Recreation Advisory Board

WESTWOOD RECREATION DEPARTMENT RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD Minutes of May 8, 2023 1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER at 8:07 by Chair Angelo Pira Present: Councilman Christopher Montana, Chair Angelo Pira, Vice Chair Bermari Roig, Members Eric Dougherty, Mickey Ricciardella, Yash Risbud, Jennifer Scardino, Karl Seitz, Holta Xhillari, Recreation Director Gary Buchheister. Absent: Councilman Robert Bicocchi, Members Tim McDevitt. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Member Roig made a Motion to Accept the Minutes as corrected, Member Xhillari seconded the Motion. All in favor, the Motion was Approved. 3. OPEN PUBLIC FORUM: 4. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT: Councilman Montana presented Councilman Bicocchi’s report that the Capital Budget has been Passed and will be Adopted at the June Council Meeting. Councilman Bicocchi and Director Buchheister will address the temporary fix of the Westvale Park. He stated that the Council is very engaged in the long-term planning for the Westvale field house improvements and the proposed “gateway” to the park. 5. DIRECTOR’S REPORT: a. 2023 Spring Program Update / Springfest Recap: Director Buchheister reported that the Spring Programs are going very well with up to 40% of the classes full. Advertising has begun for the premiere “Pop-Up’ adult cooking class with resident Julie Downes as the Instructor. Weekly classes will be scheduled as part of the Fall Programs, which could include local, ‘celebrity’ chefs. The next Adult Painting Party will be held next week. The Department’s ‘Spring Fest’ on May 7 in Veterans Park was a great success. b. Capital Projects Update: Bocce Ball Court: The project is scheduled to be completed before the end of May. Brookside Park Playground: The new playground has been installed including a new ‘parent and baby’ swing. Resident feedback has been excellent. Pump Track: A Grant will be applied for and if approved, the project will proceed in 2024. Voorhis Park Basketball Court: When the 2023 Capital Budget is Adopted, Boswell Engineers will proceed with the plans and the project will be sent out to Bid. The project should be completed late Fall, 2023 or early Spring, 2024. Pascack Brook Park Pickleball/Tennis Courts: No Update. Westvale Park Fitness Equipment: Completed Westvale Park Bathroom Update: New Cabinets for Senior Lounge and Pre-School: Completed c. Pre-School, SNAP and FY Updates: Pre-School registration for the 2023-2024 school term has begun, there are currently 16 in the 4- year old class and 3 in the 3- year old class. Class maximums are 24 and 20, respectively. S.N.A.P.: The Baseball and Tennis programs have begun which will conclude the 2022-2023 season. A large contingent of teenage volunteers assist in the programs. 5. c. Forever Young Programs are proceeding excellently. The program sponsor, Westminster Management, will host a luncheon on May 16, all participants will receive new t-shirts and will help to fund various F.Y. programs. d. Summer Concerts – There will be a total of 7 concerts starting on June 15. Board Members were asked to assist. e. Summer Playground / Summer Registration Updates: Director Buchheister distributed a summary of the Summer Playground Program. One week into registration, the bus trips except one are full, program registration is on target, interviews for new counselors and C.I.T.s are being conducted. A new Assistant Director for the Berkeley Program has been hired; who is a teacher at the Regional Middle School and is a former teenage counselor for the program. Discussion followed on the increasingly bad behavior of many of the Middle School aged children including specific incidents, possible deterrents, parental attitudes and Board of Education behavior policies. Director Buchheister confirmed that unacceptable behavior is not tolerated or condoned within Recreation Department programs. f. Westvale Park Restroom Update: The DPW and Donahue Construction had to reconnect piping which is several feet below ground. The site of the building on a land fill is problematic as the underground pipes do not have adequate support. Long- term options are being reviewed. g. Geese Prevention Devices Update: DPW Superintendent Rick Woods installed specialized lights in Westvale Park to deter the Canada Geese population. Discussion followed of daytime monitoring to assess if the lights are a deterrent. Mr. Buchheister asked the Board to appraise him of their assessment of any change in the geese population in Westvale Park. Regular patrols of dogs have been recognized as the most effective deterrent system. Discussion followed of companies providing this service; reinstituting the program of Westwood residents registered with the Borough; identifying vests for the dogs; legalities concerning such services, etc. Councilman Montana will request that Councilman Bicocchi follow up with the Council regarding this matter. 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: Director Buchheister asked Member Xhillari to report on the new family Pickleball program. Ms. Xhillari reported that several adult participants have brought their high school and college aged children and suggested that if the program was scheduled other than Saturday night, young adult participation would increase. Discussion followed. A meeting was held with Director Buchheister, Cheerleading Assn. President Judie Gargano and parents of the Assn., regarding the non-resident fee for participants in the cheerleading program. The meeting discussed field usage, Community Center Gym usage, etc. The meeting was very productive and resultantly, there have not been any further complaints from Township residents regarding the $25. seasonal fee. 8. ADJOURNMENT: Member Scardino made a Motion to adjourn the meeting, Member Roig seconded the Motion; All in favor the meeting adjourned at 8:35 P.M. The next meeting will be Monday, June 12, 2023 at 8:00 in the Community Center.