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West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
February 18, 2009
Minutes
Attending: Bob Cifone, Jennifer Dobbins, Jerry Napiecek, Michael Pillagalli, Nancy Pine, and Ed Smith
Township Representatives: Casey LaLonde, Ken Lehr, Tom Steines,
and Kent Wise
Meeting called to Order: 7:00 PM by Vice-Chair Jerry Napiecek
After a review of the minutes submitted for the January 21, 2009 meeting, a motion was made by Bob Cifone to accept the minutes as
submitted. The motion was seconded by Jennifer Dobbins and passed.
The Financial Report dated January 31, 2009 was reviewed. Jerry Napiecek asked why there was a negative $2,430.49 displaying in the line
item for "Parks Materials." Kent Wise informed that this is a result of field usage fees that get entered into the account stating he was not sure why this resulted in a negative value being
displayed on the report. Casey LaLonde informed that both revenue (fees) and expenditures get posted into this account. Ken Lehr stated this account is similar to the General Recreation Program
line item where fees collected for bus trips are sometimes posted to the account before the payment is made to the bus company resulting in a negative value displaying. Ken Lehr indicated that he would
put something together for the March Park and Recreation Board meeting to better explain line items on the budget. There were no additional questions or comments pertaining to the Financial Report.
Parks: Kent Wise reported that the crew
spent time selectively clearing the berms surrounding Box Elder Pond. Kent Wise indicated that most of the large vegetation has been removed and that there are still a few trees hanging over the
surface of the pond. Kent Wise informed that the crew would locate new plantings on the surface of the berms in the spring timeframe. Kent Wise reported that on the bad weather days, the crew
completed efforts to restore the round umbrella tables and benches located at Community Park. Additionally, the crew worked on constructing four new park benches and restoring the Fresh Meadows
sign. Finally, Kent Wise informed that the Parks Crew has also assisted the Road Crew during the recent inclement weather. providing assistance with salting and plowing.
Recreation: Tom Steines, reporting on the Summer Recreation
Program, informed that the Township is focusing on lining up counselors at this time. Tom Steines indicated that the Township would accept applications for counselor positions through March 28th and
junior counselor positions through April 30th. Tom Steines reported that he and Ken Lehr would conduct interviews for the open positions in the March and April. Applicants for the counselor
positions must be eighteen years old by June 22nd, while applicants for the junior counselor positions must be sixteen years old by June 22nd. Tom Steines reported that he is trying to schedule field
trips for the upcoming season on Fridays to minimize the amount of support required from Kent Wise and his crew on Fridays. The 2009 Summer Recreation Program is scheduled to begin on June 22nd and
run through August 14th.
Tom Steines, reporting on the Summer Teen Program, indicated that there was nothing additional to report at this
time. He is researching options for community service projects that can be supported by this year's program. The 2009 Summer Teen Program is scheduled to begin on June 22nd and run through
August 14th.
Friends of the Park: Jennifer Dobbins, reporting for
the Friends of West Goshen Parks, informed that the group has added ten new members/families since the last Park and Recreation Board meeting. Jennifer Dobbins informed that the next Board of
Directors meeting for the Friends of West Goshen Parks is scheduled for the first Thursday in March (March 5th) at 7:00 PM. Ken Lehr indicated that at this time there were three potential candidates
for the open board member positions.
Old Business: Ken Lehr, reporting on Township bus trips, informed that
seven seats remained for the trip to the Flower Show on March 2nd. Additionally, at this time there are twelve seats available for the trip to Washington, DC (Cherry Blossom Festival) on March
28th. Ken Lehr informed that the Township has lined up two buses for this trip and a third bus could be added if needed. Ken Lehr reported that 23 out of the 54 seats for the April 18th trip to
Gettysburg have been filled. Only 12 seats are available for the May 2nd trip to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Ken Lehr indicated that the Township has ordered tickets for the May
17th trip to Nationals Park to see the Phillies play the Washington Nationals. Ken Lehr stated that arrangements can not be completed for the planned Yankee Stadium and Citi Field (Mets) games
because the ball clubs have not placed group tickets on sale at this time. Ken Lehr indicated that he expected the tickets to be available in March. He will not advertise for the trips until
the Township purchases the tickets. Finally, Ken Lehr informed that the Township is using Lowee's Group Tours for the April 18th trip to Gettysburg. The Township has an agreement where payment
for the bus service will be based on the number of participants attending the trip. The Township is charging $95.00 per person for the trip. $91.00 per person is required to cover the cost. Ken
Lehr estimated that the Township would need around 40 participants to sign up for the trip to break even.
Ken Lehr, reporting on Senior Water Walking at ACAC, informed that the March session is filled and indicated that there is one opening each for the
April and May sessions. Each session will feature eight 45 minutes time slots (1:00 PM to 1:45 PM on Tuesday and Thursday). The cost of each session is $25.00 and is limited to west Goshen
Township residents.
