PALMER TOWNSHIP RECREATION BOARD

FEBRUARY 20, 2007

The regular meeting of the Palmer Township Recreation Board was held on Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. with all members in attendance except for McBrairty. Also present was Supervisor/Liaison Robert Smith. Chairman Nielsen convened the meeting at 7:30 p.m.

MINUTES OF THE JANUARY MEETING – On motion by Knox, seconded by Bellis, and agreed by all, the minutes of the January meeting were approved as written.

TREASURER’S REPORT – Hold until next meeting.

PUBLIC COMMENTS –

Nielsen stated that the adult recreation league representatives were asked to attend this meeting to discuss the team rosters, their budgets and the effect a player/team fees would have on these leagues.

Suggestions by Board members were a fee of $10 for each player or a fee for each team. Walker asked for input by leagues. Bob Dobbins stated he would strongly suggest a fee per team and then the teams would include this into their fees. If the Board decided on a per player fee how would they get charged since some players play in various leagues. He felt the per team fee seems to be easier to manage. Dobbins discussed the various fees each team has to pay for leagues. Joe Capanna from the Senior Division also discussed the fees that they have to pay and asked why the Board was contemplating these fees. Nielsen stated that each child in Palmer Township has to pay a fee to play sports in Palmer so the Board feels it is only fair that people who use our fields, resident or non-resident, also have to pay.

Bill Raven of Palmer Softball League stated that some teams put names on rosters and they may not play or even come to the games. They just fill their rosters. He also feels a team fees should be paid over a per player fee. Walker suggested $100 per team depending on the amount of games they play. Nielsen reviewed a graduated rate she suggested. $50 per team for the senior division; $75 per team for the veterans; $100 per team for the Softball Association and $45 per team for Volleyball.

Donna Meyers, representative of the Volleyball League stated they play one night a week and asked how the amount of $45 was determined and Nielsen responded that it was less than the amount of games the senior division played and we were trying to keep it minimal for the leagues. Meyers asked if it was for non-residents only and she was told no, it didn’t matter if they were a Palmer resident or not.

Nielsen stated this Board and Palmer Township appreciates everything they do for these leagues and if it wasn’t for them these leagues may not exist.

Raven discussed the possibility of lowering the agreement fee that the softball association has with Palmer Township. He spoke with the manager and there was discussion but he was to speak with the Recreation Board. Raven asked if he could hang signs at Riverview Park and was told no.

On motion by Knox, seconded by Walker, and agreed by five, Bellis voting no, the Board recommended to the Board of Supervisors that there be an assessed fee for all leagues playing in Palmer Township. Amounts to be paid are as follows: $50 per team for the senior division; $75 per team for the veterans; $100 per team for the Softball Association and $45 per team for Volleyball. All money to be forwarded to Diane Grube at the Palmer Municipal Building.

Nielsen and the Board wished the leagues good luck and a good season.

Field use applications were then reviewed.

Volleyball is requesting use of the court at Keystone from June 6, 2007 until August 26, 2007 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m., Wednesday nights only. On motion by Knox, seconded by Walker, and agreed by all, the Board approved this request.

Veterans Senior Division is requesting the use of the Veteran’s field at Tracy from May 1, 2007 until September 15, 2007 from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday. There is some practice taking place but they go by first come; first serve. On motion by Knox, seconded by Walker, and agreed by all, the Board approved this request. Knox stated they work with soccer when that sport starts. Nielsen stated they need to submit a schedule.

Veteran’s Softball League is requesting the use of the Keystone and Tracy fields from May 1, 2007 through September 8, 2007. Knox noted they also work with soccer when they start. On motion by Worley, seconded by Young, and agreed by all, the Board approved the use of these fields for the Veteran’s Softball League.

Meyers from the Volleyball League asked if the cracks in the court could be fixed. Board stated they would as the Parks Department to try to seal them.

Board members told these league representatives if they get information regarding their leagues to the township they can put it on the web.

