PALMER TOWNSHIP RECREATION BOARD

MARCH 21, 2006

 

            The regular monthly meeting of the Palmer Township Recreation Board was held on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. with all members in attendance except Bellis and Worley.  Also present was Supervisor Smith and Anita Fleming of the AA.  Chairman Walker opened the meeting at 7:30 p.m.

 

            TREASURER’S REPORT – Knox distributed this report.  On motion by Nielsen, seconded by McBrairty, and agreed by all, the report was approved.

 

            MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY MEETING – Knox noted a change under soccer.  The dates for the player’s evaluation are July 10th to 22nd and the soccer camp is July 24th through 28th.    On motion by Nielsen, seconded by Knox, agreed by all the minutes were approved after this change was made.

 

Public Comment –

 

Resident Mr. Mark Lysynecky was present asking for an update of the park in the Villages of Mill Race development.   Marc Knox called Adams on this today to find out the status also.   Adams informed him that they do not have firm commitment from developer on the status and he would have to discuss this with Amanda Jensen.  Young stated the township will not take this area over until it is fully complete.  The soccer field to the west is almost ready and the one to the east had damage and still needs work.  Knox walked them this weekend and noted they don’t look that bad but there were some spots that do need work.  Young stated the ecological filter system needs to be complete.  Board feels it is a good idea to have a summer recreation program held at this park when it is complete and turned over to the township.  Lysynecky asked about the tot lot area.  Young noted the developer met the township requirements, now the rest will be up to the township when it is their property to add more equipment.  Lysynecky also asked about the bike trail; wanting to know where it extends to.  Young noted all the r /w issues are satisfied and it will run all the way up to Plainfield Township.  Young explained where the bike path will run but noted that there is a problem with some Forks Township residents.   This is being worked on.  Mark Lysynecky – 8 Mill Race Drive – 610-258-5055 – marklys@ptd.net -  Board asked if Jensen would contact this gentleman and speak with him on the status of the park area.

 

            Palmer Veterans Softball League applications for field use – Walker reviewed the application noting that there was a note attached stating the rosters will be forthcoming.  They will be having a meeting and Bob Dobbins will have the rosters in by next meeting. Walker asked if the soccer tournament is going to be a problem and Knox noted they work together, there usually isn’t a problem.  On motion by Knox, seconded by Nielsen, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the use of Keystone and Tracy fields for the Palmer Veterans Softball League for their regular season May 1st through September 8th and for their tournament which would include the Veteran’s field on September 9 and 10 with a rain date of September 16 and 17, pending the receipt of rosters.  Knox also noted that they need port-a-johns for their tournaments.

 

Reports -   

 

Baseball – Knox stated that there were evaluations this weekend and that the slate of coaches given to AA and to be approved by this Board.   Walker stated he has received the list it was reviewed.  On motion Knox, seconded by Nielsen, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the list of coaches and assistant coaches for this year’s season.  Walker noted he will be at junior legion tryouts and Knox will be at the evaluations this weekend.

 

            Basketball – McBrairty noted Jeff Quinn has teams in tournaments.  Everything is going good this season.

 

            Egg Hunt – Nielsen reported that everything is progressing.  She has purchased all the plastic eggs and candy that is being used this year.  Help is needed as always.   Egg Hunt is scheduled for Friday, April 14 at 10:00 at Palmer School.  If it rains it will not be postponed, it will be held at the community center.

 

            Maintenance – Knox discussed the condition of the soccer fields.  He inspected them this past weekend and stated they can not be used as they are, they are in terrible shape.  This Board has approved the clinics on the soccer fields but there is no way they can be held on these fields as they are too damaged.  He has received a copy of a quote for repair of fields that was obtained last year after the tournament that was held.  Something needs to be done now or they will not be usable for the regular season.  Some Board members feel they need to hydro seeded and fence off so no one uses them.   Smith noted he spoke with the Supervisors and informed them of the condition of these fields and what has to be done.  He noted the Board agreed that they had to do whatever was needed.  Smith met with some school board members since they have a similar problem.  He was told to contact Tim Case and get whatever equipment he needs to aerate and slit seed and get all the fields done that are needed.  Volunteers are needed to help.  Knox asked to move clinics to field near bus garage, along the house row.  Clinics are for Tuesdays and Thursdays and the players will stay as far away as possible.  Easton is using Tracy fields for practice.  Knox stated that whenever we do get the soccer fields at the Village development they will be rotated each year for use.  On motion by Young, seconded by Nielsen and agreed by all, the Board voted to allow the clinic for the soccer players to use the outfield area field 6.

 

            Softball – Young stated there were evaluations held on the 18th for older groups and the younger players will be held this Saturday at noon on Field 2.  There were 44 signups, which will be 3 teams.  Field 2 & 6 will play now until 6/30; Fairview and LaBarre - now until end of July; Old Orchard now until June 10th; and Keystone field now until the end of April.  On motion by Knox, seconded by McBrairty, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the schedules for softball for this season.   Young also noted that Helm was a little concerned with his budget as he had to order face masks.  Chest protector/face masks requirement.    Board stated it would be okay, there probably was money that was budgeted in Basketball that will not be used as the janitor fees were included in this year’s budget and they won’t be needing it now.   Young stated to Smith that the outfield at LaBarre Park also needs work.

