PALMER TOWNSHIP RECREATION BOARD

APRIL 18, 2006

The regular monthly meeting of the Palmer Township Recreation Board was held on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. in the community room of the Palmer Library. Members in attendance were Walker, Nielsen and Bellis. Young arrived late. Also present was Supervisor Liaison Bob Smith and Township Manager Robert Anckaitis. Walker called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

Lehigh Valley Catz – Tom Lisinicchia was present to ask for approval to hold two camps at the Palmer School fields on June 12^th to 16^th and July 10^th to 14^th. There is a charge of $85 per child. Walker noted he needs to fill out a form for this request and get insurance information to Diane along with the fee. Ages for these camps are 6 to 14. (at this time there was not a quorum so no decision could be made. Young arrived later and this was reviewed.) On motion by Young, seconded by Nielsen, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the request by the Lehigh Valley Catz for two camps to be held conditioned that the form is filled out, fee is paid and insurance information submitted.

Palmer Veteran’s Softball League – Bob Dobbins was present and handed in the rosters for this season. Dobbins questioned the reason for roster and charging for non-palmer residents. Walker explained that they just wanted to know how many players were actually from Palmer and they had previously discussed a fee for non-residents. This is something that could be done in the future. Dobbins noted there are fill-ins for vacation, etc. Could these players be exempt for the cost? Board felt there should be some concession for these fill-ins. Dobbins asked if the rosters could be distributed after May 1 next year. That is when the season starts and it would be a lot easier gathering the information after the league starts. Board will taken this into consideration for next year. Dobbins also suggested that a fee be paid per team not per player. Board thanked him for attending and wished him a good season.

Donna Meyers was in attendance for approval to have the volleyball league again this year on Wednesdays only. She is taking the league over this year and has no idea what the Board needs. She will get this year’s roster and any other information that is needed to Diane as soon as she gets it. She will have to speak with Rose Laurito who was in charge last year for the financial report. On motion by Young, seconded by Bellis, and agreed by all, the request for the volleyball league was approved conditioned that information needed gets submitted to Diane. Meyers also noted that there is a lot of interest in girl’s volleyball if the township would be interested in starting something.

PUBLIC COMMENT –

Bob Anckaitis, Township Manager introduced Rick Hartranft, who Director of Palmer’s equipment managing program. Anckaitis told all in attendance that the lower level of municipal building will be the location of the equipment storage. This room has been built with shelves, place for all types of equipment. Hartranft described what he will be doing for distribution of equipment as well as getting it all back. He noted all parents will be responsible for having the uniforms returned. Coaches are responsible for any hardware that they get out of the storage area such as bats, ball; any equipment for their sport. Hartranft stated he likes to work with vendors in the area. Walker asked Smith if the liaisons and commissioners would still be in effect. Smith stated yes and the commissioners will still turn in budget request, and come to Recreation Board. There was discussion on the upkeep of the uniforms and Hartranft stated the parents are responsible for them, the washing of them. If for some reason a uniform is damaged the parents are responsible for the replacement of same.

Rich Freiler asked how do you police the returns? Hartranft explained and participant cannot receive another uniform for another sport until the first uniform is turned in. This is the biggest problem that there will be and also noted that there will be a late fee if they are returned after the time allotted.

Bob Walker feels this is great idea and long overdue.

Lori Velekei asked Hartranft how he was keeping track of each item and he noted everything will be numbered.

Bellis stated football equipment will not be moved from the field house, practice uniforms will be okay but not game uniforms. They have a system and all game uniforms are kept at the field house that is how he has control over them, he knows where they are. They approximately twice a season he sends them to Circle Systems for cleaning. What happens if a parent is responsible for cleaning them and they get damaged? Hartranft stated they will be responsible for the replacement of that item. Velekei stated all cheering uniforms need to be dry cleaned. They are to be cleaned before they are returned so when they are given out they are all ready. Hartranft stated this is how it should be, when they are returned they should be returned clean. Smith and Anckaitis reiterated to the audience that with this new system they would be guaranteed the best uniforms forever and they will not have to be responsible of them. Bellis stated if uniforms are sent home it is allowing the kids to wear them to school, wherever. When they are at the field house he has possession of them and knows where they are. Anckaitis stated we are here to speak tonight on accountability of uniforms before and after season. The washing of the uniforms needs to be discussed at a later date. There needs to be a separate meeting to discuss this. Football does has a good working procedure and it will have to be discussed in the near future as to what they want to do with this equipment.

