PALMER TOWNSHIP RECREATION BOARD

OCTOBER 16, 2007

The regular monthly meeting of the Palmer Township Recreation Board was held on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. with the following in attendance: Nielsen, Young, Knox, Walker and Worley. Nielsen discussed the minutes of the last meeting and Young stated he felt the meeting should not have been held since a member left when there was not a quorum. Members showed up at a later time and the meeting was held.

At this time the Board reviewed the notes from the September meeting.

The minutes from August minutes were discussed noting that the township manager commented that the mats that were ordered for the community center were for tumbling and not the wrestling mats. On motion by Knox, seconded by Walker, and agreed by all, the minutes from the August meeting were approved.

The Board reviewed the section where Tom Adams was present and discussed what the Northampton County Conservation District and Bushkill Streams conservancy was proposing. At that time the Board stated they were not in favor of the floating island but were in favor of the plantings. The Board now wants to know the status of this project.

Young reviewed the remaining minutes were was a discussion with Adams of the budget items for 2008.

Board then discussed the meetings for 2008. On motion by Walker, seconded by Knox, and agreed by all the Board approved all meeting for every month start at 8:00 from now on.

Treasurer’s report from the township was reviewed. There were a number of questions raised from this report and Grube will check on them and inform the Board of her findings. On motion by Knox, seconded by Worley, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the report once the information is checked out and proven correct. Questioned were football, baseball and basketball funds.

There was discussion on an outstanding bill from Circle Systems. Knox motioned that the $2,000 be paid out of the Recreation Board budget. This bill was to be paid by the Athletic Association and it is outstanding and this is the township’s credit that is being jeopardized. He furthered his motion stating that the LaCrosse budget should be this amount less for next year. There was discussion on this motion and some Board members feels we should not penalize LaCrosse or any other sport for something the AA has not done. Knox amended his motion that the AA would purchase $2,000 worth of equipment for basketball since this is where the money was coming from. Young seconded this motion. Board members stated they will pay this bill and expect the AA to reimburse the Recreation Board by purchasing equipment and also that there are to be no purchases made for anything until this is paid. Vote was approved by all. Board also agreed if any purchase orders are not signed by the liaison the Recreation Board will not pay bills. This was after a length discussion on the outstanding bills for baseball/basketball from Kampus Klothes. Purchase orders are to be made out by the liaison then forwarded to Grube to send out. If this procedure is not followed the bills will not be paid by the township. Whoever ordered the merchandise will be responsible.

Todd Doerner – distributed a fundraising plan and the board reviewed it. He requested the use of Mill Race for November 11^th. He is proposing a clinic for the day. Knox noted their last day was November 4^th but they have a work weekend where they fertilize the fields and that is November 10 and 11. He noted the outfields would be okay to use but not the infields. Young asked if they could use Riverview. There are fields that are established and a pavilion as well as bathrooms. Grube to check on field availability and find out about the winterizing of the bathrooms. Nielsen asked if they had insurance since this is a fall clinic which is out of the sport season and they are not covered under our insurance. He needs to get insurance. They must purchase this themselves.

Doerner noted that the league asked that they provide for identification purposes only a picture ID with child’s name and birth date on. They would have to purchase this since the league is requiring this. Board did not have a problem with this, other leagues require this also.

Walker stated he had a problem with a fundraiser if there isn’t a goal for this money. The wall fundraising is okay but the excess money needs a goal.

