MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF RECREATION COMMISSIONERS FOR THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE, HELD AT THE WANTAGE TOWNSHIP MUNICIPAL BUILDING, ON DECEMBER 5, 2007.

CALL TO ORDER:
Board President Duane Armstrong called the meeting to order.

ROLL CALL:
Present: Evelyn Baig, Greg Williams, Duane Armstrong, Lorraine Card (alternate#1). Absent: Christine Feoranzo. Also in attendance was Board Secretary Jeanne McBride.

OPEN PUBLIC MEETING ACT COMPLIANCE
Mr. Armstrong stated, “This meeting is being held in compliance with the provisions of the Open Public meetings Act, Public laws of 1975 Chapter 231.
It has been properly advertised and certified”.

OLD BUSINESS

Mr. Baker attended the meeting to discuss the signs at Wantage Dog Park. Resident Jean Jaeger sent a letter to the Recreation Commission. Mrs. Jaeger states there are too many signs, and the park is beginning to look un-natural. Mr. Baker explained to the Commission the signs helped to produce the revenue to buy the fence and put in the parking area. Dr. Potter stated the signs funded a public park with private funds; also signs are standard operating procedure in parks all over North Jersey including Wantage Township.

Lorraine Card suggested toning down the decorations (ex. fall decorations) although she doesn’t see a problem with the signs. Greg Williams does not see a problem with the signs either. Mrs. Baig feels the signs shouldn’t be moved for a small minority of people.

Mr. Williams made a motion not to move the signs. Mrs. Card seconded the motion. Ayes: Mrs. Baig, Mrs. Card, Mr. Williams, Mr. Armstrong. Nays: None. Absent: Mrs. Feoranzo.

Mark Saczawa from Little League will be the liaison with Little League and the Township and wishes to work in the spirit of cooperation. Mr. Saczawa wordered what funds were available to fix field #1. Mrs. McBride explained to Mr. Saczawa the funds were needed to build emergency fencing at Woodbourne, as people were driving on the fields in the area near the basketball courts. Mr. Saczawa explained all three fields need to have outfield work done as there are ruts in the fields; but would like to have one of the fields a tournament regulation field. Field #1 is the closest to regulation as it is the only field fenced in. Field # 1 would require moving the backstop and protective padding on the fence. Some other things suggested.

Purchasing dugouts for field #3, Little League will purchase dugouts for fields #1 & #2.

Batting cage next to the basketball courts, also to be used as a pitchers warm-up area.

The possibility of building a new field at Woodbourne with a grant from Little League.

The Christmas Tree Lighting was a very enjoyable evening. Everything went according to plan. Mr. Williams wondered of we could include money for LED lights for next year. The LED lights use less electricity so we could have more lights on the tree.

NEW BUSINESS

Mrs. Baig made a motion to approve the TSA 5k at Woodbourne Park on Saturday April 19, 2008 from 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Mr. Armstrong seconded the motion. Ayes: Baig, Williams, Armstrong, Card. Nays: None. Absent: Feoranzo.

The Spring Fling is April 12, 2008 at the Beemerville Firehouse.

Wantage Day is September 20, 2008

COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS:

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Mr. Armstrong made a motion to approve the minutes of October 24, 2007. Mrs. Baig seconded the motion. Ayes: Mrs. Baig, Mr. Williams, Mr. Armstrong. Nays: None. Abstain: Mrs. Card. Absent: Mrs. Feoranzo.

OPEN PUBLIC SESSION:

ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Mrs. Card and seconded by Mr. Williams. Ayes: Baig, Williams, Armstrong, Card. Nays: None. Absent: Feoranzo.

Respectfully submitted,
Jeanne McBride, Board Secretary