Palmer Softball Association is requesting the two fields at Riverview Park from March 26, 2007 to November 1, 2007 from 5:00 to 11:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. This request also included various weekends. Bill Raven, President of the Association stated there were three leagues that played there; spring, summer and fall so that is why their season is so long and the schedule also included dates to cover for rain dates. Young stated this is the time to lock out the time slots that soccer needs. Marc Knox will get in touch with Bill for soccer use. On motion by Young, seconded by Worley, and agreed by all, the Board approved the request for the Palmer Softball Association for Riverview Park fields.

Bill Raven informed the Board that he had met with Bob Anckaitis to discuss the agreement on loan the Softball Association has with Palmer Township. He was requesting that the loan be extended and the payments be lowered. Anckaitis informed Raven that the Recreation Board should make a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors on this. There was discussion on the loan on what it was for and what was included. On motion Bellis, seconded by Young, and agreed by all, the Recreation Board recommended to the Board of Supervisors that they readjust the loan payments for the Palmer Softball Association starting with the 2007 season.

Young noted in last month’s minutes there was an incorrect date written for the Palmer Day activity and wanted to make sure it was corrected – the date is June 23, 2007.

Baseball – Worley discussed with the Board the letter from the Commissioner. Also discussed was the lowering of the age for the Legion team. Nielsen noted that she was told there was no lower league and Walker noted this is the League rule. Connie Mack is for 16 year olds that are not eligible for Junior Legion or Legion. If there is any type of changes to be made it should go to the Athletic Association and follow the chain of command. They should not be making any changes amongst themselves.

Recreation Board members are to review the handbook and see what the rules are for the ages. It was also noted that al kids are to be called for tryouts. If this is not being done then this is to be addressed. If there are any changes that the commissioner/coaches want to make they are to follow the rules.

Basketball – Walker will help Worley with this sport as liaison. Worley noted they will be getting billed for Saturday and Sunday games for the use of Palmer School since we used it and we will also be billed for Saturday and Sunday for the 2007/2008 season since they will be playing at the school. There was lengthy discussion on the center as to why the AA keeps losing space there. Basketball lost another day due to wrestling needing the room. Bellis asked the Recreation Board to get time for basketball for next year. On motion by Young, seconded by Walker, and agreed by all, the Recreation Board voted to ask the Board of Supervisors, on behalf of the Athletic Association and Palmer Township Recreation Board, to allot time that was requested by the Athletic Association for Palmer Township’s basketball/wrestling 2007-2008 at the Community Center.

Members stated it is ridiculous for all the time that the Athletic Association, Recreation Board and Board of Supervisors spend to get this community center that Palmer kids have to go some other place to practice and play.

Wrestling – Worley stated that there was a large tournament held at the Community Center and discussed the problems that arose from this. There was a meeting held on this and the problems were discussed and straightened out.

Bellis noted that the scoreboard at Palmer School needs repairing. The Board wasn’t sure who was responsible for this. Diane will contact Tim Case of the school district to see.

Egg Hunt – Nielsen stated she was in the process of ordering the supplies.

Playground – In the process of getting the instructors and the schedule of events.

Lacrosse – Knox stated the commissioner ordered $15,000 worth of equipment without helmets. He is looking to purchase them. Schedules of the games were distributed.

NEW BUSINESS –

Bob Smith informed the Board that James Schwab is the new equipment manager for Palmer Township. Smith stated that the baseball and lacrosse commissioners must get in touch with Schwab. He also noted that he spoke with Amanda Jensen to see if there was any type of software for inventory. She will check on this and get back to him.

Smith stated he spoke with the greenskeeper that he knew and this gentleman stated the township could use any equipment that would need to get the fields ready for the season.

Smith informed the Board of an idea he had of moving the younger girls (9 & 10) that play on field #2 to the field where the older girls (11 & 12) play, down near the bus garage area. The older girls hit the ball further and there is more space and he would like to do Fields 1 and 2 completely over for this year. Maybe in the future get these fields lighting. Scott Helm, softball commissioner does not have a problem with this and he spoke with Bob Van Horn about it also. The only concern of this Board is that the younger girls would be a lot further away. This to be discussed further later on.

Tom Adams prepared sketches of the three parking lots that are to be paved this year for the Board’s review.

On motion by Bellis, seconded by Walker, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.

Diane Grube, Corr. Sec.