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WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
JULY 5, 2005
Adequate notice of this meeting, in accordance with the Open Public Meeting Act, has been given by posting one copy of 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.
The regular meeting of the Recreation Commission was called to order at 7:30 p.m.
ATTENDEES
S. Fritts, J. DeFranza, M. Kries, S. Backer, W. Godfrey, WTRC Administrator, N. Godfrey was also present. R. Berrie arrived at 7:40. F. Loughlin & D. Schott absent.
Guest: R. Miller, Township Engineer, and R. Flint
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by M. Kries, seconded by J. DeFranza to approve the Regular Meeting minutes of June 6, 2005 as written. All were in favor.
MEADOW BREEZE PARK
After discussion on the new tennis court project, regarding pricing, location and lighting, a motion was made by R Berrie, seconded by J. DeFranza, to form a sub-committee consisting of R. Berrie, J. DeFranza and S. Backer in order to explore the different options available to the Commission. The sub-committee will then go before the Township Committee for further input and/or their approval for this project.
R. Flint gave a report on the Riparian Buffer Project. They are now in the maintenance phase for the 300 plantings that were planted in May of this year. There has been some deer damage to the new plantings and right now more detail to watering and weed whacking needs to be made. This will be discussed with the DPW.
OLD BUSINESS
Horseshoe Court Lighting & Walking Path Extension Project- R. Miller, Township Engineer gave an update to the Walking Path and Horseshoe Court Lighting Project. Today, he was contacted by the NJ D.E.P., who informed him that the Letter of Interpretation (LOI) which had been previously sent last year was no longer valid. A new LOI was needed to be sent to them before they will even consider looking at our applications for these projects. R. Miller can prepare this LOI and the paperwork that is needed to accompany the LOI at a cost of $2200. A motion was made by J. DeFranza, to ask the Township Committee if this additional cost for the LOI could be taken from Open Space funding or out of the Park Bond, S. Backer seconded. All were in favor. N. Godfrey will ask Committeeman Kovacs to bring this up to the Township Committee during his report at the next Township Committee meeting.
Ice Skating Rink- R. Miller, Township Engineer, reported that he and P. DeBoer examined the old basketball court location and said that it would be feasible to place an ice skating rink over it. The old courts are level and there should be no major drainage problems if we put the skating rink over top of it. For the winter of 2005-2006 instead of buying an portable ice skating rink kit for approximately $2000., it was suggested that we build our own for this year and see how much it gets used this year. W. Godfrey will get pricing and supplier information for a 50' x 100' heavy duty rubber liner.
D2 Field - Dugout Roof Repair- No Change (S. Backer)
Port Colden Field Restoration- R. Miller, Township Engineer, reported that he has been meeting with P. DeBoer, DPW, and so far the dirt has been put down, and they have done the layout of the fields. As of now, there will be a small soccer field and a little league baseball field. Seeding of the fields will be done within the next few weeks. N. Godfrey brought up the subject of insurance issues since the fields are owned by the Township Board of Education and not the Township. N. Godfrey will check with our insurance agent, S. Cooper, Brown & Brown Insurance Co., to check on these insurance issues.
Field House Clean Up- No Change
Old Playground Renovations - No Change
FINANCIAL & BUDGET REVIEW
R. Berrie reported that to date $2,382.04 has been encumbered (included in this is the Recreation Administrator salary) which leaves a balance of $6,637.23. There is a total of $134,460.00 left in the Park Bond and we have collected $4,322.50 in use fees this year. Out of the $4,322.50 collected in use fees we’ve encumbered $3,207.73 to date.
ACTIVE AREAS
Proposal for new Player Benches - R. Berrie to report on this at August meeting.
The Fall Field Scheduling Meeting was set for Friday, July 29, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. at the Police/Municipal Building Meeting Room. M. Kries will contact Football coaches, R. Berrie will contact Adult Soccer Team coaches and S. Backer will bring this up at the Washington Township Youth Association July meeting. N. Godfrey will contact the Youth Association Field Hockey coach and Soccer coach as well as put a notice in the Star Gazette newspaper.
PASSIVE REVIEW
R. Flint reported on the following::
Pohatcong Creek Park - The bridge damage by vandalism has been repaired by Daryl Detrick and the WHRHS Environmental Club.
Roaring Rock Park North Section - Volunteers are needed to help with marking the trails. Bears have been seen in the area and it would be safer if 2+ people work together in marking these trails. The need to get people to volunteer for clearing trails and helping with maintaining the passive park areas is becoming critical.
Lake Marguerite Park - Bears have become a serious problem in this area. The garbage containers have become a “restaurant” for the local bears and it is strongly suggested that the Recreation Commission consider purchasing at least (2) “bear proof” trash containers. N. Godfrey will research the “bear proof” containers.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Resignation of Mary Buyofski- The resignation of Mary Buyofski was accepted, with regret, of Mary Buyofski. Mary will be moving out of the state as of the beginning of August 2005. Mary’s resignation has left an open seat on the board.
2. National Night Out/1st Night Out- The Washington Township Police Department will be sponsoring the annual National Night Out/1st Night Out which will be held at Meadow Breeze Park & Pavilion on Tuesday, August 2nd from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
3. New Broadcaster Stand - A presentation was made by Commission members M. Kries and J. DeFranza for the construction of a new Broadcasting Stand for the Panther’s Football League. Rough design and layout ideas were introduced to the other members of the Recreation Commission and it was the general conscience of the rest of the Commission that this was a very good idea and after final plans have been drawn up it will be introduced to the Township Committee for their approval. The cost of the Broadcaster Stand will be paid for by the Panther Football League.
4. Purchase of Water Wheel - The DPW had requested that we purchase a “Water Wheel” for use at Meadow Breeze Park. This water wheel will greatly ease the strain of watering the fields and newly sodded areas. The cost to the Recreation Commission would be approximately $647.18 & shipping. The cost for the water hose would be $59.00 per 100 ft. of hose. After a brief discussion, the Commission decided that if the DPW needs this water wheel, there would probably be no problem buying it for them, however, more information from P. deBoer would be necessary before any decision can be made. A follow-up report from P. deBoer should be submitted for the next meeting.
In other business due to the of the activities of the Washington Township Police Department's 1st Night Out activities on August 2, 2005, M. Kries made a motion that the Regular Meeting of the Recreation Commission be rescheduled for Tuesday, August 9, 2005, seconded by J. DeFranza. All were in favor. Notice of change of meeting date will be published in the Star Gazette and posted at the Administration Building and the Police/Municipal building.
Having no further business to discuss a motion was made by J. DeFranza to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m., seconded by M. Kries.. All were in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Godfrey
WTRC Administrator
cc: P. deBoer - DPW
B. Miller - Twp. Engineer
WTYA
