Recreation Advisory Board

WESTWOOD RECREATION DEPARTMENT RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD Minutes of Sept 11, 2017 1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER at 8:05 P.M. by Chair Angelo Pira. Present: Chair Angelo Pira, Vice Chair John Toale, Board Members, Michele Fedorchak, Bermari Roig, Jason Scheffer, Recreation Director Gary Buchheister Absent: Councilmember Ray Arroyo, Members Amy McDevitt, Jodi Murphy, Jennifer Scardino, Admin. Asst. Margaret McDonough 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Member Scheffer made a Motion to Accept the May Minutes as presented; Member Roig seconded the Motion; All in favor, the Motion passed. 3. OPEN PUBLIC FORUM: 4. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT: The Council members attending the Annual 9-11 Memorial in Veterans Park were not available to attend the Board meeting. 5. DIRECTOR’S REPORT: a. Director Buchheister reported the Summer Playground Program had an excellent turnout with 509 children registered. A report was distributed including: resident vs. non-resident registrations, school the child attends, Brookside vs. Voorhis park attendees, etc. This was the most experienced staff to date including 49 Staff and 14 CITs. 2 Counselors were new to our program, 4 CITs from 2016 were promoted to Counselors. The goals for 2018 were presented and possible program changes were discussed. A report of the Summer One-Week Camps was distributed for Board review including; the Golf and Tennis camp attendance which almost doubled from 2016; the total income from Summer Camp Facility Use rental is $5,110. b. Concert / Movies Re-Cap: Mr. Buchheister thanked the Board for their assistance with the programs. The Series was expanded from 5 to 6 concerts; Balloon Artists were hired to attend two concerts which the residents greatly appreciated. The Board was asked to submit suggestions for other such embellishments to the programs. The Borough's total cost for the Concert Series was $1,500.00 thanks to the Series' sponsors. The Movies had a very good attendance for all four movies. A new program sponsor, Dr. Lipkin donated Italian Ices for the first movie. The cost to the Borough for the program was zero. c. Tennis Courts: Bids from two contractors were received and were higher than expected. The governing body is reviewing another type of surface for the courts. Mr. Buchheister will meet with the members of the governing body and representatives of the surface material company. Discussion followed. d. Irrigation at Berkeley School: The project will be completed with the anticipated installation of the 'hot box'. Regular maintenance has already begun on the field and it should be in great condition by next year. Discussion followed regarding current soccer schedules and use. Mr. Buchheister confirmed that the field is ready for use by the younger soccer programs. e. Over 55 Programs: The current newsletter reports a new watercolor class which has been received very well. Pickleball has been extended to two days a week. Oritani Bank is the new sponsor for the program. The Mayor, Council President Montana and President of the Oritani Bank will meet with the program participants in September for a photo op with participants wearing the new tee-shirts featuring the Oritani logo. 5. f. Capital Improvements: The Community Center's HVAC units date back to the renovation of the Borough Hall into the Community Center in 1998. Two of the units had to be replaced and two were repaired in late June through early July. The fifth unit is functioning properly. g. The Community Center Gym's wall pads will be replaced in September which will include the Westwood Recreation logo. h. Mr. Buchheister contacted the contractor of the low bid for the Center's roof repairs. The Center has three separate roofs; the gym/meeting rooms, the pre-school area and the lobby/office area. The current project is for the flat roof of the pre-school / lobby / office area and the work should be done in October. i. Community Center Improvements: 1. In August, after the Playground Program and one week camps, the Center's floors were stripped and waxed. 2. The old heating vents mounted on the walls of the meeting rooms and hallways have been removed and the areas repaired / repainted. 3. An additional room partition was purchased to prevent the Pre-School Playhouse from being used by people attending various events in the Center. Although locked with signage; cleaning and repairs were often required. j. Bergen County Open Space Grant - shade for Westvale Playground: The 2016 Grant was just approved as a matching grant for the playground's shade structures. As soon as the Borough funding is in place, the order will be placed and installation should occur in the Spring of 2018. 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: Previously discussed. 7. NEW BUSINESS: A report was distributed of the Fall Program registration that started today including the new Warrior Art/Yoga Program, created by resident Bernadette Flood who teaches the S.N.A.P. Art Class. The S.N.A.P. brochure for the 2017-18 season was presented for review. The brochure will be advertised with the assistance of the W.W.R.S.D. Special Services Director. The 2017-2018 Pre-School: The current registration is 19 Four-Year olds and 13 Three-Year olds. This is slightly less than usual in September. The usual class size of 22 to 24 Four-Year olds and 15 Three-Year olds is anticipated by January. Veterans Park Craft Fair: The Promoter of the Heritage Society's two craft fairs met with Mr. Buchheister to request holding an additional craft fair in Veterans Park in the beginning of May with the Recreation Department as the beneficiary. Mr. Buchheister suggested a 'Food Truck Event' bringing in a variety of different cuisines in addition to a craft fair which could bring new people to town who are not aware of the variety of restaurants and stores that Westwood offers. The Heritage Society's June Craft Fair / Pride Day and the September Antiques Fair will maintain their regular schedule. Discussion followed. 8. ADJOURNMENT: Motion to Adjourn was made at 8:45 P.M. by Member Scardino, seconded by Member Fedorchak. The next meeting will be Monday, October 16 at 8:00 PM. in the Community Center.