PALMER TOWNSHIP RECREATION MEETING

May 19, 2009

The regular monthly meeting of the Palmer Township Recreation Board was held on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. All members were in attendance except McBrairty. Chairman Knox opens the meeting at 7:30 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH – (There was no meeting in April due to lack of a quorum) On motion by Nielsen, seconded by Worley, and agreed by all, the minutes of the March meeting were approved as written.

TREASURER’S REPORT – Nielsen distributed the treasurer’s report. On motion by Worley, seconded by Walker, and agreed by all, the treasurer’s report for March and April were approved.

PUBLIC COMMENT/CORRESPONDENCE –

Tom Lisinicchia – Lehigh Valley Catz – is requesting the Palmer fields for June 29 – July 3 and again July 20 to July 24^th. Bill Webb reported that this is in conjunction with the Palmer AA for a fundraiser. They were asking that this be approved and the fees be waived. On motion by Webb, seconded by Nielsen, and agreed by all, the Board approved the use of the Palmer fields for the specified dates for the Lehigh Valley Catz and all fees be waived.

Palmer Veteran’s Softball League – Request to use Keystone/Tracy for August 15 & 16 – Season End Tournament. Knox noted there will not be a problem with soccer and this is not the Palmer Community Weekend. Board also noted that there haven’t been any problems with this League and they take care of their fields. On motion by Walker, seconded by Nielsen, and agreed by all, the Board approved this season end tournament for the Veterans.

Fellowship of Churches Softball League is requesting the use of Keystone field for Saturday, September 19^th from 8 – 5. Board has some questions for this organization and noted they would need portable potties if there are a lot of players. Knox also noted that soccer will be at the park, but not on the field but there will be many vehicles there. They didn’t have a problem with waiving the fees for the church but they would like to talk to the representative. There has to be parking rules, like no parking on the grass. If there is inclement weather they definitely can’t play. Are they charging teams to play? How many team and are they all going to be there at the same time. They definitely have to come in next month. Grube will notify them.

Northampton County has paid and reserved Keystone Field for Saturday, September 12, 2009. Insurance info is forthcoming.

Board discussed having Mill Race and Keystone pavilions being reserved through the township like other ones. Board feels this is something that should be done since there are so many people that use these pavilions and this will give us the ability to know who is there, who is using our parks in case of damage done. On motion by Nielsen, seconded by Worley, and agreed by all, the Board voted to send this request to the Board of Supervisors asking that these two pavilions go on the list of reserving and stating that no alcohol be allowed. Fees will be the same as Fairview and Briarcliffe pavilions. Board also feels strongly that electric should be placed in Riverview pavilion since it is being used a lot and with the fees being paid this expense could be paid for.

Request for Riverview pavilion – Relay For Life – Jamie Burgey is the captain for a team involved in the Relay for Life which takes place in June. She is asking for the use of Riverview pavilion to hold a small picnic and have the other teams invited. There will be a photographer there to take team picnics. She also asked that the fees be waived since this is a fund raiser for the American Cancer Society. On motion by Nielsen, seconded by Walker, and agreed by all, the Board approved this request and waived fees.

Adult Recreation – Worley reported that volleyball will be starting shortly and he hasn’t heard of any problems with anything.

Baseball – Bill Webb noted that he had put money in the budget for paying for tournament teams this year. He is asking for this to be paid again this year. Knox stated if he put it in the budget, if the money is there, then no problem. They discussed the choosing of the teams and he noted he has the final say on this. They will be having two tournament teams which would cost approximately $1500. Worley asked how do we keep this going the right way in the future? It is all correct now; it’s in the budget and we have the money. Walker noted that we keep it a practice that the commissioners come to this board. Young felt if we pass a motion then this would be the way it should be done. On motion by Worley, seconded by Walker, and agreed by all the Board approved the expense for the softball/baseball tournament teams this year and in order to pay for future tournaments money needs to be budgeted during the process for the following year and that a method for selecting participant is done so that no coach picks his own players for the team and that the baseball/softball commissioners must attend the Recreation Board meeting no later than the May meeting and explain the selection process.

Webb also noted that the 11 & 12 year olds are playing on too small of a field. There is a disadvantage when they play against other teams in a league. He would like to explore some options of going into another league and hopes that the Easton and Forks teams would agree with this. If Easton and Forks are not in agreement with this then there is another league to play on but they would be northern teams. He was asked what will happen with the Greater Easton league if Palmer would pull out and Webb noted that Wilson Borough and Williams Township could take Palmer’s place. Board noted that before anything is done he definitely has to come before this Board.

Lehigh Valley Baseball Academy – Webb noted that the coach of this organization asked him to bring his request to the Board for use of Fairview field for practice. Legion is not using it nor is Connie Mack. Board noted he has to get in touch with Diane for an application and come before the board for approval. There was discussion on this and on motion by Webb, seconded by Nielsen, and agreed by six, Worley abstaining, the Board voted to allow them to use field for two dates with the fee to be paid and insurance to be submitted.

