PARK
AND RECREATION BOARD
NEWTOWN
TOWNSHIP
MINUTES OF AUGUST 7, 2002
Approval of the Minutes of August 7, 2002
Mr. Davis moved to approve the minutes as corrected. Mrs. Sutton seconded and the motion passed 7-0.
The Newtown Township Park and
Recreation Board met on Wednesday, August 7, 2002 in the Newtown Township
Building. In attendance and voting were Bernard Bires, Chairman; Andrew Levine,
Vice-Chairman; John Davis, Joel Grosso, Kathy Kelly, Buck O'Neill, Russell G. Strover, Susan Sutton, and Anne Marie
Zambriscki, members. Also in attendance were Scott Harp, Supervisor; Bill Wert,
Park and Recreation Director and Susan Beasley, Planning Commission Liaison.
Call to Order
Mr. Bires called the meeting to Order at 7:00 PM.
Public Comment
Mrs. Nancy Crescenzo, a resident, said that she was in attendance because
the Skate Park is on the agenda, and she was eager to see the park built. She
expressed concern that the High School would be using the playing fields behind
Staples for emergency parking until the new school opens, and that this would
delay the project. She also expressed interest in the Hidden Lake sub-committee
report.
Mr. Bires said that he would like to address Mrs. Crescenzo's concerns as
they came up on the agenda.
Approval of Minutes
Mr. Strover noted that on Page 2, the Shade Tree Commission grant is for
$3,000.
Mr. Grosso moved to approve the minutes of June 5, 2002, as corrected. Mr. Strover seconded, and the
motion passed unanimously.
Old Business
Playground Sub-Committee Report
Mr. Wert reported that a gravel path had been placed from the Roberts
Ridge playground to the Newtown Trail, and that he was pricing asphalt for the
path. The bid for installation of the playground had been awarded to Buzz
Burger, Inc. Work would begin next Monday and would take a few weeks.
Mr. Bires reported that an opening ceremony is planned for September 15,
2002. (changed to Sept. 22) There will
be a ribbon cutting at 5:00 PM and a concert by Monday's Blues Big Band would
take place at 6:00 PM. The Bucks County Parks Department bandstand will be
rented. The total cost for the band and bandstand is $1500.00. The Musicians
Union will donate a portion of their fee, and Mr. Harp is working to find a
sponsor for the remainder of the fees. Mr. Wert will handle publicity for the
opening.
Mr. Bires said that he thought this concert would give the Park and
Recreation Board a chance to measure the response to Township sponsored
concerts and give an indication in the community's interest in a permanent band
shell/gazebo in the park.
Shade Tree Commission
Mr. Strover reported that he is still waiting on paperwork for the tree
grant. He would like the Board to consider planting more along Frost Lane. Six
trees did not survive the summer, three of which will be replaced by "Tree
the Streets". He said that he had heard that Yardley had gotten a $40,000
grant for materials for parks, and he wanted to look into applying for a
similar grant.
Hidden Lake Sub –Committee
Mr. Grosso reported that the Hidden lake Sub-Committee had met on July
23, 2002. Chief Duffy and some concerned residents also attended. Mr. Grosso said that Chief Duffy felt that
there is no safe parking available, and that exiting onto Washington Crossing
Road could be dangerous. He said that currently the police do not regularly
patrol at Hidden Lake, and that they do not have the manpower to begin regular
patrols. The area cannot be patrolled with a car or bicycle, only on foot. The
chief felt that there are some dangerous conditions at the lake and that it
should not be made more accessible.
Mr. Grosso said that during the discussion at the Sub-Committee meeting,
residents expressed concern about the lack of Township owned land for parking.
They were also concerned about trespassing on their private property to access
the lake. Many asked about their own and the Township's liability in the event
of an accident. He presented a written report with recommendations to the Park
and Recreation Board for consideration in making its recommendation to the
Board of Supervisors.
In reviewing the written report,
Mr. Davis asked if the committee had discussed the property owners installing
fences to delineate their property lines. He questioned whether the property
could be posted as "no trespassing" if fishing and boating are
allowed by the County.
