RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 27, 2002
ATTENDANCE:
Janet Phillips called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm. In attendance: Tom Badcock, Barbara Felice, Richard Bezeg, Nancy Calogera, Frances DiRocco, Joseph DeSimone, Joe Dunn (entered at 7:40 pm) , Gerard Haran (entered at 7:50 PM), Denis Kilduff (entered at 7:50 PM), Tim Kozlak, Robert Pepe (exited at 8:45 PM), Janet Phillips, Kevin Ruffler, Paul Taguer (entered at 7:45 PM), Edward Testino (entered late). Also in attendance was Carol Norberg to take the minutes. Absent from this meeting were Joe Pruiti, Bill Baker, Richard Greene, Megan Condran (student) and Anthony Marinos(student). Visiting the meeting were Councilman Joe Hoff (entered at 8:00 PM) and Councilman Kevin Calogera (entered @ 8:30).
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Minutes of September, 2001 meeting were approved. Minutes for January, 2002 meeting were approved. All were in favor for both minutes, no oppositions.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. YMCA: Janet brought everyone up to date on the latest for the YMCA. A needs survey will be going out to the community.
2. Lake Lucerne: Fran brought in pictures of the lake for everyone to see. Janet mentions it is a nice lake that was once used for fishing and mentions that the pier has fallen into disrepair. She asks for the next meeting that ownership of the property around the lake be found out. Tom states that he will get a map of the area for the next meeting. Tom explains that the Township is monitoring the lake through the Police Department and Code Enforcement Dept. He states there is limited access to the area. The lake is on the open space inventory. He explains that the Parks Dept. hasn't been there much because of the limited public access. He explains that it is not a fishing lake and there isn't any room for parking cars other than at people's homes. It is difficult to get in there and use it and clean it. Gerard suggests, and Tom agreed, that it would be a good idea to set up a neighborhood watch program to find out who is dumping at the lake.
3. Spraying of ball fields: Mr. DeSimone asked if Laurence Harbor ball fields can be sprayed for bugs, Tom explains that it is the responsibility of the county Health Dept. He suggests they call the Township's Health Dept. and let them know there is a need for mosquito spraying.
4. Golf Study: Joe Dunn asks about the status of the golf study. Tom responded that the Council is waiting for the final draft from KPMG. Once it is release to council, the committee will get a copy. Gerard is concerned that the process is moving too slowly. Tom responds that it is a controversial issue and the town is getting as much information as it can in order to help move it along.
5. Joe Dunn mentions that he feels it is important to have the chairperson or someone on the committee go on a monthly basis to council and make them aware of what the committee is working on and what their opinions are on certain projects in order to move things along. Janet is agreeable to doing it and she said she would make everyone on the committee aware of what she would say. She will ask Reggie Butler when she could get on the agenda. She suggests speakers can be rotated.
Tom mentions we are working on two projects concurrently, the YMCA and the open space acquisition of Lambertson, of which the golf course is a part. Gerard expresses frustration that the golf course is being delayed with study after study. The cleanup of the lake has been addressed for the past two years. He feels things move too slowly and we have to revisit the same issues often.
6. Tim Kozlak brings up the waterfront park and his concerns about water gathering on the playground and benches. Barbara agrees, she was worried about that. Tom explains it is a county park and he can contact Ralph Albanir about it.
7. Janet brought in a map of the 2nd phase of Waterfront Park that was given to her by Kevin Toolan of T&M when she bumped into him. Tom explains that he hadn't been given a map from the county yet. This phase is a passive phase.
Janet suggest that perhaps someone from the county could come in and do a presentation to the recreation advisory board. Tim suggests it would be better for them to talk to Tom and then he can inform us. Tom agrees that it is usually the way it works, but he hasn't been included in their meetings.
A discussion followed about the county waterfront project with Joe Hoff included in the discussion. Paul wanted to put a motion on the table for a draft letter from the recreation advisory board as residents of the township that we have a representative liaison on whatever county committee is currently responsible for the waterfront development so we can have input and suggest what goes in the waterfront park. (This was never seconded or decided on).
Janet mentions that she brought in this preliminary Phase II map so everyone could look at it. The county is not doing anything yet. They may not be ready to move ahead yet and that's why they haven't contacted Tom yet. This map was just for information purposes. If the committee is interested in talking to someone from the county to ask simple questions, this would not be to overstep Tom in any way.
