PARK
AND RECREATION BOARD
NEWTOWN
TOWNSHIP
MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 5, 2003
Approval of Minutes: Mrs. Kelly moved to approve the minutes of February 5, 2003. Mrs. Sutton seconded and the motion passed 7-0.
The Newtown Township Park and
Recreation Board met on February 5, 2003, in the Newtown Township Building. In
attendance and voting were Bernard Bires, Chairman; Andrew Levine,
Vice-Chairman; Michael Clancy, John Davis, Joel Grosso, Kathy Kelly, Buck
O'Neill, Susan Sutton and Anne Marie Zambriczki, members. Also in attendance
were Bob Dieterle and Jim Ott, Planning Commission Liaisons, Russell Strover,
Naturalist, and Bill Wert, Park and Recreation Director.
Mr. Bires called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.
Mr. Bires suggested that the agenda be changed to hear new business first.
New Business
Newtown Industrial Commons,
Lot 21
Mr. Curt Rittler and Mr. Douglas
Terry presented a Preliminary Plan for Newtown Industrial Commons, Lot 21,
which is the old farmhouse on Pheasant Run. Mr. Rittler explained that he plans
to convert the farmhouse to a 25,000 square foot, two story office building.
The carriage house on the property is to be renovated, and the existing storage
buildings are to be removed and replaced with one pole barn for storage. Some
parking will be held in reserve, and the area will be landscaped. The offices
are to be leased. The fee in lieu of open space is estimated at approximately
$15,000.
Mr. Levine moved to recommend
that the Board of Supervisors accept a fee in lieu of open space for Newtown
Industrial Commons, Lot 21. Mr. Grosso
seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Kosacci Major Sub-Division,
Sketch Plan
Mr. Emmanuel Kosacci presented a sketch plan for a six parcel residential sub-division with access through Cliveden Drive. Mr. Kosacci said that there is open space available in the sub-division, in the flood plain.
Mr. Ott of the Planning Commission explained to the Board that the open space would not be accessible, and is deed restricted.
Mr. Wert said that, although the
land designated as open space is on the opposite side of the Newtown Creek from
Newtown Township owned land, there is no bridge to connect the two parcels, and
no bridge could be built in the flood plain. He estimated that the fee in lieu
of open space would be about $25,000.
Mr. Grosso moved to recommend
that the Board of Supervisors accept a fee in lieu of open space for the Kosacci
Major Sub-Division. Mrs. Zambriczki seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Public Comment
Council Rock Newtown Girls
Softball Association
Mr. Pat Cawley and Mr. Joe Garvey of Council Rock Newtown Girls Softball Association presented a list of requests for use of Township parks. Mr. Cawley explained that the softball league was experiencing rapid growth, and had an enrollment of 550 girls from age 5 through 18. Mr. Cawley said that he had worked on a schedule of field usage with Mr. Wert and Mr. O'Neill of Council Rock Newtown Athletic Association (Boys Baseball) for Helen Randle Park. They have a few requests regarding the use of the fields.
Mr. Cawley asked that the Board
give permission to install, at Softball Association expense, breakaway bases and a double base at first
base on fields 1, 2, 3 and 6 at Helen Randle Park.
Mr. Cawley asked if the
Association could place vinyl sponsor signs along the outfield fences, to
remain in place for the entire softball season. He pointed out that the boys'
league signs remain in place all season. He said that the Association would
agree to keeping the signs small, as the boys have done.
Mr. Cawley asked permission to install portable fences around the fields to create smaller outfields for the younger girls. He said that this is important throughout the season, but would be especially important during the tournament that the Association is hosting for up to 30 travel teams in July.
Mr. Wert said that the portable
fences would not be a problem during the tournament but that he did not think
that they could be left up for the season because field 3 at Helen Randle Park
is also used by a men's softball league, and because the fences make field
maintenance very difficult for the Public Works Department. He said that, while
the fields are assigned for the girls' use during their season, they are public
fields and residents can play on them when the girls are not using them. For
this reason, also, he is reluctant to alter the field to accommodate little girls
only. He said that he would like it to remain an all-purpose field.
Mr. Garvey said that he would like to see the girls playing on a softball field rather than an "all purpose" field, and he really wished the Board would consider the use of the fences for the entire season.
Mr. Wert assured Mr. Garvey that
the fences could be used for the July tournament, but he could not agree to
alter the field at this time, as it is the only all purpose field available for
men's softball.
Mr. Garvey said that the
Association would like to help with field maintenance. They intend to order
hand-pulled drags and rakes for the fields. They would like to install two
additional job boxes at Helen Randle Park to store the field maintenance
equipment and the breakaway bases. They have been using the shed at Helen
Randle Park for storage in the winter, but would like to open a snack bar
during the softball season. Mr. Garvey said that he would like to ask the
Township to pay for the job-boxes.