Mrs. Beasley suggested that the Board might want to ask the Planning Commission to research whether parking is allowed on the small area
of Township owned property at the entrance to Hidden Lake, or if it can be
posted as "No Parking".
Mr. Harp said that the Board could prepare a list of questions for the Township Solicitor. Matters such as posting "no
parking" and "no trespassing" signs and clarification of the
easements on the property could be researched by the Solicitor. Mr. Grosso
agreed to pursue this with Mr. Pellegrino.
Mr. Grosso said that the Sub-Committee had considered the report of Bill
Mitchell of the Bucks County Park and Recreation Board, the concerns of the
Police Chief, the original intent in the creation of the lake, and the
Comprehensive Recreation Plan, and felt that the property should remain as it
is now. The Sub-Committee felt that this property is not viable for further
development. Mr. Grosso also said that the Sub-Committee felt that leaving the
property as it is now did not address the safety and liability issues that
currently exist, and recommend the forming of a task force to address these
specific concerns.
Mr. Levine moved to recommend to the Board of Supervisors that the open
space at Hidden Lake be left in its natural environment; only routine
maintenance should be performed on the property; that a task force be formed
consisting of members of the Board of Supervisors, area residents and Chief
Duffy for the purpose of addressing the safety concerns and other issues
associated with the lake; and that the original intent of the lake supports the
notion that Hidden Lake is open space and cannot nor should not be considered a
park. Mr. Grosso seconded the motion.
Mr. Davis said that he thought that the "original intent"
should not be part of the motion, as the Comprehensive plan says that Hidden
Lake "may not" be suitable for further development.
Mr. Levine amended his motion to recommend to the Board of Supervisors that the open space at Hidden Lake be
left in its natural environment; only routine maintenance should be performed
on the property; that a task force be formed consisting of members of the Board
of Supervisors, area residents and Chief Duffy for the purpose of addressing
safety concerns and other issues associated with the lake. Mrs. Sutton seconded
the motion.
Mr. Jeff Marshall, a resident said that the lake is currently being used
and that the Park and Recreation Board
cannot just leave it the way it is. They must address the safety and
liability issues, either restrict access or make it safe.
Mr. Levine asked if the lake is accessible through Lakeview Estates.
Mrs. Beasley said that because Lakeview Estates has only one entrance, an
easement was created through the Marshall property for emergency vehicles only.
This is not a public easement. When people enter the lake area through Lakeview
Estates they are trespassing.
Mr. Bires asked the Board to vote on Mr. Levine's motion.
Mr. Levine's motion, seconded by Mrs. Sutton passed unanimously.
Clark Property
Mr. Wert reported that he had toured the property with Don Gephardt, the
regional representative of the DCNR. He and Mr. Gephardt discussed
possibilities for future grants, particularly for renovating the barn as a
nature center or environmental center. Mr. Gephardt said that he would have to
research the impact on existing facilities outside the township if the barn is
used for educational purposes.
Mr. Levine said that he had worked with the DCNR on County projects at
Silver Lake, and they had been given Keystone Grants.
Mrs. Beasley said that she thought that there are seminars given on
applying for Keystone Grants.
Mr. Strover reported that the parking area should be completed very soon.
Skate Park
Mr. Harp said that at this time no sketch plans had been completed for a
skate park. Council Rock School District had been in touch with the Township
about using the property behind Staples for temporary parking during the split
sessions in the fall. The Township is willing to work with the School District
on this.
Mrs. Crescenzo said that she thought that the Staples land should not be
used for student parking, but as a staging area for CR North Construction or
staff parking.
Mr. Levine asked if the $75,000.00 allocated for the skate park could be
used for other purposes if the skate park is put on hold.
Mr. Harp explained that the money is specifically allocated for a skate
park, and a change would have to be presented to the Board of Supervisors for
approval.
Mrs. Crescenzo asked if the opening of the Middletown Skate Park, and a
proposed skate park in Northampton would diminish interest in a park for
Newtown.
