Contact:
Recreation Commission Clerk Mary Bodner
Category: RECREATION COMMISSION MEETINGS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE West Long Branch, NJ - May 7, 2010
WEST LONG BRANCH RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
APRIL 12, 2010
THOSE PRESENT: Joe DeLeonardo
Mike Dwyer
Harvey Leuin
Russ Olivadotti
Lorraine Strohmenger
Debbie Ronan
Susan Trocchia
THOSE ABSENT: Ray Rubman
Karen Walstein
ALSO PRESENT: Steve Cioffi, Council Liaison
Debbie Cameron
Meeting Called to Order: 7:40 p.m.
Conway Park Playground – Debbie Ronan stated that she had been at Conway Park playground and noticed the park was dirty. She stated that the garbage bags were placed outside of and not placed in the garbage receptacles. She also stated that the bottom peddle to one of the playground activities is broken and that as she was walking into the playground from the parking lot and noticed something black was sticking out of the ground. Debbie stated that she would like the park to be kept neater and that the landscaping needed to be address and suggested planting trees/bushes and grass or flowers. The Commission discussed these possibilities and the lack of irrigation at the site. Mary stated that she received the same information from Ray who asked that she mention these items at the meeting. Ray suggested a port-a-john be placed at the playground. Joe stated that a bathroom was included in the plans and that it installed during one of the other phases. Joe asked Steve who would the Commission contact for planting at Conway Park and was told Pam Hughes.
Easter Egg Hunt: `10: Debbie stated there were approximately 123 children who attended the Easter Egg Hunt. The breakdown is as follows: 42 Pre-K, 51 K-1st grade and 29 2nd and 3rd graders. Joe stated that the event was again another huge success and thanked Debbie and Steve for their hard work. Joe suggested the time be extended for the event by having other activities scheduled for the children. Debbie thought perhaps having and egg toss contest, sack races, hula-hoop contest and an egg on a spoon contest and having a DJ who would guide the children through the activities. Debbie stated that the megaphone was not working. Joe suggested starting the activities later perhaps at 10:30 a.m. instead of 9:30 a.m. Lorraine stated she thinks that it may pose a problem with the sports schedules. Joe stated that the Commission could ask that they schedule their games later in the day.
Debbie stated that she would like to have shirts for the event next year and that there should be a change make to the registration process because much of the time is spent on people waiting on lines. Mary suggested giving the residents the form before the event so they could fill it out ahead of time. Debbie stated she would give it more thought. Debbie also stated that she was $43.00 over budget, which would have been from purchasing more juice then needed. She thanked Chris Neyhart for the use of his helium tank and stated that the DPW could not find the banner for the event. Lorraine stated that the sign at the Community Center seemed to help. Steve told the Commission that he was approached by an outsider of the town who told him the Easter Egg Hunt was great.
Fields: Joe stated there are challenges with fields. Joe stated that he asked Doreen if she would look into hiring a new port a john company because the present company keeps putting the port a john in the wrong spot and that it was placed next to the bleachers at Valenzano Park. He also that she make inquiries getting a better deal for the Borough.
Joe stated that baseball is underway. Joe stated that the upcoming Caltabilota Tournament became a situation because the field lights for night games do not go on until May 1st, which is in accordance with the Borough ordinance. Steve thought we might be able to do a resolution, however, that was not possible. Joe stated that the tournament would go on and would conclude before it becomes dark.
Joe stated there was an issue when Steve Savoy asked the Sports Association if he could use their goals that are stored at Sorrentino field for six soccer games that his organization has scheduled to be played there, and was told no. Steve is a Borough EMS volunteer and who is on a team along with four other town residents. Joe stated that he called Carrie Sniffen (Sports Association Commissioner of Soccer) and she knew nothing about Steve’s request. Joe then contacted Rich Egan who stated it was an executive decision to say no. Joe stated he had to respect the Sports Association’s decision since they owned the goals, however did not agree with it because the request came from someone who gives back to the community and no one benefits from such a decision. Joe stated that Steve would make a donation if his team used the fields.
