PALMER TOWNSHIP RECREATION BOARD

July 15, 2008

The regular monthly meeting of the Palmer Township Recreation Board was held on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. with the following in attendance. Chairperson Cheryl Nielsen, Bob Walker, Marc Knox, Bill Webb, and Supervisor Liaison Bob Smith.

Previous Minutes – On motion by Knox, seconded by Walker, and agreed by all, the minutes of the June meeting were approved as written.

Treasurer’s Report – No report.

Public comment – Bill Webb stated on behalf of the Lehigh Valley Stealth Organization he wanted to thank everyone for letting them hold their tournament this past weekend. They had a great time and had a great turn out. They used 3 additional fields and submitted the appropriate fee. He stated they would like to hold it again next year.

Reports –

Baseball – Webb noted the season ended as of Sunday. They had equipment returns and most of it is in.

Bob Smith informed the Board that he met with Bob Anckaitis and Tom Adams and they are asking the Board of Supervisors to instruct the engineer to get some numbers together for next year’s budget for work at the Palmer Complex and the land between that and the Community Center. They would like three premiere baseball fields; 1 baseball, 1 t-ball and 1 softball. He noted they would lose the band shell. He also noted they would like to have an Irrigation system, either above or below ground. The Legion field will remain at Fairview and have to be revamped with dug outs and whatever else was needed. Doing this would centralize all baseball in one area. Smith stated that the Flag pole has been ordered and it will be installed in the area where the new sign is at the Palmer Complex. They are proposing having everything linked together by a walking path. Field hockey is becoming very popular and could use the area if it every came about. Some Board members stated the Community Center fields should be multi-based. Webb asked if these fields would every have lighting and Smith noted this is very expensive and Webb noted that softball/baseball could do fundraisers to light a field a year. Discussed the new fields and what would be better. If you went with sod it is a year before you can play on it; otherwise it is a 2 year process. It is about one and a half years for a football field. It was suggested using the practice football field at the high school stating it is a 100 yard field.

Smith noted he fertilized the football field and soccer field with help from the Parks Department and friends.

Discussion then went onto Fairview legion field. This field really needs to be addressed. Walker noted the infield needs to be revamped. Smith was aware of this and noted we keep going with the repairs a little at a time. The fence toppers were installed and they look good. There is a need for a flag pole; there is one but it’s on the corner and you can’t see it from the stands.

Board member asked if there is a new commissioner for baseball yet and Smith stated it was the Athletic Association President’s decision and he will be announcing it at the September meeting.

Board feels baseball really needs to get together after the Commissioner is appointed.

Budget – Nielsen informed the Board that she has a meeting on September 17 with the Township Manager to turn in budgets. She has e-mailed Lori Fulmer to get budgets from all Commissioners so we can discuss this at the August. Webb felt this could be an issue with the Athletic Association because the Commissioners this year may not be the same ones next year. Also, Board feels these Commissioners have to work on playoff umpire fees. Knox noted this was discussed and soccer/wrestling/football were done for this year. Other sports have to figure these fees into their budgets. This has to be done every year – you always budget for playoffs. The present Commissioner should be doing the budget for next since they know what was needed this year.

Maintenance – Knox noted the shed is expected any day now for Mill Race. The hole dug out and they are just waiting for it. Smith stated it received the materials for the field maintenance. Cost was $863. Board thanked him and noted this bill was to be paid out of the maintenance account.

Softball – Smith reported that the season is over and they had a good season. Scott Helm is collecting uniforms and noted Helm will not be commissioner next year.

Wresting – Webb noted the schedule has set with the Community Center for practices and fundraiser and they are ready to review and finalize the new uniforms. Nielsen asked if the Community Center could turn up the heat in the room. Jill was present and noted there are problems with their system and they are meeting with the HVAC companies. System in the whole building is messed up.

Football – Smith reported that practice starts on August 11^th.

Playground – Nielsen reported everything is going great. Everyone should reserve August 8^th for the year end picnic. July 18^th is their annual field day and July 25^th is their field trip the the Camden Aquarium. Nielsen also thanked the Community Center for their cooperation in having the playgrounds at the center when needed. The kids love to go there and use the gym.

