WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
                                                           RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
                                                                                   JUNE 4, 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

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

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

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

W. Godfrey had three (3) corrections to the minutes of May 1, 2007.  Under Meadow Breeze Park, Restroom Restoration the word herd should be spelled heard. Walking Path Milage Marking the word Milage should be spelled Mileage. On page 2 under Passive Area, Pohatcong Creek the word impassable appears twice. The second impassable should be removed.

A motion was made by D. Schott, seconded by J. DeFranza to approve the Regular Minutes of May 1, 2007 as amended. All in favor.

MEADOW BREEZE PARK

Restroom Restoration - It is in the hands of the insurance company, and the insurance company is waiting for the report from the Fire Department. The insurance company has agreed to reimburse the Township for the three (3) temporary port-a-johns that are being used in place of the restrooms until repairs have been completed.. B. Mueller will speak to the Township Clerk and see if anything can be done to expedite this process with the insurance company.

Security Cameras - N. Godfrey reported that the Finance Department would not process the purchase order for the cameras because two of the quotes were from the same parent company. P. deBoer has been trying to get additional quotes via the internet but so far has been unsuccessful in obtaining three of them.  The Recreation Commission asked Committeeman Mueller if he could bring up this issue at the next Township Committee meeting and explain to the Committee how important it is that we purchase this camera. N. Godfrey reported that this pass weekend vandals struck again by knocking over every one of the port-a-johns in the park, including the handicapped and other two at the pavilion/restrooms. If the camera had been in placed we would have caught them in the act.  It is imperative that the cameras be purchased and put in place A.S.A.P.

Walking Path Mileage Marking - D. Schott said she didn’t like the way the paths were marked. When you are walking it they don’t make sense and they should be closer.  R. Flint commented that he has had a lot of experience in marking paths in other parks and that is the way they are done.  If the Commission doesn’t like the way it was done then someone else can pick it up and fix it. J. DeFranza asked what could be done to improve them, obviously this was something that looked entirely different on paper than what it actually looks like on the paths themselves.  D. Detrick suggested that during the next month everyone on the commission should get to the park and take a look at them and then we can discuss whether or not the marking are sufficient.  If they are sufficient we’ll leave it as is, if not, then we’ll deal with how to fix it. Everyone was in agreement with this.

Park Sign on Kayharts Lane - Missing sign has not been found.  New sign is being ordered by P. deBoer.

Ice Skating - Morris Canal - D. Detrick reported that he had spoken to P. deBoer about clearing out the canal and keeping it mowed down. deBoer didn’t see any problem with the DPW doing this after the mowing season dies down. D. Detrick said that he asked him about removing any downed trees that might be in the way, this too was okay.  We would not need any permits for just the mowing, but there is one spot with a cave in and if we plan on fixing the cave in/wash out area that would be one issue and then at the far end, if we were going to put in a small dam with a pipe in it to control the water flow that would be the second issue. Both of these issues are pretty minor, but permits would be required because it is in the wet lands and the canal area.
 
D2 Dugout Roof Repair - B. Jeffries was not at the meeting to report, however, they did not appear to be fixed yet.

Player Benches (D2) - At the last meeting J. Miller reported that he had been approached by one of the coaches who was concerned with the benches starting to splinter and asked if we could replace the top of the benches.  J. DeFranza had looked at the benches and didn’t feel that much repair was needed. W. Godfrey said that he too went out to look at them and didn’t feel that new replacement tops were needed at this time. All they really need is to be sanded down in the rough spots and repainted.  This could be done during the winter months.

Electrical Outlet New Basketball Courts - W. Godfrey went to the Township Committee meeting to ask if we could use park bond money to install the electrical wiring and the secured electrical outlet at the basketball courts. He asked for $3500., based on the quote P. deBoer had given to us.  The quote, however, was to run the electric and hook up the lights. This was not what the Recreation Commission had asked for. P. deBoer has since received another quote for approximately 510.00 to run the wiring and install the outlet.  There was a discussion on whether or not the lights should be wired at this time so they could be used. The consensus of the Commission was that according to our ordinance the park closes at dusk and because of the concerns that the residents who live near the park have regarding the lights, a motion was made by J. DeFranza, seconded by S. Fritts,  that we should just go with running the power to the courts and having a secured electrical outlet installed at a cost not to exceed $600.00. All in favor.

