RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
MINUTES OF JUNE 26, 2002
ATTENDANCE: Tom Badcock, Lisa Cooney, Janet Phillips, Fran DiRocco, Joseph DeSimone, Debbie DePew (new member), Nancy Calogera, Bob Pepe, Tim Kozlak, Rich Bezeg, Tom Stead, Councilman Bill Baker and Ralph Albanir, Director of Middlesex County Parks Department. Carol Norberg was present to take the minutes. Paul Taguer entered at 7:40 pm. Also present were Al DiRocco, Councilwoman Panos, Mr. Sohor (entered at 8:05 PM), Councilman Calogera (entered at 8:10 PM).
Absent from this meeting were Joe Dunn, Gerard Haran, Denis Kilduff, Councilmen Richard Greene and Ed Testino. Please note that Frank Piccillo had resigned from the Recreation Advisory Board.
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM
PRESENTATION BY RALPH ALBANIR, MIDDLESEX COUNTY PARKS DIRECTOR
Mr. Albanir brought plans of Phillips Reserve Park and Old Bridge Waterfront Park Phase II.
Members discussed these plans and listened while Mr. Albanir talked about the future of these parks. August 10th will be the dedication of Phase I for Waterfront Park. Fireworks will be at 9:15 PM He mentions there will be music, food court, activities for the children. It will be a full day. Fran suggests kite flying. Also discussed is the upkeep and policing of the Waterfront Park. Mr. Albanir mentions that the park will be open to the public and there will be no charge for entering. He also mentions that the county will build and maintain the park. Old Bridge Township will provide the police protection. Tim Kozlak states that brush and debris are very close to the boardwalk and are a fire hazard. Tim asks about who would clear it. Tom states this is something that would have to be discussed and decided on with the County.
In September or October the County plans to have the groundbreaking at the Phillips Reserve Park. Mr. Albanir talks about the location and plans for this park. Three soccer fields, a playground, bathroom area, sitting area, two lighted fields, one baseball, the other softball, a gazebo concert performing area, parking, and future expansion which may be include a cricket field are some of the amenities planned. A nature center is also being talked about. Mr. Albanir mentions this Park should be opening Fall, 2003. Mr. Panos stresses the need for all-purpose fields. She also asks for Bocce Ball courts. Mrs. Calogera mentions an outdoor roller hockey rink. Mr. Albanir states that Middlesex County’s general philosophy is to provide outdoor, expansive facilities, while the municipality’s responsibility is to provide for programming. Fran mentions she’d like a sensory garden.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The April minutes were approved.
ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED
1. Recreation Committee Term Ordinances: Janet mentions everyone got this proposed ordinance in the mail. Jan mentions what is proposed is that in January, 2003, 7 people will be appointed for one year and 8 people for a two year term. Then the following year the same 7 people will be appointed for two years. Then after that everyone will be appointed for two years. Janet mentions it is up to the council who they will appoint. Fran mentions that attendance should be taken into consideration. A motion was passed to send this ordinance to the council. All present were in favor.
2. Lake Lucerne: Tom mentions that Lake Lucerne was cleaned up.
3. Golf Update: Tom Stead mentions that at the last meeting Mr. McLaughlin was present and gave his professional insight. Tom mentions that Mr. McLaughlin is our potential golf consultant. He gave the pros and cons and the different ways of developing a municipal golf course. The most beneficial way is to build it ourselves and have somebody else manage it, with the exception of the greens superintendent and a golf pro/manager to be directly responsible to the township. Tom’s recommendation is to bring Mr. McLaughlin on board.
4. YMCA Update: Waiting for the proposals to come in from other YMCA’s to see what they can offer. No architect has been awarded.
Mr. Sohor wants the committee to know about the Woodhaven Development. He mentions that one of the conditions of the approval for this housing project is that the developer must build for the township at their expense a community center. This would consist of meeting rooms, gyms, indoor and outdoor pools, library. It would be located in the Woodhaven Development which is off Englishtown Road. They are committed to spend at least six million dollars to operate. It will be given as a gift to the Old Bridge Township and it would be for the town to run and maintain it. It is too early to tell if it would meet all the needs that the town is looking to toward the YMCA to provide. They will also provide the land for a school on a 15 acre site off of Texas Road. 1,900 homes are planned. Janet thanks Mr. Sohor for his information and to keep the committee informed as this moves forward. Mr. Sohor mentions that being no Green Acres is involved, it could be for Old Bridge Residents only. Tom mentions that the developers plans may take 20 years to come to fruition. Janet mentions in September Mr. Sohor can bring more information to the Committee if any new development emerge.
OLD BUSINESS
Joe DeSimone mentions that the bathrooms were closed in Vets Park one night and Lisa mentions that was right after the bathrooms were vandalized and were in need of repair.
Paul Taguer asks about cameras being placed in Vets Park. Tom mentions that the bid needs to be awarded for Vets and Geick Parks, then installation can progress. By watching the tapes, the cameras will catch someone after the fact, they would not alert the police right away to vandalism.
NEW BUSINESS
None
RECREATION/CAMP ROBIN UPDATES
The report for Camp Robin are in everyone’s folders. Lisa mentions we have a lot of camps that have wait lists. Tom mentions that Lisa will evaluate the summer camp program as it runs and will do some cost analysis on opening other sites. Lisa mentions that some of the summer programs have started such as field hockey, theatre camp, and basketball camp.
CAPITAL PROJECTS
1. Ward III Recreation Center - environmental assessment is being reviewed by the town engineer, John Vincenti
2. Sayrewood South Little League - drainage contract was awarded to T&M.
3. Lambertson Tract Acquisition - the town has a deal with the Lambertson estate. We do not have to go to condemnation.
4. Cedar Ridge II Acquisition - in condemnation court at this time.
5. Laurence Harbor Senior Center - 95% complete
6. Health Bldg. - 90% complete
7. Municipal Tennis Courts - renovation on hold until we find out if this is a suitable site for the YMCA.
8. Genoa Park Playground - basketball court was painted.
9. Other projects entailed putting in a cemetery fence on Rt. 34, and the Highpointe fence was replaced.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 8:55 PM All in favor
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