PALMER TOWNSHIP RECREATION BOARD

DECEMBER 19, 2006

A special advertised meeting of the Palmer Township Recreation Board was held on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. with all members in attendance except McBrairty and Bellis. Chairman Walker opened the meeting at 7:30 p.m.

MINUTES OF NOVEMBER MEETING – Tabled until next month.

TREASURER’S REPORT – Knox reviewed the budget. Walker thanked Knox for the good work he did with keeping the budget straight with the township changing over to another computer system and working with the new reports. On motion by Nielsen, seconded by Worley, and agreed by all, the report was approved.

ADULT RECREATION - Knox reviewed the rosters from all the leagues that use Palmer Township fields. He researched which and how many players were from Palmer Township and distributed a summary report with his findings. Smith reported that the Palmer Softball Association asked Bob Anckaitis and the Board of Supervisors to review the agreement that they have with Palmer Township and the payment plan that was agreed on. Smith noted they stated they could not afford to pay the amount that was agreed at that time and Anckaitis figured it out a new payment plan for an additional five years. Knox, Worley and Walker feel strongly that a fee should be charged for all who play on Palmer Township fields. Smith agreed with them. Palmer Township residents have to pay for each child for each sport that they play so they feel the adult leagues should have to do the same, especially since the majority of the players are outside residents. The Softball Association does pay the electric bills for the summer months. They are just requesting the loan payment be lowered. Young stated that this fee could destroy the leagues. Worley asked what do they bring to the township, what benefits and also how can we charge township residents to play sports and not non-residents. Young feels this Board is for all recreation, either adults or children. Young asked about a per team fee instead of a per player fee. This fee would also have to be charged to the volleyball league also. Young feels there needs to be more done for these adult sports. Knox feels the adult recreation has to be advertised more; do people actually know of these sports. Board to think about this for further discussion at the next meeting.

MAINTENANCE – Smith reported that the heating units being installed in the field house and equipment room are almost complete. The one unit the Athletic Association paid for and the other one the township is responsible for.

Smith then talked about the equipment manager. He would like the Recreation Board’s input on this. Smith will discuss this with the township manager.

LACROSSE LEAGUE – Walker highlighted what took place at the last meeting with this sport. Walker appointed Nielsen, Knox and Young to a committee to discuss some of the topics. Young reported that the submitted budget that was given to the Board was reviewed and it was cut a little. There is a proposed budget now and the season time and ages have to be discussed. Ages are U13 and U11 and the cut off date is 1/1 which is mandated by League. Minimum age is 8 by 1/1. As long as a child is of age at 1/1, they would be able to play the season. Young stressed that for any reason there are any changes such as ages limits or number of teams, these changes must be brought back to the Recreation Board. Representatives of the Athletic Association also attended this sub-committee meeting and agreed they would like to see this new sport get off the ground and work. They would like to help but no amounts were discussed. Todd Doerner, representative for the sport stated some of the parents for this sport would like to work the refreshment stand if it is available. Smith has to take this sport request to the Board of Supervisors next Tuesday. Recreation Board would like to see the AA help out with the remaining monies that are needed, $6665. If there are problems with the overlapping of the sport and it will be worked out when it gets started. They have to start the sport to see if and what any problems would occur. Doerner noted that the season would start the first week of April and the games would be held on weekends. They would really like nights at Palmer field on Fridays or Saturdays. The Board feels the practices should start the first Saturday of March. Doerner would like to have the sign ups separate from baseball sign ups. He only has 25 uniforms and that would be the limit for now until it gets started. Young asked what would he do if he had more sign ups. He noted there would be some parents that would buy uniforms. This sport will have to be re-evaluated at the end of the season, but there will be a budget for this sport. Doerner stated he can also get the equipment refurbished. The season lasts approximately two months, depending on year end tournaments. The league’s name is - PVLL – Penn Valley LaCrosse League. It was stated to Doerner that if this is a Palmer Township sport they will have a defined season and if players want to do a traveling team they will be on their own; no township uniforms or equipment. Board feels the practices should be held at the Mill Race fields and the games at the football field. Young stated to Smith that he has to discuss this with Amanda Jensen. He does not feel this field is ready and the filter system is not complete. Doerner noted they would start their warm up at 5:00 and start the games at 6:00 and 8:00. Walker stated the games will have to be coordinated with baseball. He asked Doerner how many home games they have and he stated six or seven. Walker reviewed what was discussed tonight and noted that there is $5,000 in the township budget for this sport to start. Smith stated there is an interested party that will donate $8,000 towards the sport as well as another interested resident that will donate the work for the field. Walker will write a letter to the Athletic Association asking for the remaining amount that is needed for this sport. Young noted that Riverview fields should not be booked by the Softball Association for four nights a week since it may be needed for La Crosse.

On motion by Knox, seconded by Nielsen, and agreed by all, the Board recommended to the Board of Supervisors that LaCrosse sport be added into the township sports program with all conditions as stated. Smith will take this recommendation to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, December 26, 2006 for their final decision.

On motion by Knox, seconded by Nielsen and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Diane Grube, Corr. Sec.