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WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
MAY 3, 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
M. Kries, F. Loughlin, S. Fritts, J. DeFranza, S. Backer, W. Godfrey, WTRC Administrator N. Godfrey was also present. R. Berrie arrived at 7:45 and Township Committeeman M. Kovacs arrived at 8:00.
Guest: Township Engineer, R. Miller, R. Flint and R. Lucy (DPW)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
There was a correction made to the April 5, 2005 meeting minutes. Under Meadow Breeze Park, 4th paragraph, the 2nd sentence “This fee would be for a one time use and not for organized teams with both games and practices on a particular field” should be removed. A motion was made by M. Kries, seconded by J. DeFranza to approve the Regular Meeting minutes of April 5, 2005 as amended. All were in favor.
MEADOW BREEZE PARK
There was a lengthy discussion in regards to the Ice Skating Rink project in particular, what size it should be, where it should be placed and whether a portable Ice Skating rink kit should be used. The two most logical places to put the rink would be at the pavilion or at the old basketball courts, however, the pavilion may not be large enough and if we use the old basketball courts they would have to be leveled out before the rink could be placed on it. S. Fritts will check with P. deBoer (DPW) to see what could be done with the old basketball courts.
R. Miller, Township Engineer, gave a report on the Walking Path Extensions and the Horseshoe Court Lighting project and showed the Commission the final maps depicting walking paths which will be sent to the NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) The permits were ready to be signed by the Mayor and will be sent this week. A new path was added to the original plans, however, R. Miller was not sure that the NJDEP will approve them. Approval from the NJDEP could take up to six (6) months to receive and there is a time frame restriction on both the lighting and walking path extension projects mandated by the NJDEP from September 15 - March 15, 2006 during which time no work on these projects can be done.
The horseshoe court lighting project will have to go out for bid once we receive the NJDEP approval. Bid specifications will have to be done. A motion was made by F. Loughlin to have R. Miller prepare the bid specifications for the horseshoe court lighting project, J. DeFranza seconded. All were in favor.
Arrangements for repairing the Tennis Courts will be made so the repairs can be made in early June after the WHRHS tennis team finishes their spring practice. The Commission needs to seriously consider a major renovating/relocation tennis courts project within the next year or two.
It was suggested that we acquire four (4) more park benches. Two (2) of which should be placed along the tow path and two (2) to be placed elsewhere. M. Kovacs suggested that we ask the Township Committee if we can use Open Space funds to pay for these. There may be a need for some smaller trash cans to be placed around the park. N. Godfrey will check with Finance to see if we can use Clean Communities funds for these.
N. Godfrey reported that there has been vandalism at the new restrooms. Within the first couple of weeks the signs inside the restrooms have been torn down, rolls of toilet paper and hand towels are being thrown down the toilets, along with bottles, diapers etc., large quantities of hand towels and being thrown all over the floor and also the doors are being wedged opened at night so the automatic timer locks won’t work. We have to keep a very close eye on the use fee funds since all of the supplies and repairs for the restrooms come out of these funds.
R. Flint, (guest) who has volunteered to oversee the Riparian Buffer Project along the Brass Castle Creek, reported to the Commission that the project is set to begin on May 16th. There are several groups who have volunteered their services to assist the North Jersey Resource Conservation * Development agency with the planting of the 600+ plantings along the Brass Castle Creek.
OLD BUSINESS
Horseshoe Court Lighting project & Walking Path Extensions - See Meadow Breeze Park
Restroom Completion - Restrooms were opened on April 8, 2005
Ice-skating Rink -Placement of ice skating rink and maintenance issues to be handled by S. Fritts & D. Schott
D2 Dugout Roof - S. Backer will get quotes for the material needed to repair the roof. W. Godfrey will work with S. Backer on Warren Lumber contact.
Port Colden Field Restoration - R. Miller, Twp. Engineer, will work with P. deBoer (DPW) regarding drainage issues & NJDEP issues. We should be getting the soil from Washington Boro in a week or two. Field work will take place over the summer. R. Berrie to oversee this project.
Field House Clean Up - No change (S. Backer)
Tennis Court Repair - Repair work will begin in June after Warren Hill High School is finish using them. The Commission needs to seriously consider a major renovating/relocation tennis court project within the next year or two.
Additional Parking - No change (M. Kries, P. deBoer)
Old Playground Renovations - Grant was denied. F. Loughlin would like to have to old playground facilities removed due to safety issues.
Millpond Rd. Property - Received approval from Green Acres regarding using the property for active recreation. Property is still under contract to be farmed until 2009.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
R. Berrie reported that to date we have Use Fees totaling $4635.00 of which $2785.00 have been collected and $1850.00 remain unpaid. There is a balance of $8950.00 in the Recreation Commission budget out of which $1,022.04 has been encumbered leaving us with a total of $7997.23 available funds.
ACTIVE AREAS UPDATE
The DPW suggested that we purchase four(4) more bleachers for the playing fields. They are concerned about having to move the present bleachers between the fields. After a discussion on the usefulness of the bleachers we currently have, R. Berrie suggested that maybe we should look into buying player benches instead. R. Berrie will look into this and work up a proposal for the next meeting.
R. Lucy (DPW) reported that there have been no major problems with the playing fields, he has had to move some of the teams to different ball fields due to scheduling conflicts, but so far everyone has been working together. M. Kries thanked R. Lucy for the great job he has been doing keeping the fields in great shape and working with the various team coaches.
The Washington Township Youth Association’s Field Day is going to be held on Sunday, June 12.
PASSIVE AREAS UPDATE
R. Flint reported to the Commission that he had met with M. Buyofski and they had walked the north side of the Roaring Rock Park area and marked out more than one mile of trails. The area has some very interesting features including part of an old stone building that was once part of the Strunk homestead. The DPW is planning to expand the parking area off Hartmans Corner Trail.
S. Backer would like to see copies of our handout detailing the Township’s Passive Recreational Park’s and have them available at the schools, possibly as flyer to be given to students to take home. That would be one way of spreading the word to the residents of the Township about these areas and possibly even getting more volunteers to help maintain them. N. Godfrey will get this information to S. Backer.
NEW BUSINESS
A request from the Washington Women’s Club Garden & Conservation Dept. was received to plant a butterfly bush somewhere in the park. It will need to be planted in a sunny location. N. Godfrey will speak with A. Hart (DPW) and have him contact the Women’s Club regarding their request.
S. Backer suggested that we add the Washington Township Youth Association’s meeting date to our monthly calendar.
The next Township Committee meeting is Tuesday, May 17th at 7:30. Mary Buyofski is the Recreation Commission member who is scheduled to attend.
N. Godfrey reminded members that the next Recreation Commission meeting is being held on Monday, June 6thdue to the Primary Elections being held on Tuesday, June 7 in the meeting room.
Having no further business to discuss a motion was made by F. Loughlin to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m., seconded by R. Berrie. All in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Godfrey
WTRC Administrator
cc: P. deBoer - DPW
B. Miller - Twp. Engineer
WTYA
