WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
                                                               RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
                                                                                   AUGUST 7, 2007

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
S. Fritts, W. Godfrey, D. Schott, R. Berrie, D. Detrick, J. Miller.  WTRC Administrator N. Godfrey was also present. M. Kries arrived at 7:35, J. DeFranza arrived at 8:00. B. Jeffries and Committeeman B. Mueller were absent. Guest: R. Flint.

The Regular Meeting of the Recreation Commission was called to order by Vice Chairman S. Fritts at 7:30 p.m

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

W. Godfrey had one correction to the minutes.  On page 1, Mill Pond Rd. Property, second line, the word possible should be possibly.  A motion was made by D. Schott, seconded by S. Fritts to approve the Regular Minutes of July 3, 2007, as amended.   All in favor.

MEADOW BREEZE PARK

Restroom Restoration - Waiting for the contractor, Bio-Sun, to make repairs. Due to previously scheduled jobs they cannot commit to a start date.

Security Cameras - Pole has been installed and waiting for the electrical wiring to be done before installation of camera can be done. 

Ice Skating on Morris Canal - A letter had been received from the Township Engineer specifying details that would have to be done by way of permits from the DEP before we could consider flooding the canal. Also, because this area is considered “wetlands” a Freshwater General Permit may be required along with permission from the State Historical Preservation Office since the Morris Canal is listed as a State Historical Site. D. Detrick said that things have become a little more complicated now as far as flooding the canal because during the repair of Old Schoolhouse Lane, a trench was dug to help with the flooding and when the trench was being dug, they hit a spring and now they have put a pipe in which leads to the canal with the spring water coming out of it. At this point the whole canal bed is pretty wet which will hamper any mowing and weed wacking that will be needed. Before this had happened the DPW had been able to mow about 200 ft.  We will have to see what happens in the fall with the spring, if it dries up, then we should be able to use the remainder of the canal for skating. 

The insurance company has been notified that we may be planning to use the canal for ice skating and they will get back to us about liability issues and what signs will be necessary to have in place.

Horse Shoe Court Lights - M. Kries spoke to the Horseshoe Club people and they do not now nor will they ever need to use the lights at our courts. After a short discussion, the Commission decided that this project will no longer be a concern for us.  The lights can now be used for other purposes.

D2 Roof Repair - J. Miller will bring this up again at the next Youth Association meeting. If we can’t get a definite answer soon, we will take this project on ourselves and have either a few of our members or DPW do it.  

Installation of Shade Cover/Awning over Player Benches - Because of cost restrictions we may consider telling the coaches to bring their own ez-ups to cover the benches.  We would like to be able to purchase a few to have on hand for the teams to use, however, if someone would get hurt by one it could open the Township up to a lawsuit. M. Kries will talk to P. deBoer to see if there could be some way for ez-ups to be anchored down so they would not be such a liability.

Level Fields Between Tennis Courts & Field House - The area is currently being used as soccer fields.

D2 Player Benches Repair - J. Miller will ask WTYA if they are interested in repairing them.

Tennis Court Repair - P. deBoer has been in touch with the contractor who did the resurfacing project last year. He has come out and met with deBoer at the site and said they should be able to repair them during the fall. 

Repair/Purchase D3 & D4 Player Benches - After a discussion on whether to repair them with a composite material or purchase new aluminum benches, a motion was made by D. Schott to purchase two (2) new aluminum benches for D4 this year, seconded by M. Kries.  All in favor. N. Godfrey will get prices and order 2 aluminum permanent mounted benches out of the Recreation General Capital Account. We will purchase two (2) benches in 2008 for D3.

Panther Football Announcement Stand - It is very close to being finished.  There are just a few more inspections to be done and it will be finished in time for the first home game, August 26.

OLD BUSINESS
Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award - W. Godfrey reported that at the last Township Committee meeting the subject was brought up and the Township Committee seemed interested in pursuing this.  D. Detrick will be the Recreation Commission liaison to work with the Township Committee on this project.

Dr. Wasser Memorial Bench - The bench should be done soon and M. Kries will work with P. deBoer on having it installed at the location picked out previously.

FINANCIAL REVIEW
R. Berrie reported that we haven’t spent very much money this year.  We have collected $6410.00 is usage fees so far this year.  

ACTIVE AREAS
We still do not have a schedule for the WTYA fall soccer league.  They have got to get this information to us in a more timely manner.  There are four other leagues (including Warren Hills Regional High School, varsity & jr. varsity teams) who need this information so that field scheduling for practice & games can be done. 

PASSIVE AREAS
A Township Committee member was recently asked by a resident if it would be possible to raised the maximum fishing age at Lake Marguerite from 14 to 16 years old.  After locating and researching the deed for this property,  N. Godfrey reported that in the deed it specifically states that “no one over the age of 14 be permitted it fish at Lake Marguerite”, therefore, the maximum fishing age must remain at 14.

NEW BUSINESS
J. DeFranza reported that he has met with P. deBoer who has come up with an idea to improve the parking and the congestion that occurs in the parking lot by the football field (P3).  This can be done by changing the configuration the lot. He explained what had been suggested and everyone concurred that this new configuration would make a lot more sense.  A motion was made by J. DeFranza to have P. deBoer change the configuration of the parking lot located near the football field (P3), seconded by D. Schott. All in favor.

Having no further business to discuss a motion was made by D. Schott, seconded by W. Godfrey to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 p.m. All in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Nancy Godfrey
WTRC Administrator

cc: P. deBoer - DPW
     D. Dempski - WTYA
     Twp. Committee