West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
August 19, 2009

Minutes

Attending: Bob Cifone, Jennifer Dobbins, Mary Lou Enoches, Jerry Napiecek, Michael Pillagalli, Nancy Pine, Ed Smith, and Megan Zug

Township Representatives: Casey LaLonde, Ken Lehr, Ed Meakim, 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 June 17, 2009 meeting, a motion was made by Bob Cifone to accept the minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Megan Zug and passed.

The Financial Report dated July 31, 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 indicated that the last round of storms damaged trees at Barker Park, South Concord Road Park, and Community Park. Kent Wise said that all of the damaged trees have been removed. Kent Wise informed that work on the bottom of the Bicking Drive retention basin is complete, and that over 3,000 wetland type plants were required for this effort. Kent Wise stated that the only remaining task at the Bicking Drive retention basin is to plant wildflowers along the berms. Kent Wise indicated that this task is planned for the fall 2009 to spring 2010 timeframe. Kent Wise indicated that maintenance work also continues at Box Elder Pond. Kent Wise reported that the bleachers at Hallowell Field have been moved to the softball field at Community Park. Jerry Napiecek asked if there were any updates on the topic of locating recycle bins at the Township parks. Kent Wise Allied Waste would provide eleven recycle toters to be located throughout Community Park, Robert E. Lambert Park, Coopersmith Park, and Barker Park. Kent Wise said the crew will transport the recycle toters to the parking lot of each park where they will be picked up by Allied waste weekly on Monday. Mary Lou Enoches asked what the Township planned to do with the playground equipment located at Hallowell Field. Casey LaLonde indicated that the equipment is at the end of its life cycle, so the Township plans to demolish and recycle the equipment.

Recreation: Tom Steines, reporting on the Summer Recreation Program, informed that the 2009 program ended on August 14th. Tom Steines offered thanks to Kent Wise and his crew for helping to make this year's program a success. Tom Steines stated that he was especially pleased with the work of the counselors and junior counselors, and that many have indicated that they plan to return in 2010.

Tom Steines, reporting on the Summer Teen Program, informed that the 2009 program ended on August 14th. Tom Steines reported that 37 teens registered for this year's program (up from 29 in 2008). Tom Steines indicated that the teens had an enjoyable summer with activities including various field trips, community service projects, and hosting a talent show at Community Park. Bob Cifone stated that his son loved working for the Township this summer and that his daughter loved the Summer Teen Program. Tom Steines distributed a copy of a digital scrapbook created by one of the counselors (Megan Ahles) containing pictures from this year's Summer Teen Program. Ken Lehr indicated that he made color copies of the scrapbook for all of the participants in the 2009 Teen Program. Ken Lehr reported that the Township received a large number of applicants for the counselor and junior counselor positions this year and congratulated Tom Steines on his selections, stating that this year's staff was excellent. Tom Steines offered thanks to Kent Wise and his crew for keeping the parks in excellent shape and providing support to make this year's program a success. Mary Lou Enoches, speaking for the members of the Park and Recreation Board, offered thanks to Tom Steines for an excellent job in making this year's summer programs a success.

Friends of the Park: Jennifer Dobbins, reporting for the Friends of West Goshen Parks, said that 52 raffle baskets are ready to be raffled during the August 23rd Blackthorn concert. Jennifer Dobbins stated that the value of the raffle baskets range from $25.00 to $50.00 per basket. Jennifer Dobbins indicated that the Friends of West Goshen Parks will have a table set up for the concert and will offer tickets at $1.00 per ticket or an arm's length of tickets for $5.00. Drawing for the raffle baskets are scheduled to take place at the end of the concert.

Old Business: Ken Lehr, reporting on Township bus trips, informed that the Township took two buses to Yankee Stadium on Friday, July 24th. Ken Lehr stated that this was the first trip to the new Yankee Stadium, and indicated that the 3:00 PM departure time was too late for a game starting at 7:00 PM (a 2:00 PM departure time would be ideal). Additionally, there were several issues with the service provided by the bus company (Krapf's). The buses arrived at the wrong parking lot despite explicit instructions from the Township that included a map identifying where the buses were to depart from. Additional issue are: (a) the air conditioning did not work on one bus on the way to Yankee Stadium but it did work on the way home (b) the same bus had a malfunctioning door that had to be kicked open (c) the other bus had video monitors that did not work (d) the buses were not ready at the end of the game causing the group to wait one hour before being picked up for the return trip home. Ken Lehr indicated that he contacted West Goshen Township's Krapf's sales representative and made her aware of these issues. Ken Lehr reported that the Township initially lined up two buses (with an option for a third) for the August 21^st trip to Citi Field for the Mets/Phillies game. At this time there is enough demand for the 3^rd bus, so the Township will add a third bus for this trip. Ken Lehr informed that the Township is taking registrations for the Fall/Winter trips that include a December 7^th trip to Radio City Music Hall with dinner at Carmines for a cost of $145/person, a December 12^th "Tour New York City on your own" open bus trip for a cost of $35/person and a November 7^th trip to the Guggenheim and Whitney Museums featuring a guided tour provided by Inez Star for a cost of $79/adult, $75/senior (65 or older) and $65/Child under 18. Mary Lou Enoches volunteered to be a bus captain for the December 7th trip and Michael Pillagalli volunteered to be a bus captain for the December 12th trip.

Ken Lehr, reporting on the Adventure Boot Camp, informed that he was contacted by representatives from the program asking if the start time for the sessions could be moved up one hour to 5:00 AM. Ken Lehr informed that he was not able to approve this request, since it was promised to the neighbors at Fresh Meadows when the park was built that activities would be restricted to daylight hours as much as possible. Ed Meakim stated that all of the Township Parks operate under a "dusk to dawn" agreement. The members of the Park and Recreation Board were in agreement with this decision.

