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
John Kuebler, Secretary
Patricia Bunn, Member (joined meeting in progress)
Andrew Newbon, Member
Others: Terry Fedorchak, Township Manager
Donna Liney, Recreation Director
Frank Fazzalore, Supervisor Liaison
Absent: Henry Carpenter, Member
Richard Jutkiewicz, Member
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Kuebler moved, Mr. Smith, seconded and it was
unanimously carried to approve the Minutes of
APPROVAL OF LMT COMMUNITY POOL SNACK BAR MENU FOR 2004
Ms. Liney stated the Board’s packet included the proposed Snack Bar menu submitted by
M.L.E. Enterprises. The Contract requires that the Park Board approve the menu by
April 30. New items have been added. and there are minimum price increases. M.L.E.
Enterprises plans to install a soda machine in the area outside the lap pool building and
will be responsible for stocking and maintaining the machine. Park maintenance is
confirming the availability of electric for this installation.
Mr. Fritchey moved, Mr. Newbon seconded and it was unanimously carried to approve
the LMT Community Pool Snack Bar Menu for 2004.
RECREATION DIRECTOR REPORT
Ms. Liney reported that the Board of Supervisors approved the Park & Recreation action
items on their Agenda April 5, a copy of which was in the Park Board’s packet. The
required paperwork is being processed for the pavilion projects with a targeted
completion date of mid-June, as well as the purchase order under PA State Contract for
the new dual slides approved for the Community Pool and the proposal for the slides
installation. Park & Recreation will continue to monitor these projects to insure they are
tracking on schedule and keep the Park Board advised.
Ms. Liney stated that on an ongoing basis
opportunities to expand our services to the community and to provide top notch facilities for the residents.
Ms. Liney thanked the Park Board members for their ongoing support, in particular
Mr. Fritchey and Mr. Newbon who attended the Board of Supervisors meeting and
Supervisors Liaison Frank Fazzalore.
Mr. Fazzalore suggested that when they begin to prepare next year’s Pool Budget, they
make it particularly “slim” in order to pay for the slides. Ms. Liney stated her proposal is
that they do not do any major projects in 2005. Mr. Fazzalore stated he did read in a
report that the Olympic Pool will have to be replaced in a few years because it is going to
be twenty years old. Ms. Liney stated the gutter system will have to be replaced, but the
pool shell can be good for fifty years according to the architect.
YARDLEY BASEBALL DISCUSSION
Ms. Liney stated Dr. Buckley came into her office and she said she knew he was disappointed with the field times he was allocated. He stated at this point he was beyond disappointed, he was going up to see the Township Manager and then see his attorney, who is Scott Fegley. She did include pertinent documentation on this matter for the Park Board’s review.
Mr. Fritchey stated he does not feel the Park & Recreation Board needs to comment on
this. He stated he does not feel Dr. Buckley has any valid grievances.
Mr. Fedorchak stated Dr. Buckley wants to take fields away from PAA that have been
traditionally permitted by the Township to PAA in order to allow him to grow his program. He stated the Township does not feel this is fair. Mr. Fedorchak stated
Dr. Buckley was given the same fields that he requested last year to start his program and now he wants more. Mr. Fedorchak stated he advised Dr. Buckley that he came in at the “eleventh hour” requesting fields that had already been permitted, his insurance had
lapsed, and he was not sanctioned. Mr. Fedorchak stated he does not feel the Township is responsible to build fields for everyone who wants to start a program.
Ms. Bunn joined the meeting at this time.
Mr. Kuebler stated when Dr. Buckley was here last year he stated he had two teams – one
intramural and one travel team. He is now stating he has four intramural teams and three
travel teams but there are only thirty-seven children total in his organization.
Mr. Kuebler stated he does not feel he has enough children to have a legitimate League. He was given fields last year to give him an opportunity to start a program. Mr. Kuebler stated he has not shown any growth and does not have a girls and a boys program.
Mr. Kuebler stated he does not feel he should have any permits. Mr. Fritchey stated he has not done any advertising. Mr. Kuebler stated many of these boys playing intramural and travel for Yardley Baseball are also on PAA.
Mr. Smith stated by the time Dr. Buckley’s children are out of the program, he does not
feel there will be any program. He feels this is a program for Dr. Buckley’s children
only.
Mr. Fritchey stated he does not feel anything further needs to be done if the Sanctioning
has been approved and field permits have been issued.
Mr. Fedorchak stated he advised Dr. Buckley that if he insists on having a ninety foot
field, he should put this in writing, and he will approach PAA to see if there is a
possibility of negotiating this with PAA. He has heard nothing further from Dr. Buckley.
Mr. Newbon stated last year he had less than two full teams but was still given field time.
He promised he would have fall ball but did not come back.
Ms. Bunn asked if Yardley Baseball offered to assist in field maintenance and Ms. Liney
stated they did not.