Mr. Wert said that at this time
there is not money in the budget for purchase of job boxes, but Mr. Cawley and
Mr. Garvey could request that the Board of Supervisors add these to the current
budget.
Mr. Cawley said that the
Association would like permission to install a batting cage, paid for by the
Association at Helen Randle Park, near the drainage swale.
Mr. Wert said that he had
concerns about placing a batting cage close to the field used by men's
softball, because of injuries caused by fly balls. He said that he would have
to look at the park with an Association representative and the Public Works
Director to decide on an appropriate location for a batting cage.
Mr. Garvey said that he would
like to seek corporate sponsorship from a soft drink company. It is his
understanding that the soft drink company would provide a scoreboard featuring
the company logo in exchange for an exclusive contract for sales at the snack
bar and for installation of vending machines.
Mr. Wert said that any logo sign would need to be approved by the Board of Supervisors.
Mr. Davis said that he thought that girls' softball should be granted the same permissions granted to boys baseball.
Mr. Grosso suggested that the
Board vote on each request separately.
Mr. Grosso moved to recommend
that the Board of Supervisors approve the installation and use of breakaway
bases, paid for by Council Rock Newtown Girls Softball Association, at fields
1, 2, 3 and 6 at Helen Randle Park. Mr. Bires seconded and the motion passed
unanimously.
Mr. Grosso moved to recommend
that the Board of Supervisors approve the placement of vinyl sponsor signs on
the outfield fence of field 6 at Helen Randle Park, to remain in place for the
entire softball season. Mr. Levine seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Grosso moved to Recommend
that the Board of Supervisors approve the installation of a scoreboard with
soft drink logo, paid for by Council Rock Newtown Girls Softball Association,
at field 6 at Helen Randle Park. Mr. Levine seconded and the motion passed
unanimously.
Mr. Grosso moved to recommend
that the Board of Supervisors approve the installation of two additional job
boxes at Helen Randle Park, the location to be determined by the Park and
Recreation Director and the Public Works Director. Mr. Levine seconded and the
motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Grosso moved to recommend
that the Board of Supervisors approve the installation and use of a batting
cage, supplied by the Council Rock Newtown Girls Softball Association, at Helen
Randle Park, the location to be determined by the Park and Recreation Director
and the Public Works Director. Mr. Levine seconded and the motion passed
unanimously.
Mr. Levine moved to recommend
that the Board of Supervisors approve the concept of temporary fences at Helen
Randle Park, subject to the restrictions of the Park and Recreation Director
and the Public Works Director. Mr. Grosso seconded and the motion passed
unanimously.
Council Rock Newtown Athletic
Association
Mr. Tom Nyquist, Mr. Dan Bello,
Mr. Ed Denken, Mr. John Parker and Mr. Sean Nyquist of Council Rock Newtown
Athletic Association presented a list of requests for Council Rock Newtown
Athletic Association, Little League and Babe Ruth League baseball. The leagues
have an enrollment of 555 children, mostly boys.
Mr. O'Neill said that he would
abstain from voting on these requests because he is a member of the Council
Rock Newtown Athletic Association Board.
Mr. Nyquist requested permission to install a safety fence along Sycamore Street at Chandler field. He said that the fields are used by 8 to 10 year olds, and that children chase foul balls out into Sycamore Street. He also said that the spectators stand along the Sycamore Street baseline, and sometimes younger siblings are playing there and are in danger. The league would like to install a 4 foot high fence from the driveway entrance to the edge of the parking area. They will pay for the fence.
Mr. Dieterle of the Planning Commission pointed out that the fence would have to be approved by the Codes Department for setbacks.
Mrs. Zambriczki moved to
recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve the installation of a safety
fence along the Sycamore Street side of Chandler Field, paid for by Council
Rock Newtown Athletic Association, materials and exact location to be determined
by the Park and Recreation Director and the Codes Department. Mrs. Kelly
seconded and the motion passed 8-0, with Mr. O'Neill abstaining.
Mr. Bello said that field 4 at
Helen Randle Park is in very poor condition, and children are getting hurt on
it. He asked if the field could be reseeded, with additional top soil added.
Mr. Wert said that the field would need to be shut down to be repaired properly. He said that after the baseball season he would look into adding topsoil and reseeding. He said that because the park is built on rock, it does not hold the topsoil well.
Mr. Nyquist said that the
Athletic Association would like dugouts at the front field at Chandler Park.
They would like the Township to pay for the dugouts, which cost about $2,000.
Mr. Bires explained that this year's budget has not allocated money for dugouts. He suggested that the Athletic Association ask the Board of Supervisors to include this request in next year's budget.
Mr. Nyquist asked that the Board
consider whether they will be allowed to install dugouts before the Athletic
Association approaches the Board of Supervisors.
