to four times to complete the clean-up efforts. Kent Wise said that the water supplies to the ballfields and concession stand at Community Park and the bathroom facilities at Barker and Coopersmith Parks have been shut off for the winter. Kent Wise stated that all that remains is to shut down the bathroom facilities at Community Park. Kent Wise reported that he plans to construct a new diamond text bin at the Little League field at Community Park similar in design to the bin located at Flagg Field. Finally, Kent Wise informed that Barker Park was targeted by vandals. The damage included spray painting of three walls and two doors at the facility. Kent Wise indicated that at this time, the doors have been repainted, but indicated that the walls damaged by the vandals would not be repainted until a later date in the spring.

Recreation: Tom Steines, reporting on the Summer Recreation Program, said he is looking forward to 2009 and is starting to focus on staffing. Tom Steines indicated he would draft letters for the returning staff over the holidays.

Tom Steines, reporting on the Summer Teen Program, indicated that there was nothing additional to report at this time.

Friends of the Park: Ken Lehr, reporting for the Friends of West Goshen Parks, informed that the last Board of Directors meeting for 2008 was held on Thursday, November 6^th. Ken Lehr informed that those attending discussed the consultant report. Ken Lehr reported that the next meeting for the Friends of West Goshen Parks (normally scheduled for the first Thursday of the month) is scheduled for Thursday, January 8, 2009.

Old Business: Ken Lehr, reporting on Township bus trips, informed that the Township was able to line up two buses for the Phillies' World Series victory parade on October 31^st. Ken Lehr stated that the trip was organized at the last minute and indicated that everything went well. Megan Zug suggested if the Township offers bus trips to any future sports celebrations, they should consider having one of the buses return immediately after the parade so the participants who do not have stadium tickets do not have to wait for those activities to complete before returning home. Ken Lehr offered thanks to Megan Zug and her sister-in-law for providing extra stadium tickets for the Phillies' parade. Ken Lehr said that the 2009 trips to Yankee Stadium listed on the Calendar of Upcoming Events are tentative since the Yankees have not offered 2009 tickets for sale at this time. Ken Lehr provided an update on the December holiday trips, stating that additional tickets were made available from Lowee's Group Tours for the December 1^st trip to Radio City Music Hall. As a result, the Township upgraded from two 47 passenger buses to two 56 passenger buses for the trip. The December 6^th trip to Lancaster (American Music Theater) was cancelled due to a low number of registrations for the event. The December 13^th open bus trip to New York City is filled (three buses and a wait list).

Ken Lehr, reporting on Community Day, said a 2009 planning meeting was held prior to the November Park and Recreation Board meeting. Ken Lehr said that there are no funds in the 2009 budget for the event. As a result of the lack of budget and lower attendance the last several years, the members of the Park and Recreation Board are recommending the Township should not offer Community Day in 2009 and take a look at offering a new event in its place or enhancing /expanding an existing event. The members of the Park and Recreation Board will meet in 2009 to determine if there should be a recommendation to offer a Community Day in 2010.

Ken Lehr, reporting on Harvest Day, stated that this year's event was held on a perfect weather day that resulted in a very large crowd. Ken Lehr said that the Township purchased 800 pumpkins for the event, and estimated that only fifteen to twenty were left at the end of the day.

Ken Lehr, reporting on Movie Nights, said the final presentation for the 2008 series ("Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull") was held on Saturday, October 25^th. As a result of inclement weather and a conflict with the Phillies World Series game, only ten people attended the presentation. Information on Movie Nights is listed below:

Ken Lehr, reporting on the Holiday Breakfast at the Stadium Grille, informed that this year's event will feature two seatings, on December 20^th and December 21^st from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM. The cost of the event is $10.00 per person. Ken Lehr indicated that he would not be available for this year's event. Tom Steines would be on-hand to provide support. Ken Lehr reported that the Stadium Grille can accommodate up to 110 people for each seating. At this time, 55 people have signed up for the December 20^th seating and 41 people have signed up for the December 21^st seating. Ken Lehr distributed a sign-up sheet asking members to sign-up for specific day/assignment to support the event. Volunteers are asked to arrive at 8:30 AM to help with the set-up for the event.

Ken Lehr, reporting on the dogpark, informed that there is nothing new to report at this time.

