The regular monthly meeting of the Palmer Township Recreation Board was held on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. with all members in attendance except McBrairty. Chairman Walker convened the meeting.
MINUTES OF AUGUST & SEPTEMBER – On motion by Knox, seconded Young, and agreed by all the minutes of the August and September meeting were approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT - Knox reported that there was a credit to softball and a charge to baseball. On motion by Young, seconded by Nielsen and agreed by all, the Treasurer’s report was approved as submitted.
PUBLIC COMMENT –
None.
REPORTS –
ADULT RECREATION – Knox noted he contacted Bill Raven to use Riverview fields for practice. Raven informed him that they have the field scheduled for Palmer Softball until November 6th so they would not be able to use these fields.
Worley asked who has been using the fields for last couple of years; are these players on all these teams from Palmer? Years ago we received rosters but no addresses were on them. Diane stated she did receive them and will bring to meeting next month. Board will then review these rosters and see how many players are actually from Palmer. Worley also to check to see who is using the gym at the community center, would these groups be from Palmer. He will be in contact with Kemie Heckman.
BASKETBALL – Worley reported that Barry Fulmer is Commissioner for boys’ basketball and Mary Jo Balent is Commissioner for the girls. Robert Lee put in an application for the Basketball Commissioner. Worley stated that since Mr. Lee was new to the area and not that involved yet with sports they made him Assistant Commissioner for the boys. General membership minutes from the AA were distributed. Worley met with Fulmer and Sutton to review gym time. They feel they can make it work with the spread sheet times but first we need to know how many teams will be formed after sign ups are complete. Purchase order will be made up for the AA.
Egg Hunt – Nielsen stated she will order the candy next month and will order more purple peeps.
Maintenance – Board reviewed Gray Connective phone repair bill. There is an alarm system in the building that has to be hooked up through the phone lines. Bellis motioned to do the work since this is very important with the equipment that is in these buildings. He suggested using the remaining money in the miscellaneous, capital equipment and egg hunt accounts. Knox seconded this motion. Young asked what the Capital Equipment money was earmarked for. No one could think of anything. Bellis then amended his motion to state that the cost does not exceed this proposed amount of $3,878. Knox amended his second. This was agreed by all. Board agreed that Bob Smith and Mark Oakley are to meet with Kevin Gray to go over this work and what has to be done. Oakley knows that there is underground conduit installed already so this may decrease the cost. Smith to get in touch with Gray and set up a meeting with the three.
SOFTBALL – Young reported that everything is fine but we need more fields.
WRESTLING – Worley noted there will be practice in the community center gym two nights a week this year and will sit down with commissioner and the center’ director and review the schedule for season right after this season ends. Oakley asked why only two nights and Worley noted that Tuesdays and Thursdays are not available for wrestling in all purpose room. Young asked about the mat racks – where are they going to be placed. Racks are to be in the closet but they are not on the wall yet. Smith to speak with Anckaitis to get these ordered, if they are not yet.
FOOTBALL – Worley is liaison – defers to Bellis - Bellis reported that Sunday they play at Forks and they will be very competitive this year. November 12th will be the championship games. Bellis reported that soccer can use fields on Mondays and Fridays as football does not use them. Knox will discuss the days with Bellis. Walker stated he was asked about the non-Palmer teams using fields. When other fields are used by non-Palmer teams they are charged. Bellis noted he has always allowed the league teams to play on the fields. There are some teams in the League that need fields.
SOCCER - Nielsen defers to Knox – Knox noted that now that they are borrowing the football fields they can have more practice fields. He also stated that he does the same as Bellis as far as other teams in the league using our fields. He also noted that he spoke with Amanda Jensen and is trying to get a use permit for the few days in November to use the Mill Race soccer field.
DEVELOPMENT – Young reviewed the following plans that are in the planning process:
Norwood Properties – already did recommendation in January, just reviewed the plan again. Three businesses in Taylor Wharton building on William Penn Highway – Henise Tire, TruGreen Landcare and First Choice Moving & Storage; Schafer’s Place on Berks Street; Rt. 248 Medical Building; and Richard Strucke on Northwood Avenue. Also reviewed was the Laubach property on Bethman Road. A portion of this development will be in Palmer Township. This plan was discussed and agreed that as long as the bike path stays in the area of Nulton Avenue there would be no other open space wanted. Young then reviewed the Villages at Wolf’s Run plans. This is a development off of Van Buren Road. Board decided they would need access from guest parking lot to soccer fields that are in Fox Run Estates. Young will speak with Amanda on this.
On motion by Young, seconded by Bellis, and agreed by all, the Board voted to recommend recreation fees be paid in lieu of land for the following plans - Norwood Companies on Newlins Mill Road; the three requests for the Taylor Wharton building on William Penn Highway; the Rt. 248 Medical Building; Schafer’s Place on Berks Street and Richard Strucke on Northwood Avenue.
On motion by Young, seconded by Nielsen and agreed by all, the Board voted to recommend that the bike path be installed for the Laubach Property plan and that part of Laubach Lane and Nulton Avenue be vacated to become this be bike trail and that the developer should pay the remaining fees for recreation.
On motion by Young, seconded by Nielsen, and agreed by all the Board voted to recommend that the Board of Supervisors look to continue the park to the south of the development in Villages of Wolf’s Run where the first 3 sets of town houses are located. (Lots 90-95). Also, that the open space showing in Lot #4 not be accepted as open space.
Bellis asked that Bob Florich be able to speak at this time about Lacrosse. Florich stated there is a large interest for this sport and discussion centered on the fields that would be a problem. Where would they play? It was stated that this sport is a spring sport. This is something that the Board should consider as there are a large number of children that would like to participate in this sport.
The 2007 budgets were then reviewed.
Playground – This amount includes the air conditioned buses for their annual field trip.
Egg Hunt – Increase due to needing more candy with attendance increasing every year.
Maintenance – Keep the same as 2006.
Miscellaneous – This line item needs to be increased to $7500 to cover some expenses for Lacrosse if needed.
Basketball – Florich stated they are in need of uniform shorts - 300 pair of short – need to increase budget by $4100.
Board members discussed that the budget committee had nothing to work with while preparing these budgets, by the inventory personnel. This has to be worked out.
Softball – Increased to $10,250.
Baseball budget was then discussed. The budget has a significant increase. Florich stated his reasoning for this increase and some items were removed from the proposed budget. The increase is still significant – approximately $35,000.
Cheerleading – Increased to $3490.
Wrestling – Increased to 3,750.
Knox will make all necessary changes and see that Supervisor Bob Smith receives a revised copy. Smith is to then forward all budgets to Bob Anckaitis. On motion by Nielsen, seconded by Worley, and agreed by all, the Board approved all budgets and that the total budget be approved to $107,000.
On
motion by Bellis, seconded by Worley, and agreed by all, the meeting was
adjourned at
Diane Grube, Corr. Sec.