RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
MINUTES OF JANUARY 23, 2002
ATTENDANCE:
The meeting started at 7:40 pm. In attendance: Tom Badcock (Director of Parks, Recreation and Social Services), Barbara Felice (Assistant Director of Recreation), Richard Bezeg, Nancy Calogera, Frances DiRocco, Joseph DeSimone, Joseph Dunn, Gerard Haran, Timothy Kozlak, Robert Pepe, Janet Phillips, Joseph Pruiti, Kevin Ruffler, William Baker (Council Representative), Richard Greene (Council Representative), and Edward Testino (Council Representative - entered meeting at 8:45 PM). Carol Norberg was present to take the minutes. Kevin Calogera was present for parts of the meeting. Absent from this meeting was Paul Taguer, Denis Kilduff, and the two high school student representatives, Megan Condran and Anthony Marinos.
Tom stated the council introduced an ordinance to increase members to this advisory board from 13 - 15. Tom welcomed Councilman Bill Baker to the board.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Approval of the minutes of September 2001 will be postponed until the next meeting.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Recognition to Past Board Members:
Bill Baker inquired if anything was planned to give recognition to board members who have moved on to other endeavors. Tom mentioned we could possibly start giving plaques or certificates to past members to commemorate their service.
2. YMCA:
Janet Phillips gave an update on the YMCA. The Community YMCA of Red Bank and the Metuchen/Edison YMCA both did presentations to the Council. The Council and Township Administration are in agreement that they want to move forward. Past Council President Maher wrote letters to Perth Amboy YMCA and Western Monmouth YMCA (Freehold) inviting them to give presentations. Perth Amboy, as much as they would like to be interested, have other concerns right now. Western Monmouth YMCA were not too interested in the beginning, but are interested now. Cynthia Joy of Western Monmouth had called Mr. Maher and would like to do a presentation to the Council on February 4th or 11th. Janet mentions that it is interesting that the YMCA's amongst themselves have been talking about Old Bridge.
Tom brings new members up to date on the YMCA. Red Bank YMCA would pay for a feasibility study to see if Old Bridge and surrounding areas can sustain one and fund raise for a facility ($10-11 million). The study will cost approximately $20,000 at no expense to us. They will put it in a radius of Old Bridge, however, there is no guarantee that they would build it in Old Bridge because they could potentially put it wherever they want. We at that time would want it in writing to have the YMCA built in Old Bridge before they fund raise.
Tom mentions that the Metuchen YMCA has come in and given us a proposal with the scenario that we build the YMCA ourselves by the township bonding the cost and enter into a corporate agreement with them to staff it. This project alone would cost at the least $8-9 million if we build the facility. If we bond through the MCIA we would have to pay debt service. This would kick-up our bond rating for this one project and we would have to pay for it, but we would have control.
The council must carefully think which way we should proceed. There are pros and cons to both scenarios.
Joe Dunn asked if whether Old Bridge can have its own YMCA without going through the other YMCAs. Janet states that being all these other YMCA's are interested, it would be difficult, but not impossible, for the National YMCA to give us our own. Tom mentions it is to our advantage that we have land areas in Old Bridge that could be used for the building of the YMCA, thus saving on the land cost.
Joe Dunn questions if there is a timetable to get this finalized. Tom responds that Red Bank YMCA has been very interested at the start, but he is concerned that we have put them on hold while we entertain other presentations. Janet remarks that in her conversations with Melanie from the Red Bank YMCA they are still very anxious to be here in Old Bridge.
Bill Baker asks who is responsible to see that the council brings this up at every council meeting. Tom said that it is up to the council to give a deadline to get all the proposals. Council should keep it on the agenda until a decision is made. Tom states he will continue to tell the Mayor and Alayne Shepler to put it on every agenda. Also, he will prepare a memo stating that the Recreation Advisory Board took a vote and that it was unanimously voted that they want to support development of a YMCA in Old Bridge. (A vote was taken and all was in favor of this)
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Golf Course Feasibility Study
Gerard questions about the status of the Golf Course Feasibility Study. Tom states that a second demographic study has been done and is very positive for having a golf course in Old Bridge. He remarks that the town is awaiting the financial study. This second study has been done by KMPG Marketing Group. We should have this within the next week or so. It has not been released to the Recreation Advisory Board yet. The council need to review it first. Bill Baker offers to make this as an action item to get this study to the Rec. Board.
