West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
August 16, 2006
Minutes

Attending: Bob Cifone, Michael Dolan, Mary Lou Enoches, Michael Pillagalli, Ed Smith, and Megan Zug.

Township Representatives: Ken Lehr and Kent Wise

Friends of the Park: Lee McFadden and Peggy Niemeyer

Meeting called to Order: 7:03 PM by Vice-Chair Mary Lou Enoches

After a review of the minutes submitted for the July 19, 2006 meeting, a motion was made by Bob Cifone to accept the minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Michael Pillagalli and passed.

The Financial Report dated July 31, 2006 was reviewed. There were no questions or comments pertaining to the Financial Report.

Parks: Kent Wise reported the crew spent time grooming the Township ballfields and indicated that due to the dry weather conditions, the crew did not have to cut any grass this week. Kent Wise said the crew is performing bed work at Community Park, including planting annuals and some weed control. At the Sewer Plant, tree work was completed to open up the areas surrounding the adjacent creek. Kent Wise stated the crew needed to get access to this area via an adjacent homeowner's property. The crew also cleared out several downed trees at Hamlet Crest Park. Kent Wise said the parks crew spent and entire day after the last storm providing assistance to the road crew in clean-up efforts. Kent Wise reported that the crew is helping with preparations for Community Day, including pressure washing the steps and stage area of the amphitheater. Kent Wise indicated that the Community Day preparation would also include sprucing up the areas surrounding the pavilion on Monday, August 21^st, after the completion of the 2006 Summer Recreation Program. Additionally, Kent Wise stated that the crew scrubbed and repainted the trash barrels at Community Park. Kent Wise said a new backflow valve and smaller water meter were installed in the water pit at Community Park. Kent Wise stated the plan was to perform the same maintenance at Barker and Coopersmith Parks next year. Kent Wise reported a tri-axle load of sand has been ordered to replenish the volleyball pit at Community Park. Finally, Kent Wise informed that two new full-time employees have been hired, indicating they would start work for the Township on August 28^th.

Recreation: Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Recreation Program said this year's program would end this Friday, August 18^th. Ken Lehr indicated the counselors have done a good job this summer but that several of the counselors left prior to the end of the program. Ken Lehr informed that Dave Roth was able to provide support for the program covering for counselors that left prior to the completion of the program.  Ken Lehr reported that Friday, August 18^th, would be Al Roth's last day. Al stated he did not want any fanfare honoring his service and/or celebrating his retirement. Al Roth will continue to support various Park and Recreation activities including the Home Run Derby at Community Day.

Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Teen Program informed this year's program would end this Friday, August 18^th. Ken Lehr indicated the attendance for this year's program was down. Parents and participants would get a questionnaire to fill out upon the completion of this year's program. Ken Lehr indicated the Township would need to better market the Summer Teen Program for next year.

Friends of the Park: Megan Zug reporting for the Friends of West Goshen Parks thanked Ken Lehr for updating the Township website with the Friends' officer assignments. Megan Zug requested that the website also be updated with the Friends' phone numbers and the upcoming meeting schedule.

Old Business: Ken Lehr reporting on the Summer Concert Series informed that 300 people attend the July 23^rd folk concert featuring Jeffrey Gaines, and that 700 people attended the August 6^th Motown concert featuring Special Blendz. Ken Lehr said the Township received a complaint for a resident expressing displeasure with the Township for using one side of the sign at the Township Building to advertise for the August 20^th Latin Concert in Spanish. The resident requested that the Township change the sign so both sides are in English. Ken Lehr stated that he had approval from Sharon Lynn to advertise for the upcoming concert in Spanish. The members of the Park and Recreation Board unanimously voiced their approval to leave the sign as it is (one side advertising the event in Spanish). Information on the Summer Concert Series is listed below:

Ken Lehr reporting on the July 29^th Theatre in the Park informed that around 170 people attended the presentation of Much Ado About Nothing presented by Commonwealth Classic Theatre at Community Park. Ken Lehr indicated Commonwealth Classic Theatre expressed an interest in presenting another performance next year. Ken Lehr informed that the Vagabond Acting Troupe also expressed interest in doing Romeo and Juliet next year.

Ken Lehr reporting on Community Day informed that The Chatterband is not available to perform on the Community Day raindate (September 17^th). Mary Lou Enoches indicated she knew of a band that may be available for the raindate. Lee McFadden asked Ken Lehr to contact the agent for The Chatterband to determine if there was another band available for the Community Day raindate. Ken Lehr said the Chester County Antique Car Club would not be available for this year's event, and indicated he still needed to line up another beverage vendor. Additionally, Ken Lehr informed that he is waiting to hear on the availability of the Goshen Fire Company to supply their famous donuts for this year's event. Ken Lehr indicated that he would follow up with Starbucks to see if a coffee donation can be lined up. Megan Zug reported that the Friends of West Goshen Parks are trying to line up someone to support an Alex's Lemonade Stand at Community Day. At this time there are about fifteen to twenty crafters signed up for this year's event. This compares to a turnout of 32 crafters for the 2005 event. Peggy Niemeyer distributed a volunteer sign-up sheet informing there were about 36 hours worth of time slots to fill. Peggy Niemeyer indicated that the Friends of West Goshen Parks are looking for the Girl Scouts to provide volunteer support. Three to five volunteers would be needed to support the sand jar activities. Michael Pillagalli volunteered to help with directing the crafters to their assigned parking area Sunday morning. Volunteers are asked to arrive at Community Park at 8:00 AM or earlier to provide support setting up tables for the kids' crafts activities. The 2006 Community Day is scheduled for Sunday, September 10^th with a raindate of Sunday, September 17^th.               

