West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
October 21, 2009
Minutes

Attending: Jennifer Dobbins, Jerry Napiecek, Michael Pillagalli, Ed Smith, and Megan Zug

Township Representatives: Ken Lehr, Tom Steines, and Kent Wise

Meeting called to Order: 7:02 PM by Vice-Chair Jerry Napiecek

After a review of the minutes submitted for the September 16, 2009 meeting, a motion was made by Jennifer Dobbins to accept the minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Jerry Napiecek and passed.

 The Financial Report dated September 30, 2009 was reviewed. Megan Zug asked for an explanation for the difference in 2008 and 2009 totals for line item 82905 -General Recreation Program. The 2008 total for this line item is $108.92 while the corresponding 2009 line item total is $17,108.32. Ken Lehr stated he would look into the difference and provide an answer at the November Park and Recreation Board meeting. There were no additional questions or comments pertaining to the Financial Report.

Parks: Kent Wise reported that the crew is still busy cutting grass and grooming the ballfields. Kent Wise said work on the three ballfields at Community Park included applying 5,000 pounds of "Turface" sports field conditioner to the infield area of the fields. Kent Wise reported that work was done to aerate and overseed about one half of the common area at Community Park. Additionally, the crew completed mulching the area around the flagpole and top dressing the area surrounding the pavilion in preparation for Harvest Day. Kent Wise said the Township purchased a new leaf vacuum (replacement machine), and stated that he would have to modify the existing leaf box to accommodate the new machine. Kent Wise reported that the crew installed a new park bench at Hamlet Crest Park. Kent Wise informed that vandals struck again at Barker Park. Picnic tables at the pavilion were stacked three high, allowing the vandals to access and break the bulb in the security light. Kent Wise indicated that this is the sixth time this has happened this year. The cost of replacing the security light is $35.00. There is also a concern that the legs of the picnic tables could be damaged during this process.  Kent Wise stated that the police are involved, and that they have a good idea who the perpetrators are at this time. Jerry Napiecek stated that he was recently at Flagg Field and that he did not see any signs of the invasive weed in the infield and outfield grass areas. Kent Wise indicated that there were still remnants of the weed in the centerfield area. The Township had the recommended two applications of weed control applied, and a representative from the weed control manufacturer was on site Monday to take a look. Their recommendation is to do a couple of light applications of the weed control again in the spring. Kent Wise reported that the weed control manufacturer indicated that they would not charge the Township for the initial chemical or application of the product. If the Township goes forward with the spring application, there will be a charge for that application and product.

Recreation: Tom Steines, reporting on the Summer Recreation Program, informed that copies of the parent surveys for the 2009 program were included in the Park and Recreation Board members' information packet for review. Tom Steines said that thirty surveys were completed and returned. Overall the 2009 program got good reviews from the parents. Tom Steines stated that he is trying to get as much feedback as possible so the program can be tailored to meet the expectations of both parents and campers. Tom Steines said several surveys asked the Township to consider offering a full day program. Tom Steines indicated that the Township is looking into how other municipalities provide full day programs. He said this is something the Township would consider. Tom Steines informed that the Township would need to determine what the core hours would be and how to handle providing lunch for the campers. Additional considerations are needed to determine what would be done on inclement weather days. Tom Steines stated that the Township may consider doing a full day program at one of the Township Parks while keeping the half day programs available at the other two Parks to accommodate campers that only need/want the half day program. Kent Wise expressed concern that offering a full-day summer program at one of the Township Parks could impact the ability of his crew to perform required maintenance at that park. The members of the Park and Recreation Board offered thanks to Tom Steines, Ken Lehr, and Kent Wise and his crew for making the 2009 Summer Recreation and Teen Programs a success.

Tom Steines, reporting on the Summer Teen Program, informed that copies of the participant and parent surveys for the 2009 program along with feedback from head councilor Anthony Froncillo were included in the Park and Recreation Board members' information packet for review. Tom Steines said nineteen participant and four parent surveys were completed and returned. Overall the 2009 program got favorable reviews from both campers and their parents. The 2009 program experienced an increase in registration and daily attendance over 2008 (37 participants; 15-25 per day in 2009 compared to 29 participants; 12-20 per day in 2008).

Friends of the Park: Jennifer Dobbins, reporting for the Friends of West Goshen Parks, said that members will be on hand Sunday, October 25th to support Harvest Day festivities. Ken Lehr informed that the Friends plan to revisit the report provided by consultant Susan Lohoefer to determine if there are any areas/opportunities for improvement.

Old Business: Ken Lehr, reporting on Township bus trips, informed that 53 of the 54 available seats have been filled for the November 7^th trip to the Guggenheim and Whitney Museums that features a guided tour provided by Inez Starr. Ken Lehr informed that the Township lined up three buses for the December 7^th trip to Radio City Music Hall. At this time one bus and half of a second bus are filled. Additionally, four buses have been lined up for the December 12^th "Tour New York City on your own" bus trip with two of the buses being filled at this time. Ken Lehr reported that the Township is looking at offering a trip to Cape Cod in May of 2010. The proposed trip would be a joint venture with East Goshen Township and the Borough of West Chester. Ken Lehr informed that the Township is starting to plan 2010 trips including a trip to the Philadelphia Flower Show and a trip to Washington, DC for the Cherry Blossom Festival. Ken Lehr reported that he had inquiries about a possible trip to the Phillies victory parade in the event the Phillies repeat as World Series champions. Megan Zug stated that the Township should consider taking 2 buses to the victory parade and having one bus leave immediately after the parade and the second bus leave for home later to accommodate patrons that have tickets to the stadiums. Additionally, those attending should expect more traffic in light of the poor job SEPTA did with providing service to and from last year's parade.

