Recreation Advisory Board

WESTWOOD RECREATION DEPARTMENT RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD Minutes of Sept. 12, 2022 1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER at 8:02 P.M. by Chair Angelo Pira Present: Councilman Robert Bicocchi, Chair Angelo Pira, Vice Chair Bermari Roig, Members Eric Dougherty, Yash Risbud, Karl Seitz, Holta Xhillari, Recreation Director Gary Buchheister. Absent: Members Amy McDevitt, Kenroy Morrison, Jennifer Scardino 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Vice Chair Roig made a Motion to Accept the Minutes as presented, Member Seitz seconded the Motion. All in favor, the Motion was Approved. 3. OPEN PUBLIC FORUM: 4. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT: Councilman Robert Bicocchi reported that a meeting is scheduled after the Recreation Board meeting to review the proposed design of the Pump Track for Westvale Park. He stated that Director Buchheister has the project well in hand. Mr. Bicocchi also reported that the Council is working on the 2023 Municipal Budgets. 5. DIRECTOR’S REPORT: Director Buchheister reported: a. Summer Playground Program and Summer Camp Recap: Director Buchheister distributed a summary of the program and reported that the 2022 Program has returned to near-normal as the COVID pandemic ebbs. The three sites hosted 494 children, the third highest enrollment in his sixteen-year tenure. The effects of the pandemic continue as a few Counselors and children tested positive for COVID strains causing them to be absent for a week or so. A record 22 new Counselors were hired for the program, almost 50% of the staff, including a new Asst. Director for Brookside Park, a Westwood resident, who is “great”. The Counselor in Training program was re-established with 6 CITs. Trips for the Gr. 4-8 program were also re-established with the inception of on-line registration. Changes will be made to the trip policies to improve the system for 2023. The mandated increase in minimum wages warrants an increase in the program fees going forward. Discussion continued of the 2023 program. A recent comparison of other area programs confirmed that Westwood is the least expensive while offering more weeks and longer days than any other, Pascack Valley program. Summer Camp Programs included traditional programs and several new offerings. Most of the camps were at maximum capacity with many people wait-listed. b. Capital Project Updates: The Community Center kitchen renovation is proceeding with the installation of the commercial oven hood; the exhaust insulation and fire suppression system should be installed by late September. The Council is proceeding with the funding process for cabinets for the kitchen and the proposed renovation of the Pre-School’s kitchenette area which could be scheduled over the Christmas holidays if materials and funding are secured in time. The McKinley Park Bocce Court will be installed in Spring, 2023 with concrete borders to mitigate any damage from storm flooding. Brookside Park’s new pavilion materials should be delivered in October, installation will proceed weather permitting. Brookside Park’s playground equipment replacement will occur in Spring, 2023. 5. b. Voorhis Park’s walking path will be renovated in September including fixing, replacing some sections and completely repaving the path. Trees that are compromised will be removed prior to the renovation. An application has been for a Bergen County Open Space to renovate the basketball court in McKinley Park. Improvements to Bergen County’s Pascack Brook Park in Emerson including new tennis/pickleball courts was discussed. Despite multiple requests and permissions, Director Buchheister has not been able to review the plans. Discussion included the field scheduling of the park re: the Dragons Soccer Club use of the facility. Meadowbrook Park’s field lights have been replaced; the ballasts will be replaced in the near future. Westvale Park’s lights will be repaired as soon as Qualite Sports Lighting can schedule repairman to the Northeast. Discussion followed on field lighting. An area of Westvale Park’s Fitness Area requires a second repair to the concrete slab from moisture damage. A stronger and different cement compound will be installed. Member Eric Dougherty reported that a zoom meeting was held with Mayor Arroyo, Councilman Bicocchi, himself and the designer of the Pump Track. Mr. Dougherty said the sloped design is very good vs. the usual flat track designs. A separate, smaller track will be created for those of younger ages for safety reasons. c. The Pre-School currently has 22 four-year olds and 10 three-year olds, with maximums of 24 and 20, respectively. It has been a very successful school year thus far. S.N.A.P. programs now include a new yoga class and a ‘Life Skills’ cooking class for ages 18+ years. The program is currently in the meeting room until the kitchen renovation is completed. Forever Young programs are excellent with some programs at maximum capacity now including Chair Yoga and Tai Chi classes. Seminars held almost every month of topical issues include breakfast/lunch provided by Care One. Visions Federal will also provide funding for future events. d. The Summer Concert Series did not have a single rain postponement, the attendance was fantastic with no advertising other than the Department’s email blasts and Department social media posts. Discussion followed on program details. The Movies in the Park Program was successful, although with a slightly smaller attendance. Discussion followed including proposed Fall / Halloween movie events. e. Fall Programs: Director Buchheister distributed a summary of the Fall Programs schedule including a new Zumba class and an Adult Art class. Member Xhillari described the Instructor, Britt, as “awesome”. Girls Field Hockey Program currently has 22 grade 4,5 & 6 participants. Increased participation warrants two teams in 2023. It was noted that a municipal, recreation department offering a Girls Field Hockey program is highly unusual as this is usually a school-based sport. Discussion continued on the use of Westvale’s parking lot for those attending programs at Hegeman Park. 6. OLD BUSINESS: Tabled a. Committee Assignments: Over 55 Programs; Teen Center; Youth / Pre-School Programs; Facility Improvement (Parks / C.C.); Sponsorship. 7. NEW BUSINESS: 8. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:50 P.M. The next meeting will be the second Monday, November 14, 2022 at 8:00 in the Community Center.