PARK & RECREATION BOARD
MINUTES -
The regular meeting of the Park & Recreation Board of
the
Those present:
Park & Recreation Board: David Fritchey, Chairman
Ron Smith, Vice Chairman
Richard Jutkiewicz, Member
Patricia Martin, Member (joined meeting in progress)
Andrew Newbon, Member
Others: Donna Liney, Recreation Director
Scott Fegley, Supervisor Liaison (joined meeting in progress)
Wes Hackman, Supervisor
Jim Majewski, Township Engineer
Absent: Henry Carpenter, Park & Rec Member
John Kuebler, Park & Rec Member
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Smith moved, Mr. Fritchey seconded and it was
unanimously carried to approve the Minutes of
ESTABLISH SUBCOMMITTEES FOR PLANNING OF SAMOST TRACT AND SNIPES TRACT
Mr. Fritchey stated the Board of Supervisors has asked that the Park & Recreation Board
begin planning the Samost Tract and suggested this site be considered for the location of a
He noted they have also been asked to look at the Snipes tract as a possible location for
additional soccer fields.
Mr. Fritchey stated he will Chair the Subcommittee for the Samost Tract working with
Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Jutkiewicz, and Mr. Kuebler; and Mr. Smith will Chair the
Subcommittee for the Snipes Tract working with Ms. Martin and Mr. Newbon. He stated
they will each have an organizational meeting to look at the available maps and discuss
what they propose for the tracts. They will seek input from other interested parties
including user groups and neighbors. There will be public meetings held to listen to public
comment, and they will also be involved with consultants who will provide professional
expertise.
UPDATE ON TOWNSHIP MASTER PLAN
Ms. Liney stated the information from the Park & Recreation Board for the Township Master Plan Update was submitted in April, 2002. A follow-up interview was held with a
representative from the Bucks County Planning Commission, Gayle Freedman, who
indicated she supported their comments and reiterated the Park & Recreation Board’s
positions. The Plan will be available for public input at a special meeting to be held in the
near future.
Ms. Martin joined the meeting at this time.
SUPERVISOR REPORT
In the absence of Mr. Fegley, Mr. Hackman was asked to provide any pertinent
information to the Park & Recreation Board. Mr. Hackman stated the Board of
Supervisors voted on the Preliminary Budget which includes
monies for the
that the Park & Recreation Board become involved in the planning of the Samost Tract.
With regard to the Snipes Tract, Mr. Hackman stated the Township has owned this
property for a number of years but they had an Agreement with the Snipes family that the
Snipes family could take out the Christmas trees until this year. He stated the Fire
Company will have a Sub-Station on this tract and they plan to start construction in the
spring. Mr. Hackman stated for many years they have shown on the Official Map,
Company is going to build the Sub-Station up from the corner, taking into account the fact
that the road will be re-aligned some day. He is not sure when they will actually move
ahead with the re-alignment. He stated the Fire Company wants to bring the utilities up the
new road, and the Park & Recreation Board should work around this in their planning.
Mr. Fritchey asked if they have decided where their driveway will exit, and
Mr. Hackman stated they have access only onto
Mr. Hackman stated they have a complete design for the Fire Station, and the Board of
Supervisors has signed off on the architecture. They anticipate completion approximately
six months after the start of construction which they anticipate will begin in the spring.
Mr. Fegley joined the meeting at this time.
Mr. Fegley stated he is glad to see the start of planning for the Samost Tract although he
personally is not in favor of the
made by a majority of the Board, they should proceed with the planning.
LIGHT FEE DISCUSSION
Mr. Newbon stated they had talked some time ago about lights being on at the different
Parks. He noted the invoices sent out to the various organizations for their portion of the
lighting expense which are substantial. He asked if any further consideration has been
given to a programmable switch on the boxes. He feels there could be a reduction in the
light charge if the boxes were installed. Ms. Liney stated she is getting an estimate on
alternatives from DGW.
December 10, 2002 Park & Recreation Board - page 3 of 5
RECREATION DIRECTOR REPORT
Ms. Liney stated as requested by the Park & Recreation Board, she has included
information in their Packet on the history of the PAA request to light the baseball fields.
Ms. Liney noted a bid opening was held on the pool renovations and a recommendation
will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors.
Ms. Liney stated the remainder of the soccer season was canceled by Intercounty Soccer due to weather. She congratulated Mr. Smith, whose team placed first this year.
Ms. Liney reported that the Lower Makefield Seniors had their Year End Luncheon today
and the Township recognized the volunteers for their service.