Ken Lehr report that fewer than ten people have signed up for the fall return trip to Yankee Stadium on September 30^th. Ken Lehr indicated that the Yankees have not posted the start time for the September 30^th game at this time. Ken Lehr reported the Township would start advertising the December bus trips in October.

Ken Lehr reporting on Movie Nights informed that the Township is planning to present Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit and March of the Penguins. Presentations will have a 7:00 PM start time. Ken Lehr said many of the movie companies are no longer issuing new releases in 16mm. As a result, a budget request was submitted for funding to allow the Township to go into a joint venture with the Borough of West Chester for the purchase of a DVD player and a digital video projector in 2007. Information on Movie Nights is listed below:

Ken Lehr reporting on Harvest Day informed that this year's activities are scheduled from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Sunday, October 29^th. Ken Lehr informed that arrangements for the musical entertainment "Makin Music" have been finalized. Michael Pillagalli indicated that he would contact Phil and Linda Hicks to line up their haywagon for this year's event. Ken Lehr stated that he would like to use the haywagon as a stage for the planned entertainment, indicating this arrangement worked well last year. Kent Wise informed that the pumpkin patch would be located at the lower end of the Community Park by the reservoir basin. Kent Wise indicated that if the Township is not able to borrow East Goshen's haywagon, the Township would utilize Phil and Linda Hicks flatbed for the hayrides and have "Makin Music" perform at the Community Park Pavilion.

Ken Lehr provided an update on the Jerrehian property informing there was nothing new to report at this time.

New Business: Ken Lehr informed that he had received several emails that he wanted to share with the members of the Park and Recreation Board. The first email was from Michelle Ralph expressing delight with the Summer Concert featuring Jeffrey Gaines and suggesting the Township consider artists John Gorka and/or Lucy Kaplansky for next year's program. The second email was from Steven Carter expressing his displeasure over the Township's requirement that knee and elbow pads are required at the new skatepark. Another email from Janie Atlas suggested the Township post large dog hours and small dog hours for the new dogpark. Janie Atlas is the owner of a small dog and indicated her dog and many other small dogs are terrified of the larger dogs that utilize the new park.

Ken Lehr reported that the Township has received several complaints pertaining to the regulation requiring knee and elbow pads at the new skatepark. Ken Lehr said this policy was dictated by the Board of Supervisors. Mary Lou Enoches indicated some of the resistance to this policy is a result of opening day festivities where the skateboarders from Fairman's did not have to wear this protection because they were covered under Fairman's insurance policy. Lee McFadded stated the reason knee and elbow pads are required is because the Township does not want anyone to get hurt at the new park. Ken Lehr informed that no one seemed to have an issue with the fact that helmets are also required for access to the skatepark. Ken Lehr reported the Township offered to refund the membership fees for one skateboarder (Steven Carter). This request was declined because Mr. Carter was able to find soft pads that were acceptable. Ken Lehr informed that there are currently around twenty annual members to the new skatepark. On a given day, the attendance is usually between twenty to thirty patrons. Ken Lehr reported that he and Sharon Lynn would be meeting with the skatepark attendants to review safety requirements. Additionally, Ken Lehr indicated he would also hold bi-monthly staff meetings with the skatepark attendants.

Ken Lehr, reporting on the new dogpark at the Robert E Lambert Park, informed the Township has received a request to designate certain time slots at the new park for large dogs and small dogs.  Ken Lehr informed the new dogpark is getting a lot of usage. Mary Lou Enoches stated the attendance for the dogpark seems to be greater than the attendance for the skatepark. Mary Lou Enoches said someone informed her that a small dog was attacked by a larger dog in the dogpark area, resulting in a $150.00 veterinarian bill. Ken Lehr informed the rules for the dogpark state the owner is responsible for the actions of his dog and if there is an issue, the dog must exit the park area. Megan Zug indicated she witnessed a situation where the owner of an aggressive dog was asked to leave the park area and refused. Ken Lehr informed the Township may have to look into the feasibility of reserving specific times for small dogs. Ken Lehr encouraged people attending the new dogpark to report any issues to the Township.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 PM. The next meeting is scheduled for September 20, 2006.

   Respectfully Submitted,
   Ed Smith