Recreation Advisory Board

WESTWOOD RECREATION DEPARTMENT RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD Minutes of September 12, 2016 1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER at 8:02 P.M. by Chair Angelo Pira. Present: Councilmember Robert Bicocchi, Chair Angelo Pira, Vice Chair John Toale, Board Members Kevin Corcoran, Bermari Roig, Jennifer Scardino, Recreation Director Gary Buchheister, Admin. Asst. Margaret McDonough Absent: Members Amy McDevitt, Jodi Murphy, Jason Scheffer 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Member Scardino made a Motion to Accept the Minutes as presented; Member Scheffer seconded the Motion; All in favor, the Motion passed 3. OPEN PUBLIC FORUM: Mayor John Birkner and Phillip Bicocchi attended. Ms. McDonough thanked Phillip Bicocchi for his assistance at the four August events of the Movies in the Park program. Mayor Birkner congratulated Mr. Buchheister, Ms. McDonough and the Board for the summer programs, concerts and movies and thanked them for the excellent programs offered to the residents. Mayor Birkner attended the meeting to address the issue of the 27 Westwood cheerleaders who cannot cheer as there are not enough senior football players to mount a team. Director Buchheister and Chair Angelo Piro, a member of the Westwood Football Board and the League Board, explained the progression of situation. After extensive discussion of this, other shared programs and facility use; Mayor Birkner requested a report be submitted to him regarding this situation matter. He left the meeting to attend the Township’s Council meeting to formally request that the Westwood Cheerleaders be able to join the Township program. 4. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT: Councilmember Bicocchi thanked everyone for the excellent summer programs. Mr. Bicocchi reported on the proposed playground for senior citizens which would be the first in Bergen County. Grants have been applied for to assist in this project and he will provide updates as they are available. He requested that the Board Members submit suggestions for recreational improvements which could be financed through public grants. 5. DIRECTOR’S REPORT: a. Concert / Movie Re-Cap: Director Buchheister reported that both programs were excellent and well received by the residents. He distributed a summary for Board Review including new sponsors for the 2017 programs which will allow for expanding the Concert Series. b. Summer Programs and Summer Playground Program Re-Cap: A summary was presented for Board review. Items included: 1. 467 children participated; a 7% decrease from 2015 due to the increased 2016 non-resident fees. Mr. Buchheister stated the decreased enrollment was beneficial to the program in several regards. 2. Parental and Staff Evaluations were 98% overwhelmingly positive. The few dissenting evaluations were submitted by those who remained in the program for the entire six weeks. A request to extend the six week program was made by many parents. Mr. Buchheister reported that this is not possible as most of the adult and student staff need to report to school by mid to late after their personal vacations. b. 3. The financial summary reflected the fees waived for Borough volunteers, the partial and full scholarships approved by Kathy Elgert of Social Services and equipment improvements. Director Buchheister confirmed that the program was fully funded by the program registration fees. b. 4. August Summer Camps: The nine one-week camps provided by various organizations are held to assist parents who need extended summer coverage for the children and the fees received by the Department are used for facility improvements. 5. Director Buchheister reported on the various sports camps that were held by private organizations during the summer and the Facility Use fees will also be used for facility / field improvements.  c. Capital Improvements: 1. C.C. gym floor: Director Buchheister reported the new gym floor was installed after the addition of two scoreboards and lighting improvements; residents are very excited about the upcoming basketball season in the improved facility which will also be used for various sports / ages groups including the new adult pickleball program. 2. Tennis Courts: Confirmation has been received from the County and the Borough for funding of the complete renovation of the McKinley Park tennis courts. The project will begin as soon as the weather allows, anticipated for April, 2017. With the completion of the tennis courts renovation, all 5 of the Department’s 2016 Capital Improvement goals will be accomplished. d. Teen Center Staff: Darren Blankenbush has resigned after 10 years on the Staff. Mr. Buchheister is looking for a Program Coordinator for the expanding program and requests the Board to assist in identifying candidates and submitting recommendations. e. Fall Programs / Pre-School: The Fall Programs Registration summary was distributed; there are 20 students in the 4-year old Pre-School class and 11 in the 3-year old class. The Westwood Regional School System will no longer distribute paper copies of the seasonal program flyers. Many parents have expressed their dismay in only receiving electronic notices. Discussion followed including that non-school information is difficult to find on the school’s website and there are a number of residents who do not have a working computer / printer in their homes, etc. Board Members agreed that paper distribution is logistically much better especially for the elementary school level families. Discussion followed including the possible distribution of the flyers through the P.T.O.s. f. S.N.A.P. Special Needs Activity Program: Director Buchheister reported the addition of a new program sponsor. He met with the WWRSD staff and is very displeased that the information is not being distributed through the Special Services Dept. It is apparent that the Special Services staff and the residents have not received information of Westwood’s program through the schools. Mr. Buchheister was told that if the people want information, it is posted on the school system’s website. Member Murphy will work with Mr. Buchheister to increase program awareness via social media. g. Banner Program: New sponsors for the gym banner program include Marsala Hardware, Goldberg’s Bagels, Pompilio’s, the Westwood Cinema and the Lakeland Bank bringing the total to 25 sponsorships. h. New Pickleball Program: This sport particularly designed for older adults is a cross between ping pong and tennis and is new to this area. An Open House will be held in the Community Center on Thursday, October 6 with members of the National Pickleball Association introducing the sport. 6. OLD BUSINESS: a. Committee Assignments: Over 55 Programs; Teen Center; Youth/Pre-School Programs; Facility Improvement (Parks/CC); Sponsorship. Tabled. b. Capital Improvement Plans: 1. Tennis Courts: Previously addressed. 2. Painting side of C.C.: Director Buchheister reported Michael Lara, the Borough Custodian and the DPW have removed the trees and vines from the east side wall of the Community Center. The stucco will be repaired and the exterior wall will be painted. 7. NEW BUSINESS: 8. ADJOURNMENT: Motion to Adjourn was made at 9:02 P.M. by Member Corcoran, seconded by Member Roig. The next meeting will be the third Monday, October 17, at 8:00 PM. in the Community Center.