Mr. Levine moved to recommend
that the Board of Supervisors approve the installation of dugouts at Chandler
Field subject to the approval of the Codes Department and funding, unless the
Council Rock Newtown Athletic Association should decide to fund the project.
Mr. Grosso seconded and the motion passed 8-0 with Mr. O'Neill abstaining.
Mr. Nyquist said that the
Athletic Association would like more bleachers at Helen Randle Park.
Mr. Grosso suggested that the
Athletic Association make a list of all of the items that they would like the
Township to fund, and present it to the Board of Supervisors to be included in
next year's budget.
Mr. Denken said that he had been negotiating with the Coca Cola Company for league sponsorship. He said that Coke would provide two scoreboards featuring the company logo, one of which would replace the existing scoreboard at Chandler Field. The Athletic Association would, in return, sell Coke products at the snack bars. They would like to install two vending machines, one for Coke brand soft drinks and one for bottled water. The machines would be serviced by Coke. Coke would install the machines in April, at the start of the baseball season, and remove them at the end of the season.
Mr. Bires asked if the league or the Township would be liable for vandalism.
Mr. Denken said that Coke would maintain and repair any vandalized machines, and that neither the league nor the Township would be liable. He said that the money earned by the sale of Coke products would be used by the league for field maintenance and improvements. He said that the Township would pay the utility costs for the vending machines.
Mr. Garvey asked that the Council
Rock Newtown Girls Softball Association also be allowed to install soft drink
machines at Helen Randle Park, if they are able to make a similar deal with
Coke.
Mr. Davis moved to recommend
that the Board of Supervisors approve the installation of two scoreboards with
Coca-Cola logos at Chandler Field, and the installation of soft drink vending
machines at Chandler Field for the benefit of Council Rock Newtown Athletic
Association, and installation of soft drink vending machines at Helen Randle
Park to benefit Council Rock Newtown Girls Softball Association. Mrs.
Zambriczki seconded and the motion passed 8-0, with Mr. O'Neill abstaining.
Newtown Rotary Club
Mr. Paul Salvatore said that Newtown Rotary would like to donate money toward the purchase of a handicapped accessible playground apparatus to commemorate the Rotary's 50th anniversary. He said that he would like to work with the Park and Recreation Board to raise additional funds through other Newtown service organizations.
Mr. Levine said that he thought
that the DCNR and Bucks County were interested in building a playground
specifically designed for handicapped children. He asked if Mr. Salvatore had
done any demographic research that would suggest that Newtown would be a good
site for such a playground.
Mr. Salvatore said that Rotary just wanted to donate a piece of equipment for handicapped children, but that they had not done any demographic research. He said that he would be interested in working on such a project with Mr. Levine.
Mr. Levine said that the Roberts
Ridge Park Sub-Committee would work with Mr. Salvatore to decide on a location
for the equipment. He pointed out that an existing playground may have to be
upgraded to be wheelchair accessible. He suggested that the Sub-Committee work
with Boyce and Little Tykes, who supplied the Roberts Ridge playground.
Approval of Minutes
Mrs. Kelly moved to accept the
minutes of January 7, 2003. Mr. Davis seconded and the motion passed
unanimously.
Liaison Reports
Mr. Dieterle and Mr. Ott said
that they would be liaisons for the Planning Commission. They hope to be of
help in reviewing plans submitted to the Board for review of open space.
Shade Tree Commission
Mrs. Sutton reported that she will be working with the Borough to participate in Arbor Day, April 25. She said that this year's celebration will be at Linton Park, and that subsequent years will alternate between the Township and Borough. She hopes to have volunteers from the Board.
Clark Nature Center
Mr. Strover reported that he has
continued to work with Eagle Scouts on projects at the Center. He said that a
few projects would need to be relocated because the areas selected are too wet.
John Kaisar has requested to work on a handicapped accessible trail.
Silver Lake Sub-Committee
Mrs. Kelly said that the budget
allows $130,000 toward development of Silver Lake Park, and so she did not
think that the Board would need to apply for a DCNR grant right away. She
presented a timeline for the project.
Mr. Ott suggested that the
Sub-Committee should present an informal plan to the Planning Commission before
they get to the final plan stage.
Park and Recreation Director's
Report
Mr. Wert reported that he had
been contacted by Council Rock North's Athletic Director about use of baseball
fields for the ninth-grade teams. He will continue to work with Mr. Nodecker to
come to a mutually beneficial agreement.
Members Comments
Mr. O'Neill asked that the Skate
Park Sub-Committee be added to the March agenda.
Correspondence
Mr. Bires reported that he had a letter from Mike Hammer of Upper Makefield Soccer asking if the Township had any plans for development of new soccer fields on the Wohl Tract. Mr. Bires said that he informed Mr. Hammer that there are no plans in this year's budget.
Adjournment
Mr. Levine moved to adjourn at 10:45 PM. Mr. Bires seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted
______________________
Mary Donaldson, Secretary