Tom would like to have Jim McLaughlin, a nationally renowned golf course financial analyst be our consultant to work the whole process with us. (Kevin Calogera enters the meeting at 8 pm).
For the golf course, the expected net revenue is $3/4 million per year. After debt service is paid, expected to have $1.25 - 1.5 million of net revenue per year.
Janet Phillips says that is up to the council to decide whether to bond and own it and have someone run it, or have someone else build it and run it. Tom says that either way the council decides, it will still make money for the town. Jim McLaughlin would be helpful in making that decision.
Joe DeSimone asks about the cost of the golf course. Tom says approximately $6-7 million to build it which would be bonded. Tom says that the town has the land, the Rose Farm and the Lambertson Farm which comprise of 210 acres. Rule of thumb is if you have 150 acres you can build a good size course. The Rose Tract was acquired with Green Acres funding and the Lambertson Tract is in final negotiations right now. Also, because the town is constituted an urban aid area, we will probably also get green acres funding development money for this project in the form of a grant.
2. Lake Lucerne:
Fran DiRocco cites that Lake Lucerne in Cliffwood Beach is still full of garbage and hasn't been cleaned up. Tom states that what is needed is to incorporate a clean up and have the Code Enforcement and Police Dept. issue summons to people who are caught dumping and to patrol the area. Setting up a neighborhood watch program to catch people who are dumping would be helpful. Once the dumping is eliminated, then it could be cleaned up.
Bill Baker asks that Fran can have Joe Hoff give her something in writing about what he intends to do then bring it up at a town council meeting. Tom mentions that the Code Enforcement people need to be brought into this. A memo from the Rec. Board will be written to Ron Concannon to have them issue summons and make regular patrols at Lake Lucerne. Richard Greene suggested that signs can be posted at the Lake warning about fines for dumping. Joe DeSimone will take pictures of the Lake and bring them in for the Recreation Board to see.
3. School Custodians:
Janet Phillips brought up the problems we are having with the school custodians not showing up on the weekends at the middle schools. Joe Pruiti mentions that it would be helpful to have an emergency number where the leagues can call for weekend emergencies that would give them a person and not a machine. Barbara assures everyone that if the custodians don't show, they are not getting paid from us for that day. Whoever is doing the scheduling for the custodians at Pritchard is where the problem lies. There is a language barrier and the man who does the scheduling has been banned from school property due to problems in the past. The school administration is aware of the problems that we have been having with the custodians and they are helping us straighten this problem out. Also, we talked to the head of Pritchard Industries to settle the problem.
Bill Baker asks how long their contract is and Tom explains that the contract is with the Board of Ed and he will call Dr. Quirk and ask him about contract terms.
CAPITAL PROJECT UPDATE:
1. Higgins Road Soccer Complex - Fully completed. OBMUA needs to put water meter in after a discrepancy in a $5,000 bill is taken care of between the MUA and Township. Then the complex will be turned over to the soccer organization.
2. Ticetown Soccer Complex Parking Lot - parking lot needs to be enlarged
3. Ward III Recreation Teen Center - A preliminary environmental survey is needed for before this recreation center can be built in Reggie Butler's Ward (land is behind old Home Depot and is on a landfill).
4. Ticetown Rd. Soccer Complex - irrigation system needs to be updated.
5. Mat Sports Building in Veteran's Park.
6. Municipal Tennis Courts need to be resurfaced and restored.
7. Drainage Improvements to Sayrewoods South Little League Complex on Fox St.
8. Preliminary Design Fees for Golf Course
9. Completion of $500,000 Renovation of Civic Center Basement - Mario Barone, designer and Tom Gallante, construction did a beautiful job.
Tom mentions that it is up to the council to prioritize all the capital projects of the township.
Ed Testino arrives at 8:45 PM Kevin Calogera re-enters at 8:55 PM
Fran requests a new map of Old Bridge.
Tom will share his Capital Project List for 2002 with the Rec. Board that was given to the Mayor.
