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West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
January 19, 2005
Minutes
Attending: Bob Cifone, Dan Dixon, Mary Lou Enoches, Jerry Napiecek, Michael Pillagalli and Ed Smith
Township Representatives: Ken Lehr and Kent Wise
Meeting called to Order: 7:00 PM by Chairman Michael Pillagalli
Michael Pillagalli began the January 19th meeting by leading the members of the Park and Recreation Board in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the American flag.
The review and approval of the minutes of the October 20, 2004 meeting was deferred until the January 19, 2005 meeting because the minimum number
of members (quorum) required for approval were not present at the November 17, 2004 meeting. After a review of the minutes submitted for the October 20, 2004 meeting, a motion was made by Mary Lou
Enoches to accept the minutes as submitted. The motion was second by Jerry Napiecek and passed. Additionally, Ken Lehr informed that the information for the November 17, 2004 meeting had to be
submitted as "Meeting Notes" since a quorum was not present for that meeting and stated that the November meeting notes would not have to be approved by the members of the Park and Recreation
Board.
Michael Pillagalli updated the members of the Park and Recreation Board on two actions items from the November 17th meeting informing that he had contacted the Township to determine if part of the 2004 Budget surplus could be utilized to purchase a hay wagon and reinstate some or all of the $5,000 cut from Al Roth's salary for his position of Summer Recreation Coordinator due to budget constraints. Ken Lehr indicated that the Friends of West Goshen Parks voted at the last membership meeting to purchase a hay wagon for the Township. Michael Pillagalli informed that the Township did not plan any changes to Al Roth's compensation.
The Financial Report dated December 31, 2004 was reviewed. There were no questions or comments pertaining to the Financial Report.
Parks: Kent Wise reported that the crews completed their leaf clean-up efforts in early December. Initial work on
the new top soil bin at the back end of the Community Park has been completed. Kent Wise indicated that the length of the tie wall containing the top soil bin would be extended once the weather
breaks. Kent Wise informed that the Township had to take down a tree at Coopersmith Park stating the tree was hollow and had been set on fire by vandals. Kent Wise reported that work on the
project to replace the carpet in front of the Amphitheater Stage area with pavers is done for the winter. Kent Wise indicated that the crews still need to install all of the cut pavers and top dress
the area with sand and bonding. Kent Wise informed that the equipment boxes on 4 of the Township baseball fields have been sanded and re-painted. Jerry Napiecek offered thanks to Kent Wise and
his crews on behalf of East Side Little League for their efforts with the equipment boxes. Kent Wise reported that the crews completed their maintenance efforts on the Township's
7,000-pound trailer including sanding, painting and applying deck preservative to the surface of the trailer. Similar maintenance on the Township's 10,000-pound trailer is in process. Kent
Wise stated that the crews have also started on their winter maintenance projects that include changing the oil and filters and sharpening the blades on the Township's mowing equipment. Finally,
Kent Wise reported another incident of vandalism at Coopersmith Park, informing that many of the permanent structures at the park were spray-painted. Kent Wise stated that everything at the park has
been shut down for the winter months and informed that the crews cleaned up what they could and would return to repaint in the spring.
Recreation:
Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Recreation Program informed that Sharon Lynn requested a review of the program fees stating the goal of the Park and Recreation Board and the Board of Supervisors has been for Summer Recreation fees to cover 50% of the program costs. Ken Lehr informed that the last fee increase was applied in 2002 and indicated fees collected for the 2004 Summer Recreation program covered 48.5% of actual cost and about 42% of the budgeted cost of the program. Ken Lehr reviewed a fee structure proposal that would increase the fees for families with 1 child from $120 to $130, increase the fees for families with 2 children from $220 to $250 and increase the fees for families with 3 children from $300 to $360 with a fee of $110 for each additional child. Additionally, there would be an across-the-board increase of $10 for all clinic fees. Ken Lehr reported that this revised fee structure based on the current enrollment trends would result in the Summer Recreation Program fees covering about 55% of the program expenses. Ken Lehr informed that the trend over the last 5 years is for 330 to 350 children to participant in the Summer Recreation Program informing that this total dropped off to 294 for the 2004 program. Mary Lou Enoches suggested that the drop-off may be a result of the Township not offering an all day program and indicated families with two working parents are looking for a program that provides child care for the entire day. Additionally, Mary Lou Enoches stated many counselors are also looking for full day positions and recommended presenting the idea of a full day Summer Recreation Program to the Board of Supervisors. Ken Lehr requested that anyone interested in a Township sponsored full day Summer Recreation Program contact him with the request via email. Jerry Napiecek made a motion to accept the new fee structure for the 2005 Summer Recreation Program. The motion was seconded by Mary Lou Enoches and passed. Michael Pillagalli informed that the Borough of West Chester provides an all day Summer Recreation program and indicated the fees for the program are not cheap. Ken Lehr informed that confirmation letters have been sent out to returning Summer Recreation Program counselors and indicated that applications would be accepted
until the end of February. Additionally, Ken Lehr indicated an advertisement for Summer Recreation positions appears in the current Township Newsletter.
