Palmer Township Recreation Board Meeting

March 15, 2001

The regular meeting of the Palmer Township Recreation Board was held at on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. with the following in attendance: Chairman Jeff Young, Treasurer Bob Johnson and member Marc Knox. Also in attendance was Supervisor Liaison Bob Smith. Young called the meeting to order.

Previous minutes – On motion by Johnson, seconded by Knox, and agreed by all, the minutes of the February meeting were approved by all.

Treasurer’s report – Hold until Nielsen can get together with Johnson to review the program.

Public Comment – Eric Boncher of the Palmer Softball Association was in attendance requesting the use of Riverview Park fields for his softball games. The have a spring, summer, and fall leagues. The have a co-ed league made up of 24 teams and it may to go 30. They have 8-10 teams and play on Sundays. The Association has 8-10 teams with a max of 12. They only have tournaments on Saturdays. They don’t have any problems with anything except the alcohol on the grounds, which is really in the parking lot. They are announcing to the teams it’s not allowed on the field/in parking lot. Mike Stecker, commissioner of men’s league was also in attendance. The Commissioner of the Co-Ed is Joe Schultheis. Boncher stated they have done a lot of work on the fields, the lights are being fixed this year and they would like to open the top of building to use for things such as a meeting room. They have volunteers to do the work. This will have to go through the township and code department. Tom will get in touch with Eric to discuss what they would like to do.

Young stated he would like to use the field for some softball games. He would like to get the kids playing under the lights; maybe one or two nights a month for girls. Johnson stated it won’t work for the boys. Boncher stated he will definitely work with Young but noted there is nothing he can do for Thursdays or Fridays. During the week is much better to work with. On motion by Knox, seconded by Johnson, agreed by all, the Board approved the use of Riverview Park fields for the Palmer Softball Association during dates listed on application.

Antonio Correia was present from the adult soccer league. He received a letter stating the Recreation Board rescinded their motion to allow them to use Fox Run field. Young noted he spoke with them and they stated they only need the field for 4 more times in the spring. Correia noted do not practice on this field and noted that the letter stated there was alcohol at the fields. He stated they do not have alcohol there as they prohibit it but they will inform the teams again. They line the field and take care of it and they cancel their games during rainy weather. He stated their Saturday games will not affect Lacrosse, he already spoke with Doerner on their schedules. On motion by Johnson, seconded by Knox and agreed by all, the Board approved the use of Fox Run field conditioned that it is only for four more games, one game per day; that they check their schedules with Lacrosse and absolutely no alcohol allowed.

Baseball – Johnson reported that sign ups over and there are try outs this weekend; 13 and up are Saturday night at In The Zone and Sunday at Fairview. 9-12 try outs are next week. Smith reviewed the schedule and how many games and traveling to their away games. Johnson was asked if he has enough sign ups to form a Connie Mack team and he stated yes. The numbers increased this year and there will be full teams. This is a change with doing the tryouts at In The Zone and this expense will come out of the baseball budget. On motion by Knox, seconded by Young, and agreed by all, the Board approved the expense for In The Zone try outs to be paid out of the baseball budget at a price of 160. Johnson was also told about the Wolf’s Run t-ball field. He should take a look at this. It will need a back stop and portable johns but it was used as a t-ball field before. Bob will let Diane know if he is going to use it and when so the Parks Department will have sufficient time to do work there.

Football field – Smith stated they are excavating of field. The well issue will be checked out this week or early next week. They also discussed moving the press box to other side of field but they will need electric. There are volunteers to do the work. Work will be starting very soon.

Basketball – Young stated he spoke with Webb and he has a meeting set up with Laura Bryfogle for what will be needed for next year.

Egg Hunt – With the work being done on the football field we will need a spot for the older kids. Scheduled for Friday, April 22, 10:00 a.m. Palmer School; rain place at the community center.

Maintenance – Smith reviewed what was being done at Fox Run Park. There will be a restroom constructed and the water/sewer are already stubbed in. A shed is being purchased by the AA and the township is putting in the pad and will have the electric stubbed in for the future. They are going to extend the parking lot and stone it for now. Legion field is being worked on.

Softball – Young reported sign ups are over. They need a coach for senior 16-19.

Playground – Young reported that the Board of Supervisors has approved this summer recreation program for this year but we need to address this in August and not wait until next year. There are three instructors returning; still need 2.

Soccer – Young reported that our players for in-season sports need to be township residents. They had discussion on this as there was a player for soccer that was not a township resident. Soccer doesn’t actually sign up at the community center. When someone signs up they are actually going on a link to the league and that’s where they sign up. So the center workers don’t see addresses. You need a number to get into their site so Knox will get the list of sign ups to Young. This has to be worked on so this doesn’t happen again.

CCCC – McKinney reviewed the sign up charges with the Board - $35 to the AA; $10 to Youth Development Fund and $5 to the Community Center. Smith stated he would like McKinney to develop a wish list for the Center and come to the Recreation Board with it for discussion and then onto the Board of Supervisors.

New Business –

Young reported that the 2/2/2 Committee is going to get together and get some guidelines on this. They would like to hold a meeting before the Recreation Board meeting – April 19 at 6:30?? Young to check on this. He also reported that they need to get a full Board. He spoke with the township manager who has a name and Young feels it is the responsibility of the Board of Supervisors as to who is appointed to the vacant spots. He also stated that in the Recreation Board “mission statement” the director of the community center should be a member, which is a good idea, and also that 2 school board members should be members of this Board. This needs to be changed. It would be a good idea to have someone older on the board that would be able to plan parks, buildings, work with other departments.

Request from the Family Y to hold their annual Firecacker Race on July 4^th at Fairview Park. They will set up and clean up. They had over 290 runners/walkers last year and will contact the police department as they have done in the past. Insurance certificate will be submitted to the township. On motion by Young, seconded by Knox and agreed by all, the Board approved the use of Fairview Park and the bike path to the Family Y.

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

Diane Grube, Corr. Sec.