WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
                                                       RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
                                                                             MARCH 6, 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, W. Godfrey, S. Fritts, D. Detrick, R. Berrie, D. Schott. Committeeman B. Mueller and WTRC Administrator, N. Godfrey were also present. J. DeFranza was absent.  Guest: B. Jeffries (WTYA) and 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

A motion was made by W. Godfrey, seconded by S. Fritts, to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 6, 2007.  All in favor.

MEADOW BREEZE PARK

Playground Equipment - Committeeman Mueller reported that the monies for the new playground equipment will be allocated from this year’s Open Space fund.  The funds will be available after the public hearing and adoption of the 2007 budget on April 16, 2007. N. Godfrey will order the playground equipment at that time. D. Schott questioned the feasibility of using the rubber mulch compared to wood mulch. At the last meeting DPW suggested that we go with the rubber mulch.  D. Detrick explained that the up front cost may be a little more, however, the long term cost may be equivalent or less because the wood mulch breaks down and the rubber does not so we would not have to replace it as often.

Ice-Skating  - D. Detrick and P. deBoer (DPW) met with the homeowner who owns a small portion of the property adjacent to the Township property on the Morris Canal.  They were not interested in a lease/land swap agreement at this time. D. Detrick walked the portion of the canal that is on the Township’s property from the police building to the property line and noted that it is about a 1/8 of a mile long and somewhere between 15ft. - 20ft. wide in most spots.  Last weekend there was about 4" of ice on the canal which would be ideal for ice-skating. Some clean up on the banks (sticker bushes etc.), removal of sticks, rocks and mowing of the canal in the late fall would have to be done. P. deBoer (DPW) thought his department would be able to handle this in the fall. D. Detrick said that the Highlands Group would also be interested in helping with the clean up of the canal so it can be used for ice skating next winter.   D. Detrick will follow through with the Highlands Group and P. deBoer on this project.

The Highlands Group would like to erect a sign at the Morris Canal which would have the canal history on it and would be like the one they have erected at the Pohatcong Creek/Log Cabin recreation area.  This would have to be a Township Committee decision on whether the sign could be put up.  Committeeman Mueller said that this is something that the Historical Preservation Committee would also like to have done.  M. Kries asked Committeeman Mueller if he could bring this up to the Township Committee for their approval at the next Township Committee meeting.

Horseshoe Court Lights - D. Detrick looked at them and thought that the lights on the four (4) shorter poles would not be any good to use to light anything, but the lights on the two (2) larger poles are located in the horseshoe courts in the general proximity of the center of the football field and might be good enough to be used to light up the field for practice when the time changes in the fall.

D2 Dugout Roof Repair - This was a project that volunteers from the Youth Association were supposed to handle but it has never been done. The roof is down to the wood and really needs attention now. B. Jeffries (WTYA) will  bring this up at the next WTYA meeting and will give a report at the April WTRC meeting.

Installation of Shade Cover Over Player Benches - J. Cooper (DPW) is investigating this project.

Installation of Secure Electrical Outlet at New Basketball Courts - DPW to get quotes on running power and
installation of electrical outlet.

Vandalism at Restrooms/Pavilion - Received two (2) quotes from P. deBoer/Detective Schott for security cameras. D. Detrick will get together with Detective Schott and P. deBoer so a detailed case can be presented to the Township
Committee, for the purchase of the security cameras using money from the park bond.  N. Godfrey will ask the clerk to put the Recreation Commission on the next Township Committee Agenda.  D. Detrick will make the presentation to the Township Committee.  W. Godfrey and M. Kries will also attend the meeting.

Mill Pond Rd. Property - At the WTRC February meeting the Commission spoke with P. deBoer in  regards to measuring a portion of the fields for possible use for soccer fields.  To date it has been too snowy/wet for any of the DPW workers to get onto the property and do this. N. Godfrey will follow up with P. deBoer on this matter.

OLD BUSINESS

Most of the items for old business have been already covered under Meadow Breeze Park.

Walking Path Extensions  - New Twp. Engineer to find out from the DEP what materials can be used.
Tennis Courts - Beginning May 1 a new padlock requiring key will be put in place of the combination lock.  Keys will be issued to residents when they purchase their 2007 tennis pass.  There has been no fee increase for 2007.
New Playground Equipment - See above
Ice-Skating  - See above
Basketball Court Lighting & Secure Outlet Installation - See above
D2 Field Dugout Roof Repair - See above
Installation of Shade Cover/Awning Over Player Benches - Spring 2007 (DPW) - see above
Level Fields Between Tennis Courts & Field House - Pending DPW
Millpond Rd. Property - Researching Active & Passive Recreation - Sub-Committee formed (Berrie, DeFranza & Fritts) also DPW to measure a portion of property for possible soccer fields use.
Investigate Developing Remainder of Park (Kayharts Lane Side) - Improvements as needed (TBD)
Backboard Replacement at New Basketball Courts - See above
Security Camera at Restrooms/Pavilion - See above

Bluebird Trail - received an email from Dawn McCrea updating the Commission on the bluebird trail she is cultivating. Everything is going along as scheduled.  Bird houses should be erected by end of March.

Dr. Wasser Memorial Bench - M. Kries went to Wicki Wholesale Stone to see about the stone bench but the person who handle them was on vacation.  M. Kries brought up the question as to whether or not we want this to be a permanent structure and after a brief discussion it was decided that it should be a permanent structure. He will report back to the Commission at the April meeting.

Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award - At the February meeting WTRC asked D. Detrick to do some research and look for some examples of what types of criteria might be required of a person to be nominated for a achievement award After a discussion it was decided that this is something that should not be left up to just the Recreation Commission but all the Township Commissions/Committees should be a part of the nominating process.  We do not want this to become a political venue so it would have to be strictly for resident volunteers.

FINANCIAL & BUDGET REVIEW

No new activity

ACTIVE AREA

N. Godfrey reported that the Spring field scheduling meeting went well.  There is a total of 56 teams (combination of baseball, softball and soccer both youth and adult teams) playing on the Meadow Breeze athletic fields.  

B. Jeffries reported that while riding his bicycle in the park, he has been stopped and asked by people using the walking paths if we could line the paths and somehow put milage markers on it. R. Flint volunteered to work on this and will contact the DPW to work out a sensible approach to this project.

PASSIVE AREAS

D. Detrick gave out copies of an updated map for the Pohatcong Creek Natural Area Park and the Native Plant Arboretum. He wanted to remind people that Pohatcong Creek Natural Area Park has an outdoor classroom which was built by the WHRHS Environmental Club a few years back.  This would be an ideal site for anyone involved with boy/girl scouts or similar organizations to use for nature classes etc. Also, all the plants that have been planted in the Native Plant Arboretum can also be found throughout the park.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Nancy Godfrey
WTRC Administrator

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