Palmer Township Recreation Board

August 19, 2008

 

The regular monthly meeting of the Palmer Township Recreation Board was held on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at 7:45 p.m. with the following in attendance:  Nielsen, Young, Knox and Webb.  Chairperson Nielsen convened the meeting.

 

      PREVIOUS MINUTES – Minutes of the July meeting were approved as written on motion by Young, seconded by Knox, and agreed by all.

 

      TREASURER’S REPORT – Will have a report next month.  Board decided that since the township is trying to save paper and postage Diane will scan in the township treasurer’s report and e-mail to all.  Board also agreed that their Treasurer should e-mail report to everyone but he should have a hard copy at the meeting.

 

      PUBLIC COMMENT/CORRESPONDENCE –

 

      Via of the Lehigh Valley – Nielsen read a request from Via of the Lehigh Valley, Inc. to use a small portion of the bike path in September for a 26 mile marathon run.  They will be forwarding their insurance to the township.  On motion by Knox, seconded by Webb, and agreed by all, the Board approved this request and it was forwarded to the Township Manager to him send out the approval letter.

 

      ADULT RECREATION – No problems this year except there is one team that the neighbors have a problem with.  This team will be contacted.

 

      BASEBALL – Young noted the season is over and right now they do not have a commissioner.  He stated the President of the AA needs to be appointed soon since the budgets need to be worked on now.  Nielsen reminded him that the food for Palmer Days in June is to be added into this budget for 2009.   Board figures $1200 for this item. 

 

Young noted he would like to get permission to have fall baseball use Palmer fields. Bill Webb noted there are 2 teams and everyone that is on the roster is a Palmer residents.  Everyone that played Palmer baseball was contacted and was placed on the team if they were interested.  On motion by Knox, seconded by Young, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the use of Lower Briarcliffe park field for the fall baseball teams which will be Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 6:00 and Saturdays at 10:00 and 1:00.   Knox noted if they go thru the Community Center for sign ups you don’t need to have Insurance.  The insurance certificate was handed in.  Tournament teams were discussed and Webb felt the Recreation Board should not pay for these tournaments under the current structure.  We need input from the AA and the commissioner by the January meeting on this.  Knox feels there is no problem to allow fall baseball.  There needs to be a sub-committee to set up procedures/rules for sports being allowed to be played outside the dates of the particular sport. 

 

      Off season sports committee to be Knox, Young and Webb.  They are to report back to the Recreation Board for rules for sports playing outside of their specified season.   It was questioned if adult league recreation can register thru the Community Center.  Director was not present so someone will have to ask him. 

 

      Maintenance – Nielsen noted Robert Smith submitted bills for additional fertilizer and seed for field maintenance.  This was paid to him. 

 

      Softball – fall softball – On motion by Knox, seconded by Webb, and agreed by all, the Board approved the use of Fairview, LaBarre fields and field 2 at the Palmer complex for make up games and field 6 depending on the schedule for this field. 

 

      Wrestling – Webb noted the sign up dates were in the newsletters and new uniforms have been ordered.  Sign ups will be done through the Community Center. 

 

Playground – Nielsen reported they are over and it was a great 8 weeks.  Instructors did a great job this year and the year end picnic was very well attended.

 

Soccer – Knox noted there are a lot of kids.  Sign ups were done through the community center and they did a great job at this.  There are a lot of younger ages children this year.  Knox is looking for coaches.

 

Lacrosse – Grube reported that Doerner returned some money that was paid to him this year for officials.  Since the teams did not get into the playoffs the money was left over.  It was put back into this line item.  

 

Development – Young reviewed plans that were submitted to the township for review.  Easton Suburban Water Authority on Hartley Avenue is putting on an addition.  Young noted that Nulton Avenue is the original bike path in the township and felt there should be an access from Laubach Lane down Hartley Avenue to eventually hook up to the school district’s property.  He noted it would be spotty due to private owners along the roadway but it’s a start.  Feels a 12’ bike path should be installed in front of this property.  On motion by Young, seconded by Webb, and agreed by all, the Board voted to recommend fees be paid in lieu of land but also include that the frontage along Hartley Avenue of this property be a 12’ wide bike path to eventually be connected to the school district property.

 

      Rappa – lot line adjustment – Northwood Avenue – On motion by Young, seconded by Knox, and agreed by all, the Board approved to recommend fees be paid in lieu of land for this project. 

 

      Palmer Business Park – Kunkle Drive – On motion by Young, seconded Knox, and agreed by all, the Board recommended fees be paid in lieu of land for this project. 

 

      Villages at Wolf’s Run - This plan was reviewed earlier and Board recommended that they connect the bike path along Van Buren road to Corriere Road.  On motion by Young, seconded by Webb, and agreed by all, the Board agreed with the recommendation of the Planning Commission that the internal bike path connect the two sides thru township property and also continue North on Van Buren Road to the property line.

 

Weston Center – Board feels the bike path should be continued in this area.  On motion by Young, seconded by Knox, and agreed by all, the Board voted that the applicant paid fees in lieu of land except where the bike path should be continued along the frontage of Van Buren Road. 

 

      Woodridge Falls III – this is an extension of Grandview Avenue to apartments – Board felt they would like to see a park in this area.  There are  lot of children and no play area.  Young motioned that the Recreation Board would like to see a recreation area dedicated for this development and developed but not a sloped area. This area should be for active recreation. This motion was seconded by Knox, and agreed by all. 

 

Community Center – No one in attendance. 

 

Old Business –

 

Nielsen noted she had sent out an e-mail to the AA for budgets since she has a budget meeting on the 17th but she has not received anything as of yet.  Young will try to get something from baseball.  Knox didn’t think referee fees would go up, but if they do it will be very minimal.  Baseball – fees may go up small amount. 10-20%.

 

Tournament teams – Board discussed if Recreation Board paying for them?  Webb felt no because these teams like to have the best 12 kids play.  They have their tryouts and then the coaches discuss who gets on the roster.  This must be discussed with the Recreation Board no later than January meeting.  When sign ups are going on there should be a plan for the tournament teams so everyone know ahead of time. 

 

Softball - will need increase due to needing new bats.

 

Nielsen noted she will e-mail budgets to all to review when she receives them.

 

Young noted he needs a second field for 7 and 8 year old girls for softball.  He noted there is room at Old Orchard Park to cut a field there.  This would be for the 2009 budget.  Knox noted there was money for a back stop.

 

Young also noted he felt the bike path needs to be repaved behind Fairview Park.  This is the original section.  Also discussed was access for the handicap.  It is very difficult for them to get onto the bike path.  This will be forwarded to Tom Adams and Bob VanHorn for 2009 budget.

 

On motion by Knox, seconded by Webb, agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

Diane Grube, Corr. Sec.