PARK AND RECREATION BOARD
NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP
MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 6, 2002
Approval of the Minutes of
February 6, 2002: Mr. Strover noted that the Shade Tree Commission Report
should read that "labels are to be ordered".
Mrs. Sutton moved to accept the minutes as amended. Mr. Strover seconded
and the motion passed unanimously.
The Newtown Township Park and Recreation Board met on February 6, 2002. In attendance and voting were: Bernard Bires, Chairman; Andrew Levine, Vice-Chairman; John Davis, Joel Grosso, Kathy Kelly, Buck O'Neill, Russell G. Strover, and Susan Sutton, members. Also in attendance were Richard Weaver, Supervisor; Bill Wert, Park and Recreation Director; and Susan Beasley, Planning Commission Liaison.
Mr. Bires called the meeting to
order at 8:00 PM.
Public Comment
Ms. Kelly Sherman of Newtown
Athletic and Aquatic Club (NAAC) presented the Board with a check for $300.00,
representing income from the joint NAAC, Newtown Township Park and Rec
sponsored teen dances held in January and February. Ms. Sherman reported that
the dances were well attended and very successful. The NAAC has formed a Teen
Advisory Board for 12-15 year olds to give input as to activities they would
like to see made available at the NAAC. They will meet on February 21 at 6:00
PM to plan for more First Saturday of the Month dances and other activities.
They have organized a ski trip to Big Boulder in March.
Ms. Sherman also presented the Board with a letter offering the NAAC and other community business spaces as possible locations for Park and Rec sponsored classes. She said that these spaces were available for the Winter programs, and she hopes to offer similar availability for Spring, Summer and Fall programs.
Approval of Minutes
Mrs. Sutton noted that her name was omitted from the attendance of January 14, 2002 minutes.
Mrs. Sutton moved to accept
the minutes as corrected. Mrs. Kelly seconded and the motion passed
unanimously.
New Business
Mill Race Office Campus –
Sketch Plan
Mrs. Karen Doorley presented the
plan for an office campus off of Lindenhurst Road in the D-1 Office Space
district. The 5.45 acre lot, between CAU and ICT/Brandyine – Newtown Commons,
will have an 8,000 square foot, two story office building. A portion of the
land, which connects to the Newtown Trail, is in a flood plain. The original
driveway will be closed and access to the property will be gained through the
Brandywine/ ICT entrance. A side yard variance will be needed for the property.
After checking the ordinance, Mr.
Wert advised the Board that the fee in lieu of Open Space would be calculated
by the footprint of the building, 3500 square feet, not by the floor space of
the proposed two story building.
Mr. Wert further explained that
the unused space on the property is not directly adjacent to Silver Lake, that
a road intersects them.
Mr. Strover moved to accept a
fee in lieu of Open Space for the Mill Race Office Campus. Mrs. Kelly seconded
and the motion passed unanimously.
Newtown Commons – Preliminary
Plan
Michael Coglan and Tony Rennica
of Brandywine Development and Mitch Shiles, their Architect presented a plan to
deed Open Space to the Township in connection with their proposed development
of a tract consisting of five office buildings behind the ICT building on the
Bypass at Lindenhurst Road.
Mr. Shiles said that he had
studied the Newtown Trail and had
designed a spur of that trail through Open Space and Wetlands on the
Newtown Office Commons. The trail will be marked and paved in the same manner
as the Newtown Trail. This trail will eventually be linked by a sidewalk to the
development planned for the Heston Tract. An exercise course will be laid out
along the trail.
Mr. Shiles explained that the
office space will be 414,000 square feet. There will be a through road linking
Lindenhurst Road to Upper Silver Lake Road
Mr. Coglan explained that the
building footprint for the five office buildings would be 138,000 square feet.
Brandywine proposes to deed back to the township a trail eight feet wide for a
total square footage of 44,800 square feet. Brandywine has calculated the
monetary value of the land based on property value of $150,000 per acre for
non-wetland property and $75,000 for wetland. Using these numbers the value of
the land to be deeded to the town is $143,199.
Mr. Coglan further explained that
the paving, drainage, excavation and exercise equipment have a value of
$41,500, giving the improved trail a total value of $184,699. The fee in lieu
of Open Space for this development would be $178,158. Once deeded to the Township,
it would be the Township's responsibility to maintain the trail and the
exercise equipment. Information on the exercise equipment will be provided to
the Township at a later date.