OLD BUSINESS

Blue Bird Trail Project - The nesting boxes are in place but there has been no word as to whether the blue birds have begun nesting yet.

Walking Path Extension - No change in status.

Mill Pond Rd. Property - J. DeFranza, D. Detrick and R. Berrie will attempt to come up with a plan to present to the Township Committee for this project. We would need estimated costs for engineering and surveying and leveling of the fields, along with a rough plan as to how the fields, parking etc. would be laid out.  N. Godfrey will get a copy of the drawings that R. Lucy had with him at the April meeting and copy of the tax map for this area. J. DeFranza will stop by the office and pick them up from Nancy.

Dr. Wasser Memorial Bench - M. Kries and D. Detrick met down at the field before the meeting to survey the area of the park where the new walking paths are suppose to go.  N. Godfrey had provided D. Detrick with a copy of a rough drawing of the paths so they were able to pick out three (3) areas that they would like to put the bench. The most favorable spot for the bench would be along the path, close to where the new playground is suppose to go. You can sit there and basically see the whole park.  M. Kries and D. Detrick pointed out two other spots where they felt it could also go along the new walking paths . D. Detrick will talk with P. deBoer about the spots we have picked out.

Batting Cage Replacement Location - The batting cages are up and being used.

Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award - M. Kries explained to B. Mueller that the Commission thought it would be nice to honor someone every year, however, we realized that this would have to come from the Township Committee and that it would take some work.  He asked if B. Mueller could speak to members of the Twp Committee to see how they would feel about something like this.  B. Mueller will bring this up to the Twp. Committee at a later date.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

N. Godfrey reported that we have collected $5210.00 in use fees to date and as of May 14 there was a balance of $9576.30 in our use fee account.  Out of the General Recreation Fund we’ve spent $451.12 and have a balance of $7548.88.

ACTIVE AREAS

J. Miller reported that at the WTYA meeting a blanket statement was made to everyone there about being a little more careful when playing on the fields during inclement weather in order to avoid another situation that we had a few weeks ago.   N. Godfrey reported that there was also a problem at D6 where Franklin Township plays.  Twice now after a game
 
the bases were not picked up and put away and the equipment box was not closed up and locked.  N. Godfrey spoke to D. Politt (Franklin Twp. Head Coach) and has spoken to the other coaches about it.

PASSIVE AREAS

Pohatcong Creek  - R. Flint reported that the DPW fixed the ramp at the creek behind the log cabin that had been damaged during the last storm.

Roaring Rock Park  - R. Flint observed that on the north side it looked as thought ATV’s have discovered the trails.  There wasn’t a lot of damage, but there was some.

NEW BUSINESS

The new French Fryer for the snack bar has been received.  M. Kries will get the receipt to N. Godfrey to keep on file for any future insurance claims. 

Announcement Stand - There was a problem with the Code & Construction inspector and P. deBoer is the contractor on file for the Township. The architect has addressed the two issues that the code inspector had with the drawings which were the footings which had to be 42" instead of 36" and the railings had to be tied back into the wall. The electrical issue has addressed also, the electric will be run back to the garage and not to the refreshment stand which was the original plan and then tie the scoreboard into the new box being put into the stand.

Set Date & Time for Fall Field Scheduling Meeting - Tentatively we will set it for Monday, July 23 at 7:00.  N. Godfrey will check with R. Berrie to see if this date is okay with him and then will let the other people involved know.

Request from DPW for Joint Purchase of Mower - A request was received by P. deBoer that the Recreation Commission jointly purchase a new Toro 74416 23hp kaw 52 inch zero turn mower from Frank Rymon & Sons at a cost of $5000. The cost to the Recreation Commission would be $2500.00. After a brief discussion a motion was made by D. Detrick, seconded by S. Fritts to use $2500. from use fees to jointly purchase the above mentioned mower from Frank Rymon & Sons with DPW.
Roll Call: D. Detrick, yes; S. Fritts, yes; M. Kries, yes; W. Godfrey, yes; D. Schott, no; J. DeFranza, yes; J. Miller, yes.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Nancy Godfrey
WTRC Administrator

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