SNIPES SUBCOMMITEE UPDATE AND MOTION
Mr. Fedorchak provided an update on the status of the northern Fire Station.
Ms. Bunn provided a color rendition of the proposed Snipes Soccer Complex. Mr. Smith
stated the site has been used for some soccer in the past. They wanted to find a space for
soccer in the northern end of the Township that would have a minimal impact on the
surrounding residents. The Committee included Ann Langtry of the Elm Lowne
Committee and the Elm Lowne facility is shown on the Plan.
Mr. Smith stated after discussion it was suggested that there be an entrance off Quarry
If the entrance is across from the
facilities if necessary.
Mr. Fazzalore stated he felt that when this was first proposed, YMS indicated they would
pay for it. Mr. Smith stated they did state that if they could be given exclusive use of the
facility, they would be willing to go into a partnership with the Township.
Mr. Fazzalore stated the Township does not have any money to develop the site, and
questioned where the funds would come from. Mr. Smith stated while funds are not
available now, it does not prevent them from planning for this facility.
Ms. Bunn stated what is colored in on the Plan could be considered Phase I. With the
input from Elm Lowne, it was decided the best use of the facility at first would be to have
an entrance and exit off
paved to keep the stone off
cinders as they have in the past. Grading would need to be done as well as installation of
a maintenance shed. They would also recommend installation of play equipment which
has been requested by residents in this area. No restrooms have been proposed as part of
Phase I. She would estimate that it would cost approximately $300,000 to $350,000 for
what she has proposed as Phase I.
Mr. Newbon asked how much it would cost if they went in across from Elm Lowne off
Mr. Smith stated Elm Lowne was not receptive to this. Ms. Bunn stated they have left
the entrance off
Mr. DiMaio stated he is a builder and a representative for YMS. He handles schedules
and they are “squeezed” at Macclesfield. He stated there are 3000 persons involved in
YMS. Mr. Fazzalore stated his concern is that there are no funds to pay for anything
additional. Mr. DiMaio stated there are options to building this in a phased fashion to
include grading, seeding, and the entrance and spending only a minimal amount of
money initially. Mr. Newbon stated this is why he suggested that they make the entrance
across from Elm Lowne and do a minor amount of work including grading so that they
can use the fields in this area.
Mr. Kuebler stated he feels what has been proposed is an excellent plan.
Mr. Fazzalore stated he does not feel it is right that funds be spent for this when they will
not spend money on a
on record as being in favor of a
convince people that they should approve an Earned Income Tax since the Township
needs another source of income.
Mr. Smith stated the Park & Recreation Board is aware of the financial issues, but this
has not stopped the Park & Recreation Board and the Board of Supervisors from
considering Master Plans for different parcels in the township. He would recommend that
this Plan move ahead through the process by having a meeting with the surrounding
residents, make a recommendation of approval to the Board of Supervisors, and they can
proceed with the Plan when funds become available.
Mr. Fritchey stated that since the Fire Station will be built in this area, it would mean that
certain moving equipment will be in the area. He stated he would like to see some
leveling done in the area so that they could use it on a makeshift basis. Mr. Newbon stated he would therefore recommend that they have a temporary access across from Elm
Lowne so that they can use the fields until funds are available to complete the Plan as
proposed.
Mr. Smith moved to move the Plan along and obtain input from surrounding property
owners and organizations in the area. There was no second to the Motion.
Mr. Fritchey stated he felt that these were all going to be mini fields and have it as a
junior park. Mr. DiMaio stated two of the fields are 110’ by 75’ for ten and above. For
the eight to ten year olds they use 50’ by 80’ fields and the smaller fields are used by the
younger players. Mr. Smith stated the fields are not set in stone like baseball fields.
They can be lengthened or shortened or angled differently.
Mr. Smith stated there is an artificial grass field at
facility with drainage and has the appearance of real grass which is supposed to be
maintenance free. He stated there may be an opportunity for this type of facility to use
such a material. He stated use of this material would give more playing time and cut
down on the expense of maintenance.
Mr. Kuebler moved, Mr. Smith seconded and it was unanimously carried to approve the
Preliminary Sketch for discussion purposes with the community, firm up the Plan, and
move the process along with the funding to be addressed when the time comes.
Mr. Smith asked that this matter be put on next month’s Agenda and that the public be
invited.
Mr. DiMaio stated he would volunteer his services to oversee the Plan if it ever proceeds.
LEAGUE LIAISON REPORT
Mr. Smith stated YMS is completing Registration. Intramural games start at all facilities
on Saturday, weather permitted. The bad weather has limited practice time. The EPIC
Tournament is moving along and a dialogue has been opened with Rivergate so that
hopefully there will be fewer problems.
There being no further business, Mr. Newbon moved, Ms. Bunn
seconded and it was unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting at
Respectfully Submitted,
John Kuebler, Secretary