Soccer – Knox reported that sign ups over but he continually get calls. The numbers this year are huge. They have a large number for the younger groups. They are close to getting a 5^th team. Equipment is good and everything ready for kids. July 26^th they are having a gold metal winner holding a clinic and they have approximately 75 kids that signed up for this. He noted that most of season will be played at Mill Race to try to save the Keystone field.

La Crosse – Knox reported the season is over and the uniforms were to be collected. He asked if there was any chance that Mill Race could have lighting? Smith noted with the residents in the area it could be a problem. We will have to discuss maybe soccer could use the football field which has lighting. Knox stated it is the night time that hurts these games. Someone suggested Riverview but the placement of the fence hurt us.

Community Center – Jill was in attendance and noted that they have had numerous calls and/or contacts for football sign ups. They do not have any information on football. Even if they don’t do the signups they need this information for the public that comes in asking about it. Board members noted the ultimate plan is to slowly get all the sport signups there. Knox noted it went very well for soccer and it is a great idea. Jill noted they are working with a company and the information is on their web site. There is so much information that this company does for these sign ups. Residents can pay by credit card; everything can be done through this site. Webb asked where Athletic Association is on their by-law review. Smith noted they won’t have a meeting until September. This was a recommendation to the AA, that all sign ups be done at the Community Center. Smith stated there are 2 problems with this. The first was that the AA also has a sign on system which Board members noted they can not have. There can not be two sign up sites. Smith did state that this site does not work’ it is very difficult and is more expensive. Smith stated football sign ups are over and if anyone wants to sign up now there is a late fee. They have to go on the web site and get the form. Jill noted they can do all this and she is able to send out mass e-mail mailings to anyone who signed up for a particular sport last year and she can send reminders and so much more. It is a great system.

Smith noted the site through the AA is closed now. Smith asked how the money was deposited. Jill stated that reports are given and deposits twice a month to account. Smith stated that when someone signs up for football now they get their “packet” with all information it in. Webb stated maybe they will have to give the packets out at the first day of practice. This is something that has to get worked out. There is a computer designated just for sign ups for anyone who comes in for any sport/activity. Sign ups are coming up for basketball and wrestling. The Community Center needs all information for these sports.

Jill noted they need to work on second fall session for basketball; she needs the practicing schedule. If they want it they need to use it. Last year it was scheduled and not used. Smith felt they should leave the current block as it is and maybe leave a Sunday open. Board felt they need to get a schedule for the Sundays. It’s not fair if the room is scheduled and then they don’t use it. Knox stated they can tell the league they don’t have a gym for certain Sundays. Smith stated they could take the same practice schedule as last year for Sundays and if it is not needed give it back. Jill needs to know. This has to be done as soon as possible. Board felt they should tell the league they don’t have a place for Sunday games.

Playoff games were discussed and Board felt there should be a charge for just the playoff games, especially if it is not a Palmer team playing.

Volleyball – Nielsen asked if there was much interest for volleyball for girls and/or boys in the younger ages or if there was a league. Jill noted Nazareth has a program for 4 -5- 6 grade groups. They only way anyone can play volleyball is through a club and they can start around 7 or 8. She also noted that there is low interest for younger children and especially boys. She noted with girls it is getting popular but there are no leagues in the area.

Board member noted it would be a good idea to have a informational sheet of all sports on the AA web site as well as the township and community sites.

New business -

Grube asked if there was going to be any field use in the fall season. The Township Parks Department wants to do some work on some fields needs to know. Wilson Borough will be using Fairview for fall sports. Webb noted he didn’t hear of any fall baseball yet but will let the Board know if he does. This would be the only event other than our normal sport activities.

Nielsen stated she has had a few inquiries about a paved path from the pavilions to bathrooms and parking lot to bathrooms at our parks. People with canes, walkers are having a tough time getting to these areas by just using the ground. It is rough to walk there. This will be forwarded to Tom Adams for him and Bob Van Horn to look at. Board members also suggested we think about renting out Mill Race.

On motion by Knox, seconded by Walker, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Diane Grube, Corr. Sec.