Mr. O'Neill showed the Board a recent USA Today article that stated that
skate boarding is now more popular than Little League Baseball, with 7.5
million skate boarders and 6.9 million
Little League Ball Players. Newtown and all the surrounding towns have ball
fields, so if the children are this interested, we should offer skate parks as
well. He said that his development, Eagle Ridge, and Headley Trace have banned
skateboard use, and he thinks this is true in other developments also. He said
that he did not think there would be less interest if nearby towns were
offering skate parks. He asked if any land in Helen Randle Park could be used
for a park if the Staples site cannot be used.
Mr. Bires said that the land available at Helen Randle Park could not
accommodate a regulation size skate park, and that the men's softball field was
very close and fly balls would be a danger to the skate boarders.
Mr. Wert said that he was concerned about the operation of a skate park
if there is diminished interest. He said that an employee must always be on
site during operations to collect admission and supervise for safety. He said
that he does not know if the skate park could be financially self-sufficient.
Mr. Bires said that before construction is begun, it might be a good idea
to do a survey for community interest.
Mr. O'Neill volunteered to chair a Sub-Committee to begin planning a
skate park, including investigating alternate sites, and conducting a survey of
community interest.
Mr. Harp said that he thought that Mr. Weaver might have a lot of
information of skate parks.
Mrs. Crescenzo said that she had saved all the paperwork form a previous
skate park committee and that she would make this available to Mr. O'Neill.
Silver Lake Park
Mr. Bires said that this is an addition to the agenda. He asked if a
Sub-Committee could be formed to investigate and make recommendations for
improvements to Silver Lake Park.
Mrs. Kelly volunteered to chair a Sub Committee. She suggested that
anyone interested get together to walk through the park before a meeting is
held.
Mrs. Sutton volunteered to be on this committee.
Liaison Reports
Capital Planning – No
Report
Planning Commission
Mrs. Beasley reported that Szarko Builders had presented a plan for a
Minor Sub-Division, but had been advised that the plan would need to be
resubmitted as either a Major Sub-Division or a flag lot with zoning variances.
Wiltshire Walk had presented a Conditional Use application for removal of
40,000 cubic yards of topsoil. The Commission is recommending that the Board of
Supervisors grant the Conditional Use with the condition that an effort be made
to remove the topsoil to another location within the Township, School District
or County.
Maple Leaf Learning Center had applied for Conditional Use for a
daycare/nursery school at the Assembly of
God Church. They were advised that the Church lot size is too small for
a nursery school and that a variance would be needed. The Commission recommended
that the Board of Supervisors grant the Conditional Use with the condition that
at zoning variance for lot size be applied for.
Tudor Square reviewed its plan to build a third office building on
Newtown Yardley Road.
Board of Supervisors – no
report
Park and Recreation Directors
Report
Mr. Wert provided a written
report to the Park and Recreation Board, showing an overall 10% increase in
revenue and a 14% increase in participation for the Summer programs.
All camps have been successfully completed. There was a 3% decrease in revenue and 13% decrease in participation, however the young teen camp was a tremendous success and Mr. Wert expects an increased enrollment next year.
There were 48 applicants for the
NFL Flag Football program. The Lower Bucks Athletic Association contacted Park and
Rec about joining their league, which sponsors teams in Lower Makefield,
Bensalem and Levittown. Newtown teams would have home games at Helen Randle
Park and travel to these teams for away games. Games are on Sunday afternoons.
Newtown can field 2 teams of 6-8 year olds, 3 teams of 10 to 12 year olds and 1
team of 12 to 14 year olds. He said that Lower Bucks encouraged Newtown to
sponsor Spring League teams also.
Northampton Township had contacted Mr. Wert about co-sponsoring computer classes at their new computer room. Newtown would advertise in our brochure and do our own enrollments and collection of fees. Mr. Wert said that he was not sure if he wanted to send our residents outside of the Township.
Mrs. Sutton said that she thought
that unless this program would be competing with one in Newtown she thought it
would be a good idea. She said that Northampton programs are open to
non-residents anyway.
Member Comments
Mr. Harp noted that the Walk America flag walk would pass through Newtown
on September 4th. They will be at Carl Sedia Park at 10:00 AM carrying flags
that have been carried across the country and will be presented at ceremonies
at Ground Zero on September 11, 2002.
Mr. Bires moved to adjourn at 9:15PM. Mr. Levine seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted
_____________________________
Mary Donaldson, Recording Secretary