RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
MINUTES OF OCTOBER 23, 2002
The meeting began at 7:35 pm. In attendance at this meeting were: Tom Badcock, Lisa Cooney, Debbie DePew, Joseph DeSimone, Denis Kilduf, Tim Kozlak, Robert Pepe, Janet Phillips, Kevin Ruffler, Tom Stead and Councilmen Bill Baker and Rich Greene. Carol Norberg was present to take the minutes. Absent from this meeting were: Rich Bezeg, Nancy Calogera, Fran DiRocco, Joe Dunn, Gerard Haran, Joe Pruiti, Paul Taguer and Councilman Ed Testino.
RECREATION/CAMP ROBIN UPDATE
Lisa Cooney gave everyone a tour of the Halloween Haunted House and explained about the giveaways for the Halloween event and the prizes. Tom mentioned that Lisa collaborated with Dr. Brunsden, who donated $5,000 for the event. The Camp Robin Report was in everyone’s folder.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the September meeting were approved. All were in favor.
ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED:
1. Volunteer of the Month: Bill Baker brought up the idea at the last meeting that once a month someone should be nominated who volunteers in the town for recreation to be recognized by the council at the council meetings. Names brought up at this meeting were: Jamie O’Kane (nominated by Joe Dunn), John Darmofalsky (suggested by Janet Phillips), and Matt Cantaloopo, Sr. (mentioned by Joe DeSimone). The members who had suggestions will give more information by the next meeting so a vote can be taken as to who will be recognized at a future Council meeting.
Bill Baker feels the committee needs to be seen before the council at least once a month so the council is aware of what the Recreation Advisory Board is working on. A representative for the committee can be at the meeting once a month and this “Volunteer of the Month” award can be presented at that time.
2. Athletic Code of Conduct: Bill Baker explained that Governor McGreevey suggested that each town have a Code of Conduct as recommended by their Recreation Dept. and their Education Dept. The Council will be made aware that a Code of Conduct will be worked on through this committee. Tom mentions that the hockey program is using the St. Barnabas Plan. It’s a good program that can be used for all the other leagues. Copies of the following reports will be sent to Recreation Committee Members in advance of the next meeting: St. Barnabas Plan, NJ Interscholastic Athletic Assoc. Plan, and Pop Warner’s Code of Conduct (also addresses Parents’ conduct).
A letter will be sent out from Tom and Janet to all presidents of the sports leagues informing them that this committee is working on a Code of Conduct plan as requested by Governor McGreevey. They will be kept informed. It was suggested by Janet that when there is a draft, we can invite these league presidents to one of the meetings to hear their input. Then the final document can then be brought to Council for their approval.
CAPITAL PROJECTS: (as explained by Tom Badcock)
1. YMCA: CME is evaluating the three proposed sites. The YMCA has been setting up focus groups with some of the residents and benefactors in the town.
2. Golf Course: Mrs. Smith had recently passed away. Now the town will be buying the property. A contract has been awarded to a soil hydrologist expert who will be doing the legwork to get the permits for the irrigation.
3. Laurence Harbor Beachfront: Minor projects to be finished up.
4. Jetties: DEP-Coastal Resources, third jetty to be rebuilt. Should be finished by April, 2003.
Concrete extensions will be put on the other two jetties.
5. Laurence Harbor Senior Center: Now opened. Dedication will be sometime in November.
6. Laurence Harbor Recreation Bldg.: Project will go out to bid approximately January 2003.
7. Cedar Ridge II : Award from the condemnation court to acquire this property which will be in excess of $13.6 million. Green acres confirmed we have $4.5 million, $2 million from County of Middlesex. Infrastructure Loan for the wetlands part of the tract. (Low interest loan).
8. Sayrewoods South Little League - Drainage study came back from T&M. We will try to get work done with $28,000 left in bond to keep these fields playable. The long range plan is to move this league into Mannino Park.
OLD BUSINESS:
None mentioned
NEW BUSINESS:
1. It was discussed and agreed that the members of this committee would like monthly reminders reinstated, either by e-mail or by phone.
2. Tom Stead mentioned that the municipal tennis courts have cracks in them. Tom mentions that work on the tennis courts are being held off until we find out if this site will be needed for the YMCA.
3. Joe DeSimone asks about the Astroturf at Geick Park. He mentions that it is in bad shape. Tom mentions that he is having it repaired in the spring.
4. Bleachers are back at Geick. Tom is hoping that they are not stolen again. The security cameras are now working. This should be a deterrent.
5. Tom Stead asks about the possibility of running a youth basketball program for the younger kids (6-7 years old - Biddie program). Tom Badcock mentions that a letter could be written to Joe Pruiti for him to see if it is possible to start a biddie program.
6. Bill Baker feels that the council needs to know what this committee is accomplishing on a monthly basis. He feels that someone from the Recreation Advisory Committee should report monthly on what has been covered. Janet mentions that she gave her report once. Tom mentions that the report does not have to be long. All is needed is a list. Rich states that either him or Bill Baker can give a quick presentation if they are supplied with a list to present. Janet mentions she can see doing this quarterly.
7. Bill Baker mentions that the Council suggested that we have a “President’s Day” to recognize all the presidents of the leagues. It will be sometime in January.
8. Bill Baker mentions that there is no middle school baseball programs in town. Tom mentions that he believes it is a budget limitation of the Board of Ed.
Meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM |