NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP
PARK AND RECREATION BOARD
MINUTES OF DECEMBER 7, 2005
Approval of Minutes: Mr. Clancy noted that the approval of the minutes of May 4, 2005 should read, “with Messrs. Clancy, Levine and Davis abstaining.” Mr. Clancy moved to accept the minutes of September 7,2005 as amended. Mrs. Kelly seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
The Newtown Township Park and Recreation Board met on
Wednesday, December 7, 2005, in the Newtown Township Building. In attendance
and voting were: Andrew Levine, Chairman; Michael Clancy, Kathy Kelly, Buck
O’Neill and Susan Sutton, members. Also in attendance was Russell Strover,
Naturalist.
Call to Order
Mr. Levine called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM.
Approval of Minutes
Mr. Clancy moved to accept the minutes of November 2,
2005. Mrs. Sutton seconded and the motion passed 5-0.
New Business
Mr. Levine suggested that the Clark Nature Center and the
Wiggins tract be listed as top priorities.
Mr. Clancy and Mrs. Sutton agreed to serve on a
sub-committee for the Wiggins tract. Mr. Clancy suggested that because this
tract is flat and open it would be a good location for playing fields.
Mrs. Sutton said that it is one of the Township’s few
visible parcels of open space, and she would like to see it remain so. She said
that she would like to see it developed minimally.
Park Development
Woll Tract
Mr. Levine reported on the Planning Commission review of
the Woll Tract. He said that Mr. Fidler had suggested moving the fields closer
to Eagle Road to Wrights Road. Mr. Levine had a preliminary sketch from Evan
Stone showing the fields moved to be more equally distant from all of the
surrounding neighbors. He said that it was unfortunate that Mr. Fleming and Mr.
Leck had not attended the early meetings of the Park and Recreation Board when
the park was first being planned by Mr. Stone.
The Board discussed the Planning Commission’s lack of
attention to the pedestrian crossing from the Woll tract to the Clark Nature
Center. The members agreed that they would like a traffic signal at the
entrance to the parks.
Mr. Levine said that the planning Commission had questioned why this Board had never planned ball fields at the Silver Lake Park. He explained to the Commission that at one time the Silver Lake Sub-Committee had brought a plan that included ball fields to the Board of Supervisors, who rejected it because active recreation at Silver Lake was not in the Township Comprehensive Plan.
Mr. Levine said that he would like the Board of
Supervisors to permit a Park and Recreation Board member to participate in
discussions of the Woll Tract with School District representatives. He was
concerned that the School District officials and Board members are not getting
all necessary information in a timely fashion.
Mr. Levine said that the Board would bring the plans back
to the Planning Commission on December 20. There is $100,000 in the next year’s
budget for engineering for the Woll Tract. The engineering plans will be
necessary in order for sports organization officials to apply for field grants.
Roberts Ridge
Mr. Levine reported that he had spoken to Newtown Rotary
Club about funding some of the costs for Roberts Ridge Park of Possibilities.
He said that if some expenses could be covered here by local organizations,
Have-a-Heart Foundation would be in a position to fund projects in more needy
communities.
Park and Recreation Director’s Report
The Board reviewed the written report Mr. Wert had sent to
the meeting. It was noted that the Park and Recreation Department is 91%
self-sufficient. There was a 9.7% increase of revenue in 2005 and a 3.1%
increase in participation. The cost per Township resident for the department is
$2.12 this year. The winter/spring brochure is to be mailed the first week of
January.
The report notes that the roof of the Clark barn was
replaced last week, and temporary lights were used at the field behind Staples;
there were no complaints about the lights.
Adjournment
Mrs. Sutton moved to adjourn at 8:30PM. Mr. Clancy
seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted:
_____________________________
Mary Donaldson