PALMER TOWNSHIP RECREATION

August 21, 2007

The regular monthly meeting of the Palmer Township Recreation Board was held on Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. This time change was duly advertised as required. All members were in attendance except Bellis, Worley and McBrairty arrived late. Chairman Nielsen opens the meeting at 8:10 p.m. Also in attendance was Supervisor/Liaison Robert Smith.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MAY – Chairman Nielsen read the May minutes as Board members did not receive them due to computer problems. On motion by Young, seconded by Walker and agreed by all, the minutes were approved as read.

TREASURER’S REPORT – No report.

PUBLIC COMMENT/CORRESPONDENCE –

Request from Easton LaCrosse – Laura Kressley of the Easton LaCrosse Booster Club was present seeking approval to hold their annual quoit tournament at Fairview Park on Saturday, October 6, 2007. She noted that in 2005 and 2006 they held this tournament at the park but held them in September. They decided that it was too close to school opening and caused a lot of conflicts that is why they would like to change it from September to October. She understood that the township does not rent out the pavilions after the end of September and needed to know if this was possible. On motion by Walker, seconded by Knox, and agreed by all, the Board approved the use of Fairview Pavilion and the basketball court for the quoit tournament and waived fees for this event.

Request from Twin River Longhorns for use of Briarcliffe Park - Rich Freiler was present and informed the Board that there are two nine to 11 year old teams. They would like to schedule to start next week. This is a team for Bob Florich and will be covered under the insurance of the Twin Rivers that use Fairview field. He was asked if they were all Palmer kids and Freiler stated there are approximately 2 or 3 kids that are not. McBrairty noted this is not a Palmer sponsored sport and they are charged a fee to be on this team. Young feels this team is different than the team that plays at Fairview as all Palmer kids get to play even though there are kids from outside communities. These teams are not hand-picked. On motion by Walker, seconded by Knox and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the use of Briarcliffe field for the Longhorns with no fee charged since it is not a hand-picked team and all kids get to play.

Nielsen stated this Board needs to get a set of rules for who uses the fields for a fee and who is exempt. This needs to be discussed before next season.

Freiler informed the Board that he has been going around trying to pick up all the legion uniforms. He has actually gone to homes to get them. There are four kids who left team early and have not returned their uniform. Freiler is to give names and addresses to Diane. She will send a letter to them.

Thank you from Family YMCA for use of Fairview Park – read.

REPORTS –

Basketball – reviewed the bill from the school district for the janitorial fees. Bill was approved for payment.

Maintenance – Young asked if there has been anything done yet on the water lines at the sports complex. Smith noted money for this work will be added to next year’s budget and will include new bathrooms and run new lines before the season. Young feels the water line should be done now. He felt they should use the money that was allocated for blacktopping the Riverview parking lot. Smith noted that money is now going to be used for the new land parking area.

Softball – Young informed the Board that they had $700 left in their account so they purchased a batting net. They used $250 from the miscellaneous account to purchase another one. - It was noted at the 09/18/07 meeting that these batting nets were purchased during the season and not at the end with money left over.

Wrestling – McBrairty noted the AA passed a motion for $4,000 or $4500 for mats and the township was to come up with the other half. Heckman received a grant for mats to pay the other half but she purchased another type of mats – not wrestling mats. Money into next year’s budget. - It was noted at the 09/18/07 meeting that the grant that Heckman received was for tumbling mats not wrestling mats.

Football – McBrairty noted the season opens next week. With the number of kids one of the teams needed to split and will play Thursday nights and Sundays. Good turnout.

Playground – Nielsen noted that the season ended with a great year end picnic. Everyone had a great time. The instructors did a great job and there were a lot of good compliments. Nielsen noted the Parks Department workers did another great job helping with during the year. Grube to write a thank you to them.

Soccer – Knox stated the numbers are real good this season. They are up from last year. They had one injury already. Knox stated Mill Race fields should be turned over to the township on August 28^th at the Supervisors meeting. Knox stated he would like to get out of Tracy, if possible. There are too many things going on there. The tournaments are all set for this weekend. He noted he received a phone call from the EPYSA league who would like to run a tournament on October 27 and 28 for intramural. They asked the league to work with them and he noted that Forks will give fields for the tournament. They would like to use Tracy/Keystone/Mill Race if possible. They will be responsible for portable toilets and referees. Asked what they do with the money they charge and Knox noted it goes into their (EPYSA) general fund for expenses during the year. Young asked Knox to make sure the field is not used if weather bad. On motion by Knox, seconded by Young, and agreed by all, the Board approved the use of the fields for a soccer tournament and waived fees.

LaCrosse – Grube noted that the majority of the bills have been paid but there is still $2,000 outstanding. She is to contact the AA since they stated they would cover any bills that were needed over and above what the township budgeted for this sport.

Development –

TCAAB Associates – William Penn Highway – On motion fees Walker, seconded by Knox, and agreed by four, Young abstaining, the Board voted to recommend fees be paid in lieu of land.

Palmer Super Center – Addition and re-striping of parking lot – William Penn Hwy – Tender Care Pediatrics – business into existing home at 3330 Nazareth Road – William and Ann Marie Corriere – A lot line adjustment on Stocker Mill Road – On motion by Young, seconded by Knox, and agreed by all, the Board voted to recommend recreation fees be paid in lieu of land as there is no usable land for these developments.

Parkview Estates – Young had the plan and reviewed it with the Board as far as the tot lot and where the parking area and tot lot will be placed. Young explained where it will be placed and the Board approved this location. Board also noted that Nielsen is to work with Amanda Jensen on the play equipment and what is to be purchased for this area.

Board discussed what Strausser did at Hay Terrace South play area. This is not to the Board’s approval, not what the Board wanted. It has not been approved yet and Nielsen is to speak with Jensen on this. Board noted maybe they could use some of his recreation fees to fix this.

Young noted he asked to see the history of the recreation money. Grube to remind the Manager of this.

Young informed the Board of a meeting that was held with others regarding gym time that was requested for basketball. He noted they did lose time slots this year. He highlighted the meeting that took place. Nielsen asked what the fee is that is being paid by the people that are using the gym. All this to be discussed at the Board of Supervisors meeting next Tuesday night.

On motion by Walker, seconded by Knox, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 10:05 p.m.

Diane Grube, Corr. Sec.