Ken Lehr, reporting on the Township's fitness programs, informed that the January Yoga-Pilates class was cancelled. Ken Lehr indicated that
the Township needs seven to ten participants to offer the session. At this time the February 17th through March 17th session has been scheduled. The cost of each session is $50.00 for Township
residents and $60.00 for non-residents.
Ken Lehr, reporting on the Egg Hunt and Decorated Hat Parade, informed thathe would distribut bags containing Easter eggs along with assorted candy
to each Park and Recreation Board member after the meeting with instructions to fill each Easter egg with candy and return the stuffed Easter eggs to the Township Building during or before the next Park
and Recreation Board meeting. Ken Lehr said each bag contains around 200 Easter eggs. Ken Lehr reported that he had also placed the order for the "parachute bunnies" that will be distributed to
the children during the event. This year's event is scheduled for 10:30 AM on Saturday, April 4th with a rain date of Saturday, April 11th. In the event of inclement
weather, Ken Lehr stated that he would post a message on the Township's voice mail and the Township's website. Ken Lehr asked all volunteers to arrive at 9:00 AM to help with the preparations for the
event.
Ken Lehr, reporting on the skatepark/dogpark, said that three new skatepark attendants have been hired. Additionally, Ken Lehr informed that
funds allocated in the budget were utilized to purchase a heater for the office at the skatepark. Kent Wise reported that at this time there are no issues at the dogpark and that everyone appears to
be obeying the park rules.
Ken Lehr, reporting on the 2009 Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society Citizen Symposium, informed that there is money in the budget to cover the
cost of sending Park and Recreation Board members to the symposium. Ken Lehr asked anyone planning to attend the event to let him know as soon as possible so he can make the required arrangements.
New Business: Ken Lehr informed that Casey LaLonde was attending to provide the members of the Park and Recreation Board with an update
on Hallowell Field. Casey LaLonde reported that the negotiations between the Township and the School Board over the use of the School District Field complex near the intersection of Pottstown Pike
and Greenhill Road were stalled at this time and indicated that a deal for use of these fields may not happen. Casey LaLonde said the School District wants the Township to take over the maintenance
responsibilities for the fields and recently indicated they would still need to utilize the field for 60% of the available time. Casey LaLonde indicated that the Township would try one more time to
negotiate an agreement with the School Board, but indicated that the outcome of this negotiation does not have an impact on the decision to build a maintenance garage on the current site of Hallowell
Field. Nancy Pine stated it was her understanding if the Hallowell Field site were lost, the Township would have to repay the county $160,000 for grants provided during the original construction of
the field or provide a replacement for Hallowell Field. Bob Cifone expressed concern that the Township would lose its only lighted fields and asked groups could use the School District's lighted
fields to offset the loss of Hallowell Field. Casey LaLonde stated that the repayment of the grant funds would be part of the building expense the Township would incur for developing the maintenance
garage on the Hallowell Field site.
Casey LaLonde provided an update on the status of the Jerrehian property, informing that the supervisors approved the new conditional use plan for
the property on February 5th. Casey LaLonde stated that the new plan would include 598-605 homes and around 181 acres of open space and trails for the Township. Casey LaLonde indicated that some of
the existing trails would be updated and new trails would be constructed. Additionally, the new conditional usage plan calls for the serpentine barrens to be a protected area. About 62% of the
developed area would be designated for "Active Adult" housing (gated community similar to Hershey's Mill). Casey LaLonde stated that it is not possible the plan could be revised to have the entire
development age restricted. Regulations require at least 10% of any new development be available to anyone. The new plan calls for a combination of public and private streets and public water
and sewerage systems. Additionally, an 80 vehicle parking area will be constructed near the School District fields. Casey LaLonde indicated that the Township is looking to add an additional 12-25
vehicle parking lot on the site. Casey LaLonde reported that a 25 unit subdivision next to North Hills has also been approved for construction and indicated that the construction of public restroom
facilities will be discussed during the land development phase of the project. Additionally, the disposition of the historical structures located on the property will also be discussed during the
land development phase of the project. Finally, Casey LaLonde said that the new plan requires $14,000,000 of traffic improvements (in today's dollars) as part of the conditional usage plan. Casey
LaLonde indicated that the Township would need to designate at least two workers to maintain the 181 acres of land the Township will receive as part of the conditional usage plan.
Michael Pillagalli asked for an update on the Spaz Beverage site on Matlack Street. Casey LaLonde reported that a developer (JPI) has been
approved to construct a 150-180 unit apartment complex on the site.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:41 PM. The next meeting is scheduled for March 18, 2009.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ed Smith
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