CAPITAL PROJECTS UPDATE
1. Higgins Rd. Soccer Complex, Restroom Bldg.: Project complete, waiting for water meter test by MUA.
2. Ticetown Rd. Soccer Complex, Parking Lot - contract awarded - preliminary survey work being done.
3. Waterfront Project - County moving ahead at North End.
4. Jetty and Slues valve - the state will be advertising for bids.
5. Health Dept. Renovation - Moving along nicely by Helios Construction Co., should be a 3-month project.
6. Laurence Harbor Senior Center - Work being done by Galante Construction and moving along nicely. 35% complete.
7. Laurence Harbor Recreation Bldg. - Phase I done. Looking for two more proposals from architect engineers to do Phase II.
8. Major Land Acquisition - Cedar Ridge II property going to condemnation, moving forward, hopefully it won't cost too much more than $6.2 million
9. Lambertson Tract - We are trying to acquire. Close to moving forward to putting together final proposal.
10. Capital Improvement Project Request List - 2002: The YMCA will be added to this list. It will be funded either through MCIA or the YMCA themselves. But it will be added to this list, approximately a $3-6 million facility. Tom explains that this list went to the Mayor and she chooses the priorities from all Township project requests. Tom discussed why the Mayor eliminated the Mat Sports building at Veteran's Park from the priority list.
RECREATION PROGRAM UPDATE AND CAMP ROBIN UPDATE
Barbara Felice gave an update on the spring programs and the 2nd session of ice skating. She explained that the Dept. was now working on the summer programs. The Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for March 23rd and is the first event of the spring. Peter Pero has provided copies of this Camp Robin Report. Pete also provided pictures of the Special Olympics for the committee to see.
Tom adds that the therapeutic ice program had a spectacular year. Lessons and hockey program is up. The only thing down is the public sessions. He explains that next years public sessions will be amended in order to add more hockey. The hockey program this year generated a net income of about $90,000+. This is a year after the wings left us. Also a credit to the people working the programs, especially John Piccolo who coordinates that program. We have four competitive teams, next year we are looking at 7-8 teams and about 75% of enrollment are Old Bridge kids. We are hoping for $130,000 - $140,000 net income from hockey next year.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Nancy Calogera suggest that the ice arena's concession stand remains open until after the kids stay open until the boys (hockey) come out of the locker room.
2. Joe Hoff suggests wrestling program at Laurence Harbor building after school (roll around program). Discussion followed about Mat Rats program and the need for more space for mat sports. Barbara explained that the LH building is too small and that we use that building for other activities, (e.g., summer camp, etc.) A roll around program needs to be supervised. The high school has no room where they can leave the mats down permanently.
3. Joe DeSimone asks about boxing. Tom suggests the police athletic league or, as per Ed Testino, maybe the YMCA can have a boxing rink.
4. Paul asks what happened to the appointment of two year terms instead of one year terms for this committee.
5. Mr. DeSimone asks if Laurence Harbor Baseball infield (as per Mr. Behan) could be power raked. Also, if it is possible for Cliffwood Beach area to get a ramp for skateboarding like Veteran's park. Tom responds that available land is needed to install a park. Tom mentioned that Laurence Harbor wanted one too, but not enough support was received.
6. Paul states for the record that he is very disappointed that the mat sports building had been eliminated from the 2002 project list.
7. Mr. Calogera requests that future projects be planned for central Old Bridge so they are accessible to everyone in town.
8. Joe Dunn suggests that Mannino Park be listed in the next brochure.
9. Gerard asked if the concession stand at Geick will be open. Tom explains that it will be staffed by arena personnel and open for games and during the daytime for the mom's with kids on the playground.
10. Gerard suggest the township put up a bubble building for the mat sports. Tom explains that they are expensive, but he will investigate.
11. Ed Testino requests that the Rec. Dept. start a program for Lacrosse and for Field Hockey. Feeder programs are needed for the High School. Barbara explains we have a summer camp in Field Hockey and we have a recreation program for Lacrosse run by Bob Ritz. Barbara explains the hardest part is getting parents to coach, etc. Nancy suggests girls who got scholarships in field hockey be contacted and asked if they'd be interested in coaching.
12. Joe Dunn asks if the recreation advisory board can put information on the Township Web page such as what projects the board is working on and the board's opinion on certain projects. Barbara said she would call Diane, Mayor's secretary, to see how we can get information on about the recreation advisory board. (Barbara was advised by Diane Amabile the Recreation Advisory Board would need to submit by e-mail or disk the information they would want on. This information would need to be approved first either by Tom Badcock or Alayne Shepler).
Motion to adjourn at 9:40 PM All were in favor.
Cassette tape of meeting can be borrowed from Carol Norberg if you'd like to hear this meeting in its entirety.
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