Ken Lehr, reporting on the bequest from Jesse March to The Friends of West Goshen Parks, said that a sub-committee consisting of Jennifer Dobbins, Nancy Pine, Peggy Niemeyer, Jerry Napiecek, and Ed Smith met at 6:00 PM prior to the November Park and Recreation Board meeting to strategize on what type of interest bearing account(s) should be utilized for the donation. Ed Smith provided literature on Vanguard's Money Market and Bond Index Mutual Funds for review. The members of the sub-committee suggested investing the funds in the ratio of 60% in a bond index fund, 20% in a money market fund and 20% in a stock index fund. The assets will remain in these funds until a decision is made on how the assets should be utilized.

Ken Lehr, reporting on the Annual Holiday Decorations Workshop, informed that the Township would offer three sessions this year on Tuesday December 9^th (7:00 PM), Wednesday December 10^th (7:00 PM) and Thursday December 11^th (7:00 PM). At this time, seven people have signed up for the first session and three to four have signed up for the other sessions. Ken Lehr indicated that an 8:00 PM session could be added to each night if needed. Ken Lehr offered thanks to Kelly Cifone for volunteering to be the craft instructor for the workshop.

New Business: Ken Lehr, reporting on the 2009 officer positions, informed that members are normally nominated to hold the officer position for a two one-year terms. The current officers completing the first year of their terms are Chair Mary Lou Enoches, Vice-Chair Jerry Napiecek, and Secretary Ed Smith. Megan Zug made a motion to have Mary Lou Enoches, Jerry Napiecek and Ed Smith continue to serve a chair, vice-chair, and secretary respectively for 2009. The motion was seconded by Bob Cifone and passed.

Casey LaLonde provided an update on the status of the Jerrehian property, informing that the Township is reviewing a new conditional usage plan for the property that would include 598-605 homes around 182 acres of open space for the Township and additional open space that would be private. Casey LaLonde indicated that the walking paths that are part of the open space would probably be stone covered. Michael Pillagalli asked how many restroom facilities are being planned for the open space portion of the property. Casey LaLonde informed that the property would feature public water and sewerage. He indicated that he did not know how many restroom facilities are being planned at this time. The size of the single family homes and their lot sizes have been reduced due to market conditions. The new conditional usage plan contains a 25 to 33 acre increase in the area surrounding Greystone Hall. Additionally, about 62% of the developed area would be designated for "Active Adult" housing (gated community similar to Hershey's Mill) that would include a Community Center southeast of Greystone Hall. Casey LaLonde informed that the streets within the "Active Adult" housing would be considered private streets and not the responsibility of the Township. The new plan calls for the development of single homes and twins. A new public road will connect Pottstown Pike and Phoenixville Pike to be maintained by the Township. Casey LaLonde indicated that the serpentine barrens would be excluded from development. Casey LaLonde reported that the Township would not manage the serpentine barrens. Instead, the Township would look to turn over the management of this land to a University (West Chester, Villanova or some other university).  Casey LaLonde estimated that the approval process for this plan would take 18 to 24 months. Casey LaLonde reported that the new proposal would not require any new schools to be built. He said he would continue to provide updates as the process continues. Michael Pillagalli asked if there were any plans for the seven 19^th Century dwellings that are located on the property. Casey LaLonde indicated that at this time, there have been no applications for regulatory approvals submitted.

Megan Zug asked for an update on staffing at the skatepark. Ken Lehr informed that he had to challenge one of the attendants to make sure everyone using the park was wearing the required safety equipment. Ken Lehr informed that the winter hours for the skatepark are Monday through Friday, 3:00 PM to sunset and 10:00 AM to sunset on weekends. Additionally, Ken Lehr informed that the skatepark will be closed on days when the temperature is below freezing. Kent Wise reported that the fence (on the playground side of the skatepark) that was replaced last year is starting to bow again as a result of skateboarders slamming into the fence. As a result, Kent Wise indicated that the fence has been reinforced with a double rail installed in the middle to keep it from bowing. The cost of these enhancements is approximately $1,000.00. Kent Wise suggested the Township should consider installing 2" by 6" or 2" by 8" boards to the bottom of the fence area to keep the skateboards from hitting and damaging the fence.

Michael Pillagalli asked for a breakdown of the expenses incurred by the Township for 2008 Community Day. Casey LaLonde informed the Township paid out $1,410 for police expense (on-duty time plus overtime) and $960 for Park Department (this total does not include any expenses for Kent Wise, Ken Lehr, or Tom Steines). The total cost of Community Day for the Township was $14,000 which includes the cost of the headline band.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 PM. The next meeting is scheduled for January 21, 2009.

   Respectfully Submitted,

    Ed Smith