WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
JULY 10, 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, D. Schott, J. DeFranza, S. Fritts, M. Kries, S. Backer, W. Godfrey. Committeeman B. Mueller and WTRC Administrator, N. Godfrey was also present. Guest: R. Flint, J. Morringelo, Economic Development Committee member, Dawn McCrea, Township Resident.

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 June 5, 2006, as amended.  All in favor.

MEADOW BREEZE PARK

1. Tennis Court Resurfacing Project - N. Godfrey spoke with R. Miller, Township Engineer, and was told that the preconstruction meeting with the Contractor had been set up for Wednesday, July 12.  Construction start date will be set at that time.  It was noted that the nets were still up at the courts and because of safety issues they should be removed. N. Godfrey was to ask P. deBoer, DPW, to have them removed and put away.

2. Horseshoe Court Lighting - N. Godfrey reported that the new poles are up and that P. deBoer is obtaining quotes for the new lights and electrical work.  P. deBoer should have the quotes in time for the August meeting.

Julie Morringelo was present representing the Economic Development Committee to ask what the Recreation Commission’s thoughts would be on supporting them in holding some sort of holiday event at the park/pavilion.  After a lengthy discussion pertaining to the pros and cons of such an event, the Recreation Commission suggested that once they decide just what they want to do, they will need to bring it before the Township Committee for approval.  The Recreation Commission would have no problem with them using the Pavilion for such an event.  F. Loughlin suggested that perhaps they should get in touch with the Washington Township Youth Association because they want to attract children and they are more familiar with organizing events of this kind.

Dawn McCrea - was present to ask the Recreation Commission to consider approving the submission of a formal proposal to erect a bluebird trail in the Meadow Breeze Park complex located between Kayharts and Meadow Breeze Lane along the riparian buffer area.  The proposed location for the next boxes is in the “no mow” zone, approximately 1 foot inside the riparian corridor, or 140' from Brass Castle Creek.  Nest boxes would be mounted on freestanding poles, spaced approximately 150 ft. - 200 ft. apart.  In order to provide nesting for the 2007 season, boxes would need to be in place by February 2007. The Recreation Commission feels that this is certainly a worthwhile endeavor and only had one concern with this project that because of the location being in the riparian buffer zone, it would need D.E.P. approval. If we cannot obtain D.E.P approval for this project then the Recreation Commission suggested that an alternative site in the park be used and/or place the trail  in one of the other passive park areas in the Township. Dawn will move forward with a formal proposal outlining how the trail will be erected, monitored and maintained for submission to the D.E.P.

OLD BUSINESS

Review of 2006 Projects:

Walking Path Extensions - Pending DEP Approval

Tennis Court Resurfacing Project - Twp. Engineer to have preconstruction meeting with the contractor on July 12

Removal of old playground equipment - to be taken down by end of December 2006

Purchase of New Playground Equipment - Currently researching - to be ordered by December 2006.

D. Schott reported that area of the present playground is 24' x 66' and has swings.  All the new playground equipment currently on the market does not include swings, and they have to be bought separately.  If we buy the swings, it would not fit into the current space.  D. Schott sh

Commission an idea of what is out there. The Commission felt that swings were needed and should be included when we purchase the new equipment. They also feel that the new playground equipment really does not have to be erected in the exact location of the old one, as long as it is still in the same vicinity, so making it fit into the old space would not be too much of a problem.  Cost would be a bigger factor in deciding just what style and size we want to go there. D. Schott and S. Fritts will be meeting with a playground equipment vendor at the park site on Wednesday, July 26 at 11:00. D. Schott will ask P. deBoer to be present at this meeting.

Ice-skating Rink - Materials already on hand/awaiting cold weather December 2006?

Upgrade Horseshoe Court Lighting - poles are in and awaiting quotes for lighting and electrical work

Installation of Secure Electrical Outlet/New Basketball Courts - need electric running to courts - on hold

D2 Field - Dugout Roof Repair - on going

Installation of shade cover over player benches - Currently researching other park facilities for ideas - F. Loughlin and P. deBoer went to the park in Independence Township and looked at the setup they had there.  P. deBoer felt that what they had there was what we were looking to do here. DPW will do as a spring 2007 project

Millpond Rd. Property - on hold (will try to locate a map of the area )

Backboard Replacement at New Basketball Courts - Two backboards & goals ordered to be placed on court #one

FINANCIAL & BUDGET REVIEW

N. Godfrey reported that the total left in the park bond is $104,643 minus $75,000 for tennis court which would take the total down to $29, 643.16. There is a balance of $3,976.96 in our current fund minus $2,443 for the purchase of the backboards, goals and pads which leaves us with a total of $1536.  We have collected a total of $6190 in use fees to date.

PASSIVE AREAS

R. Flint reported that he got together with N. Godfrey and had a volunteer notice typed up and copied requesting volunteers to help with trail maintenance at Roaring Rock Park, Lake Marguerite and the Pohatcong Creek property behind the high school.  He did get a response for Lake Marguerite from two ladies who hike it every day, he will work with them to make sure they understand what needs to be done. The volunteer notices have been placed at the various trail sites.

Lake Marguerite - There has been a huge problem with litter.  There is a fireplace up there and people love to dump their litter in it.  That will have to be part of the trail maintenance. F. Loughlin suggested that we place more trash cans up there.

Riparian Buffer - has been growing like crazy with all the rain but this is a good thing.

The Skylands Magazine has a very nice article in it about Lake Marguerite, Griffiths Woods and Roaring Rock Park.  This is very good free publicity for the Township.

ACTIVE AREAS

J. DeFranza reported that the refreshment stand has obtained substantial damage from flooding from a major leak in the roof.  P. deBoer had looked at it and said that he would look into getting it fixed. The Commission will ask the Township Committee for emergency funding from the park bond to repair the roof.  N. Godfrey will have the Recreation Commission put on the next Township Committee meeting, July 18.

Six pads have been purchased and are in the process of being put up on the basketball poles at the new courts.

F. Loughlin met up with one of the DPW workers who was in the process of putting back up one of the toilet papers holders that had been ripped off the wall in one of the restrooms. He reiterated the enormity of the vandalism being done at the restrooms, in so far as feces being smeared on the walls, toilet paper holders not only being ripped off the walls but in some cases being thrown into the toilets etc.   The police have been made aware of this and are trying to come up with a way to deter this.  This vandalism is not just limited to the restrooms, park signs have been broken and in one instance even thrown into the pond, along with some of the player benches being sprayed painted   B. Mueller will bring this up at the next Township Committee meeting and talk to Chief McDonald with regards to having the police patrol more often.

There has also been a problem with the odor being emitted from the restrooms on the back side facing the Brass Castle School. S. Backer reported that the smell is really bad when you are using the fields at the school. N. Godfrey will get the information regarding the contractor and a contact name for F. Loughlin and he will get in touch with them about this problem.

S. Backer reported that he and his family will be moving out of the state the end of July or early August and will no longer be able to serve as a member of the Recreation Commission. The members thanked him for the great job he has done over the last few years.

Having no further business to discuss, a motion was made by D. Schott, seconded by M. Kries to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 p.m. All in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Nancy Godfrey
WTRC Administrator

cc:  P. deBoer - DPW Manager
       R. Miller - Twp. Engineer
       WTYA
       Mayor & Twp. Committee