 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
AUGUST 1, 2006
Adequate notice of this meeting, in accordance with the Open Public Meeting Act, has been given by posting one copy of the Notice of Meeting in the Washington Township Administrative office, by making copies to the “Express Times” and “Star Gazette,” and to the municipal clerk in Washington Township.
ATTENDEES
F. Loughlin, S. Fritts, M. Kries, W. Godfrey. Committeeman B. Mueller and WTRC Administrator, N. Godfrey was also present. Guest: R. Flint, & Dawn McCrea, Township Resident. R. Berrie arrived at 7:40
The Regular meeting of the Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairman F. Loughlin at 7:45 p.m.
Dawn McCrea, updated the Commission and handed out a draft copy of a proposal to erect a bluebird trail in the Meadow Breeze Park complex, preferably, along the riparian buffer area. Once completed she will submit the proposal to the D.E.P. for approval. P. deBoer, DPW Manager, had spoken to his contact within the D.E.P. and they expressed to him that they didn’t see a problem with this project, however, no written approval was given.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by M. Kries, seconded by S. Fritts to approve the minutes of the Regular meeting of July 10, 2006, as amended. All in favor.
MEADOW BREEZE PARK
1. Tennis Court Resurfacing Project - Rainy weather has prevented the Contractor to start the project. Resurfacing will begin when the weather conditions improve. According to the bid documents this project must be completed by September 26. F. Loughlin said that the net from the existing court is still up. N. Godfrey will ask P. deBoer to have it removed.
2. Horseshoe Court Lighting - N. Godfrey reported that the Township has finally received D.E.P. approval (letter dated June 28, 2006) for the underground utility lines to the courts. P. deBoer will obtain quotes from electricians to have this work done.
OLD BUSINESS
Review of 2006 Projects:
Walking Path Extensions - Township received D.E.P. approval (letter dated June 28, 2006) for the construction of the walking paths
Tennis Court Resurfacing Project - to begin as soon as weather improves
Removal of old playground equipment - to be taken down by the end of December 2006
Purchase of New Playground Equipment - D. Schott, S. Fritts, F. Loughlin and P. deBoer and a playground equipment representative met at the site of the old playground. After looking over the available area, P. deBoer suggested that we move the location of the new playground. It will still be in the same general area, but will fit better and will be more visible to the people watching sporting events at the park.
Ice-skating Rink - Awaiting cold weather, December 2006
Upgrade Horseshoe Court Lighting - D.E.P. approval was received
D2 Field - Dugout Roof Repair - on going
Installation of shade cover over player benches - DPW to do as a spring 2007 project
Millpond Rd. Property - on hold (will try to locate a map of the area to review area for future recreational facilities).
Backboard Replacement at New Basketball Courts - Two backboards & goals were received, but do not fit the poles, new ones are being ordered from Game time distributor and will be installed when received. The ones originally received are being returned to the vendor.
FINANCIAL & BUDGET REVIEW
R. Berrie reported that to date we have collected $6,940 in use fees and there is a balance of $1536 in our current fund. There is approximately $29,643.16 in the park bond.
ACTIVE AREAS
1. Refreshment Stand Roof Repair - At the July 18th Township Committee meeting the Committee approved $1500 to be taken from the Park Bond for repairs needed to the roof. The DPW will be doing the roof repair. The Commission had some concerns about wether the roof was need to be built up, but P. deBoer thought that there was enough pitch on the existing roof.
R. Berrie reported that there is a lot of soccer field usage for the fall and he was not quite sure that we are able to handle it. Part of the reason is that Warren Hills Regional High School has requested two (2) soccer fields for a total of 48 games. .Because of the current construction going on at the High School, they would like both their Varsity and Jr. Varsity teams to play their games on our fields. There is a lot of concern that this would put even more stress on the fields because of over usage. After some discussion it was decided that since the school doesn’t really have any other option at this time but to use Meadow Breeze we would have to try to accommodate them the best we can. The WTYA, West Jersey Soccer and Warren United Soccer will also be using the fields. R. Berrie will try to make this work by using Pacesetter field and Port Colden fields for some of the teams to practice on. There may be a possibility that we may be able to use the High School’s soccer goals since they will not be using theirs this fall. This will be looked into and hopefully if we can it will give us another field to use for practices. There is also a problem with coaches moving the goals moving the goals around, which becomes a real safety problem. All the coaches should be instructed that the goals cannot be moved and we may consider some sort of anchoring system so they cannot be moved at all. R. Berrie will draft up a letter to be sent to all the coaches regarding this issue. R. Berrie will be in contact with N. Godfrey once he gets everything figured out so she can charge each team the appropriate usage fees.
PASSIVE AREAS
R. Flint reported that P. deBoer felt that an extra garbage receptacle up at Lake Marguerite would be a good idea, but we should consider a bear resistant one. N. Godfrey reported that she had spoken to J. Fascinelli, Treasurer/Recycling Coordinator, and thought that we could get a bear resistant receptacle and use Clean Communities funds for it. F. Loughlin suggested that the Recreation Commission should budget for at least one per year and place them throughout our Passive Areas.
NEW BUSINESS
N. Godfrey reported that she and W. Godfrey will not be present at the September 5, 2006 meeting due to vacation plans.
Having not further business to discuss, a motion was made by M. Kries, seconded by R. Berrie to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. All in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Godfrey
WTRC Administrator
cc: P. deBoer - DPW Manager
R. Miller - Twp. Engineer
WTYA
Mayor & Twp. Committee
