Recreation Advisory Board

WESTWOOD RECREATION DEPARTMENT RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD Minutes of September 10, 2018 1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER at 8:05 P.M. by Chair Angelo Pira. Present: Councilmembers Beth Dell and Erin Collins; Chair Angelo Pira; Board Members Michele Fedorchak, Kenroy Morrison, Jodi Murphy, Bermari Roig, Recreation Director Gary Buchheister Absent: Board Members Michele Hastings, Amy McDevitt, Jennifer Scardino 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Member Murphy made a Motion to Accept the Minutes of June 11, 2018 as presented; Member Roig seconded the Motion; All in favor, the Motion passed. 3. OPEN PUBLIC FORUM: 4. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT: Councilmember Dell reported that the Council has set June 8, 2019 as the celebration day for the Borough’s 125th Anniversary, the Fire Department’s 125th Anniversary, the Library’s 100th Anniversary and the Heritage Society’s 30th Anniversary. The public announcement of the Anniversary celebration will be announced soon. The celebration will be in Veterans Park from 1:00-5:00 P.M. with the Community Center and possibly the Fire Department as rain sites. An Ad Hoc Anniversary Committee has requested any event ideas or sponsorships be submitted to them. Ms. Dell will report further developments at the October Board meeting. Two Championship teams, U12 Boys Baseball team and Girls Softball will be recognized and presented with Certificates of Achievement at the Council meeting of September 18 for their great accomplishments. On behalf of the Council, Ms. Dell thanked and congratulated the Recreation Department and the Board Members for their great work resulting in such a successful summer season. 5. DIRECTOR’S REPORT: a. Board Member Roster: Recreation Director Gary Buchheister reported that Vice Chair John Toale has resigned from the Board and has relocated. In abstentia, Mr. Buchheister thanked Mr. Toale for his dedicated service to Westwood sports for more than 40 years and wishes him well. Mr. Buchheister welcomed new Member Kenroy Morrison to the Board. Mr. Morrison introduced himself as a resident for more than 20 years, has coached football, currently serves on the Police Reserves and looks forward to expanding his service to the Borough. b. Summer Programs and Camps: Mr. Buchheister presented a season summary for Board review including the largest attendance to date; the merge of the Gr 4-8 Brookside and Voorhis camps to Brookside Park; staff changes due to attrition requiring 19 new counselors; a cap on non-resident participants; Before Care/After Care increased 10%; 12 waivers were given to Westwood service volunteers; additional picnic tables were purchased; and other program details. In 2019, additional counselors will be hired for Brookside Park, the non-resident fee will be increased and non-resident participation will be decreased. Discussion continued regarding the many attributes of Brookside Park of which many residents are unaware and improvements proposed for 2019. The week long camps the second week of August had 93 children enrolled and private camps were conducted the third week of August in Borough parks. c. Concerts and Movies: The Concerts and Movies in Veterans Park were well attended and well received by the residents and the sponsors. Mr. Buchheister thanked Ms. Murphy for her assistance with the Movies program.  d. Tennis Courts / Outdoor Pickleball Program: The renovation of the 50 + year old McKinley Park tennis courts is complete and the courts are lined for tennis, U 12 tennis and Pickleball. The new adult Pickleball program is gaining momentum, equipment is available on site to registered players. A Pickleball program may be implemented for children in the future. e. 2018-2019 Pre-School: The Pre-School currently has 20 four-year olds and 10 three-year olds. Press releases have announced openings for additional students. f. Theme Park Tickets: The N.J.R.P.A. discounted Theme Park Tickets program was reinstituted for Westwood residents and has been very well received. The tickets are approximately a 50% discount from the gate price and actual tickets are sold; avoiding lines entering the parks. The Department charges a small fee for the service. g. Capital Projects: 1. Westvale ‘A’ field renovation: Proposed requirements of the D.E.P. has delayed the field renovation to September, 2019. 2. Community Center re-keyed: The Community Center has been rekeyed reducing the number of required keys and providing master keys for Department staff. 3. C.C. gym painting and acoustical panels: Custodian Michael Lara has painted the gym ceiling and white acoustical tiles will be installed September 24. Red, white and black wall tiles will drastically improve the acoustics and the appearance of the gym. 4. C.C. kitchen: The renovation projects have been postponed possibly to June 2019. 5. Playground resurfacing: The D.P.W. installed safety surfacing in every playground, improving the safety and appearance of the parks. Previously, 1 or 2 playgrounds would be done each year. h. Master landscape plan for Westvale Park: Councilmember Dell forwarded Chair Pira’s email of proposed landscaping in Westvale Park to Mayor Birkner and Councilmember Collins for consideration. Ms. Dell congratulated Mr. Pira on an excellent proposal. i. Meeting with Mayor of Township of Washington: Mr. Buchheister reported his recent meeting with Mayor Peter Calamari and Eamon Twomey of the Township’s Recreation Department was very successful. Items of discussion included shared programs and the budget concerns of those programs, Township residents welcomed into Westwood programs, field use, etc. j. C.C. gym sponsorship banners: Three additional sponsored banners brings the current total to 25 with an additional sponsor anticipated resulting in annual Facility Use Fees of $6,000. 6. OLD BUSINESS: a. Committee Assignments: Over 55 Programs – Michele, Jodi Teen Center – Angelo Youth/Pre-School Programs – Amy Facility Improvement (Parks/CC) – John, Jennifer: Sponsorship – Jodi, Bermari b. Capital Improvement Plans – Tennis Courts: Previously addressed. 7. NEW BUSINESS: Director Buchheister reported that the repairs to the Westvale Park field lighting will soon be completed. 8. ADJOURNMENT: Motion to Adjourn was made at 9:03 P.M. by Member Murphy, seconded by Member Roig. The next meeting will be Monday, October 15, 2018 at 8:00 PM. in the Community Center.