Ken Lehr reporting on the Teen Summer Recreation Program informed that Teen Program committee met to discuss the structure of the program. Ken
Lehr stated that he is working on a tentative schedule for the new program that will include field trip(s) and a community service project each week. Ken Lehr reported that the Township is looking
for five counselors to support the new program with a goal of filling four of the open positions with people that have already worked for the Summer Recreation program.
Friends of the Park:
Ken Lehr reporting for the Friends of West Goshen Parks informed that the Friends are having problems getting the minimum number of members (quorum) required for approval to attend their meetings. Ken Lehr suggested that officers could also hold positions as Board Members for the organization. Ken Lehr stated he is looking for a volunteer to be the Park and
Recreation Board representative on the Board of the Friends of West Goshen Parks. The meetings for the Friends are held on the first Thursday of each quarter with the next meeting scheduled for
April 7th at 7:00 PM. The general membership meeting is scheduled for the first Thursday in May at 7:00 PM.
Old Business: Ken Lehr reporting on the December 2004 bus trips to New York informed that both the December 13th Radio City Music Hall trip and the December 18th open bus (shopping) trip sold out. Ken Lehr stated that the evaluations filled out by those attending were very positive. Ken Lehr reported that the only complaint/request was for the Township to schedule more trips. Ken Lehr indicated the Township has planned an open bus trip (drop-off and pick-up) to New York City on June 18th and an open bus trip (drop-off and pick-up) to Washington DC on July 16th.
Ken Lehr reporting on the Holiday Craft Workshop informed that five people participated in this year's workshop. Ken Lehr informed that
the Township was able to utilize surplus supplies to support the 2004 Holiday Workshop.
Ken Lehr reporting on the Holiday Breakfast informed that 110 people attend this year's event, stating the Stadium Grille was at full capacity
resulting in people being turned away at the door. Ken Lehr indicated that the Township would need to consider offering two seatings (Saturday and Sunday) next year. Mary Lou Enoches stated a
concern over the long lines that formed at the table set-up for decorating gingerbread cookies. Mary Lou Enoches suggested placing small tubes of icing at each family table and utilizing snack bags
filled with the decoration goodies to allow the children to decorate their cookies at their own table instead of waiting in line. Ken Lehr indicated that he would check with the Stadium Grille to
see if a two day event would be acceptable for 2005. Jerry Napiecek asked if the Township should consider issuing tickets for the event in advance to minimize confusion at the door on the day of the
event. Mary Lou Enoches asked if the Township should consider holding the 2nd seating at another location, with the Stadium Grille providing catering service. Ken Lehr informed that the Township subsidizes the cost for the Holiday Breakfast as well as paying for the gingerbread cookies and stated this is why the event is only open to West Goshen Township residents.
Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Concert Series informed that the tentative dates for the 2005 Summer Concert Series are June 12th, June 26th,
July 10th, July 24th, August 7th and August 21st. Ken Lehr stated that the themes/performers being considered for the 2005 Summer Concert Series are
Children's Night (Cats Pajamas), Motown (Special Blendz), Big Band (Chester County Concert Band) and Country Western (Country Joe and the Honkey Tonk Heroes). Dan Dixon indicated that the West
Chester University has a gospel choir and suggested having them perform would add diversity to the Summer Concert Series. Michael Pillagalli stated that West Chester East High School has a
percussion band that could also be considered for this year's program. Information on the Summer Concert Series is listed below:
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