MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF RECREATION COMMISSIONERS FOR THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE, HELD AT THE WANTAGE TOWNSHIP MUNICIPAL BUILDING, ON NOVEMBER 30, 2005

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

ROLL CALL
Present: Duane Armstrong, Sue Vanden Heuvel, Geri Stella, Bill Hardy, Paul Pfeil.
Absent: Don Henry.
Excused: Greg Williams.

OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS 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."

REPORTS
None

OLD BUSINESS

Christmas Tree Lighting:
Date December 2, 2005, Time 7:00PM. This year’s theme is People Helping People. Mr. Scott Conklin will be the MC for the event. Featured speakers are Mayor Parker Space and Principal Chris Yeager. Santa will be on the stage in the all purpose room. Everyone is anticipating a fun evening.

House Decorating Contest:
December 14th is the date chosen for the Commission to drive around Wantage and choose the winners. The winners will receive a gift certificate to a local restaurant. The Commission will be delivering gift certificates to the winners on December 19th.
Winterfest: The Commission engaged in discussion concerning the Winterfest. Sharon Gratale, a local resident expressed an interest in helping coordinate children’s games. No date was picked for the event.

NEW BUSINESS

The Recreation Commission invited Joe Hayes (soccer) to attend this month’s meeting to discuss parking and overuse of the fields at Woodbourne Park. Mr. Armstrong questioned whether the spring soccer season was going to be run in the same manner as the fall. Mr. Hayes said they are planning on running the spring season the same as fall. Soccer has hired a trainer. They plan on having all of the children and coaches of a particular age group at the park at the same time to benefit from the trainer. Mr. Armstrong stated his biggest concern is safety; he is concerned about the parking on both sides of the road. An emergency vehicle would not be able to get through. Some options that both Duane and Joe offered were: block off one side of the road with rope, stagger the start time of practice a little more, have the later practice park in the parking lot across from the baseball field. Mr. Hayes agreed to encourage the parents to park in the parking lot.

Another concern is the over use of the fields. Mr. Armstrong suggested that they rotate the heavy use of the field to another field. Mr. Hayes said he would rest field # 5 in the spring. Mr. Hayes is concerned with the condition of field # 3, he recently walked the field and found damage by skunks digging up the grass for grubs. Mr. Hayes feels the lack of rain led to the deterioration of the fields this fall, he questioned whether an irrigation system is in the plan for Phase IV. Mr. Armstrong explained that the water would be there, and the Commission would try to work out a way to irrigate the fields.

Mr. Hayes asked the Recreation Commission to consider purchasing temporary lighting. New lights cost between $4000 and $6000. The Recreation Commission explained that was not in the immediate budget. Mr. Pfeil suggested Mr. Hayes contact football and baseball and discuss purchasing the lights together. Mr. Pfeil then made a motion stating that it is the intention of the board to have lights at Woodbourne Park when funding becomes available. Mr. Hardy seconded the motion. Ayes: Mr. Hardy, Mr. Armstrong, Mrs. Stella, Mrs. Vanden Heuvel. Nays: None. Absent: Mr. Henry. Excused: Mr. Williams.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Duane Armstrong made a motion to approve the minutes of October 26, 2005, Bill Hardy seconded the motion.
Ayes: Stella, Pfeil, Vanden Heuvel. Nays: None Absent: Henry. Excused: Williams

OPEN PUBLIC SESSION
No public present.

ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Duane Armstrong and seconded by Geri Stella.
Ayes: Vanden Heuvel, Hardy,Pfeil,. Nays: None Absent: Henry. Excused: Williams.

Respectfully, submitted,
Jeanne McBride, Board Secretary