PALMER TOWNSHIP RECREATION MEETING

March 16, 2010

The regular monthly meeting of the Palmer Township Recreation Board was held on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. Board members in attendance were Vice Chairman Jeff Young, members Bob Walker, Chris McBrairty, and Treasurer Cheryl Nielsen. Also in attendance was Supervisor Liaison Bob Smith. Vice Chairman Young opened the meeting.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF DECEMBER, 2009 – On motion by Walker, seconded by McBrairty, and agreed by all, the minutes of the December meeting were approved as written.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF FEBRUARY – On motion by McBrairty, seconded by Walker, and agreed by all, the minutes of the February meeting were approved as written.

TREASURER’S REPORT – On motion by Walker; seconded by McBrairty, and agreed by all, the reports from January and February were approved.

PUBLIC COMMENT/CORRESPONDENCE –

Adult Volleyball League – Donna Meyers was present requesting approval of the use of the volleyball courts for their league from June 2 or 10 to August 25, 2010. They will be playing Wednesday nights until 10 p.m. Fee last year was $45 per team. She noted there are 10 teams so far and a few more interested but she stated she can only handle 10 a night. She asked if they could use the courts on Tuesday nights also. Board noted no one else uses these courts so this isn’t a problem. Their insurance will be in by May 15^th. Meyers asked about the cracks on the court and if something could be done about them. Grube will contact the Public Works Superintendent to check this out. On motion by McBrairty, seconded by Walker, and agreed by all, the Board approved the request of the Volleyball League to use the courts on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and to pay the same fee as last year.

Roy Cortez - was present with a request for the over 65 softball team to use LaBarre field at 10 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. They used the field last year so it would be the same. They will do lining and everything needed except dragging of the field. Their insurance is with the Veteran’s league since this team is out of that league. He communicates with the Parks Department for things he would need. On motion by Walker, seconded by McBrairty, and agreed by all, the Board approved the request for the over 65 baseball team to use LaBarre Park field and pay the same fee as last year.

Baseball – Young reported that the commissioner informed him that they were still short players. Webb sent notices to everyone who played last year. This would be for the older kids. Walker and Nielsen will speak to Webb about this. They also discussed the distances and Board members feel it is too big of a jump for the distance for the 11/12 year olds that 60/90 too big.

Basketball – Walker reported the older kids are done for the season. He noted that Laura Bryfogle said everything is going well and Walker noted she did a good job this year.

Budget – Young has questioned why some of the budgets had been cut. Diane will check with Lori Fulmer to see if Lori has the original requests.

Egg Hunt – Everything is ordered. Date set for Friday, April 2 at 10:00 a.m. at Palmer School. Helpers are to be there at 8:30 a.m. There are hundreds of eggs being filled.

Softball – Young reported they are almost done with sign ups. They are about 20 kids down but they do have 14 teams. Good numbers at all levels. He informed the Board he is in desperate need of a coach.

Smith reviewed with the Board the status of Fairview park softball field. The new field will include moving the outfield fence and installing a new one (which is already installed – old one has to be removed) installing backstop, break away bases coming out of softball budget, new bleachers will be put at the new field. They are now at Keystone Park but will be brought to Fairview. They are in the process of getting quotes on lighting. Discussed the need of something that warns players as well as grass cutters that the fence is there; something like infield mix border, on both sides of the fencing. This will have to be maintained.

Wrestling – season over.

Football – Fence is to come down and maintenance starting on fields.

Playground – reviewing applications. Starts in June and runs for six weeks.

LaCrosse – Walker commented that at the last meeting it was decided that Doerner was to notify the six year old that they cannot play. He was to go to the AA and discuss it with them also. Doerner did attend the AA meeting but the proposal changed from what was requested at the Recreation Board meeting to AA meeting. Doerner stated said at the AA meeting that it was a league rule and Knox informed him to give his request in writing. The proposal was for U9 boys ages 6-7-8 to play; girls are chosen by grades which would be grades 2, 3 and 4. It ended up that Knox decided that girls are not playing but 6 yr old boys are playing until this comes to Recreation Board again, which will be in May. Walker again noted that the Recreation Board picks by ages not grades. This whole conflict will be discussed after this season is over.

Development – Woodridge Falls Recreation Area – Board discussed the area that the developer would be dedicating to the township. They would like area to be flatter than what it is; with a 2% slope; something that would be usable for kids to play there. Something like an open space grass area. A dog park was also suggested.

Community Center – Dan McKinney requested the use of the tennis courts at Fairview Park from April 17^th for 7 weeks; every Saturday from 9 to noon. On motion by Nielsen, seconded by McBrairty, and agreed by all, the Board approved the request of the Community Center Director to have a league use the tennis courts at Fairview Park for the requested dates. Young asked that Scott Kistler be notified to tighten the nets so they don’t droop and check on the poles. Board asked what the status is for the outdoor sand volleyball courts. McKinney started they are still in the discussion stage and will be having a meeting shortly on this. He stated they have the privilege of having Jill here who is so tied into volleyball. It would be great to create a league for our area that played at our center.

Smith showed the Board the proposed rose garden plan which is proposed to be built on the Rt. 22 side of the community center. There will be a walking path through the garden as well as benches along the path. He stated with the ground there will need to be irrigation. This is something that has to be worked on. He stated the BIP is interested in putting in a pavilion at the site where the home was torn down along Green Pond Road. Why not have the rose garden and the pavilion together. There will be a walking path through this garden area and it will be more relaxing at the pavilion. It will also be more acceptable along Green Pond Road and it just goes with the pavilion. Who is going to walk all the way down to the Rt. 22 side. Also felt no one would enjoy walking through the garden and/or sitting on the benches with the truck noise from Rt. 22. On motion by Walker, seconded by Nielsen, and agreed by all, the Board recommended to the Board of Supervisors that the two projects should be done together and at the northeast section of property. The Board also feels that this will create a good buffer for the future.

Nielsen asked if the BIP ever thought of putting a canopy above the play area. This would protect the children from the rain as well as the sun so they could be outside.

New Business – nothing

Old Business – Bethel Church called and informed Diane that they will not need a field this year. They will see us again next year.

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

Diane Grube, Corr. Sec.