West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
May 20, 2009

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 April 15, 2009 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 April 30, 2009 was reviewed. There were no questions or comments pertaining to the Financial Report.

Parks: Kent Wise reported that the crew is busy cutting grass and grooming the ballfields. Kent Wise stated that the crew is cutting the ballfields twice a week at this time. At Box Elder Pond, additional plantings have been added inside the pond's berm to get the environment as natural as possible. Kent Wise informed that work was also done on the swale that catches run-off from the surrounding properties. Additionally, work has been done to cut the overhanging tree branches from the berm area surrounding the pond. Kent Wise reported that the Township is also adding "biologicals" to the pond two to three times a year to help clean up the bottom of the pond. Kent Wise indicated that everything the Township has done to date is working. This is the second year of a cleanup effort that is estimated to take five to six years to complete. Kent Wise reported that he had forty yards of mulch delivered for the beds at the Community Park and the Township Building. Finally, Kent Wise reported that three summer helpers started last Monday (May 18^th).

Recreation: Tom Steines, reporting on the Summer Recreation Program, said that registration for the Summer Recreation Program and Summer Teen program were held on Saturday, May 9^th and Saturday May 16^th. Tom Steines stated that the first day of registration was not as busy as previous years. There was a steady crowd on the second day of registration. Tom Steines reported that there have also been many walk-ins after the second registration date. Tom Steines informed that 224 children registered for this year's program and sports clinics to date compared to 405 at the same time for last year's program and sports clinics. Tom Steines stated that the Township instituted a fee increase this year (first time in five years) and indicated that he did not know whether the increase in fees was a factor in the drop off in registration counts. At this time, there are 81 registrants at Barker Park (capacity is 110), 51 registrants at Community Park (capacity is 150), and 34 campers registered at Coopersmith Park (capacity is 110). Additionally, to date there are 38 registrants for the sports clinics (91 registered last year). Tom Steines reported that the Township is looking to cover 50% of the cost of the program through the registration fees, and indicated that this year's program would meet that goal as long as there is no more than a 5% decline in registrations. Ken Lehr reported that 64 candidates were interviewed for the junior counselor positions. This figure is up from previous years. The Township normally interviews about 20-25 candidates for this position. Tom Steines stated that the Township gave preference to returning junior counselors, and that there were many tough choices to make to fill out this year's staff. Tom Steines reported that the number of counselors hired was based on the maximum capacities for the program at the three Township Parks. The Summer Recreation program is scheduled to begin on June 22^nd and run through August 14^th.

Tom Steines, reporting on the Summer Teen Program, informed that there are currently nineteen teens registered for this year's program. 29 registered for last year's program. Tom Steines indicated that two counselors are returning, and one new counselor has been hired. The Summer Teen program is scheduled to begin on June 22^nd and run through August 14^th.

Friends of the Park: Jennifer Dobbins, reporting for the Friends of West Goshen Parks, said that elections originally schedule for May 7^th were rescheduled for tomorrow (May 21^st). Jennifer Dobbins indicated that the Friends of West Goshen Parks are looking to fill two open officer positions (Vice President and Secretary). Jennifer Dobbins said donations from local business continue to come in to support activities that are planned for this year. Jennifer Dobbins reported the Friends of West Goshen Parks added six new members last month.

Old Business: Ken Lehr, reporting on Township bus trips, informed that surveys from the May 17^th trip to Nationals Park were included in the Park and Recreation Board packets. Ken Lehr stated that the general consensus from those attending was positive and indicated that there were no suggestions for improvements. Ken Lehr reported that the Township lined up two buses for the May 2^nd trip to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Ken Lehr informed that one of the bus drivers noticed an issue with the transmission and was able to call a mechanic and arrange to have another bus dropped off without impacting the participants attending the trip. Ken Lehr offered thanks to Nancy Pine for volunteering to be a bus captain and to Krapf Coaches for providing excellent service to the Township on the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island trip. Ken Lehr indicated that the Township was able to line up tickets for the Friday July 24^th game at Yankee Stadium. Ken Lehr indicated that the seats were in a good location (second level in right field) and estimated that the cost to attend would be around $60.00 per person. Ken Lehr informed that the Township would start advertising the trip next week on the Township website and the "Rec-Room" e-zine. Ken Lehr indicated that the buses would need to leave the Township around 3:00 PM to make it to Yankee Stadium on time.

Ken Lehr, reporting on the Summer Concert Series, informed that the schedule for the 2009 program has been finalized. Ken Lehr indicated that he could not get any type of confirmation from the Defense Department for a military band to perform at the June 28^th concert. Ken Lehr informed that he was in contact with a representative from "Shaw Strings" who stated that the members no longer have an issue with performing in direct sunlight. As a result, the Township has lined up "Shaw Strings" to perform at the June 28^th concert. Additionally, Ken Lehr reported that the West Chester East High School Jazz Band would perform a free concert at Community Park on Sunday, June 7^th. Michael Pillagalli informed he recently saw a performance of the West Chester University Percussion Band stating the band was fantastic. Ken Lehr indicated that the Township had the group perform during the 1999 Summer Concert Series and indicated that he would look at having the band perform again as part of next year's program. Information on the 2009 Summer Concert Series is listed below:

Bob Cifone provided an update on his findings pertaining to community gardens. He stated that the biggest hurdle for the Township is identifying a location within the Township that could be utilized for this purpose. Bob Cifone said that a website for the American Community Gardening Association (ACGA) provides guidance on what needs to be done. Bob Cifone suggested forming a committee to identify a viable site that has a water source and good soil. Michael Pillagalli indicated that there are two acres in the Fresh Meadows development that may be suitable for a community garden. Kent Wise stated that the Township would get a lot of resistance from residents if a community garden were targeted there. Bob Cifone asked if there were any plots of land owned by the School District that could be utilized for a Community Garden. Additionally, Bob Cifone suggested someone may donate land that the Township could utilize for a Community Garden site. Michael Pillagalli stated the Township should put something in the newsletter asking if anyone would be willing to donate the use of their property for a Community Garden site.

Ken Lehr, reporting on Robert E. Lambert Park, informed that the summer operating hours at the skatepark (June 1^st until Labor Day) will be 10:00 AM until sunset. Kent Wise informed that the crew installed three new benches at the dogpark.

Ken Lehr, reporting on Senior Water Walking at ACAC, informed that he received an email from a representative from ACAC informing that summer classes would be offered this year during the months of June, July and August. Each monthly session will feature eight 45 minutes classes at a cost of $50.00 per month. The sessions target West Goshen residents 50 years of age and older.

New Business: Kent Wise asked for an update on the bequest from Jesse March to The Friends of West Goshen Parks, informing that a parks crew member lives near a relative of Jesse March and asked how the donation funds would be utilized. Ken Lehr informed that the funds were still targeted for an interest bearing account. Mary Lou Enoches asked how the Township received the funds. Ken Lehr informed that the nephew of Jesse March was the executor on the funds and signed them over to the Township. Nancy Pine stated from a legal perspective, the Township only needs to communicate with the executor going forward.  Ken Lehr reported that the Township communicated with Jessie March's nephew and would continue to keep him informed as decisions pertaining to the funds are made.

 Ken Lehr distributed a sign-up sheet asking the members of the Park and Recreation Board to volunteer to provide support for one or more of the Summer Concerts.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:35PM. The next meeting is scheduled for June 17, 2009.

Respectfully Submitted,
Ed Smith