Recreation Advisory Board

WESTWOOD RECREATION DEPARTMENT RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD Minutes of October 16, 2023 1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER at 8:10 by Chair Angelo Pira Present: Councilman Robert Bicocchi, Chair Angelo Pira, Vice Chair Bermari Roig, Members Eric Dougherty, Tim McDevitt, Yash Risbud, Jennifer Scardino, Karl Seitz, Holta Xhillari, Recreation Director Gary Buchheister. Absent: Member Micky Ricciardella. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Member Scardino made a Motion to Accept the Minutes as presented, Member Risbud seconded the Motion. All in favor, the Motion was Approved. 3. OPEN PUBLIC FORUM: Mr. Tim McDevitt (Jr) attended the meeting to report to the completion of his Eagle Scout Project to construct a supply shed in Westvale Park for the use by the Baseball and Football Associations. Mr. McDevitt was accompanied by his mother, Ms. Amy McDevitt. Mr. McDevitt explained the project in detail including the foundation, the structure, wooden entrance stairs, interior shelving, storage hooks, interior and exterior painting and finishing. Director Buchheister and the Board congratulated Mr. McDevitt on his exceptional project concept and implementation. Director Buchheister stated that this Eagle Scout Project far exceeded other projects that have been presented and the storage shed will be a great enhancement to the park for decades. 4. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT: 5. DIRECTOR’S REPORT: a. 2023 Summer programs and Special Events: Mr. Buchheister distributed a Summer Playground Program for review. There were 501 participants, 55 Staff and 8 C.I.T.s; each year the staff improves, resulting in a very successful season without any notable incidents. The August week-long Camps were full, with more applicants than openings. New programs this year was Women’s Kickball program and a co-operative program with the new U.F.C. Gym. Summer Concerts and Movies in Veterans Park were very successful despite 3 movies rescheduled for rain, the final movie ‘E.T.’ will be shown on October 28. b. Capital Projects Update: The Bocce Ball Court installation in McKinley Park is completed and more than a dozen residents have signed up to use the Court. Westwood for All Ages assisted generously with the funding for the project including benches and trees. The Track Pump Project, reported by Member Dougherty, has submitted the Application for a matching grant with Bergen County which includes perimeter fencing. Discussion followed on the grant process and the anticipated schedule of the project. Voorhis Park Basketball Court Renovation Project: Boswell Engineering should have the plans done by November; the project will go out to Bid; demolition is anticipated during the winter with construction in Spring, 2024. Councilman Bicocchi stated the Council discussed lining the court for basketball and pickleball. Director Buchheister raised concerns re: the lack of parking; discussion on several items followed. Councilman Bicocchi requested that Director Buchheister provide his concerns to Mr. Bicocchi so he can present it to the Council. 5. b. Director Buchheister reported that Bergen County has retained an engineering firm to create the renovation specifications for the Pascack Brook Park’s tennis & pickleball courts. Councilman Bicocchi reported that at a Pascack Valley Mayors Assn. gathering, the Bergen County Executive stated that the project would include an upgrade to the court’s area and the park’s restrooms. A schedule for the project was not provided.  The Berkeley School Field Renovation has proceeded very well, in large part due to the weather. The field will not be used until Spring, 2024 to allow for the maximum benefit of the renovation. 5. c. Pre-School, SNAP and FY Updates: The Pre-School registration currently has 18 in the 4-year-old class and 13 in the 3-year-old class. Class maximums are 24 and 20. There are still openings available. S.N.A.P.: The current program registrations are 7 in the Yoga class, 18 in the basketball program and 8 in the adult cooking class. The adult cooking class is two, 4-week sessions. The Forever Young programs are proceeding very well. Chair Yoga has increased from 10 to 20 in the past few weeks. The Cardio Instructor has been out for several months due to an illness but will restart with a Friday afternoon class in November. d. Fall Programs / Halloween Parade / Radio City: Director Buchheister distributed a Fall Season report for review. Discussion followed on the season including Member Xhillari reporting on the Pickleball programs. The Teen Center has 260 registered with a Staff of 9-10. Mr. Buchheister requested the Police visit the program when they are available. Discussion followed on program specifics. The Pumpkin Painting Event was again a huge success. Four sessions of 36 children had a full registration within several hours. Discussion followed on similar ‘holiday events’. e. Basketball / Wrestling Registration: Recreation and Travel leagues registration is proceeding normally. Discussion included a non-resident who was improperly drafted for a travel team. Wrestling Registration is currently at 60 children., f. Rental of C.C. kitchen / meeting rooms: There has been a 20% increase in Community Center rentals. There have been incidents when large groups, especially non-residents, have had events. He proposes a ‘Monitor’ be on site for events with 100 or more persons, especially when the kitchen is used. He will present the policy revision to Borough Administrator Ayer. g. Home for the Holidays: As the Chamber of Commerce is defunct, the Recreation Dept. will assume responsibility for Event. Mr. Buchheister will administrate the event, Rose Ann Ciarlante will manage the event operations. Board Members are requested to be on site to assist. During this transition year, no substantial changes will be implemented. 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: One of McKinley Park basketball backboards dislodged, both backboards have been replaced. Hegeman Park’s basketball backboard’s metal support pole was bent; the reason is unknown. Director Buchheister reported that the D.P.W. amazingly was able to repair it. A Girl Scout Gold Leaf Project has been requested. Director Buchheister suggested that the enhancement of all the ‘Welcome to Westwood’ signs be done by mulching the sign bases and planting flowers at each location. Brookside Park Pavilion area now has an irrigation system which will greatly improve the area for the Summer Playground Program, many resident picnics and parties, etc. 8. ADJOURNMENT: Member Roig made a Motion to adjourn the meeting, Member Scardino seconded the Motion; All in favor the meeting adjourned at 9:12 P.M. The next meeting will be Monday, November 13, 2023 at 8:00 in the Community Center.