Mr. Weaver stated that the
Newtown Trail is 5 feet wide, while this proposed link is only 4 feet with an
easement totaling 8 feet.
Mr. Coglan agreed to pave a path
that would match the Township requirements. The wooded areas around the trail
would remain the property of Brandywine Development.
Mr. Strover and Mrs. Sutton both
agreed that it was a good use of the wetlands and an interesting addition to
the Newtown Trail System.
Mr. O'Neill stated that he
favored accepting a fee in lieu of the Open Space. Mr. Levine questioned
whether that would be a possibility.
Mr. Rennica stated that
Brandywine had studied the Ordinance and felt that his firm had met the spirit
of the Ordinance, to preserve Open Space within the Township. He felt that
Brandywine was already making contributions to the Township with roadway
improvements and installation of traffic signals, and that the proposed trail
would provide recreation space for the residents.
Mrs. Sutton agreed that there was
a great deal of development in that corner of the Township and that this would
preserve some Open Space with some recreation at Brandywine's expense. On
evenings and weekends this would be a quiet spot for a more interesting walk,
and there would be parking to begin and finish a walk through this trail and on
to Silver Lake. Mr. Bires agreed with this statement.
Mr. Rennica confirmed that this
would be a 9 to5, Monday through Friday office complex.
Mr. Davis wondered about the
choice of exercise equipment.
Mrs. Sutton stated that when the
land is deeded to the Township, other amenities could be added.
Mr. Davis moved to accept the
land and trail system as proposed with the option to adjust the amenities
provided with others of the same cost. Mrs. Sutton seconded and the motion
passed unanimously.
First National Bank and Trust
of Newtown – Preliminary Plan
Donna Wengiel of Stuckert and
Yates and Daniel Foster of First National Bank and Trust of Newtown presented
the plan to demolish the existing bank on Newtown Yardley Road and erect a new,
larger branch bank. Newtown Trail currently passes in front of the bank. Ms.
Wengiel explained that the bank will be doubling in size and that the lot is
1.33 acres. The fee in lieu of Open Space has been calculated at $3873.
Mr. Strover moved to accept a
fee in lieu of Open Space. Mrs. Kelly seconded and the motion passed
unanimously.
Liaison Reports
Capital Planning
There was no capital Planning
Report.
Planning Commission
Mrs. Beasley reported that at the
last Planning Commission meeting there was a Traffic Engineer's report. There
will be an additional left turn lane added on the By-Pass at Buck and at
Richboro Roads. The timing on the Newtown Crossing/332 light must be adjusted
to allow crossing the street to walk to the Junior HS. A traffic light is to be
added to Washington Crossing Road at Linton Hill Road by September. A traffic
light will be added to 413 at Wrights Road and one is proposed for Municipal
Drive after construction of two office complexes along 413 is complete.
Sycamore Street paving should be
finished in February.
Supervisors
Mr. Weaver reported that the
Board of Supervisors had met to discuss their Goals and Projects for 2002.
The following are Goals that concern the Park and Recreation Board:
The Newtown Trail is to be extended from Mill Pond Road, with a flashing signal, to the Junior High School. No Target date has been set.
Roberts Ridge Park – a playground is to be installed. Considerations should be given to a committee of volunteers assembling and installing the playground equipment. Electricity for a Gazebo may be less expensive than initially thought. This will continue to be researched.
Hidden Lake – any development with parking, a trail and benches would have to be done in collaboration with the County, which also owns some of the land.
Clark Property – Because development of the Clark House is restricted in Mrs. Clark's lifetime, and because the driveway and entrance are too narrow, the only things planned for this year are clean-up and tree identification and tagging. There is some thought to getting Boy Scouts involved with these projects.
Silver Lake – the parking Lot and entrance to be graded.
Newtown Shopping
Center - the parking area has been paved. Playing field pads are earmarked for
a hockey rink, one for a skate park and one for a control/storage shed. All
three will probably be prepared at once, although all may not be equipped at
once. A Hockey Rink for in-line skaters will require a special surface.