Ken Lehr, reporting on Senior Water Walking at ACAC, informed that there were only two Township residents registered for the October session. Ken Lehr indicated that these sessions would be held regardless of how many Township residents register, with ACAC filling out the classes with their own clients. Ken Lehr reported that registrations by Township residents have appeared to drop as a result of the increase in registration fees.

 Ken Lehr, reporting on the Summer Concert Series, informed that a 2009 wrap-up meeting was held prior to the October Park and Recreation Board meeting. The consensus of those attending the meeting was to keep the start time for the concerts at 6:30 PM. The proposed dates for the 2010 Summer Concert Series are June 13^th, June 27^th, July 11^th, July 27^th, August 8^th, and August 22^nd.  Ken Lehr informed that the proposed schedule would coincide with West Whiteland's Concert Series but would not conflict with Father's Day or the Turk's Head Music Festival which would be more detrimental to attendance. Ken Lehr stated that the themes/performers being considered for the 2010 Summer Concert Series are Children's Night, Motown (Special Blendz), Latino, Dixie Land/Jazz, String Band, Irish Rock (Blackthorn), Big Band and Choral Groups. Ken Lehr indicated that he would get more information on potential performers and report back at the November Park and Recreation Board meeting.

 Ken Lehr, reporting on Movie Nights, informed that around 125 people attended the final presentation for the 2009 series (Paul Bart Mall Cop) on Saturday, October 10th. Information on Movie Nights is listed below:

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. Ken Lehr indicated that the weather for Sunday looks good but heavy rains are expected for Saturday. Kent Wise informed that we may not be able to run the haywagons if the ground is too saturated. Ken Lehr reported that East Goshen's Harvest Day activities originally scheduled for the weekend of October 17th were rescheduled to Saturday, October 24th due to inclement weather. The weather for Saturday October 24th also has rain in the forecast which could result in East Goshen Township moving their program to Sunday, October 25 from 10:00 AM to noon. Since East Goshen and West Goshen Townships share their haywagons for Harvest Day festivities, there was concern the wagons would not be available in time for West Goshen's festivities. Kent Wise informed that representatives from East Goshen Township indicated that they would be able to get the haywagons to the Community Park by 1:00 PM. Ken Lehr indicated that the arrangements for the musical entertainment "Makin' Music" and the face painters have been finalized. Additionally, Ken Lehr informed that Shop-Rite donated apples for this year's Harvest Day festivities. Ken Lehr stated that he is still looking for judges for the scarecrow making contest. Megan Zug asked Ken Lehr to make sure the Township had enough hot beverage cups for this year's event. Ken Lehr indicated that he had already purchased 600 hot beverage cups from BJ's. Finally, Ken Lehr asked all volunteers to arrive by 11:00 AM to help with preparations.

Ken Lehr, reporting on Robert E. Lambert Park, informed that the Township hired three new skatepark attendants last month. Additionally, Ken Lehr indicated that one skatepark attendant left. Kent Wise reported that everything is going well with the dogpark.

New Business: Ken Lehr, reporting on the Holiday Breakfast at the Stadium Grille, informed that this year's event will feature seatings on December 19^th and December 20^th from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM. The cost of the event is $10.00 per person. Michael Pillagalli stated that a new supply of icing will need to be purchased prior to this year's event. Additionally, Michael Pillagalli informed that we ran out of gingerbread cookies last year, and stated that we need to make sure there are enough gingerbread cookies for both seatings.

Ken Lehr began the discussion on the 2010 officer positions by informing the positions of chair, vice-chair, and secretary would need to be filled. Ken Lehr asked if the members of the Park and Recreation Board would prefer creating a nomination committee to identify candidates for the open positions. Megan Zug indicated that her preference would be to keep the nomination process informal, stating that anyone with the desire to serve should communicate with Mary Lou Enoches prior to the November Park and Recreation Board meeting. Ken Lehr informed that if there are no volunteers for the open officer positions identified by the beginning of November, he along with Mary Lou Enoches would begin making calls to the members of the Park and Recreation Board to identify candidates.

Ken Lehr, reporting on the Township's appreciation dinner, informed that the Township has made a decision to hold the dinner every other year going forward. Ken Lehr informed that there would not be an appreciation dinner scheduled for 2009.

Michael Pillagalli provided an update on the historic atlas that is being created for the Township's comprehensive plan. Michael Pillagalli informed that there are 1,900 houses within the Township that are eligible for the register. Section 1 includes houses built from 1700 through 1840. These houses are already in the Township's comprehensive plan. Section 2 includes houses built from 1840 through 1910 and Section 3 includes houses built between 1910 through 1950. Michael Pillagalli indicated that 600 of the houses in Section 3 can be eliminated from the atlas because they do not have any historical significance. Michael Pillagalli and other volunteers will need to go through Township maps and catalog these houses. Michael Pillagalli indicated that he and the other volunteers would need a letter or some form of identification from the Township indicating they are working on the comprehensive plan for the Township. Michael Pillagalli estimated there are around 1,000 homes in the Township that will need to be cataloged as part of this effort.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 PM. The next meeting is scheduled for November 18, 2009.

   Respectfully Submitted,
   Ed Smith