WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
DECEMBER 5, 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

R. Berrie, F. Loughlin, D. Schott, J. DeFranza, M. Kries, W. Godfrey.  Committeeman B. Mueller was also present. WTRC Administrator, N. Godfrey was absent.  Guest: R. Flint

The Regular meeting of the Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairman, F. Loughlin at 7:30 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A motion was made by D. Schott, seconded by J. DeFranza to approve the minutes of the Regular meeting of November 2, 2006

MEADOW BREEZE PARK

W. Godfrey reported that the at November Township Committee meeting the Committee gave their approval for us to purchase the new playground equipment from Gametime, however, the monies will not be in place until March or April 2007. There was some discussion on weather another supplier may be able to supply the rubber mulch at a cheaper price.  N. Godfrey will look into this further.

N. Godfrey had sent a recommendation on what we could spend the remaining monies left in the Recreation Commission budget on.  The first was purchasing a bear proof container for Lake Marguerite for approximately $1300. There has been a delay in getting one out of the Clean Communities Grant funding in 2006. After discussion, it was decided that the Recreation Commission will wait until the Clean Communities Grant funding becomes available.

The second suggestion was to use it on the ice skating rink and any field maintenance materials that DPW may need to winterize the fields. There was a discussion on how much the DPW would need to complete these projects.  After discussion a motion was made by M. Kries, seconded by D. Schott, that authority be given to R. Berrie to work with N. Godfrey regarding the amount of material and monies necessary for materials needed for the ice-skating rink and field winterizing.  All in favor.

R. Berrie reported that someone had used S2 during the week and they had moved the goals and really tore up the field. Recently there was an article in a newspaper that Warren County Community College had recently formed a new soccer club and have been practicing at Meadow Breeze Park.  This has caused a bit of a problem since each field is groomed and lined for the specific (paying) team which is scheduled to play on it.  At this time of the year the most of the game play is over and the DPW is starting to winterize the fields and heavy play is not recommended because it will not give the fields time to regenerate. WWCC has not approached anyone about using the fields and they have just taken it upon themselves to use this field. The issue at this time is that they are publicizing that they are using the facilities on a regular basis without letting us know or following the proper protocol F. Loughlin directed W. Godfrey to have N. Godfrey get in touch with the coaches of this team and explain what they need to do in order to use the fields in the future.

OLD BUSINESS

Walking Path Extensions - To be discussed with Twp. Engineer - Spring 2007.

Tennis Courts - Lock issue will have to be addressed early in 2007.

Removal Old Playground Equipment - DPW to remove in December 2006

New Playground Equipment - See above

Ice-Skating Rink - Pending Weather Conditions

Basketball Court Lighting & Secure Outlet Installation - WYTA no longer is interested in court lighting, however is still interested in Secure Outlet Installation . There was a suggestion that the lights be taken down and capped off.

D2 Field Dugout Roof Repair - On Hold - Pending New WTYA Representative

Installation of Shade Cover/Awning Over Player Benches - Spring 2007

Level Fields Between Tennis Courts & Field House - Pending DPW

Millpond Rd. Property - ON HOLD/ Researching Active & Passive Recreation - A Sub-Committee to be formed

Backboard Replacement at New Basketball Courts - Need to get DPW input - need quotes for removal of poles, new backboards and resurfacing pole areas.

FINANCIAL & BUDGET REVIEW

R. Berrie reported that there is a little over $2000 left in the Recreation Budget, $6,000 left in use fees. There is approximately $30,000 left in the park bond. and the exact balance should be available at the January meeting.

PASSIVE PARK AREAS

R. Flint reported that concerning the Riparian Buffer G. Messinger and one of her supervisors from N.J. Resource Conservation & Development, went down to look at the buffer and were very pleased.  They were going to put a report together for the Township Committee outlining their results.

At the Pohatcong Creek - The Highschool Environmental Club has completed the boardwalk project on the north side of the creek. A picnic table was vandalized but repaired.

At Roaring Rock the south side trails have been cleaned up and are in very good shape. The new trail on the north side have been completed and marked but the signs and map have not been completed yet.  This should be completed by Spring 2007

There is a old stone foundation of a house that is there and is causing some concern, because of the disrepair that the remains of the house is in.  We might want to erect a fence around it to deter people from going into it and we might want to place some signs up. B. Miller will be in touch with P. deBoer to see what can be done.

Bluebird Trail - D. McCrea has asked if there was some way the Recreation Commission could help pay for some of the materials needed for her bluebird trail project.  R. Berrie was instructed to see if he could find out how much she needs to build the nest and as long as we have money left in the budget we would be willing to pay $200 - $300 for this project.  She will have to produce the receipt for the materials so they can be submitted to Finance.

NEW BUSINESS

The 2007 Reorganization Meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 2, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.

F. Loughlin suggested that the Recreation Commission do some type of an Memorial in honor of Dr. L. Wasser for all the years of service he gave to the Recreation Commission. A sub-committee will be formed in early 2007 to look into what would be appropriate and make sure it gets done.

A discussion regarding a salary increase for N. Godfrey, Recreation Administrator, was to take place, at which time W. Godfrey excused himself from the board and left the meeting.  After a brief discussion, W. Godfrey was called back into the meeting and a motion was made by M. Kries, seconded by R. Berrie to increase N. Godfrey’s salary from $11.00/per hr. to $13.00/per hr. All in favor, W. Godfrey abstained.

Having no further business, a motion was made by D. Schott, seconded by M. Kries to adjourn the meeting at 9:35 p.m.   All in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

N. Godfrey (minutes prepared from tape recording)

WTRC Administrator

cc:  de Boer - DPW, WTYA, Twp. Comm.
       WTYA
       Twp. Committee