Shade Tree Commission
Mr. Strover reported that he has
ordered identification tags for the trees at Roberts Ridge Park. All of the
trees that were planted are doing will. There are still six trees to be planted
and 3 additional trees to be purchased with donation money.
Mr. Strover is planning a Tree and Shrub Care Workshop in cooperation with the Township Park and Recreation Department and the Pennsylvania Cooperative Extension, along with other organizations, to be held March 13, 2001 at Bucks County Community College. The workshop will use some trees at Swamp Road Park.
Mr. Strover is also offering a
workshop on a Saturday, open to Township residents, in cooperation with the
Township Park and Recreation Department at Roberts Ridge Park on tree pruning.
Mr. Strover expects to receive a
grant for tree planting to form a grove along the site for the proposed gazebo
in Roberts Ridge Park.
Park and Recreation Director
Mr. Wert reported income of
$53,438.00 for the Winter Program Brochure, with an increase of 20% over last
year in participation. There are 988 participants.
Mr. Wert provided the updated
results of his survey on interest in forming flag football leagues. He has
received from the NFL a league starter kit. For $15.00 per child the NFL will
supply a reversible jersey and flag belt for each child along with flags,
footballs and advertising posters to help initiate the league. The Township can
add on to the $15.00 price to cover costs, but the NFL recommends not to exceed
$75.00 per player. The league would form teams of children 6 through 15 years
old. The field is a shortened field, and the Swamp Road Park softball outfields
could be used. The program will begin in Fall of 2002.
Mr. Wert, as President of the
Newtown Lions Club, has been asked to approach the committee about installing
vending machines for soft drinks at the Chandler Field restrooms. Mr.Wert said
that the company the Lions would be dealing with would be responsible for
installing, maintaining and stocking the machines.
Mr. O'Neill reminded Mr. Wert
that there had been vandalism problems with vending machines in Swamp Road
Park, and that the Little League had also been denied vending machines.
Mr. Wert suggested that he speak
to the Lions Club about a compromise with the Little League, possibly sharing a
portion of profit with the Little League during their season and putting the
machines on a timer so they are not operational when the Little League Snack
Shed is open.
Mr. O'Neill said that the Little
League would be presenting it's "wish list" at the March meeting ,and
he would speak to them about such an arrangement.
While speaking about the
restrooms at Chandler Field, Mrs. Beasley asked if the hours that the restrooms
are unlocked could be posted on the doors.
Old Business
Landscape Structures
Mr. Helmuth of Landscape
Structures, Inc. presented the Board with plans for playgrounds using the
guidelines discussed at the November 26, 2001 meeting of the Park and Open
Space Committee. Mr. Helmuth noted that the plans show two different
playgrounds for the 2-5 year olds and 6-12 year olds, using pricing in the
$63,000.00 and $125,000.00 price ranges. He noted that the poured safety
surface, similar to that used on the High School track, would cost more than
the equipment. He noted that site preparation is not included in the pricing.
Mr. Helmuth further explained
that his equipment could be purchased under State Contract, and that, should
the community elect to assemble the equipment using volunteers, Landscape
Structures can supply a site supervisor, thereby not vacating the warrantee.
Mr. Bires asked if the entire
$125,000.00 Roberts Ridge Park budget could be used for a playground,
postponing the Gazebo plans until next year.
Mr. Weaver said that a Gazebo is
part of the master plan, but that the master plan is not an approved plan. The
committee can make whatever recommendation they think is best.
Mr. Bires then suggested that a
sub-committee be formed to study all of the plans submitted by Landscape
Structures and Boyce Associates, then to make a recommendation to the Board. He
asked that the committee compare the playground plans and also consider the
advantage to using the entire $125,000.00 for a larger playground, postponing
the Gazebo project. He suggested that Mr. Levine, Mr. Grosso, Mr. O'Neill and
Mrs. Kelly form this committee and that they have a recommendation ready for
the March, 6, 2002 meeting.
Mr. Davis moved that the
subcommittee be formed and that they make a recommendation for a playground,
using the entire $125,000.00, if necessary, at the March 6, 2002 meeting; and
further that the Park and Recreation Board set Memorial Day as a goal for
completion of said playground. Mr. Grosso seconded and the motion passed
unanimously.
Mr. Bires moved to adjourn at 10:30 PM. Mr. Levine seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted
________________________
Mary Donaldson
Recording Secretary