MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF RECREATION COMMISSIONERS FOR THE
TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE, HELD AT THE WANTAGE TOWNSHIP MUNICIPAL BUILDING,
ON MARCH 29, 2005
CALL TO ORDER
Board President Duane Armstrong called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL
Present: Duane Armstrong, Sue Vanden Heuval, Paul Pfeil, Greg Williams,
Bill Hardy, Don Henry, Geri Stella
Absent: None
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 atWoodbourne Park and Lott Road.
On behalf of the Recreation Commission, Township Administrator Jim Doherty
read a proposed resolution for approvals and denials of requests for reserved
field use in calendar year 2005.
On behalf of the Softball program, Ms. Ann Marie Penhaker suggested that
it would be helpful for the Recreation commission to make an earlier decision
regarding field use requests for next year.
On behalf of the Little League Program, Mr. Joe Shulok expressed the belief
that the little league program should be entitled to use the ball fields
at the front of Woodbourne Park.
General discussion took place regarding Mr. Shulok’s position involving
numerous members of the Recreation Commission, representatives of the
softball program, representatives of the little league program, and members
of the general public.
After due deliberation, Mr. Armstrong moved to adopt the following resolution,
with Mr. Henry seconding the motion:
TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE BOARD OF RECREATION COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Board of Recreation Commissioners of the Township of Wantage
are charged with the responsibility of approving or denying Field Use
Requests for the various ball fields in Wantage municipal parks; and
WHEREAS, The Board of Recreation Commissioners officially accepted and
reviewed field use requests made by various organizations at their meeting
held on February 23, 2005,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as follows:
- Approval is granted to the Sussex Wantage Girls Softball league for use of Field #1 and Field #2 at Woodbourne every day of the week from April 1 through June 30, 2005. Week day field use request is from 4:30 - 8 pm, on weekends from 9 am - 7 pm. Approval is also granted for use of the Park on April 23, 2005 from Noon to 8 pm for the annual Opening Day Picnic.
- Approval is granted to High Point Vipers Softball, for use of Field #1 at Woodbourne Park from 10 am - 2 pm on Sundays, June 5, June 12, June 19, June 26, July 3, July 10, July 17, July 24, July 31, and August 7, with the understanding that said approval is contingent upon successful coordination of scheduling needs between the High Point Vipers and Sussex Wantage Girls Softball program. Any conflict in scheduling will be resolved in favor of the Sussex Wantage Girls Softball program on the dates identified herein.
- Approval is granted to North Jersey Thunder, for use of Fields #1 and #2 at Woodbourne from 5 pm - 8 pm on Wednesdays during the months of May through July, and from 10 am - 1 pm on Sundays from April 15 through July 31, with the understanding that said approval is contingent upon successful coordination of scheduling needs between the High Point Vipers and Sussex Wantage Girls Softball program. Any conflict in scheduling will be resolved in favor of the Sussex Wantage Girls Softball program on the dates identified herein.
- Approval is granted to High Point Soccer Club for use of the soccer field at Lott Road Park as well as Field # 3, 5 and 6 at Woodbourne Park from March 1 through June 30, 2005; Mondays through Fridays, from 4 pm until close of park; weekends from open of park until close of park (but, not Lott Road Park on Sundays).
- Approval is granted to Sussex Wantage Little League for use of Ball Fields 1, 2, 3 and 4 at Lott Road Park, from 4/1 thru 9/1, Mondays thru Fridays from 4 pm until close of park, Saturdays from 8 am until close of park.
- Approval is granted to Sussex Wantage Little League for use of Ball Fields 4 at Woodbourne Park, from 4/1 thru 9/1, Mondays thru Fridays from 4 pm until close of park, Saturdays from 8 am until close of park, with the exception of May 10, 2005 (see
- Approval is granted to The High Point Cats traveling baseball team for use of Field #1 at Lott Road Park every Saturday from 3/19 through 9/3, from 4-7 pm, with the understanding that said approval is contingent upon successful coordination of scheduling needs between the High Point Cats and Sussex Wantage Little League program. Any conflict in scheduling will be resolved in favor of the Sussex Wantage Little League program on the dates identified herein.
- Approval is granted to High Point High School for the use of Field #4 at Woodbourne Park Tuesday, May 10 from 3:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. On this one date, for the times shown, the reserved use of the field by High Point High School shall take precedence over any other organization’s field use rights.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the request of Sussex Wantage Little League for “some use of the fields #1 and/or #2 at Woodbourne Park” is hereby denied, for the following reasons:
a) the requirements for timely submittals of information, as required by the Field Use Policy, did not take place
b) No specific request for field use on specific dates or times was submitted
c) The request is based on a sole desire by Little League to be able to use the fields at Woodbourne Park rather than the fields at Lott Road park, based on a subjective determination that the fields at Woodbourne Park are more desirable, which is not recognized by the Recreation commission as a valid criteria for field use requests.
d) There is a reasonable expectation of continued use for Field #1 and #2 at Woodbourne Park by the Township’s softball program. If other fields were not available to accommodate the needs of the little league program, there would be greater justification for interrupting an established program of softball. However, field use is available at Lott Road Park on Sundays; the Recreation Commission made efforts to accommodate field use for T-ball program at various locations within Woodbourne Park, which were deemed insufficient by the SWLL.
Upon Roll call,
Ayes: Armstrong, Stella, Vanden Heuval, Henry, Hardy, Williams.
Nays: Pfeil. Absent:None. Abstain:None
U.S. Sports Institute – Multi-sport Summer
Camp
Continuing with Old Business, Mr. Pfeil introduced Mr. John Williams of
U.S. Sports Institute, who offered a presentation regarding the possibility
of conducting a multi-sport summer camp in Wantage Township. After general
review and consideration, Mr. Armstrong moved to authorize permission
for Mr. Pfeil to coordinate a summer sports camp to be run July 25-29,
2005 at Woodbourne Park. Ms. Vanden Heuval seconded the motion.
Upon roll call,
Ayes:Armstrong, Stella, Vanden Heuval, Henry, Hardy, Williams, Pfeil Nays:None.
Absent:None. Abstain:None.
Ms. Vanden Heuval distributed an updated telephone contact list of members
of the Recreation Commission for 2005.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS REPORTS
General review continued from the previous meeting, regarding proposed
activities and events of the Recreation Commission for the year 2005.
Mr. Pfeil reported on progress and efforts regarding a golf outing.
Ms. Stella offered to review details and requirements for coordinating
a 5K Run, and offered an update report on the Talent Show. By concensus,
the members of the Board authorized Ms. Stella to proceed with all necessary
actions for implementing and coordinating the Talent Show.
Ms. Vanden Heuval offered an update on planning for the Spring Fling dinner
dance.
Ms. Vanden Heuval and Ms. Jill Space offered an update report on efforts
to coordinate he Miss Wantage, Little Miss Wantage, and Little Mister
Wantage contests.
OPEN PUBLIC SESSION
Mr. Armstrong opened the meeting to the public, for any questions
or comments.
There being no one present who wished 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, Ms. Stella moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Hardy seconded
the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Armstrong, Stella, Vanden Heuval, Henry,
Hardy, Williams, Pfeil. Nays:None. Absent: None. Abstain:None.
Mr. Armstrong declared this meeting to be adjourned.
Respectfully, submitted,
Jim Doherty, Board Secretary pro tem