WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
JUNE 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

F. Loughlin, D. Schott, J. DeFranza, S. Fritts, W. Godfrey, R. Berrie (arrived at 7:45).   Committeeman B. Mueller and WTRC Administrator, N. Godfrey were also present. Guest: R. Flint

The Regular meeting of the Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairman F. Loughlin at 7:35 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 May 2, 2006, as amended.  All in favor

MEADOW BREEZE PARK

Tennis Court Resurfacing Project - N. Godfrey reported that as previously advertised the bid opening for this project took place on May 11, 2006 at the Township Administration Building.  R. Miller, Township Engineer, was present to accept and open the bids.  At the May 16, 2006 Township Committee meeting, The Township Committee, upon receiving a written recommendation from R. Miller, awarded the contract to Halecon, Inc., in the amount of $69,810.00.  R. Miller has sent the Notice of Award to Halecon, Inc. and once the contract documents are executed and returned to him then a preconstruction meeting will be set up and a start date will be agreed upon.

Horseshoe Court - Repair Existing Lighting - N. Godfrey reported that she spoke with P. deBoer, DPW Manager, and he told her that they are ready to proceed, however, he was still waiting to hear from S. Backer about the delivery of the poles.  J. DeFranza will get in touch with S. Backer and have him contact P. deBoer A.S.A.P.

OLD BUSINESS

Review of 2006 Projects.:

Walking Path Extensions - Pending DEP Approval

Tennis Court Resurfacing Project - Bid Awarded - Twp. Engineer to have preconstruction meeting with the contractor

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

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

Upgrade Horseshoe Court Lighting - pending delivery of poles

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

Purchase Field Hockey Nets - Ordered on 5/19/06

D2 Field - Dugout Roof Repair - on going

Installation of shade cover over player benches - Currently researching other park facilities for ideas

Millpond Rd. Property - on hold

FINANCIAL & BUDGET REVIEW

R. Berrie reported that to date $2,496.78 has been encumbered which leaves a balance of $7,503.22. We have collected $6,260.26 in use fees and use fee expenditures amount to $3,556.18 to date.

ACTIVE AREAS

Installation of Electrical Outlet (New Basketball Courts) - P. deBoer inspected the area and found that electrical power was never ran to the area of the new basketball courts when the park was being built.  The electrical outlet was going to be installed by a local electrician, at no cost to the Township, however, now that electrical power needs to be run out to the courts first, the project has to be put on hold for now.

N. Godfrey will ask P. deBoer to get at least three (3)  quotes from electricians to see how much it would cost to run power to the courts then the Recreation Commission will decide on how to proceed.

F. Loughlin brought up the fact  that since we did not have to spend the monies to put up new poles at the old basketball court, and that they had previously talked about changing some of the backboards at the new courts, one court at a time, he asked the Commission if they would consider purchasing two (2) new breakaway backboards to be installed at one of the new courts.  A motion was made by D. Schott to purchase two (2) rectangular backboards for the new basketball courts at lowest bid price, seconded by S. Fritts.  All in favor.

At the May meeting D. Schott had mentioned that the player benches up at Brass Castle School fields were in bad shape. She spoke to the principal about them and the school has since had them fixed.

N. Godfrey reported that she had been approached by someone interested in using the volleyball courts for six Saturdays during the months of July & August.  After a brief discussion, it was decided that we would charge $30.00 per game in accordance with the fee schedule in the Ordinance.

R. Flint reported that the park has been infested with Canadian Geese, but unfortunately there is not much we can do about it.

PASSIVE AREAS

Lake Marguerite - A new sign will be needed for next year.  The one that is there now is about eight (8) years old and it beginning to show it’s age. The new sign will be fashioned after the old sign.

Roaring Rock Park - R. Flint has been working on the new trail and it is almost done.

Riparian Buffer - All the new plants are in the ground and have the deer protectors placed around them. Fortunately, we have had some beneficial rain so watering has not been an issue.  Paths around the plants will be weed whacked by the Dept. Of Corrections, who have been extremely helpful throughout the whole process of the project. 

R. Flint would also like to have a notice put on the Township web-site asking people to volunteer their time for help with maintaining the various trails thought the passive park system. N. Godfrey will have a notice sent to the web master and have it put on the home page of the Township web-site.

There is a organization called NJ Rails to Trails in which old railroad beds are being made into hiking & biking trails, the closest to here is in Blairstown, along the Paluins Kill.  They have just purchased nine (9) miles of the old Lehigh-Hudson River Railway line in Sussex and Warren Counties.  The newly acquired right-of-way, includes parcels in Andover Twp., Andover Boro and Green Twp. in Sussex County and in Allamuchy, White Twp. and Washington Twp. in Warren County, will serve as a link to the popular Sussex and Palulins Kill branch.  The new public land will be managed as the new Kittatiny Valley State Park.

New Business

The July meeting was rescheduled from Tuesday, July 4, 2006 to Monday, July 10, 2006.

Having no further business to discuss a motion was made by D. Schott, seconded by J. DeFranza to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m.   All in favor

Respectfully submitted

Nancy Godfrey

WTRC Administrator

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