Ms. Liney thanked the Park & Recreation Board and the community groups for making
2002 a successful year and stated she looks forward to working with everyone again in
2003.
DISCUSSION OF LIGHTING BASEBALL FIELDS
Mr. Hackman asked for a copy of the information provided to the Park & Recreation Board
regarding the history of prior discussions on lighting of the baseball fields. Mr. Fritchey
stated it appears that the Board of Supervisors approved lighting Fields 1 and 2. This was
then put out to bid, but the bids came back very high. There was discussion about PAA’s contribution, but the Board of Supervisors never heard anything further from PAA.
Mr. Fritchey stated he feels that Mr. Berlin did not feel they could afford their portion of the installation cost. He noted this took place in 1995/1996. Mr. Smith noted PAA had come in with their own estimate which was considerably below what the bids came in at.
Mr. Jack Morrison asked the amount of the bid, and it was noted it was $90,000.
Mr. Morrison asked how much the Board of Supervisors was willing to commit to the
project, and it was noted that the discussions never got this far. Mr. Morrison stated he
feels that they could put lights on Fields 1 and 2 for $80,000 today. Ms. Martin stated if
they are going to use Township funds, it must be put out to bid.
Mr. Smith stated PAA never indicated how much they would be willing to contribute.
After the bids came in, PAA never came back indicating the amount they would be willing
to contribute. Mr. Morrison asked how much it would cost to build a new baseball field,
and Mr. Fritchey stated he would estimate it to be $250,000. Mr. Morrison stated it would
be significantly less to light one field. He stated they are unable to schedule the teams they
currently need to schedule on the fields now available.
Mr. Fegley stated if they put every inch of open space they have left into recreation fields,
they would still not have enough fields as the organizations would grow into those fields as
well. He stated he does feel the Township has the role of providing recreation for its
residents; however, he does not feel the Government is responsible to meet every recreation
need there is. Mr. Smith stated he does feel they have an obligation in some respects to
accommodate the people who live within the Township. He stated he does not believe
there will be an ever-increasing demand but does not feel what they have available at the
present time is sufficient. Mr. Newbon stated they have set a precedent in the Township to
December 10, 2002 Park & Recreation Board - page 4 of 5
support the organizations. He stated he feels Mr. Morrison wants to make the best use of
the fields they currently have. Mr. Fegley stated he does not have a problem with lighting
the fields across the street form the Municipal Building as it appears the Board already
approved this. Mr. Fritchey stated he feels the population of the Township is stabilizing
and there should not be much additional development of residential subdivisions.
Mr. Fritchey stated he feels the Township has done well by the residents.
Mr. Newbon asked the position of PAA on funding the lights. Mr. Morrison stated PAA is
willing to pay a portion of the cost although they cannot donate $50,000. He feels they
could pay between $10,000 and $20,000. He feels it would be better to spend $40,000 to
light a field rather than spend $250,000 for a new field.
Mr. Hackman stated he is anxious to see the outcome of the planning process for Samost
and Snipes to see how far they can go to help the field situation.
Mr. Morrison stated he hopes that the Board of Supervisors will also consider the
enjoyment of playing baseball under the lights on a Friday night.
Ms. Martin stated she feels they need to get current bids on lighting the fields and to be
advised how much PAA is willing to give before they take this matter before the Board of
Supervisors.
Mr. Fegley stated they should also consider the impact of lights on the surrounding
neighborhood.
Mr. Hackman stated the Fee-In-Lieu of Recreation funds have virtually dried up. These are
the funds that have paid for most of the recreation projects in the past. Park & Recreation
is now broken out on the tax bills and it is no longer an incidental item. He stated the
Township spends almost $900,000 attributable to recreation.
Mr. Fritchey stated he feels they can look into the light issue to some degree in the context
of their discussion of the Samost tract. He stated he feels they will come up with a
proposal for the Board of Supervisors to consider in the spring.
LEAGUE LIAISON REPORT
Mr. Smith stated the YMS season has come to a conclusion, and it was very successful.
OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Hackman asked when the Sub-Committees will start meeting. Mr. Fritchey stated they
will discuss this with Ms. Liney and will publicize the dates. He stated if there are
members of the public who would like to serve on the Sub-Committee, they will be
requesting volunteers.
December 10, 2002 Park & Recreation Board - page 5 of 5
Mr. Fegley thanked the Park & Recreation Board for the work they did this year and stated
he enjoyed serving with them.
Mr. Fritchey thanked the Park & Recreation Board members for another good year and
stated he feels next year will be exciting as well.
There being no further business, Mr. Smith moved, Mr. Newbon seconded and it was unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
David Fritchey, Chairman