Lori Fulmer – AA BOD asked about the refurbishing/alterations of this equipment. Will it be taken out of our budget or the township budget. Hartranft stated charges for each sport would be taken out of that particular budget. Fulmer asked how will we know the price, how will we be able to budget for these extra charges. Hartranft stated you won’t know but there will have to be extra money added into the budgets for this unforeseen expense. Freiler asked if there could be a break down in the budgets. This was something to discuss at budget time. Young questioned the color of the uniforms. What about if color run out for a particular sport uniform at a time when we need to replace some. Hartranft stated there will be no special orders; everything will be stock colors so there is a small chance that the colors will run out. But in the beginning of replacing uniform pieces there may be different shades of that team’s colors.

Maria LaValva stated they have been trying to do this for a long time and feels it is a great idea. She stated that baseball equipment is in bad shape. Will we be able to get rid of the old equipment and will it be replaced. Anckaitis noted the money is there in the township budget and if something s needed we will buy it. Mark Oakley stated they have been trying to do get rid of old, worn equipment for years and were told we could not get rid of it, it is township property. Hartranft stated if it is bad he will get rid of it. Or we could sell it. Hartranft stated they could make money selling this old equipment. Once this new system gets a year under its belt it will flow smoothly. It will be a very good system.

A gentleman in the audience named Charlie stated where he came from they had this program in place for 30 years. He stated everything was in order, for all sports and it worked very well. He also stated there was no waste of money or equipment and once it gets rolling it is a great system. The first year is a large undertaking.

Hartranft stated in a few years it will be a good system and there will be less stress and responsibility on all coaches.

Walker stated that there seems to be a lot of details that need to be worked out but the concept are a great idea. It is for the benefit of the township sports program.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING – On motion by Nielsen, seconded by Bellis, and agreed by all, the minutes were approved as written.

TREASURER’S REPORT – On motion by Bellis, seconded by Young, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the treasurer’s report.

Bob Smith stated he has received the feelings from the Recreation Board on the equipment program after the joint meeting that was held. He was waiting to hear from the Athletic Association on their feelings. Smith reviewed again what is going to be done and how we are going to start the process. Smith asked Jim Worley and Jim Schwab to get with Hartranft and decide how they are going to do this. Fro each sport he needs the commissioner and liaison to get together with Hartranft and go over what is going to be done with what equipment such as what needs to be replaced, what needs to be thrown out. A meeting needs to be set up with Smith, Bellis, Worley, and Walker to discuss football issues and a meeting with Smith, Nielsen, Young, Walker and Knox for soccer.

Smith stated he has all equipment needed to go through the football fields and aero rate them as well as the soccer fields. There was discussion on the fields at Mill Race. Diane to ask Amanda for an update for the next meeting.

Smith reported the gator purchase order was turned in for payment and he was in the process of getting another gator. It was very helpful so far and knows it will be a good piece of equipment for future uses also.

Smith also reported that they were in the process of starting the fields at the community center which will be sod. He also felt that there are a lot of things are at a stand still such at the field at Mill Race as well as the parking area for LaBarre Park.

Walker noted that there was a meeting scheduled with three Recreation Board members and AA members but unfortunately the Recreation Board members could not attend, it was Holy Thursday. Marc Oakley was present and said the joint meeting was discussed but they have not received anything in writing so they really didn’t know what to discuss. Oakley wondered what and why this has to be done as he felt nothing as “broke”. Smith tried again to explain what the outcome of this new “program” would accomplish. Marc to get with Barry Schaffer and set up meeting with AA Board of Directors and three recreation board members.

Reports –

Baseball – Walker stated everything was ready to go.

Basketball – Oakley noted that 9 teams went to playoffs; 5 won.

Egg Hunt – Nielsen reported that it was great, the best we ever had. Took 35 seconds average at each age group. Need more eggs and candy and purple peeps next year. It was held outside and there was a little rain! She noted the gator was a great help. Walker commended Nielsen for a great job and Nielsen thanked everyone who helped.

Softball – Young noted everything was going well.

Cheering – Lori Velekei stated sign ups are this weekend and next weekend.

Development – Young will report next month on the Cahill properties after he speaks with Amanda Jensen.

Playground – Nielsen reported that she has purchased some equipment and games and all instructors are hired. They will be holding sessions at Keystone Park and Wolf’s Run this summer. Fridays will be special days.

Soccer – Nielsen reported that they will be having evaluations next week.

Board discussed the probability of the summer playgrounds being held in Mill Race this summer. On motion on Young, seconded by Bellis, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the request to hold the playground in Mill Race as soon as it becomes available.

Young asked Smith what Hartranft’s answer was for bidding process. This needs to be discussed.

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

Diane Grube, Corr. Sec.