RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
OCTOBER 2, 2006
The Recreation Advisory Committee held it’s
regularly scheduled meeting in the Pittsgrove
Municipal Building
on October 2, 2006.
Members present were Bruce Ricards,
Fiore Copare, Audrey
Mavroff, Kate Harrison and Walt
Wenner. Alternate members present were Pat Odenath, Grace Reaves-Garrett
and Edson Creamer. Sub committee members in
attendance were Jeff Ridgway and Linda DuBois. Debby Turner-Fox, Township Administrator, was
in the audience for a portion of the meeting.
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Bruce Ricards called the meeting to
order at 8:02pm.with salute to the flag and the reading of the Sunshine Law.
DESIGNATION OF ALTERNATES AND NEW MEMBER
Pat Odenath was
designated to perform the duties of a regular member. Grace Reeves-Garrett was introduced as new
alternate member #4.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE SEPTEMBER
11, 2006 MEETING
On a motion made by Audrey
Mavroff and seconded by Walt Wenner,
the aforementioned minutes were approved as submitted.
VOTE: ALL IN FAVOR
NEW BUSINESS:
PARK REQUEST
On a motion made by Walt Wenner
and seconded by Audrey Mavroff, the
park request from Daytop was approved.
Approval letter will indicate any potential conflicts with PTMF (Daytop
will use the practice fields for their games if a conflict) and also reminding
them not to park on the grass (problem last year) and not to have animals at
the park.
VOTE: ALL IN FAVOR
PROBLEM AT PARKS
Walt Wenner informed the committee
about problems with vandalism and kids hanging out at the park after
hours. A neighbor informed him what has
been going on at the park. The football
coaches would agree to close the gate on the nights they are last group to
leave. Jeff Ridgway will speak to Public
Works and try to come up with a solution to this problem.
Linda DuBois reported that split rail
fencing has been vandalized at property that adjoins Deer Pen Park.
The fencing is being put in the road which is a hazard for
vehicles. The police have been called
and made aware of the situation
CODE OF CONDUCT
Debby Turner-Fox, Township Administrator, introduced herself and addressed
the issue of a Code of Conduct for Green
Branch Park. She would like the committee to assist with
developing such a code for Green
Branch Park. Green Acres had asked last year that the
township work on putting that in place.
Kate Harrison agreed it needs to be done but questioned who will enforce
the code since not even the animal ordinance has any way to be enforced. Debby told the committee that the township
needs to start somewhere and this along with other issues will need to be
addressed by the Township Committee when they visit the idea of policing our
entire community. Debby suggested that a
sub-committee could be formed to address this issue.
OLD BUSINESS:
RECREATION BUDGET SURPLUS
After review of
information provided by the Chief Financial Officer, Linda
DuBois and Jeff Ridgway addressed available funds left in the
Recreation Budget. Walt Wenner questioned in order to encumber the
funds, does a specific purchase need to be designated or can the money be set
aside in a capital budget for use at a later date. Audrey Mavroff
agreed she does not want to see the money spent just to spend it. According to the records, there is
approximately $10,000.00 for playground equipment in the capital budget along
with surplus in the recreation budget. The
records did not indicate which park this was for and the secretary will check
with the finance office. Jeff provided members with book outlining
specifications for playground equipment and reported that gravel has been
ordered for Unity
Park and if not put in
place it will be shortly. Grace Reaves-Garrett
recalled being told by the Township Committee some time ago that nothing can be
done at Unity Park until the gravel is in place and
she does not think that has been done. Harry Snyder, Public Works had provided
copies of the master plan for Unity Park as well as Green Branch
Park. Walt Wenner
questioned if this is the plan that the Recreation Committee wants to work with
or develop another plan. Bruce Ricards
suggested a sub-committee be formed to decide which direction the funds should
go in (playground equipment for Unity Park or possibly tennis courts at Green Branch
Park). Kate Harrison informed the committee that she
feels tennis courts are not something she feels the money should be spent
on. Walt
Wenner commented that if Unity Park
was started by the township it should be completed and this would be a good
direction for the money to be spent. On
a motion by Walt Wenner and seconded
by Fiore Copare, approval was given
for the recreation budget surplus to be directed towards equipment for Unity
Park and for Kate Harrison to chair a sub-committee and Fiore
Copare to co-chair the sub-committee to oversee purchases as
Unity Park. They will report back to the committee at the November 13th
meeting.
VOTE: ALL IN FAVOR
** Please note that
subsequent conversations with public works personnel clarified that loamy and
sandy gravel has been put in place at Unity Park. The park is ready for equipment.
CONCESSION STAND
Jeff Ridgway
reported nothing new has developed in regards to this matter.
COMMITTEE MATTERS
Dr. Copare informed
the committee that he would like to continue on the committee and the reason
for so many absences is due emergencies at the hospital. He is on call on Monday nights and this has
made him unavailable the last few months.
NEW HOME SURCHARGE
Jeff Ridgway
reported that the Ordinance Review Committee is still discussing idea for
surcharge on all new homes. This fee
would help offset recreation costs associated with more residents in the
township. This could happen as soon as
beginning of 2007. Bruce Ricards feels
that if such a fee is put into place it should be designated for infrastructure
and not used for general or maintenance purposes. Jeff told the committee this would be a flat
fee and go directly to recreation.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further
business on a motion by Walt Wenner
and seconded by Fiore Copare, the
meeting was adjourned at 9:03pm.
VOTE: ALL IN FAVOR
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Metzger, Secretary