PALMER TOWNSHIP RECREATION MEETING

April 20, 2010

The regular monthly meeting of the Palmer Township Recreation Board was held on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. Board members in attendance were Chairman Marc Knox, Vice Chairman Jeff Young, Treasurer Cheryl Nielsen and member Chris McBrairty. Chairman Knox opens the meeting at 7:45 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH – On motion by McBrairty, seconded by Nielsen, and agreed by all, the minutes of the March meeting were approved.

TREASURER’S REPORT – Nielsen submitted the Treasurer’s report which was reviewed. There are still some baseball/softball expenses coming in and she wasn’t sure where to put the Schutt bill for Lacrosse. Knox told her that the township manager said all the Lacrosse bills have to come out of the Lacrosse line item but the bottom number of the whole Recreation budget will not be over at the end of the year. Young commented that it was agreed that all first aid kits would come out of the misc. account. They had ordered new ones for softball. On motion by Young, seconded by McBrairty and agreed by all, the Board approved the treasurer’s report as submitted.

PUBLIC COMMENT/CORRESPONDENCE –

Safe Harbor – Penn Pump Park request – Mrs. Bonda Pfenning and the director of Safe Harbor were present requesting the use of Penn Pump Park for their annual regatta which is their major fund raiser for the shelter. They would like to expand the event in September and would like to have some local organizations set up booths to raise more money in the ball field area. They would be having the Palmer Fire Department, Easton and Palmer Police K-9 for demonstrations. Young stated he has no problem with this request but asked about any overflow parking. She will contact Bellyea to see if they could use their parking lots and Forks Township to use the small park along Bushkill Drive. Asked if it was rain or shine and she stated yes but if the creek is high they will not be floating the boats. Young motioned to allow this request but recommend that they look for additional parking to be on the safe side. Motion was seconded by McBrairty and agreed by all. Also they wanted to put up a sign for a month prior to the event. They would have to contact Forks Township since that side of the creek is in Forks.

YMCA – Firecracker Run – 4K run - Sharon Smith was present requesting the use of Fairview Park on July 4^th for their annual run. She stated she has already handed in their insurance. They will be at the park at 5:30-6 a.m. to set up their tents and tables and will be out by 12:30. They clean up all around where they’ve been and request that the bathrooms are opened for this event. Last year they raised approximately $4,000 for scholarships for children at Y. They have about 290 walkers/runners. On motion by McBrairty, seconded by Nielsen, and agreed by all, the Board approved the use of Fairview Park on Sunday, July 4^th for their annual run and waived all fees.

Lehigh Valley Catz – Tom Lisinicchia was present requesting the use of the Palmer Fields at the Palmer Complex for a baseball camp. There will be one camp at Palmer and one camp in Easton being held this year. Ages are from 6 – 14 for a charge of $95 for one person and $175 for 2. His is the same fee as last year. The dates will be June 15^th to 18^th; Tuesday thru Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. There will be $10 given back to the Athletic Association from every child who signs up. On motion by Young, seconded by Nielsen, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the request and waived all fees but insurance is needed. Lisinicchia will forward insurance to Diane.

Adult Recreation – Knox reported that there were a group of adults using the Mill Race field for soccer and damaged it. There has to be a sign erected stating the field is used by permit only and that they are to contact the municipal for this. The township teams didn’t play on it since it was so wet.

Baseball – Board discussed the roster for legion team they received. They have concerns about this team and the number of players that have signed up. Olah said they had 14 sign up and bringing some up from Junior Legion. According to the roster there are 9 on list with a few supposed going to sign up. Knox will contact Joe Olah and Bob Walker in the morning letting them know of their concerns and that they can not have a Legion team with 1 pitcher. If they forfeit out of the league they lose the money. Also they need coaches in full uniform. Do they have enough? There are many rules to go by.

Egg Hunt – Nielsen reported it was a great success. We actually ran out of peeps. Weather beautiful! Good job, Cheryl!

Maintenance – Young reported that they are working on Fairview Park. The fence is being worked on. Asked about the warning track and Young stated they aren’t sure about putting this in.

Playground – Nielsen reported that they have hired 5; 1 part timer and 4 full-timers. Will start June 21 for 6 weeks.

Soccer – Knox stated sign ups have been moved up that there was a little glitch so this had to straightened out. Evaluations before schools end and then they are off until first week in August. He stated he and Tom Adams are checking out Fox Run field.

LaCrosse – going pretty well.

New Business –

Young discussed the sports at the Middle School and what the District is trying to propose. There is a School Board meeting on Thursday night. Have to see what happens then.

There is a scout that needs to do an eagle scout project. He would like to do landscaping around the Fairview park sign and put in a 30 x 30 garden in the playground area. Adams suggested doing something around the Amanda Schultz bench. Board agreed with Adams’ suggestion, definitely around the sign and the bench. The scout should come back with another plan for these two places.

No further business to come before the Board the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. on motion by Young, seconded by McBrairty, and agreed by all.

Diane Grube, Corr. Sec.