PARK
AND RECREATION BOARD
NEWTOWN
TOWNSHIP
MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 6, 2002
Approval of the Minutes
The Newtown Township Park and
Recreation Board met on Wednesday, November 6, 2002. In attendance and voting
were Bernard Bires, Chairman; Andrew Levine, Vice-Chairman; John Davis, Kathy
Kelly, Russell G. Strover, Joel Grosso, Susan Sutton, and Anne Marie
Zambriscki, members. Also in attendance was Park and Recreation Director Bill
Wert.
Mr. Strover called the meeting to
order at 7:00PM.
Changes in Agenda
Mr. Strover said that David
Michelson-Horowitz, a Boy Scout with Troop 380, would like to present his
proposed Eagle Scout Project.
Approval of Minutes
Mr. Strover noted that the trees
for Roberts Ridge would be planted at the end of November.
Mr. Davis moved to accept the minutes
as amended. Mr. Strover seconded and the motion passed 4-0 with Mrs. Sutton
abstaining.
Park and Recreation Director's
Report
Mr. Wert reported that the park
and Recreation department is busy preparing programs for the Winter 2003
brochure. Currently revenues are up 10% over last year at this time and
participation is up 18%.
Mr. Wert noted that the Roberts
Ridge playground is in constant use, and that parking lot signs have been
installed, alleviating the parking problems along Frost Lane and Lower
Dolington Road. He has checked with the Police Department and learned that
there have only been four accidents at the Frost, Lower Dolington intersection
since 1998, but will continue to monitor the parking situation to see if
restrictions are needed.
The Newtown Rotary Club would
like to donate the money to pay for five picnic tables, four benches and four
trash bins at the Roberts Ridge playground to honor founding member H. Stanford
Roberts. The tables and benches, made of durable coated metal mesh, will be
placed in a mulched area under the large tree near the playground.
Mr. Wert reported that he is
working with local phone companies to install a pay telephone at Roberts Ridge
and to move the telephones at Helen Randle Park to the outside of the building
near the playground there.
Mr. Wert reported that the Clark
Nature Center had a small opening ceremony on October 26, 2002, attended by
County Commissioner Fitzpatrick, along with the executors of the Clark estate
and relatives of the Clark family. He and Mr. Strover have been presented with
a number of possible Eagle Scout projects for the property, and will work with
the Scouts to complete them. He is also working with the Fairmount Park
Commission on possibly taking late night infrared aerial photos of the property
for deer population monitoring.
New Business
David Michelson Horowitz, a Boy
Scout with Troop 380, presented a proposal for an Eagle Scout project at the
Clark Nature Preserve. Under the guidance and Supervision of Russell G. Strover,
David said that he would like to clear an area in the park for an outdoor
classroom. His plan calls for cleaning an already open area in the park,
removing debris and weeds, and with the help of the Public Works Department,
removing any fallen trees. The trees would then be used to cut logs to form
benches to be arranged in a semi-circle. David anticipates that with the help
of about ten other scouts, this project could be completed in two to three
Saturdays.
Mr. Wert assured the Board that
he would help David in the site selection, keeping in mind that a handicap
accessible site would be the most desirable.
David said that he would provide
all tools and supplies needed, and that the scouts would be supervised by
parents and scout leaders at all times. Safety goggles would be used when necessary. He would also need
to have the project approved by the Playwicki Scout District.
Mr. Wert said that the completed
classroom would be available in the future for boy and girl scouts and possibly
school classes
Mr. Strover moved to approve
the outdoor classroom Eagle Scout project as presented by David Michelson
Horowitz. Mr. Levine seconded and the motion passed 8-0.
Old Business
Shade Tree Commission
Mr. Strover reported that he
would be selecting the new trees for Roberts Ridge Park next week with
Mr.Fidler. The trees will be planted at the end of November with the help of
the Public Works Department.
Mr. Davis moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:00PM. Mrs. Sutton seconded and the motion passed 8-0.
Respectfully Submitted:
_____________________________
Mary Donaldson Recording Secretary
.