Ken Lehr, reporting on the Summer Concert Series, said between 300 and 350 people attended the July 26th concert featuring the Chester County Concert Band. Ken Lehr informed that the band was able to perform one set before the rains came. Ken Lehr provided an update on the August 9th concert, informing that the weather forecast at 2:00 PM indicated a 30% chance of rain. Ken Lehr stated this is when the Township has to make the call on whether the concert would be moved inside. Based on this information, the Township made the decision to hold the concert outdoors. At 6:15 PM there were torrential rains that forced the concert to be postponed. Ken Lehr said members of the band Straight Shooter have vacations scheduled in August, and that he would contact representatives from the band at the end of August to see if a September concert date can be worked out. Ken Lehr reported the band did receive payment for the rained out concert even though they were unable to perform due to inclement weather.  Information on the 2009 Summer Concert Series is listed below:

Ken Lehr reported that 500 people attended the Commonwealth Classic Theatre Company Production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at Community Park on Saturday, July 18th. Ken Lehr stated that this was the Township's best attended theatre presentation, resulting in the theatre company having to amplify the performers so they could be heard.

Ken Lehr, reporting on Movie Nights, informed that there was nothing new to report at this time. Information on Movie Nights is listed below:

Ken Lehr, reporting on community gardens, informed that the Township placed a notice in the Summer Newsletter asking if anyone (person or business) would be willing to donate the use of their property for a community garden site. Bob Cifone indicated that he received a request from a girl scout troop asking for the use of 1/2 acre of land in Fresh Meadows to be used as a garden. The girl scouts plan to donate all of the food cultivated from the garden. Bob Cifone stated that his response to the girl scouts was once the Township identifies a suitable site for a community garden, the girl scouts would be offered a plot of land on the site at a lower fee because they are donating the food. Mary Lou Enoches stated that this was the correct response to the girl scouts' request. Megan Zug informed that the Borough of West Chester has a community garden at the intersection of Gay and New Streets (by the water tower) and suggested contacting someone from the borough to get information/guidance on how to obtain the required land resources. Megan Zug stated that the Township also may want to reach out to other townships to see if it would be feasible to partner with another township (joint venture) to identify a suitable plot of land for a community garden.

Ken Lehr, reporting on Robert E. Lambert Park, informed that the Township partnered with Fairman's to offer weeklong skateboarding camps from 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon on July 20^th to 24^th and August 17^th to 21^st. Ken Lehr indicated that the camps were very popular, stating that both sessions were filled with a wait list. Ken Lehr reported that Dave Fairman is happy with how the camps turned out, and that the Township would continue to work with Fairman's to offer skateboarding camps in the future.

New Business: Ken Lehr, reporting on Harvest Day, informed that the 2009 festivities are scheduled for Sunday, October 25th from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Community Park. Kent Wise asked if Michael Pillagalli could make arrangements with Phil and Linda Hicks to line up their haywagon for this year's event. Additionally, Kent Wise asked if anyone knew when East Goshen Township has scheduled their Harvest Day festivities. Jennifer Dobbins stated the Township needs to have more options/quantity of beverages this year stating we ran out at last year's event. Mary Lou Enoches suggested contacting Burger King, McDonalds and Wendy's stating they are West Goshen Township businesses that may be willing to donate beverages for this year's event. Megan Zug stated that it would be a good idea to also have bottled water for this year's event. Kent Wise asked if the Township had an agreement with Makin' Music to perform at this year's event suggesting that if an agreement was not in place, the Township could line up Straight Shooter to perform. Ken Lehr informed the Township already had a verbal agreement with Makin' Music to perform.

Casey LaLonde provided an update on the Jerrehian property, informing that the preliminary plan for the property (Woodlands at Greystone) include 598 homes consisting of townhomes, duplexes, carriage houses and single homes; six miles of walking trails, 162 acres of passive recreation parkland for the Township, and an additional 40 acres to be controlled by the home owners' association. Casey LaLonde indicated that the subdivision review will take place over the next three months. Additionally, Casey LaLonde said the members of the Park and Recreation Board will get engineer diagrams of the proposed plan that detail the important landscaping, lighting, and trails proposed in the plan. Mary Lou Enoches asked if the preliminary plan identifies the access routes to the property. Casey LaLonde indicated that there would be two access routes to the property: one off of Pottstown Pike near Robert E. Lambert Park, and a second assess route off of Phoenixville Pike. The cost of the access roads is estimated to be around $7,000,000. Michael Pillagalli asked if he could get a copy of a site plan that identifies the existing structures on the property. Bob Cifone asked for clarification as to when the Township would receive access to the 162 acres of recreation area that will be coming to the Township as part of the conditional usage plan. Casey LaLonde said once the Township approves the plan, the 162 acres would be available to the Township. Casey LaLonde stated that the goal would be to make as much of the 162 acres as possible available for public usage as long as it was safe to use during the construction period.

Ed Meakim asked why the Township does not offer a Holiday Party/Event that would bring Christmas back into the celebration. Jerry Napiecek informed that the Township does offer a Holiday Breakfast with Santa that is in reality a Christmas event. Bob Cifone stated that the Park and Recreation Board is trying to be politically correct and make the Holiday Breakfast with Santa something for everyone regardless of their religious or ethnic background. Ken Lehr indicated that the Holiday Breakfast with Santa is one of the more popular events offered by the Township.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 PM. The next meeting is scheduled for September 16, 2009.

   Respectfully Submitted,

   Ed Smith