West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
September 15, 2004
Minutes

Attending: Les Bair, Bob Cifone, Dan Dixon, Mary Lou Enoches, Jerry Napiecek, Michael Pillagalli, Jennifer Grey-Rice and Ed Smith

Township Representatives: Ken Lehr, Sharon Lynn, Pat McIlvaine and Kent Wise

Meeting called to Order: 7:02 PM by Chairman Michael Pillagalli

Michael Pillagalli began the September 15^th meeting by leading the members of the Park and Recreation Board in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the American flag.

After a review of the minutes submitted for the August 18, 2004 meeting, a motion was made by Mary Lou Enoches to accept the minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Jerry Napiecek and passed.

The Financial Report dated August 31, 2004 was reviewed. There were no questions or comments pertaining to the Financial Report.

Parks: Kent Wise reported that the crews are busy cutting grass at the various Township Parks. Kent Wise informed that the crews have cleaned out, mulched and removed the junipers from the beds at the Fern Hill and Five Points Road entrances to the Community Park. Kent Wise indicated that the crews would be planting new shrubs in these beds along with day lilies donated by Robin Murlless. Kent Wise reported that the crews have also completed work at the Community Park including painting selected trash barrels, touching up the facades in the play area and power washing the steps and tiers at the amphitheater. Kent Wise informed that the Township brought in an electrician last week to replace burned out bulbs and to ensure that there would be no power related issues during Community Day activities. Kent Wise stated that the grass management contractor would be at the Community Park on September 16^th to slice aerate the baseball and soccer fields and return one week later to overseed the bad spots. Michael Pillagalli stated that the Community Park looked wonderful for Community Day and offered praise to Kent Wise and his crew for doing an outstanding job.

Recreation: Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Recreation Program informed that he would deliver the end of the year report at the October Park and Recreation Board meeting.

Friends of the Park: Ken Lehr reporting for the Friends of West Goshen Parks informed that the next quarterly Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 7^th at 7:00 PM.

Old Business: Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Concert Series informed that 300 people attended the final concert (Country Western) on August 22^nd featuring "Country Joe and the Honky Tonk Heroes." Ken Lehr stated that he would like to schedule a wrap-up meeting for the Summer Concert Series. The members of the Park and Recreation Board suggested holding the meeting at 7:00 PM on Monday, September 20^th. Ken Lehr indicated that he would line up a room for the meeting. Information on the Summer Concert Series is listed below:

Ken Lehr reporting on upcoming bus trips informed that East Goshen and West Goshen Townships are jointly promoting the October 2nd trip to Citizens Bank Ballpark to see the Phillies play the Florida Marlins. Ken Lehr informed that 2 buses have been lined up for the trip and stated that at this time, the Townships have sold enough tickets to fill only 1 bus. Ken Lehr stated that the Township is looking for suggestions on how to move the remaining tickets informing that the Phillies will not take back any unsold tickets. The bus will depart from the Community Park at 5:00 PM; and arrive at Citizens Bank Ballpark at 6:00 PM. The bus will return immediately after the completion of the 7:05 PM Phillies-Marlins game. Ken Lehr reported that the Township is planning a bus trip to Lancaster on November 6^th. The trip will take in 2 area outlet centers and culminate with dinner at Miller's Buffet. Finally, Ken Lehr reported that the Township is planning two bus trips to New York in December timeframe. The December 13^th New York trip will include a visit to Radio City Music Hall to see the Rockettes perform. The December 18^th trip will be an open bus trip to New York City. Ken Lehr reported that the Township sold eight tickets for the December 13^th New York trip today (September 15^th).

Ken Lehr reporting on Community Day informed that the 2004 event was a success stating everything went well. Ken Lehr stated that there were more people in attendance between the hours of 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM than there were from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Ken Lehr attributed some of the drop off to a conflict with the Eagles game that started at 4:15 PM. Additionally, Ken Lehr indicated that the headline band performing at this year's event (The Exceptions) did not have the same draw as "The Greaseband". Bob Cifone stated that 2004 Community Day was a great day and suggested that the Township should schedule more of an overlap between the time frames for the inflatable rides and the start of the headline entertainment. Bob Cifone indicated that the inflatable rides should be extended to four hours for next year's event in order to hold the people through the start of the headline entertainment. Ken Lehr indicated that he would contract the Inflatable rides for a four hour timeframe next year. Michael Pillagalli reported that he also did not believe the headline band was able to hold the crowd at this year's event. Ken Lehr stated that he would like to schedule a Community Day wrap-up meeting and suggested piggybacking the meeting with the Summer Concert series wrap-up meeting on Monday, September 20^th. Michael Pillagalli asked if the Township should line up a larger dumpster for next year's event. Kent Wise indicated that the crews have to pick up the trash regardless of the dumpster size and indicated that once the dumpster is full, the trash is placed next to the dumpster and transported to the Township Building the next day. Additionally, Kent Wise stated that the next larger dumpster is only marginally bigger and indicated that a roll-off dumpster would take up too much space. Kent Wise informed that one problem the crews did encounter was that the people attending the event either did not know about or were hesitant to use the bathroom facilities at the maintenance shop. Kent Wise informed that the crews had to shut down the restrooms at the amphitheater two to three times during Community Day in order to restock and clean the facilities. Michael Pillagalli asked if the Township should post signs for the maintenance shop restroom facilities at next year's event. Kent Wise indicated that the maintenance shop restroom facilities are too far of a walk for most people attending the event. Ken Lehr offered thanks to the members of the Park and Recreation Board for their support at this year's event. Additionally, Ken Lehr thanked Peggy and Holly Niemeyer for their efforts with the sand art booth as well as lining up raffle prizes, Jan Mulligan for lining up prize donations and to Kelly Cifone for procuring the Citizens' Bank and Commerce Bank sponsorships. Michael Pillagalli reported that a Chester County health inspector informed the Township that an event permit is required for the soda cart utilized during Community Day activities. Ken Lehr indicated that he obtained the required paperwork the week following Community Day and stated the permit would be retroactive to cover this year's event. Ken Lehr reported that the Township would also be creating written instructions to be used by anyone staffing the soda cart at next year's event.

