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West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
January 21, 2009
Minutes
Attending: Bob Cifone, Mary Lou Enoches, Jerry Napiecek, Michael Pillagalli, Nancy Pine, and Ed Smith
Township Representatives: Ken Lehr, Tom Steines, and Kent Wise
Public Representatives: Robert Bell (West Chester Area Sports/ status of Hallowell Field), Steve Masanga (Property Owner observing the meeting)
Meeting called to Order: 7:00 PM by Chair Mary Lou Enoches
After a review of the minutes submitted for the November 19, 2008 meeting, a motion was made by Michael Pillagalli to accept the minutes as
submitted. The motion was seconded by Jerry Napiecek and passed.
The Financial Report dated December 31, 2008 was reviewed. There were no questions or comments pertaining to the Financial Report.
Parks: Kent Wise reported that the crew spent a lot of time at Box Elder Pond before the weather
turned cold. The work included clearing off the berms and removing any vegetation that was hanging over the pond. Kent Wise indicated that the crew would return after the snow melts to continue the
effort. This work is part of the continuing effort by the Township to improve the quality of water in the pond, reduce the amount of allege/duckweed that flourishes on the pond during warm weather
and reduce the risk of a major fish kill. Other outside work included maintaining the pavers at the top of the amphitheater steps at Community Park. Kent Wise reported that once the weather
turned, the crew started inside work including restoring the round umbrella tables at Community Park and sanding, priming, and painting the benches at Community Park. Kent Wise stated that this work
was made more comfortable by moving the Township's mowing equipment to the Turner Lane facility, allowing the crew to utilize the heated shop at the Municipal Complex to do this work. Kent Wise
indicated that at this time the crew still has one bench to complete. Additional inside work included the normal winter maintenance efforts including changing the oil, replacing the oil filters, checking the belts, hoses, and sharpening the blades on the Township mowers, and servicing the chain saws and weed trimmers. Additionally the crew is cleaning, sanding, and repainting the trash barrels located at the various Township parks. Kent Wise reported that the Hamlet Crest sign has been restored. The crew has replaced weathered lumber and repainted the park rules signs at Community Park, Richard C. Cloud Park, and South Concord Road Park. Finally, Kent Wise informed that there were no new incidents of vandalism to report at this time.
Recreation: Tom Steines, reporting on the Summer Recreation Program, said letters were
sent to returning counselors several weeks ago. Additionally, postings for the open counselor and junior counselor positions are listed on the Township's website and in the Winter
Newsletter. Tom Steines said the 2009 Summer Recreation Program is scheduled to begin on June 22nd and run through August 14th. The associated sports clinics are schedule
to run from the week of June 29th through August 14th. Tom Steines reported that the Township would conduct interviews starting in March. Applications for counselor
positions will be accepted through the end of March while applications for junior counselor positions will be accepted through the end of April. Tom Steines stated that all staff members that will
be working alone/unsupervised with children will be required to have Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance, the State Police Background Check and the FBI Background Check. Ken Lehr said that the skatepark
attendants would also be required to obtain this level of clearance. Ken Lehr stated that this clearance would not be required for the members of the Park and Recreation Board since there should be
no circumstances where a member of the Park and Recreation Board would be working alone/unsupervised with children. Tom Steines and Ken Lehr will both have the clearances. Michael Pillagalli informed he
already has them. Kent Wise asked if the 2009 Summer Recreation program will run Monday through Friday, as he would need to work out the logistics to provide support on Fridays now that the Township
has adopted a four day (Monday through Thursday) work week. Kent Wise stated that providing support would require changing the work schedule for two crew members. Michael Pillagalli suggested that
the Township should consider offering all the Summer Recreation Program field trips on Fridays to minimize the amount of support required on by Kent Wise and his crew.
Tom Steines, reporting on the Summer Teen Program, indicated that there was nothing additional to report at this time. The 2009 Summer Teen
Program is scheduled to begin on June 22nd and run through August 14th.
Friends of the Park: Ken Lehr, reporting for the Friends of West Goshen Parks, distributed a
written report prepared by Jennifer Dobbins to the members of the Park and Recreation Board for review. The report indicated that the Friends of West Goshen Parks would give $3,000 to help cover the
cost of a field trip for the Summer Recreation Program and $1,000 to help cover the cost of a field trip for the Summer Teen Program. Additionally, the report states that the Friends of West Goshen Parks
would actively recruit new members, as this approach seems to provide the best results. Ken Lehr informed that the next Board of Directors meeting for the Friends of West Goshen Parks is scheduled
for the 1st Thursday in March (March 5th) at 7:00 PM.
