PALMER TOWNSHIP RECREATION MEETING

June 16, 2009

The regular monthly meeting of the Palmer Township Recreation Board was held on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 with all in attendance except Worley and McBrairty. Chairman Knox opens the meeting at 7:30 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MAY – On motion by Nielsen, seconded by Young, and agreed by all the minutes of the May meeting were approved as written.

TREASURER’S REPORT – Board reviewed the report that Nielsen has submitted. On motion by Young, seconded by Webb, and agreed by all the Board approved the May report.

PUBLIC COMMENT/CORRESPONDENCE –

Fellowship of Churches softball league requests to use Keystone/Tracy for Saturday, September 19^th from 8 – 5 – Mr. Laird Thomas was present asking for permission to use the fields at the Keystone complex for16 churches to hold a tournament for one day. Every church has insurance. Knox notes soccer is there but not on those fields. Knox noted there are a few issues – they must get port potties, the existing restrooms cannot accommodate the large crowd. Thomas noted they really only anticipate 8 teams. Knox noted they will still need them. These should be placed on township property not school district, some place near the pavilion. Also, he should have someone police the grounds during the event. Absolutely no alcohol allowed and no parking on grass areas. If there is inclement weather they will not be allowed to use the fields. Knox will monitor this and make a final call. Need application filled out and Diane will contact Bob Steckel at Tracy School to let him know what’s going on at the fields. Knox noted they have their soccer tournaments 2 weeks prior and have drums for garbage placed around the grounds. We will contact Kistler to leave the drums there for this event. Thomas noted this is not a fund raiser; just a league to play and get together. Asked if there was a rain date and Thomas stated no. On motion by Webb, seconded by Walker, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the use of the fields at the Keystone complex for the church and waiving any fees.

Steve Weber and John Ballent were present requesting Fairview fields after Community Weekend until the third weekend in October, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. He noted they allow Palmer players to sign up for their Connie Mack league and they have a mix from other municipalities. The Public Works/Parks Departments are going to be done reconstruction work on Fairview. Diane will find out when this work is being done. If it is when this request is for Weber was told they could try the school district for the Kunkle tract. On motion by Nielsen, seconded by Young, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the use of Fairview field contingent upon fields being available with a fee of $10 per player.

Reports –

Baseball – Webb reported that the majority is over. Uniform collection is underway. Saturday was the Home Run Derby and we beat rain by 2 ½ minutes! It went very well and was the largest crowd ever. Bob Johnson organized a coaches game tournament and the turn out was great. Everyone had a good time! Smith reported that the money for the refreshments was put into budget but was then taken out. Mr. Chrin paid for the refreshments this year. Webb talked about the tournament teams. They would like to put in an 8 and under team and asked the feelings of the Board. He was asked how the teams were picked and Webb noted that all players were contacted and they will have a draft for 3 teams, and all will play. Walker stated that Webb did the right thing, he brought this to this board and the money is in the budget so there isn’t a problem with this request. Smith noted it was a tough season this year. He is trying to get a booklet together for everything involved on how to get this sport up and running and also what it takes to run the sport for the season. He stated all the hours it takes to accomplish this and noted he would like to do this for every sport. A structured plan of what is done – the process for each sport. Board thought this was a good idea.

Basketball – Dan McKinney stated that the dates for Palmer are preliminarily approved. He will speak to Barry Fulmer on this since some of the dates are not available. Young asked when are these dates finally approved. McKinney said as soon as he meets with Fulmer and they go over the dates than that is final.

Budget – Knox informed all that he would like to see all budgets by July 15^th so the committee can review in August to be turned into the township by September.

Egg Hunt – Nielsen reported that there is a surplus this year but will need eggs for next year so will need all the money next year.

Maintenance – Knox stated he would like to look at the fields with Smith and Kistler. He feels they need fertilizer and seed on soccer fields and that they can take off goals mounds. Smith informed the Board that the crews worked on the football field and took out the humps.

Softball – Young reported that they are into the playoffs. He had a meeting tonight to pick all stars. They will be playing in 1 tournament, possibly 2.

Cheering – Nielsen reported that they have 86 sign ups and they start practice on July 27^th. Their first game is Labor Day weekend.

Football – sign ups going on now.

Playground – Nielsen reported that the summer recreation program starts on June 22 and 5 instructors are returning. So far there are 35 signed up through the community center and they will still be able to sign up during the program.

Soccer – Knox reported that they have150 sign ups so far and they still have another week.

Development – Finegan Funeral Home – Young presented a plan for a funeral home in the former Stafari’s restaurant on William Penn Highway. He noted they are short on parking spaces. This is just a sketch plan and they have to go through zoning for some issues and then back to planning. On motion by Young, seconded by Nielsen, and agreed by all, the Board voted to have fees paid in lieu of land for this project.

Community Center – Knox stated at the last meeting they formed a committee for community center work, the fields and what we would like. The committee consisted of Worley/Webb/Nielsen. Knox suggests another person replace Worley since the committee was not able to get in touch with him and they need to hold this meeting. Knox asked Walker to sit on this committee and Walker was fine with this. The three of them decided on Tuesday, June 30^th at 6:00 at the community center and McKinney will also attend this meeting. Board discussed the opportunity of everyone getting together and visiting all field/parks. McKinney would also like to be involved with meeting. Young feels the Board has to look at capital recreation plan as well. It was decided on Monday, June 22^nd at 5:30 and meet at the Municipal Building. We will go out for about 2 hours and see how far we get. May need to do another night the following week. Knox stated we should also be looking into other recreation such as a dog park.

McKinney stated the playground is just about finished. Dedication is going to be held on Wednesday, June 24^th at 6:00 p.m. at the Community Center. This has been a tremendous effort to get this done and everything worked out. Nielsen noted she thought it seemed like the play equipment was too close to concrete but there is 8 feet difference. Maybe put plastic beams/cones near concrete.

McKinney reported that the Circus is being held next weekend and there will be two shows Saturday and two shows on Sunday. Tickets are $12 in advance; $14 at door; and if you purchase one adult ticket you get 2 free children tickets.

McKinney requested Briarcliffe field and field #7 for fall ball and will be applying for Kunkle tract. He stated he would really like to get off-season sports tournament started. There is so much they could do and so many interested in this. On motion by Nielsen, seconded by Walker, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the field requests for fall ball. McKinney also stated he would like to see some type of policy for registration for the sports in Palmer. When they are told registrations are closed they close it and are not aware if it’s been extended. This causes a problem. Young suggested that the Center draft a policy for the AA to review. McKinney thought this was a good idea and will get it started.

New Business –

Young stated that he feels in the AA by laws there needs to be a line in it that states the chain of command. They also need to have a clear understanding of where they get their fields and where they get their money. Also, if they come in for an increase in fees then that money should be handled by a third party, a neutral person. Board wants to review the new by laws and see what is in them. Young also stated that all Boards and Commission were sent a letter to appear before the Board of Supervisors and give reports of what they are doing. Young feels we should to the Supervisors and let them know that we have a purpose and what we do. Smith reassured the board that the township knows they need this board for what they do. There is always something going on that needs to be handled by this board.

Old Business –

Nielsen asked if the AA is its own entity and not governed by us, but we give them all their money, who is the owner of the equipment? All responded that it is the townships. We give them the money to purchase needed equipment with our money, it is township’s equipment. This needs to be discussed between the boards. Everything is owned by the township.

On motion by Young, seconded by Walker and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

Diane Grube, Corr. Sec.