 

            Wrestling – McBrairty noted the season is over and everything went well.

 

            Cheering – Signups are coming up.

 

            Development – Young went over some plans that were at Planning Commission last week.  Thomas Moskella on Freemansburg Avenue - lot line adjustment.  No recreation in this area, recreation fee will be required.  Laslo lot line adjustment plan is not creating a building lot so there nothing to be done with this plan.   There is a subdivision of a property on Nicholas Street.  The owner of the new created lot will be responsible for the recreation fee.   Cahill properties on Nicholas Street.   This is the lot that will be created from the subdivision.  Young feels the Board should wait to make a decision on this plan until he finds out what effect this will have on the current bike path.  On motion by Knox, seconded by Nielsen, and agreed by all, the Board voted to recommend the recreation fee be paid by Moskella in lieu of land and Young to check on the Cahill plan for next month.

 

Playground – Nielsen noted that this year’s summer recreation program will run from June 12th (13th for the kids) to August 4th.  She reviewed the schedule and noted that Marc Knox, Jr. will be this year’s Director and Sara Elliott will be the assistant. 

 

            Soccer – Knox asked if anyone knew when Palmer Day was and was told June 10th.  Soccer and football sign up dates will need to be changed on the web and sign up papers.

 

Walker asked Smith if he had any information for the Board in regards to the backstop/fencing in parks.  Smith was to forward pictures to all.  Need this for Board to give input.  Smith will forward info to Tom Adams and Board.

 

Nielsen asked if the legion stands are going to be placed on grass or blacktop.   Smith started they were discussing putting a pad down on grass for stands.  Smith also noted the higher fence was installed but fence should be lengthened.  Fairview is a problem with the bystanders and the balls flying into the crowds.

 

Nielsen comments on the special meeting.  She asked how the Athletic Association Board of Directors feels with getting the legion teams back.  Anita Fleming noted that with the new rules they will do take care of all the sports but any issues will go to the Recreation Board.  Nielsen questioned the Legion Team going to State College.  Walker stated they received donations and an out-of-pocket expense from Bob Florich.  Nielsen feels this is a great opportunity for the teams to attend.

 

Walker asked if anyone received any comments from the police department in regards to the Recreation Board’s recommendations.  Grube noted she spoke with Officer Tim Smith and his only comment was that they questioned why the Board didn’t just keep the hours for closing of the parks from dawn to dusk instead of making a certain time, 10:00 p.m.  In the summertime dusk is around 9:00 anyway.  Grube will forward all comments to Smith to take to Board of Supervisors for approval.   

 

New business –

 

Smith stated he met with Bob Anckaitis and they looked at layout for equipment room in the basement of the Municipal Building.  The Township Public Works Department is working on room.   Equipment information is needed for football, basketball, softball and cheering.  It is very important that they receive football equipment information because the helmets they get hung up on hooks.  Equipment hand outs was discussed and there will be a schedule for each sport for this.

 

Smith stated he spoke with Bob Anckaitis and is waiting to hear back from him in regards to the agreement with the Palmer Softball Association and changing the requirements.

 

Smith noted he will be picking up the gator before baseball and will get it serviced.  He also noted they still need 2 people to work on fields.

 

Walker discussed the meeting that was held last with the two Boards.  He asked what the feelings are of this Board on the new “committee”.   Nielsen feels there is a lot being take away from Athletic Association.  Was there a problem with the way the money was handled?  Smith noted this new way will have a more direct control on the funds and will be easier monitored. There will be only one check book.  If you take what the AA is spending on equipment and add to what the township is spending this should be what the township should increase the individual budgets to.  The Township will be paying for everything.   Recreation Board members noted they never saw treasurer’s reports so they really can’t say how much money was spent.  Smith stated the registration fees will be used towards hiring people to line fields if no one is able to do it; purchased benches, etc.  Everything will be taken care of except fund raisers.  The AA will have these burdens taken off them.  They need to do fundraisers to get their ‘special’ things such as jackets, flowers being sent, etc. General membership will still vote their Board of Directors in but three of these members will be from the Recreation Board.  The Recreation Board should consist of a member from the AA.

 

Young stated the Athletic Association never had legal representation.  Nielsen questioned the AA minutes stating they earmarked money for legal council.  This was discussed.  Young also stated that the AA does not have insurance on their Board as well.  Nielsen stated she is in favor of this and feels they need to have the same benefits as the Recreation Board.

 

Fleming stated they felt encouraged with the Recreation Board’s feelings.  She also noted they do need new people and more people.  Board members noted that most volunteers just want to coach; they don’t want to not be involved with uniforms, fees, etc.  Feels the sports will get more people to coach.  Fleming also stated that there has been such a major lack of communication and this needs to be cleared up.  

 

Young asked if anyone was aware that community center is running summer basketball league for kids.  Some members were aware and noted it was for 7 yr old instructional basketball.  Young noted this is being run at the start of baseball/softball season.  Board discussed the impact on township sports.  There need to be more communication with director.  Board recommended to the Board of Supervisors that the Recreation Board knows what is taking place at community center with any type of sport.  Since they are not using our equipment, paying fees nor have township insurance there isn’t anything that can be done about it. 

 

            On motion by Nielsen, seconded by Young, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m.

 

                                                                  Diane Grube, Corr. Sec.