Public Business: Robert Bell, a township resident and West Chester Area Sports representative, asked the members of the Park and
Recreation Board for a status on Hallowell Field. Robert Bell expressed disappointment on the proposed decision by the Township to build a maintenance garage on the current site of Hallowell Field.
Robert Bell stated that there are many softball and football teams/leagues that relied on Hallowell Field and asked if the Township would consider transferring the lights currently located at Hallowell
Field complex to the School District field complex near the intersection of Pottstown Pike and Greenhill Road. Additionally, Robert Bell informed that there is currently a waiting list of people
wanting to play in the Adult Softball League. The loss of Hallowell Field will impact the ability of the league to meet the current demands. Robert Bell asked if the Township utilized grants
for the creation of Hallowell Field and stated that it was his understanding that if the Hallowell Field site was lost, the Township would either have to repay the grants or provide a replacement for
Hallowell Field. Kent Wise informed that the Township has a dawn to dusk policy for parks and indicated that moving the Hallowell Field lights to the School District fields was probably not going to
happen. Kent Wise reported that the original lights at Hallowell Field were funded by Little League Football and that the lighting was updated by the Township sometime after the original
installation. If the Township were to enter into a lease agreement with the School District for their fields at Pottstown Pike, a decision would need to be made on the installation of portable
toilets at the site. Jerry Napiecek asked if the proposed closing of Hallowell Field and the lease of the School District fields are separate items or are they
related. Kent Wise stated that it was his understanding the two items were related. Leasing the School District fields would satisfy the requirement of providing a replacement for Hallowell
Field so the Township would not have to repay the original grant money. Additionally Kent Wise stated that he did not believe a lease agreement on the School District fields was finalized at this
time. Members of the Park and Recreation Board expressed concern that they were unaware of any activity pertaining to Hallowell Field. Information pertaining to Hallowell Field should have been
communicated to them prior to the January Park and Recreation Board meeting.
Old Business: Ken Lehr, reporting on Township
bus trips, informed that the December 6th trip to Lancaster (American Music Theater) was cancelled due to a low number of registrations. Ken Lehr said survey results for the two December trips to New York were included in the Park and Recreation Board member packages. Ken Lehr stated that the December 1st trip to Radio City Music Hall went well but indicated that many of those attending were not happy with the dinner arrangements (Spanky's Barbecue) suggesting this as an area for improvement for next year's event. Ken Lehr reported that there were issues with the bus service for the December 13th bus trip to New York City. Ken Lehr informed that the buses arrived at the 9:00 AM, the scheduled departure time, when they normally arrive twenty to thirty minutes in advance. Additionally, Ken Lehr said many of the participants expressed dissatisfaction with the overall cleanliness of the bus and bathroom facilities. Ken Lehr said he contacted Krapf's Coaches and made them aware of the Township's concerns. As a result, Krapf's Coaches will give the Township a 10% discount on the next trip. Ken Lehr reported that the Township's spring trips include the Philadelphia Flower Show on March 2nd (joint
venture with East Goshen Township and West Chester Borough), a March 28th trip to Washington, DC for the Cherry Blossom Festival (joint venture with West Chester Borough), an April 18th trip to Gettysburg featuring "Lunch with Lincoln" (joint venture with West Chester Borough) and a May 2nd trip to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Ken Lehr indicated the Township is also looking to line up bus trips to Yankee Stadium, Citi Field (New York Mets new stadium) and Nationals Park (Washing Nationals stadium). Ken Lehr stated that arrangements can not be completed because the ballclubs have not placed group tickets on sale at this time. Finally, Ken Lehr informed that artist Inez Starr offered to be the tour guide for a proposed trip on November 7th to the Guggenheim and Whitney Museums in New York City.
Ken Lehr, reporting on the Annual Holiday Decorations Workshop, informed that the about 25 patrons attended the three sessions offered by the
Township this year. Ken Lehr offered thanks to Kelly Cifone for providing the instructions/guidance for this year's program.
