RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 25, 2002
The meeting was called to order at 7:45 PM. In attendance: Tom Badcock, Lisa Cooney, Janet Phillips, Debbie DePew, Joseph DeSimone, Fran DiRocco, Joe Dunn, Gerard Haran, Robert Pepe, Joe Pruiti (arrived at 8 PM), Paul Taguer (arrived at 7:45 PM), and Councilman Bill Baker. Carol Norberg was present to take the minutes. Absent: Rich Bezeg, Nancy Calogera, Denis Kilduff, Tim Kozlak, Kevin Ruffler, Tom Stead and Councilmen Richard Greene and Ed Testino.
CAPITAL PROJECTS (As told by Tom Badcock)
1. YMCA - CME is studying the top three sites: Municipal Complex by the Arena, Mannino Park, and property by A&P on Ferry Road. Names of people or businesses are being assembled in the community who could donate to the YMCA.
2. Golf Course - Close to awarding contract to a golf consultant. Looking at environmental issues at this time with Township Engineer.
3. Lambertson Tract - In a lease/purchase agreement.
4. Ticetown Road Soccer Complex Parking Lot Phase I - Should be completed in a few weeks.
5. Sayrewoods South Drainage Study - Mayor and Council must approve before this can go forward. Will be included in the next capital projects request list.
6. Laurence Harbor Phase II - Waiting for the final design plans for Phase II which will be the renovation of the inside of the building.
7. Health Building - Renovations are completed. Need to buy furniture.
8. Senior Building in Laurence Harbor - 95% complete.
9. 9/11 Memorials - (1) At the soccer complex at Higgins Road and (2) by the municipal complex area in the Town Centre area which is on the Cottrell property right across from the Library at the corner of Rt. 516 and Cottrell Road. The developer for this property potentially will donate the corner portion for this memorial and also pay for it.
The memorial at the Soccer League is for the two gentlemen that were involved with the soccer league, Mr. Costello and Mr. Schulman
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
All members in approval of the June, 2002 minutes. (Fran DiRocco made the motion, Joe DeSimone seconded the motion; all were in favor)
RECREATION/CAMP ROBIN UPDATE:
Camp Robin report in everyone’s folder.
Lisa Cooney, Assistant Recreation Director, goes over the fall offerings and registration. New programs include Guitar (children are on wait list at this time), Little Explorers @ Cliffwood Beach (enough enrolled to run the class), after school program (no response), Poetry (only 1 response), Step Class (no response). Registration for Dance classes are going well. A self Defense class is in the book to be taught by Sgt. Lynch (he donated his time). The Halloween event will be on Oct. 26th. Recreation is looking for volunteers. The Assembly Room will be turned into a Haunted House. This event will be sponsored by Dr’s Brunsden and Villa who donated $5,000. The DJ will be donating his time.
Lisa talked about a survey that she handed out at the Youth Guidance Group to fill out about what teens are interested in. We are trying to get out the word about the Teen Center.
Ice and Hockey registration are going very well.
OLD BUSINESS:
Joe DeSimone shows the Board a petition that residents have signed asking for a skatepark in Cliffwood Beach and asks if everyone can sign it. He hopes to present it to council in a few months.
Joe Dunn asks about whether the terms were changed for the Recreation Advisory Board. Janet explains that they were changed to staggered two year terms. For next year some members will be reinstated for one year, some for two. After that everyone will be on staggered two years terms.
Fran suggests that attendance be used as a guide as to who is reinstated. Seniority was also mentioned. Tom mentions they can specify on their application if they want to be considered for the one or two year term.
NEW BUSINESS:
Bleachers @ Geick Park: Janet asks what happened to the bleachers in Geick Park. Tom explains that they were stolen and the replacements are on order. They will be welded after installation to prevent further theft. Security cameras are almost ready to be operational. These will be a good deterrent.
Skatepark: Robert Pepe questioned the skatepark’s security guards duties at Veteran’s Park.
Geick Baseball: Gerard mentions that underneath the artificial surface there is a lot of indentations at Geick Park Baseball field.
Highpointe Pond: Janet mentions that some people in Highpointe questions if the brush by the pond at Geick Park could be cleaned up. Tom explains that the brush is important so the sides don’t erode. They can play with the power boats from off the deck.
Tom mentions that some people fish in the lake, there are some sunnies in the pond.
Cheesequake Baseball: Joe Dunn asks about fields for Cheesequake Baseball of their own. Tom explains that this is something that the township is working on with the Brunetti family.
Bill Baker explains that with the Open Space Committee, the next piece of land the township will be buying will be the land from Brunetti for the fields. Old Bridge cannot buy any more land before the land by Schulmeister Road is purchased for Cheesequake.. It is on the Master List. Debbie DePew feels this should be part of the deal with Brunetti without us having to buy it.
Mr. DiRocco entered the meeting at 8:45 pm.
Joe Dunn explains that Bill Baker just resigned as President of Cheesequake Baseball and he thanks him on behalf of the league, the Recreation Board and from the parents for all he’s done.
Next Month’s Agenda: Bill Baker has two items for next month’s meeting. (1) Nominate a volunteer of the month from this panel to be recognized at the council meeting. Janet mentions that everyone should have a some nominations for this for the next meeting.
(2) Discuss the State’s Code of Conduct Policy and develop one for our town. Copies will be included with the mailing of these minutes.
Meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM
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