CALL TO ORDER
2004 Board President Duane Armstrong called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL
Present: Duane Armstrong, Sue Vanden Heuval, Paul Pfeil, Greg Williams, Bill Hardy
Absent: Don Henry (telephoned to inform that he would not make the meeting due to illness)
Geri Stella (subsequently present as of 7:35 p.m.)
OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT COMPLIANCE
Mr. Armstrong stated, "This meeting is being held in compliance with the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act, P.L. 1975, Ch. 231. It has been properly advertised and certified ".
OLD BUSINESS
Review of Field Use Requests
The members of the board held an open discussion with representatives
of the various sports organizations of Wantage Township, to review the
Use Requests for the ball fields at Woodbourne Park and Lott Road.
Upon review, it appeared to the Board that the Use Request of the High
Point Soccer program for soccer fields at Woodbourne Park and Lott Road
Fields had no conflicts with other organizations.
Mr. Armstrong stated that the Girls Softball program appeared to have
provided all material and information requested by the new Field Use Policy
of the Township.
Several board members indicated that, upon their review of the field use
requests of the High Point Vipers Softball program, The North Jersey Thunder
Softball program, and the Sussex Wantage Girls Softball program, there
appeared to be conflicts in requested use of Fields #1 and #2 on certain
dates.
On behalf of the Softball program, Ms. Ann Marie Penhaker informed the
board members that Sussex Wantage Girls Softball will coordinate the use
needs of all three organizations to ensure that there are no conflicts
regarding field use by these three organizations.
Mr. Armstrong indicated that several items were not included in the materials
presented by Sussex Wantage Little League when they submitted their use
request application.
Mr. Joe Shulok, representing Sussex Wantage Little League, informed that
an insurance certificate would be submitted shortly, once it is received
from their insurance carrier, and that the detailed schedule of field
use requests for practices and games would be completed once final sign-ups
were completed.
Members of the Recreation Commission noted that there appeared to be no
conflict with the requested SWLL field use for the ball fields at Lott
Road, and for the new large baseball field (Field #5) at Woodbourne Park.
Upon further review and discussion, it was determined that the only potential
for conflict in the use needs of fields for 2005 involved Field #1 and
possibly Field #2 at Woodbourne Park, to the extent that the SWLL program
is requesting “some” use rights of those fields. In the absence
of firm enrollment numbers and schedules for games and practices, there
was no specific indication regarding the extent of use being requested
by SWLL. Therefore, the extent of potential for conflict with the softball
program was not readily ascertainable.
Representatives of the Softball program expressed concern with the possibility
that the existing softball program, which has enjoyed the use of these
fields for many years, might be disrupted and/or required to use fields
at Lott Road. Concern was expressed that the fields at Woodbourne are
perfectly suited for softball use, while the fields at Lott Road are not.
Concern was also expressed that on-going volunteer efforts to maintain
these fields and have them ready on a weekly basis for softball use would
be disrupted if the little league program were granted joint use rights
of the fields.
Representatives of the Little League program expressed concern that their
program is always asked to use the fields at Lott Road, and never have
an opportunity to play on the newer fields at Woodbourne Park. Concern
was also expressed regarding the large number of ball players in the little
league program, and that the availability of the fields at Lott Road alone
are not sufficient to meet their needs.
Representatives of both the softball and little league programs detailed
efforts to gain usage of all available fields in Sussex Borough, the Sussex
Wantage School district, and the High Point High School grounds.
Mr. Pfeil reminded all persons present that the only jurisdiction the
Recreation Board has, involves use of the fields at Woodbourne and at
Lott Road.
Mr. Armstrong suggested that, given the need to review the input and positions
of both the softball program and the little league program, as well as
the need to receive the outstanding submittal items from little league
prior to being in a position to make an informed decision, it would be
the best course of action to wait until the March 30, 2005 meeting of
the Recreation commission before making any commitments for field use
this year.
Mr. Doherty pointed out that there were a small number of use applications
submitted, which request field use rights prior to March 30.
Mr. Joe Hayes of the Soccer program indicated that, although their use
request for fields started on March 1, weather conditions would most likely
prevent them from using the fields for most of that month. The board members
felt that, since there was no conflict in the use request for the soccer
program, no problems would be encountered by waiting until the March meeting
to decide.
The members of the Board expressed consensus agreement that the request
of the Softball program to use Woodbourne Park on April 23 for an opening
day celebration was acceptable.
General discussion also took place with respect to an effort by members
of the Board to reach a consensus for field use approvals within the next
two weeks. Mr. Doherty pointed out that this might be difficult to accomplish
unless the Board were to call a special meeting.
The Board members reviewed the list entitled “Recreation Events
for 2005”, being a synopsis of projects that the Recreation Commission
will pursue as various assignments for this year.
- Winter Festival – No commitments have been made. This event usually happens in late January or early February
- Spring Fling III – Committee includes Susan Vanden Heuvel (Chair Person), Bill Hardy, Karen and Duane Armstrong, Jill Space.
- Wantage Township Pageants – Committee includes Susan Vanden Heuvel, Jill Space and Paul Pfeil. Paul has agreed to solicit for donations.
- Wantage Township Talent Contest – Committee includes Gerri Stella and additional assistance is needed.
- Movies at Woodbourne Park – Bill Hardy will research the possibility of purchasing Audio Visual Equipment for use at the movies and other recreational events as well.
- Holiday Projects (Ladies Night Craft Project and Children’s Gingerbread Houses) – No commitments have been made.
- Christmas Tree Lighting – Greg has expressed an interest in coordinating this event. Sue offered to “turn over” her Tree Lighting Organizational File to Greg. Sue also mentioned that the Tree Lighting is our “Big Event” of the year and that all members of the Recreation Committee should participate in preparing for it.
- Holiday House Decoration Contest – A suggestion was made to include this in Tree Lighting Committee responsibilities.
- Wantage Township Day – Paul Pfeil expressed an interest in coordinating this event for 2006.
Other
- Bill Hardy is researching a possible bus trip to Foxwood or Atlantic City.
- Paul is researching the possibility of hosting a sports clinic over the summer
- Gerri is researching the possibility of coordinating a 5K run at Woodbourne Park.
OPEN PUBLIC SESSION
Mr. Armstrong opened the meeting to the public, for any questions or comments.
There being no one present wishing to address the board at this time,
Mr. Armstrong closed the meeting to the public and the Board continued
with the regular order of business.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further matters before the Board for their consideration
at this time, Mr. Armstrong moved to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Vanden Heuval
seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Stella, Vanden Heuval, Pfeil,
Armstrong, Williams, Hardy
Nays: None Absent: Henry Abstain: None. Mr. Armstrong declared this meeting
to be adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Doherty,
Board Secretary pro tem