West Goshen Township
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting
February 17, 2010

Minutes

Attending: Bob Cifone, Jerry Napiecek, Nancy Pine, Ed Smith,
and Mike Pillagalli

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

Meeting called to Order: 7:00 PM by Chair Nancy Pine

Minutes from the November 18, 2009 meeting were reviewed and a motion was made to approve as written by Mike Pillagalli and seconded by Jerry Napiecek. Motion was passed.

Treasury statement was reviewed and no questions were generated.

Parks Department: Kent Wise said that the grills were pulled from the parks and routine maintenance was performed and they will be stored for the winter. Picnic tables have also undergone some reconditioning. There are 35 to 40 throughout the parks. Barker Park parking lot was cleaned up of old wood and telephone poles that were used in that area as well as the pedestrian bridge which is undergoing rebuilding during the winter season.

Some of trees at Community Park are in need of attention and thus they are being cut out and the roots system is being looked at by a professional and the West Goshen crew. There is also a total of 35 to 40 trees needing this labor intensive work performed over the winter. 12 or 14 have been handled so far.

The Parks crew has been assisting the Road Crew with winter storm clean ups with salting and plowing.

Summer Recreation Program: Tom Steines reported that counselor letters for summer employment have been sent out to previous counselors who are being asked to return for the Summer 2010 program. Applications are also being accepted from Counselors and Junior Counselors for the Summer Program and Counselors for the Teen Program. No Junior Counselors are utilized in the Teen Program. Applications are available on the township website. Interviews will be set up for March and April for both categories of counselor. Research is being conducted on field trip locations for both programs. A question was asked about a full day program and Tom stated that they are looking into it but it does not appear as a reality for 2010.

The Summer Recreation Program and the Summer Teen Program will run from June 21, 2010 to August 13, 2010. Thoughts about moving the Teen Program to the Lambert Park were entertained and discussion centered on the use of the existing building during inclement weather.

Friends of West Goshen Parks: John Herley, President of the Friends of West Goshen Parks, reported that the sponsors of the 2009 Summer Concert Series were acknowledged during the Supervisor's Meeting in December. Every sponsor was given a token of appreciation for their involvement.

The Friends are looking to implement a system of advertising literature for local businesses to let the public know we are out there and what the Friends do for the township residents.

Elections are approaching with a Secretary as the most needed position at the moment.

Old Business: There was no old business to discuss at this time.

Bus Trips: In December there were two bus trips to New York City. Both were a success with one having dinner in the city which the reviews were favorable from all people.

Three trips in conjunction with West Chester Boro are planned.

A) Philadelphia Flower Show Mar 3, 2010
B) Cherry Blossom Festival April 11, 2010
C) Cape Cod and Provincetown. May 20-24

A motion was made by Napeciek/seconded by Pine to establish a seating policy for bus trips where seats are established by each person in the same spot going and returning unless there is mutual consent by the persons involved to alter seating positions.

Fitness Programs: Ken Lehr reported that the Yoga/Pilates classes and the Water Walking with ACAC are to be held throughout February 2010 to June 2010.

Ken Lehr reported that Ageless Exercise will feature six weeks of different exercises from February to March.

Ken Lehr, reporting on the Summer Concert Series, announced the 2010 schedule:

June 13                 Children's Concert
June 27                 Barbone Street Jazz Band
July 11                  Special Blendz
July 25                  Blackthorn or Mummers
August 8               Mainliners
August 22             Jimmy Jorge and the Latin Express

Ken Lehr, reporting on the Holiday Breakfast, informed that the first day was a success even with the snow. The second day was canceled and Stadium Grill was extremely flexible and did not charge for our Sunday cancellation. Many THANKS go to the Stadium Grille for their generosity and kindness. A pleasant time was had by all!

Holiday Crafts: There were three successful nights of crafts for the Holidays and a special thanks goes out to Kelly Cifone for her part in this annual event.

Egg Hunt and Decorated Hat Parade: The date is set for March 27th at
10:30 AM at West Goshen Community Park. Eggs and candy will be distributed at the next meeting for "stuffing."

New Business:

Parking was discussed while the new facility is being built. Parking will be allowed in the rear of the Township Building when attending a meeting. Construction to start April 1.

The Hallowell Family has asked that the name of the park be transferred to township owned property and not land that we are renting from the West Chester Area School District. The softball fields at Community Park will be rededicated in the Hallowell Family name at a ceremony that is to be scheduled

Jerrichian Property- initial plan (75pounds worth) is completed and the engineering plan meets the expectations of the township engineers. Plan possible to be approved by summer of 2010, but highly unlikely. We need to establish a parks crew for this property alone and that will not be possible by this summer.

Motion made by Cifone to adjourn and seconded by Pine at 7:55p.m.

     Submitted by Mike Pillagalli