Young stated he had a problem that last year Doerner stated he didn’t need anything else and now he is here with a large request. Doerner noted they don’t have to do anything else, it can be kept the same. He just thought about increasing the number of teams. He has enough equipment for the original two teams. Doerner discussed lowering the age to include 6 and 7 year olds. Through further discussion it was determined that these younger children would be playing with U11. Young noted he would never agree to this. It is too much of a difference with age, especially with this physical sport. Board members felt the same. Board asked if there was a younger age team than 11 and Doerner noted no one has a U8. Suggested maybe trying to start an in house team. Maybe other municipalities would follow suit with starting an instructional team. Todd noted he would just like to grow this program as much as it can grow. He wants to have a team for all interested kids. All monies that gets raised would to go the AA but would like it earmarked for LaCrosse equipment. Knox noted he would like to see another proposal for an in house team – something for the younger kids. Young motioned that the age stays at 8 years old to start LaCrosse. Walker feels he would also like to see a new proposal. Would like to see what other municipalities have for ages. Motion by Young died due to lack of a second. Worley noted the desire to grow is commendable but you run into problems with this kind of growth. Right now there are bills that aren’t paid. Walker noted that he has concerns on the amount of money that they want to raise for extras for this sport and he has a problem with this. Doerner felt this would help the Recreation Board and AA so they wouldn’t have to pay for so much equipment. Worley noted this is what caused problems in the past and he has a problem with this. Young noted there is not a general fundraising to go to businesses – he feels businesses can get tired of all the donations being asked for. This is not the way we do this and does not want it to start. Smith noted he appreciates Todd’s enthusiasm but feels we have to keep it with what it is now. Have to get some structure with what we will allow and needs to get a structure for each sport as far as fundraising and where the money goes and who runs the fundraising. Knox brought up the request for a Lacrosse wall. It can not be built in the flood plain as requested. Smith talked to Tom Adams and pointed out many issues that Adams brought up in building a wall anywhere in the Township. Issues such as securing the wall, keeping people from climbing on the wall and garfitti!!!!!! Board noted that the LaCrosse Commission Knox is to watch fields as we do not want the fields to get ruined. They will play but of course it depends on the weather. Doerner then discussed a spring tournament he would like to hold. It would be at the Mill Race field for U13 teams in April. On motion by Walker, seconded by Young and agreed by all, the Board approved to allow the spring tournament for U13 subject to weather, and Knox has the say as to the use of the field.

Doerner noted he would like to talk to the Community Center director in regards to a clinic for LaCrosse. He noted he called multiple times and did not get through to her. Board doesn’t know if he would be able to have a clinic for LaCrosse clinic there.

US Sports Institute submitted a proposal to do sports clinics for Palmer Township. Worley motioned and Knox seconded to deny the request. There was discussion on this motion and Worley amended his motion to include that we recommend this company does not get into the community center for clinics and that the director work with the Recreation Board and Athletic Association to run programs. Knox amended his second and it was agreed by all.

Maintenance – phone/alarm bill – Board wants to know what the status is of this project at the field house. Grube to check on this and inform the Board.

Wrestling – Nielsen noted she was informed the mats are here and the bill was forwarded to the Athletic Association for payment.

Football – Worley noted everything was going good. Palmer beat all the Forks teams and the total points by all teams were 64-6.

Soccer – Knox would like to discuss starting a team with Forks, Easton and Palmer for 5 year olds. Will discuss this at the next meeting.

Development – Villages at Wolf’s Run – Young noted there has been a slight change and he wanted to discuss the future walking trail. There is a small structure that crosses over the Schoeneck Creek and the developer is using this as part of the path. It will then travel across the park and down Van Buren Road and this is the connection. Board members noted they support a 12 foot bike path. On motion by Walker, seconded

by Knox, and agreed by all, the Board voted to recommend the bike path gravel around the property and along property on Van Buren Road.

Hay Terrace South – Board asked what happened with the tot lot. Grube will ask Amanda Jensen for status on this project.

Old Business –

Young stated he thought the community center director was to come to the Recreation Board meetings and asked if anyone remembered if it was quarterly or monthly. This was decided for better communication purposes such as these in house sports camps that want to use the facilities for use of outside organizations. Smith will check on this as to when the director should be attending.

Young feels we have to address these on-going problems with the Athletic Association as well as with these fundraisers that are going on. Walker feels this Board gets too bogged down and some of these things need to go to the Athletic Association. The role of this Board needs to get straightened out and there has to be sub-committees to get some of these problems straightened out. Board agrees that it feels like we can’t get things done with just a meeting a month. There needs to be a structure for this Board and these sub-committees need to be formed. Board feels we don’t have to start all over again as there were some good suggestions before.

Smith – asked if there was money in maintenance to repair the door on the field house. Board told him there was.

Remote control helicopters – Nielsen noted there was a compliant from a resident that came into the Municipal Building and the Board of Supervisors want a suggestion from this Board. Walker noted it is a public park and does not have a problem unless there is an existing ordinance. There is plenty of room in our open fields as long as he flies it safely. Recreation Board feels this should be allowed. It is an open public park.

On motion by Knox, seconded by Worley, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 10:20 p.m.

Diane Grube, Corr. Sec.