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WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
MAY 1, 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, R. Berrie, D. Detrick, J. Miller B. Jeffries arrived at 8:15, WTRC Administrator, N. Godfrey was also
present. D. Schott and Committeeman B. Mueller 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
A motion was
made by S. Fritts, seconded by J. DeFranza to approve the Regular Minutes of April 3, 2007. All in favor.
MEADOW BREEZE PARK
Restroom Restoration - N. Godfrey reported that the last she herd was the insurance company was going
to set up a meeting with Bio-Sun to get an estimate on the damage and how much they thought it would cost to repair.
The restrooms are now in the hands of the Insurance Company and the Township Clerk will be following up on this. What happens now is out of our hands. In the meantime, N. Godfrey has ordered three (3) port-a-johns, one (1) of which is handicapped accessible, located at the end of the parking lot, to be used in place of the restrooms.
Security Cameras R. Berrie ask about the status of the Security Camera. N. Godfrey reported that P. deBoer submitted the quote to the Finance Dept., it is in their hands for review and as long as everything is in order a
purchase order will be made out.
Walking Path Milage Marking - R. Flint followed up with P. deBoer and has given him all the information that was discussed at our last meeting.
The markings will be done in two different colors, one color for each side of the paths along Meadow Breeze. N. Godfrey will talk with P. deBoer and try to pin down a date for this to be done.
Park Sign on Kayharts - The
Meadow Breeze Park sign on the Kayharts Lane side of the park has been taken by vandals. A replacement sign will have to be ordered.
Ice Skating - Morris Canal
- D. Detrick spoke with P. deBoer about clearing out the canal and asked if there would be any permits required to do this. To date deBoer had not gotten back to him about it. D. Detrick asked N. Godfrey if she could also follow up with deBoer.
Dugout Roof Repair - B. Jeffries reported that all the material for the repair of the roof has been ordered. Should be done within the next few weeks
Player Benches (D2) - J. Miller reported that Pat Wintersteen (WTYA) noted
the player benches on D2 were beginning to splinter. J. DeFranza will check them out this week and take measurements in case it is decided that they need to be repaired.
Electrical Outlet New Basketball Courts - P. deBoer was to get quotes to run the electric to the courts.
OLD BUSINESS
Riparian Buffer - R. Flint reported that he and Grace Messenger (North Jersey RC&D)walked through the
Riparian Buffer area and saw that a fair number of plants didn’t make it this year due to flooding and other weather related issues.
Blue Bird Trial Project - R. Flint met up with Dawn McCrea and they staked out the areas where
the blue bird boxes are to be placed. The project is running a little behind schedule, however the nesting boxes will be in place in time.
Walking Path Extension - The Township Engineer is reviewing this. No change in status.
Mill Pond Rd. Property - R. Berrie reported that there was nothing new since the last meeting.
N. Godfrey noted that no monies were budgeted for this project in either the Recreation or the Township’s 2007 budget. The Recreation Commission should start drawing up a proposed plan to present to the Township Committee so, if possible, money could be built into the upcoming 2008 budgets for surveying and engineering costs.
Dr. Wasser Memorial Bench - As reported last month M. Kries has ordered the bench, but would like to get together with the subcommittee (M. Kries, D. Schott & D. Detrick) to pick out a spot to put the bench and agree on the
wording for the engraving.
D. Detrick has concerns about where the placement of the bench will be. Because the location will be permanent we will have to make sure of the proximity of the new walking paths and where, if any, wet land areas are located along the path. N. Godfrey said that she has the original plans submitted by R. Miller (ex-Twp. Engineer) and D. Detrick could stop by the office to take a look at them. She will speak with P. deBoer about helping out with this project.
Batting Cage Replacement Location - Poles have been put in place by the refreshment stand.
Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award
- D. Detrick questioned the Commission if they still wanted him to move forward on this project. J. Defranza felt that is was worth pursuing as long as there was a strict criteria to follow. M. Kries also felt that it should be pursued, as long as the criteria is cut and dry, however, he feels that this is something that should involve someone from every Township committee/commission including the Township Committee. D. Detrick said that when he presented this idea he did not intend for this to be a Recreation Commission project, in fact this should be strictly a volunteer service to the Township, with perhaps a recommendation process that could include a yearly recommendation from each committee/commission. Obviously, there would have to be a Recommendation Committee to review each and every applicant to see if they meet the criteria etc., and then possibly let the Township Committee decide. M. Kries said he would speak with Committeeman B. Mueller to see how he feels about this suggestion.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
R. Berrie reported that to date we have a little over $8000 in park usage fees.
ACTIVE AREAS
There was a problem with soccer teams practicing on the fields in the rain last Friday night.
N. Godfrey and W. Godfrey went down to the fields and spoke to the coaches. Greg Jayne (Warren United Soccer) will address this with his coaches. There was also a problem with WTYA Baseball teams playing on D1 the same night.
The field was so wet that the umpire on home plate was standing in water. J. Miller and B. Jeffries will bring this to the attention to the WTYA Baseball leagues at the next Youth Association meeting. There has also been a problem with people knocking over the “field close” signs when they have been put up and use the fields anyway. The signs are large and heavy and when they lay on the wet grass it kills the grass underneath. J. Miller will have a couple extra stake signs made to be used in addition to the original signs and since they are smaller they won’t kill the grass if they are taken down.
PASSIVE AREA
Pohatcong Creek - R. Flint reported that the Warren Hills Environmental Club held a workday at the site and they cleaned the debris from the recent flooding that had been thrown up onto both bridges, there
was so much debris in fact one of the bridges was impassible impassable. The Club did an excellent job and he looked forward to the next workday.
NEW BUSINESS
M. Kries said that Panther Football is purchasing a new
french fryer for the snack bar costing approximately $1000. He asked if this would be covered under the Township’s Insurance, since the Township owns the building, or would Panthers have to cover this separately? N. Godfrey will check
with the Township insurance agent.
J. DeFranza mentioned that there is a issue with the electrical power setup for the scoreboard and something will have to be done for electric to the new announcement stand. He will contact P.
deBoer about this.
Having no further business to discuss a motion was made by J. DeFranza, seconded by W. Godfrey to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. All in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Godfrey
WTRC Administrator
cc: P. deBoer - DPW
D. Dempski - WTYA
Twp. Committee
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