Basketball – Young asked that the dates for basketball please get reserved asap. Dan McKinney stated they have a request from Moravian Academy to reserve both gyms. The Palmer AA uses the gym 2 days a week so they couldn’t have it from 4:15 to 5:30. Moravian already has this for the one gym and would like the second gym. Young stated they have already lost Paxinosa gym and lost Tracy at the 4:15 slot. This is the time they would use it for practice. Young also noted that they are going to ask for Sunday time and also they would like to play games there. Walker noted they should ask the commissioner to get in touch with McKinney as soon as possible and review the schedule so these dates can get reserved.

Egg Hunt – Nielsen noted it went very well and there were lots of kids.

Softball – Young noted he is the new commissioner and noted that he has 15 teams. He stated that the league is having a tournament and is charging $15 per player. Young asked if the Recreation Board will again be paying for the tournament team. He noted it was not added in the budget for this year. Knox noted it is very important as to how this team is being picked and also that there be money in the budget. Board felt they will do the same thing as baseball and that both are to stay within the guidelines that were approved. On motion by Webb, seconded by Worley, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the expense for the softball league all star tournament teams this year and in order to pay for future tournaments money needs to be budgeted during the process for the following year and that a method for selecting participant is done so that no coach picks his own players for the team and that the baseball/softball commissioners must attend the Recreation Board meeting no later than the May meeting and explain the selection process.

Young reported that he had used Fairview and LaBarre fields for fall ball for 13-15 year olds. This is in August. He would like to do this again but Palmer does not have a team in the Eastern Lehigh Valley league. The teams are picked from across the league. There are other kids on the team, not just Palmer kids, it is open to anyone in the league. They have full coverage. On motion by Webb, seconded by Walker, and agreed by all, the Board voted to allow the fall ball on Fairview and LaBarre fields conditioned that field schedules are submitted to Diane for her records and so we know when our fields are being used.

Wrestling – Webb reported that there was a year end picnic held and it was a good year.

Summer Recreation Program –Starts in June and five of the instructors are returning from last year.

Soccer – Knox reported that sign ups have started.

LaCrosse – Knox reported that it is at the end of season. There is money left over due to over budgeting for officials/coaches.

Community Center – McKinney noted that the new playground installation will be starting next week. He also reported that the after school program is full for fall already. They definitely could expand this but have to see how it goes. He informed the Board of the grant that was received for a garden at the community center. There are restrictions in the will as to how this is to be spent so they need some serious thoughts as to what they want to do with it.

Board discussed with McKinney the developing of the outside of the community center. The feeling was that there should be a meeting set up with McKinney, Worley, Nielsen and Webb to discuss what should be done. Knox felt there should be representation from the AA but it was decided that the Recreation Board is the board that gives recommendations to the Board of Supervisors for development, not the AA. Worley to get dates for everyone and schedule the meeting.

New Business –

Young reported that Palmer Day at Palmer School is scheduled for Saturday, Saturday June 13, 2009. The Phillies are scheduled to be there at 1:30 to do a small clinic with the attendees.

Young stated that he at first was uncomfortable when the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of the Public Works/Parks Departments were calling the games this year. He didn’t know how it was going to turn out but stated that now they realized the importance of having the games and were cautious when calling them. Young noted that the fields are in great shape and the guys are doing a great job. When he needs something he calls and it gets done right away.

Clam and Jam – being held at Penn Pump Park Saturday, May 23 from noon to 10 p.m. Tickets are still available.

Knox informed the Board that he has received a request for a dog park. He felt this is something to think about since we’ve had several requests. He wondered about thee area below Fox Run Estates. There are certain things that are needed for a dog park such as running water and a fenced in area. Ground cover is a question as to what to put down. Since we don’t need the fence around the soccer field why not have it around a dog park area? There are two businesses that would be interested in helping both planning and monetary ways. This is something to discuss.

The Board again discussed the problems in our parks and the type of people that are hanging around. The police are getting calls and there are families and residents that won’t use our parks due to the crowds that are there. If we want to keep the undesirables out of the parks we need to get organized programs in them and this would help. Board asked McKinney about summer basketball and tennis leagues. He thought this was a great idea. We need to utilize our parks. This is to be worked on for next year.

Old Business –

Again, discussed the time that the lights are allowed on at the basketball courts at Fairview Park. What time does the park close? This is something that was discussed with the police years ago and never followed through. This has to be discussed again.

Also, LaBarre Park – at the handicap space people drive their cars through this space onto the grass area and there are cars parked all over. There should be a chain across the parking area to prevent this.

On motion by Young, seconded by Nielsen, and agreed by all, the Board adjourned the meeting at 9:25 p.m.

Diane Grube, Corr. Sec.