The Commission discussed purchasing their own goals to be placed at Sorrentino and then anyone who receives a permit can use the goals. Joe stated that he would rather groups work together so all residents get to use the fields but it unfortunately doesn’t always work that way. He also stated that perhaps the Commission should not let organizations that are not willing to share/store equipment on Borough property, but that would make the Commission petty and it doesn’t want to do that either.
Joe stated that the puddle issues at Valenzano and Thorne Park have been addressed and hopefully that will make it better. DPW was to add dirt/clay to the infield. It is part of normal maintenance.
Budget `10: Steven stated that he has attended his third budget meeting. Steve stated two DPW workers were laid off and that furloughs were being discussed and there have been freezes to salaries with 1.5% co-pay for health insurance. He stated the police department was offered a proposal but they have not gotten back to the town and that their contract is up at the end of the year and that some police officers may be laid off. He stated the State might cut its aid by 5% more if the town does not have a budget by May 1st.
Joe asked Steve if there would be police presence at the Fourth of July celebration. Steve stated that the cost for police overtime for the event is approximately $14,000.00. He stated there are 14 traffic posts to cover and setting up barricades in order to cut down on liability. Steve informed the Commission that Office Dave Baransky is now in charge of the Police Explorers, which would help keep down police overtime. Steve stressed that money is tight in the Borough this year. At this point there is no final decision regarding concerts and fireworks because of the money problems. The Commission is awaiting budget introduction. Joe mentioned to Steve that if any of the concerts had to be cancelled, there would be a cancellation fee the Commission would have to pay.
Wall Street Park: Joe stated the he received a call from a resident who stated that the walking path a Wall Street Park was a mess.
Debbie Cameron asked if the bleachers were still on back order and was told yes. Debbie also asked if there were benches in storage. Joe asked Steve if he would contact DPW
Solicitation Letters and Summer Concert Series: Steve stated that solicitation letters would be going out this week. Steve asked Joe to provide him with the cost for the Fourth of July concert as well as the cost for each concert in the summer concert series. He will be sending letters to the Utility Companies requesting donations because it is his understanding that the companies are willing to give back in some way to the community. Joe asked Steve how the Commission could help. He stated that it costs approximately $13,000.00 for the concerts, however he has already encumbered $5000 for Fourth of July event and he could remove that from the budget. Joe stated he would contact the acts for the concert series and inquire if they would be willing to reduce their fee, but of course makes no guarantee.
Summer Recreation Program: Joe stated the flyers for summer recreation would be going out. He discussed with the Commission increasing the fee from $150.00 to $175.00 He stated that in the last two year the Commission raised approximately $34,000.00 with 230 children attending the program each year and that based upon these numbers raising the fee would bring in approximately $5,700.00 more. The Commission agreed to the increase. Steve thanked everyone on the Commission for volunteering and for their efforts. Joe stated that by making the efforts the Commission has set forth, our budget and events can stay in place. However if Summer Recreation’s fee is increased the Commission could not reduce the services they provide to the campers.
Joe stated that $1,600.00 in donations will be coming in from Ocean Township Tournament and the West Long Branch Hawks.
Debbie stated she received a refund of approximately $21.00 from the movie rental company for last year movie night.
As of the date of this meeting, the WLB Sports Association’s not for profit status has been reinstated. Steve stated the next step would be to go to Borough Council with issue. Steve mentioned that he has been contacted by The Link newspaper regarding this subject and has told them what he knew and what he has researched.
The Link has also tried to contact the Sports Association, but has received no reply. Steve finds it extremely curious that the Sports Association’s web site has been changed to say “independent” and all references to “not for profit” have been removed, especially since their status has been reinstated. It does not explain however, the 21 years that their status was revoked. Joe mentioned that the Sports Association does not claim that their sponsors are contributing to a not for profit organization and therefore should not be taking tax deductions for sponsorship. However members at the meeting who sponsors teams for the Sports Association do deduct their sponsorship as a tax deduction. The issue has not been resolved and will be looked into further.
Meeting adjourned – 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary G. Bodner
Secretary – West Long Branch Recreation Commission
THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY, MAY 10, 2010 @ 7:30.p.m.