Tom Steines, reporting on the Holiday Breakfast at the Stadium Grille, informed that this year's event featured seatings from 9:00 AM to 10:30
AM on Saturday, December 20th and Sunday, December 21st. Tom Steines reported that about 60-70 people attended each seating, which is down from 2007 totals. Jerry
Napiecek indicated that the decline in attendance may be a result of an increase in competition from other holiday events held on the same weekend. The members of the Park and Recreation Board
providing support for this year's event stated that the Township needs to purchase a larger supply of gingerbread cookies and frosting, as there was not enough supply for the families attending the
Sunday event.
Ken Lehr, reporting on the Township's fitness programs, informed that the January Yoga-Pilates class was cancelled. Ken Lehr indicated that
the Township would offer a winter Yoga-Pilates Fusion session (7:00 PM to 8:00 PM) on Tuesday evenings from February 17th through March 17th and a second session from April 14th through May 12th.
The cost of each session is $50.00 for Township residents and $60.00 for non-residents.
Ken Lehr, reporting on Senior Water Walking at ACAC, informed that the January and February sessions have filled. Ken Lehr indicated that the
Township is taking reservations for the March, April, and May sessions. Each session will feature eight 45 minutes time slots (1:00 PM to 1:45 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays). The cost of each
session is $25.00 and is limited to West Goshen Township residents.
Ken Lehr, reporting on the dogpark, informed there was nothing new to report at this time.
Jerry Napiecek asked if the Township was planning to offer a "Teen Scene" this year at ACAC. Ken Lehr informed that he spoke with representatives
from ACAC and indicated there were no time slots available during the winter months. As a result, Ken Lehr indicated the Township was looking at the feasibility of offering a "Teen Scene" at ACAC in the
April-May timeframe.
New Business: Ken Lehr reported that the Township received a request from Lorraine Huddy on behalf of the West Chester East High School
Jazz Band inquiring about the possibility of offering a jazz concert at Community Park on June 7th as a kick-off for the Summer Concert series. Ken Lehr informed that the Township did partner with East High School several years ago with the stipulation there would be no charge for anyone attending the proposed concert. Kent Wise stated that the Township would need to provide support for the proposed event. Mary Lou Enoches stated that the proposed jazz concert could be billed as a sneak preview for the Summer Concert Series. The members of the Park and Recreation Board felt that allowing the event to take place would illustrate a good working relationship between the Township and the community.
Ken Lehr, reporting on the Egg Hunt and Decorated Hat Parade, informed that this year's event is scheduled for 10:30 AM on Saturday, April 4th with a raindate of Saturday, April 11th. Ken
Lehr informed that he and Tom Steines attended the National Recreation and Park Association conference in Baltimore last November, where they attended a session that gave suggestions for modifying
events. As a result, Ken Lehr suggested having the Easter Bunny climb the ladder on the Goshen Fire Truck and drop "parachute bunnies" for children to take home. Kent Wise and Michael Pillagalli
expressed concern over the liability this could create for the Township. Michael Pillagalli suggested giving out the "parachute bunnies" to anyone that turns in eggs collected during the Egg
Hunt. Kent Wise stated that the Township should place the "parachute bunnies" in eggs that would be part of the Egg Hunt. Ken Lehr reported that he would distribute bags containing eggs along
with assorted candy to each Park and Recreation Board member at the next Park and Recreation Board meeting.
Ken Lehr, reporting on the 2009 Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society Citizen Symposium, said this year's event will be offered on Sunday, March
8th from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center. Mary Lou Enoches informed that she attend in the past, and that is was interesting to see what other Park and Recreation Boards are doing and realize how our Park and Recreation Board is performing. Bob Cifone reported that he also attended in the past and that it really opened up his eyes to see how much good we are doing for the community. Ken Lehr asked anyone planning to attend the event to let him know at the February Park and Recreation Board meeting.
Ken Lehr, reporting on the skatepark, informed that the Township received a two week notice from one of the attendants in January. Ken Lehr
indicated that he is interviewing and would like to hire two new attendants.
Ken Lehr reported that he received a notice from Sandy Turley informing of the Township's blood drive from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Tuesday,
February 3rd. Ken Lehr said he had fliers for anyone interested in donating blood.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 PM. The next meeting is scheduled for February 18, 2009.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ed Smith
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