Ken Lehr reporting on movie nights informed that the Township is planning to present three nights of family friendly movies during this year's program. The movies selected for this year's program includes "Shrek II" and "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" and "Spider-Man 2". Information on movie nights is listed below:

New Business: Ken Lehr reporting on Harvest Day informed that planning for this year's event is underway. Ken Lehr informed that the musical entertainment for this year's event has been finalized. Michael Pillagalli indicated that he had contacted Phil and Linda Hicks to make arrangements for the use of their hay wagon for this year's event. Dan Dixon informed that he would contact Sonny Hicks to line up a second hay wagon for Harvest Day. Ken Lehr informed that the pumpkins for this year's event would be purchased on October 19^th. Additionally, Ken Lehr indicated that he would take care of purchasing the cookies for this year's event. Harvest Day activities are scheduled from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Sunday, October 24^th rain or shine.

 Ken Lehr informed that the Township is planning a Holiday Breakfast with Santa at the Stadium Grill on Saturday December 18^th from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM. Jennifer Grey-Rice stated the Township needed to start advertising for this event sooner to maximize attendance. Mary Lou Enoches indicated that she would again provide assistance with the organizing the Holiday Breakfast with Santa.

Michael Pillagalli began a discussion on a letter the members of the Park and Recreation Board received from Al Roth. In the letter, Al Roth informs that his salary for his position of Summer Camp Director was cut by $5,000 due to budget constraints. Additionally, Al Roth states in his letter that at a time when his salary was cut, the Township made a decision to pay twelve junior counselors for their work during this year's Summer Recreation Program. Jerry Napiecek asked why the Township made the decision to pay the junior counselors.  Ken Lehr stated that the decision to pay the junior counselors came from a concern over workers' compensation. Sharon Lynn informed that the Township's insurance carrier advised the Township to place the junior counselors on the Township's payroll to reduce liability in the event of injury. Sharon Lynn reported that the Township paid the twelve junior counselors a total of $8,377 for the 2004 Summer Recreation Program. Les Bair asked how much of Al Roth's time was required to support his position of Summer Recreation Director. Sharon Lynn indicated that the Summer Recreation Program is an eight week program running from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM five days a week. In addition, Al Roth also was involved with both weekends of Summer Recreation registration as well as the process of interviewing and training Summer Recreation counselors and junior counselors. Sharon Lynn indicated that Al Roth had received yearly salary increases and stated that he helped make the Summer Recreation Program popular. Sharon Lynn informed that Ken Lehr has increased his involvement with the program including interviewing and training Summer Recreation counselor candidates as well as much of the administrative duties. Additionally, Sharon Lynn indicated that Al Roth is no longer required to attend the monthly Park and Recreation Board meetings. Pat McIlvaine reported that the decision to cut Al Roth's salary was made by the Board of Supervisors and was a result of budget constraints and a tax increase (the first in many years). Mary Lou Enoches stated that when someone gives thirty years of continued/dedicated service like Al Roth did; the Township should have chosen the option to cap his salary instead of cutting it. Les Bair stated that it is very upsetting to see a person that has given thirty year's dedication to the Township take a salary cut. Ed Smith informed that Al Roth is a fixture in the Summer Recreation Program stating that both the children attending the Summer Recreation Program as well as their parents hold him in the highest regard. Kent Wise stated that Al Roth also does a lot of volunteer work for the Township that can not be overlooked. Michael Pillagalli indicated that the cut to Al Roth's salary was made 10 months ago and stated that this is the first time the members of the Park and Recreation Board knew about the situation. Dan Dixon asked if there were any other salary cuts resulting for this year's budget constrains. Sharon Lynn indicated that the Township did eliminate one part-time position and informed that no other full time positions were subject to a salary cut. Michael Pillagalli asked how the Township came up with the funding for the twelve junior counselors in light of the budget constraints. Bob Cifone questioned if the Township could have chosen to increase the rates for the Summer Recreation Program instead of cutting Al Roth's salary. Finally, Ken Lehr asked Michael Pillagalli to inform Al Roth that his letter was received and discussed during the September Park and Recreation Board meeting.

Jennifer Grey-Rice asked if it would be possible to consider a bus trip to a football game next year. Ken Lehr informed that is virtually impossible to purchase enough tickets to support an event of this type.

 The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM. The next meeting is scheduled for October 20^th 2004.

   Respectfully Submitted,
   Ed Smith