PALMER RECREATION BOARD

May 20, 2008

The Palmer Township Recreation Board regular meeting was held on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. with all members in attendance except McBrairty. Young arriving late. Chairperson Nielsen convened the meeting and the minutes of the previous meeting were voted on.

Minutes of previous meeting – Nielsen pointed out two corrections. Rick Weaver’s event is running race not a bike race and the consensus of the Board is that they do not want the wall at Mill Race park due to a variety of zoning/safety concerns. After these corrections were made the minutes from the April meeting were approved on motion by Knox, seconded by Worley all agreed by all.

TREASURER’S REPORT – Worley distributed report. There is $385 to be added back into baseball that was to come out of another account.

Discussed tournament teams and who was going to pay for them. Nielsen asked Smith if the AA approved this and he noted he thought so. This was done years ago and this is a good idea but it was never decided on what to do. Young needs to discuss this with the Board. Knox noted that if there is money in the budget it’s not a problem to pay this but once their budget is depleted, that’s it. Worley and Walker have questions on picks the teams, who is coaching, and who trys out for these teams. This is something that has to get straightened out.

On motion by Knox, seconded by Walker, and agreed by all, the treasurer’s report was approved as written.

Northampton County – Request to use Tracy Field for Saturday, September 27, 2008. Fee has been submitted as well as insurance. On motion by Knox, seconded by Webb, and agreed by all, the Board approved the request for Northampton County to use the field.

L. V. Stealth – Bill Webb asked for permission to use the Palmer Fields for two days, Saturday, July 12 and Sunday July 13. This is for the Lehigh Valley Stealth to hold a fundraiser tournament. They will need 4 to 6 fields on Saturday and just 2 – 3 on Sunday, depending on how many sign up. This is a fundraiser for the team to go to Disney. It is for kids all over, not just Palmer. Nielsen informed him the fees for the fields are $50 per field per day. He was aware of this and also noted they have insurance. The only thing the township is providing is the fields. On motion by Walker, seconded by Knox, and agreed by four, Webb abstaining, the Board voted to approve the use if the fields with the with appropriate fees being paid, depending on how many fields they need. Webb noted he will talk to the AA about use the refreshment stand.

LV baseball Academy – is asking for permission to use fields at Fairview Park, June 15 to 18 for a camp for the AA. Nielsen noted the fee was $50 for 3 hours and wondered how many people teach? Webb noted this group came in and did a free clinic and the feed back who attended felt it was a good clinic. Instructors are from the baseball academy – which they are paid from the fees collected. The remaining money goes to the AA. The academy has the insurance. This is a fundraiser for the AA. It is in the baseball season so they can hold a fundraiser during their season. They only need permission to use the fields. On motion by Knox, seconded by Webb, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the use of the fields at Fairview Park with no fees, for the AA baseball fundraiser. It was noted that baseball season runs until the end of June therefore it is in their season.

Reports –

Adult Recreation – volleyball – Diane spoke with Donna who is in charge and she will e forwarding rosters and the fee as well as proof of insurance.

Flag Football – Knox noted the Flag Football played during the rain this past weekend and that was one thing they said they would not be doing. The field was torn up. Grube will check on this and report back.

Maintenance – Now would be the time to get the fields done since LaCrosse is done. Knox told Smith to get the equipment/supplies and he’ll get the workers. Knox asked if they were doing Mill Race and Smith noted he would like to keep some money in maintenance to work on the field house plumbing. Knox suggested we do Mill Race instead of Tracy since we don’t know what the school district is doing there yet. Smith will get a quote for the material.

Softball/Baseball – Webb noted nothing to report except the tournaments that were discussed earlier. We still have to figure out who is paying for what when it comes to tournaments. Knox suggested a written proposal on how these teams are formed and when they play. Tell the AA to pay for them for now and once we get a proposal and if it is all Palmer kids and different age groups, then the Recreation Board could approve this expense and reimburse the AA. Have a neutral person pick teams so there isn’t any conflicts.

Wrestling – Webb noted they had their picnic last Saturday – good turn out.

Playground – Nielsen noted we have a staff and she will be meeting with them beginning of June.

Soccer – Knox noted they are having sign ups at Community Center and that the League has approved under 18 division. Knox noted he doesn’t need uniforms for this new division and that he took this to AA and they approved it. Walker motioned, seconded by Young to approve this new division. Worley questioned if it is a one year thing or what. Knox noted it is something the league did and we have to see if there is interest in it. There may not be a team but we have to see. We can re-evaluate it next year. There may not be an interest, the League is just trying it. Worley question what we are actually doing having a program for 17 year olds. Knox stressed that we don’t know what will happen with this and that we do not have to make a commitment by paying any type of fees until we find out the interest for this. Nielsen called for a vote. It was approved by five, Worley voting no.

LaCrosse – Knox noted that they had their last game cancelled due to rain but stated that Doerner had the games going on even in the rain. Bob Smith stopped the games noting that the water on the fields was at least 2 inches deep. He should not have been on the fields and that they are in bad shape now. Walker has a problem with the commissioner not following rules and not respecting authority when he already knew what was right. It was also noted that behind the field house it was a mess. They were driving on the grass area. If rules are not followed they can not play. Commissioner needs to be reminded of rules. Actually he knows the rules and must go by them. Smith to talk to Bellis about this.

Development – Fox Run Estates – what is status of fields.

School District – High School Natatorium – Young motioned that recreation fees be paid in lieu of land. Motion was seconded by Worley. There was discussion on if this Board should recommend anything since it is “recreation” for the community. Young withdrew his motion. Smith distributed an agreement between the School District and Palmer Township showing that when we asked to use the fields we filled out an application. It was approved but we received a bill for $465 for use of field. This agreement shows that Palmer Township has non-exclusive right to use Kunkle Tract fields since all recreation fees have been waived for the School District. There are rules to go by but noted there are no fees to pay. If we want to use a field on the Kunkle Tract we must fill out an application. Palmer has the right to use it as long as the high school isn’t. This exclusion is for the Kunkle Tract fields only and not the varsity field. Board felt no action should be taken due to this document. Worley withdrew his second.

Community Center – Diane to invite Dan to the meetings.

Bob Walker asked if there was any feed back from the AA on the By-Law revisions. Smith noted they haven’t met yet to review them.

Walker – Asked if the equipment has been returned yet. Grube received a check today for one item and Webb noted he received something. Grube noted the outstanding equipment is for Mel Hodges. This is to be checked into further. Baseball Liaison to call the Commissioner and have son suspended until money and/or equipment is handed in. Young will follow thru on this.

New business – Tom Quinn – Young noted this is the young man who is lining our fields and he is being paid as a subcontractor not an employee so he isn’t getting any taxes taken out of his pay. Young noted he should be paid as an employee. He is told what fields to do, where to go and when. Smith and Young to follow up on this with Tom Adams.

On motion by Worley seconded by Webb, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.