RECREATION PROGRAM UPDATE:
Tom informs the board of the resignation of Laura Andersen, Program Supervisor, after 10+ years of service. He tells about the hiring of Beau Byrtus for this position. Beau is a graduate of University of North Carolina. Tom also tells the board that Barbara Felice will be retiring April 1,2002, after 25 years of service. Barbara instituted many programs for the township, including the Mat Rat Wrestling Program, Summer Camp Programs, many recreational class programs and was one of the founders of the girls soccer organization.
Barbara spoke about the official opening of the Teen Center on Jan. 18th. She also mentioned that the basement was used for fall programs. She remarked that the big screen TV was donated by Gallant Construction.
Bill Baker suggested a tour of the renovated basement on Cable TV.
Barbara talked about the Special Events that the Recreation Department had: Holiday Party, Holiday Lighting Ceremony, Letters for Santa (600 requests) and how there was great participation in these events by the residents. Participation in these events grows every year.
Upcoming Events include: Easter Egg Hunt, Name the Event Day, Father/Daughter Dance. Barbara mentions that the Spring Brochure will be out shortly and will be distributed to Rec. Board Members. Barbara mentions that Harold Reck's name was erroneously put on the Brochure because at the time of printing he was still on the member listing instead of Rich Bezeg. This will be corrected for the summer brochure.
Barbara tells us that the Mat Rat Wrestling Tournament is being held this Saturday, 1/26 at the East Campus.
Tom mentions that the Robin Program update is in the handouts. He also mentions that John Piccolo, hockey coordinator, is doing a fantastic job with the Old Bridge Junior Knights and the instructional ice hockey program. Barbara mentions that Margaret Simonovich, skating coordinator, is doing a wonderful job coordinating the second session of ice lessons.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Joe DeSimone asked about spraying the fields for gnats and mosquitos. Tom stated that the county does the spraying. Public Works sprays for bees when there is a problem.
2. Joe Dunn queried if anything is new with Mannino Park. Tom remarked that the township is still waiting to acquire the little piece of land to line up with Owens Rd from Perth Amboy.
3. Bill Baker inquired about attendance for the Recreation Advisory Board and how it affects staying on the board. Joe Dunn commented how we only met half the time last year because there wasn't a quorum at the meetings. Joe requested that every effort be made to be present at the meetings. Tom mentioned it is also important to let the Recreation Dept. know if you cannot make it so we can let the members know not to come to the meeting if there isn't a quorum.
4. Bill Baker asked if we could let the town people know what the Recreation Advisory Board is doing possibly monthly (or quarterly as suggested by Kevin Calogera) by giving updates on Cable TV.
5. Bill Baker mentioned that there is not enough town owned recreation fields. Tom stated that what is needed in the town is to get past the territoriality that exists here so that everyone will come together, e.g., fields in Mannino Park would be good for the whole township to use.
6. Bill Baker asked whose responsibility it is to start an interscholastic baseball program for the middle schools. Tom responded that it is the responsibility of the Board of Education. According to Gerard (he had previously asked the Board of Ed about a middle school program for baseball) the Board of Ed feels that the community is well served by the recreational leagues in town. They feel that the funds should be spent on sports that aren't as well served in the community (e.g., girls field hockey or lacrosse). Ed Testino added that South Brunswick has a baseball program in the middle school and that their township is comparable to Old Bridge. Ed also said that there is a different level of competitiveness for scholastic teams. He suggests that perhaps the Board of Ed should look to see what other towns are doing for middle school baseball teams.
7. Nominations were taken for Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of this Board for 2002. Joe Dunn nominated Janet Phillips for Chairperson. No other nominations were offered. Joe DeSimone seconded the nomination. A vote was taken and it unanimous for Janet and she accepted the appointment. Tom welcomed her as the new Chairperson.
Joe DeSimone nominated Joe Dunn for Vice Chairperson. This was seconded by Fran DiRocco. No other nominations were presented. A vote was taken and it was unanimous for Joe Dunn and he accepted the position. Tom welcomed him as the new Vice Chairperson.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 PM.
If you'd like to hear the meeting in its entirety, the cassette tapes are available for borrowing from Carol Norberg. |