Palmer Township Recreation Board

April 15, 2008

The regular monthly meeting of the Palmer Township Recreation Board was held on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. with all members in attendance except McBrairty, Knox arriving late. Supervisor Liaison Bob Smith was also in attendance. Chairperson Nielsen opened the meeting and called for approval of the minutes of March.

MINUTES OF MARCH – Nielsen wanted to discuss this so this was held until later tonight.

TREASURER’S REPORT – Worley distributed the report. On motion by Walker, seconded by Young, and agreed by all, the report was approved as written.

PUBLIC COMMENT –

Rick Weaver was present requesting permission to hold a 15K Marathon at Fairview Park on Saturday, October 25, 2008 starting with registration at 7:30 a.m. and ending at approximately 12:30 p.m. This race would be sponsored by Pinnacle Racing which would charge a registration fee. The race would be 15K and they would like to hold it on the bike path and try to avoid the streets. He would like to see around 200 – 250 runners and would cap it at 300. They would like to start this year with a Kids Race hoping for about 15 children ages 5 to 12. Different age groups would have different lengths to run. He stated he would also like to have a band and there will be refreshments and an award ceremony at the end. They do have insurance and will supply the township with it. He noted he tried to get this schedule last year but there was other programs he had to do and didn’t get to this run. When he was here someone mentioned that there could be a youth groups would be help with registration and whatever else they needed. This organization would receive $1,000 donation from Pinnacle. Walker asked where the proceeds go and Weaver noted to Pinnacle Racing but the donation to whichever group would be helping out. Would need permission from the Board of Supervisors and would need help from the police department for street crossing. Weaver noted there would not be a cost for any drinks/refreshments for participants. Would the bike path need to be closed? Board feels this would probably have to be done for this section. This is what the volunteers would be doing; they would have to be placed at the entrances to prevent people from using it. Weaver needs to get course mapped out. He will definitely start at the park and go into Bethlehem Township. He would need a few more miles but he may have the runners just return to the park. He will check this out and get a course and forward it to Diane. On motion by Young, seconded by Worley, and agreed by all, the Board recommended approval of this run by the Board of Supervisors. Young amended his motion to state that the $1,000 donation will be in lieu fees. Worley seconded and it was approved by all.

Tom Lisinicchia – was present asking permission for the Catz Baseball Team to use the fields at the Palmer Complex for a camp for June 23 to 27 and again July 14 to 18 from 9 a.m. to noon. This would be for kids ages 6 to 13 years of age. They have insurance that they will forward to the township. There are a lot of children that attend this camp. On motion by Young, seconded by Webb, and agreed by all, the Board approved the request for the Catz to use the ball fields at the Palmer Complex conditioned that they fill out the field use application and pay the fee.

March Minutes - Nielsen noted that at the last meeting it was discussed that the minutes should not be placed on the township web site until they are officially approved. Board feels it may cause problems if there is something incorrect in the minutes and someone reads them even though they have not been officially approved. Young motioned to approve the minutes for March. Worley seconded the motion and it was approved by all.

Baseball – Young noted that the descriptions for the purchase orders will be give to the Treasurer. He further discussed shirts for the coach pitch and t-ball teams. There are close to 180-200 kids this year and feels the shirts will only last a couple of years. The older kids shirts are shrinking, not lasting. Prices range from $16 to $17 each. With screening in the front it could be more. He noted we can’t give the shirts away but feels we should rethink this. The shirts are not lasting and feels this should be discussed. Knox thought it was a t-shirt that was given to the kids afterwards not a more pricy shirt. Knox noted he is paying for a T-shirt with a logo $4.50 each and with a number on back still is only $6. We should just put Palmer Baseball on shirts. Next year we should get generic wording and cheaper shirts and maybe different colors. Young noted for the Fall of 2009 he will check the condition of the shirts and discuss this again with the Board.

Basketball- U10 & 11 won championships this year.

Egg Hunt – Nielsen noted it was very well attended.

Maintenance – Bob Smith reviewed a list of items that are being worked on or have already been completed. The doors are in for field house and will be installed this week. Kevin Gray gave a proposal to run power from the field house to the batting cage. This was approved and already is complete. The backstops on 3 fields are in the process of being changed. Every field has been reconditioned except for a few. He discussed the new sign that was going to be put up at the Palmer Athletic Complex showing the location of the fields. He noted the existing sign was being moved and that there would be landscaping around the new sign. He also noted there was going to be new signs being placed on backstops stating coaches are responsible for certain things on the fields such as hand dragging the fields. Smith also noted there was a proposal for a flag pole near the new sign. The AA Board will discuss this. There were donations given in memory of Elwood Bloss. This may be a good thing for the AA to use that money towards with a plaque being placed at the base of the flagpole. All fields have been cut, edged and are finished. The Fence company will be finishing the wings at the backstops. Stone pads and pressure treated wood will be placed around for job boxes. He stated he worked on the football field and there will be a sign placed that no vehicles will be allowed past a certain spot. Parking lot will be started and discussed where and what the township is doing. The exhaust fan for the refreshment stand will be done shortly. Alarm system in field house and refreshment stand are up and running and must be set when anyone is there and leaves. Codes were put in for both.

Smith noted Briarcliffe took a beating during the winter and the Parks Department is trying to fix the fields. He is asking for the lower section of the Palmer Complex to have an engineering review to see if this area could be utilized. These fields get flooded out. Lacrosse is using fields now.

He asked if there was any money in the maintenance account we could aerotate the football field and Keystone fields and get them re-seeded. Smith noted that he would like to have someone look at the lighting on field #4 and see if they could direct it to home plate during baseball season and get it re-directed for football.

He stated he and Tom Adams looked at the Fairview Park field lighting, the poles and since they are not used anymore at that park suggested that they be removed and take them to field #1. Adams is checking into this. He also noted that there needs to be more power run at the Complex. Board noted the Parks Department is doing a great job and got a lot of maintenance completed already.

There is a request for a parent whose son played every year for Palmer. They have recently moved out of the township, but are looking to move back in. Unfortunately it may not be in time for football. Parent asked if it would be okay for his son to play for Palmer for his last year. Worley noted it doesn’t matter what we decide the League’s rules state where he is to play. This would start a precedence and not something this Board wants to get into.

AA BOD asked how far the Recreation Board is with meetings and do they need a member of the AA to attend yet. Nielsen stated there should be but agreed with Walker that right now it is cleaning up the by-laws and will let them know when they should have members in attendance.

Smith noted that Todd Doerner is asking about the wall at Mill Race. Consensus is this Board does not want it at the Mill Race park.

Wrestling – A Board member felt that the wrestler that won “all” should be recognized some how. All Board members agreed and someone should check into this.

Playground – Nielsen noted they were looking for instructors.

CCCC – Knox stated the township hired the new director and members asked if anyone knew what he would be doing. Smith stated he would be promoting the center and Jill would be doing the day-to-day work.

OLD BUSINESS –

At the last meeting the Board agreed that anyone who is using a township field/court should secure liability insurance. The volleyball league asked if their fee they pay to the township could be the difference of the original $45 the township was charging and the fee they have to pay for the insurance so it equals the $45 that they paid last year. Board feels everyone should pay the fees that were set and everyone needs to get insurance.

Board reviewed dates that they want to have workshops. They are - 4/23; 4/28; 4/30; 5/7; from 7:00 to 9:00 at the Community Center. Grube to check with Jill to see if there is room at the center for these workshops. She will also advertise these workshops.

On motion by Knox, seconded by Worley, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.

Diane Grube, Corr. Secretary