Recreation Commission Meeting - September 8, 2003

Present: Debbie Bednar, Denise Brennan, Niecy Chambers, Dede Conlan, Steve Corley, Celia Flynn, Ed Kubliski, Mike Prevoznik, Duke Smith, James Smith, Bob Wilson

Guest: Bill Gatlin

Welcome: Niecy gave the new members a “welcome packet,” with the Rec Commission’s charter, mission statement, goals for the current year and other background information. Bob asked about Rec’s authority, and Duke explained that a change was made to our charter in 1976 transferring most decision-making to the borough manager and Council. Our current role is primarily to oversee the recreational programs and facilities, and make program, policy and budgetary recommendations to Gary and Council.

Guest Presentation: Bill Gatlin reported on the competitive tennis program which he ran for the first time this summer at the borough courts. His goal of providing playing experience was achieved: 21 kids signed up for the clinics, 5 men and 5 women came all summer to the round robins, and a total of 21 players participated in the tournaments. He wants to continue next year, and plans to tweak the calendar and increase recruiting/advertising to draw in more players.

Bill proposed improvements to the facilities which would benefit all users. These include:

1) A bulletin board, similar in size to the one at Birchwood Lake

2) A stationary table outside the courts

3) Three trash cans hung on the fencing inside the courts

4) An electrical outlet on upper courts (for ball machine)

5) Bleachers

6) Aiming the lights properly.

In addition, he suggested that the tag checkers be asked to clean up the courts as part of their job responsibility. In terms of larger capital projects, Bill observed that the lower courts have cracks and need resurfacing, and recommended the installation of a backboard and a storage shed.

Denise suggested that the borough’s portable bleachers could be used for tournaments. Debbie recommended publicizing the clinics early (April) because kids’ summer schedules get full.

Minutes: Minutes of the July 14, 2003 meeting were approved.

Beach Director’s Report: Dede presented her 2003 report. This year’s lifeguard class all passed; there were 12 full time and 7 substitute guards. Birchwood wasn’t staffed after 8/19 because several guards went back to college. More people are using Island in the mornings; may want to open it at 10 a.m. during the week instead of 1 p.m. Island Beach had a total of 50 nonresident guests this summer, Birchwood had only 9. In addition, there are a number of unregistered boats at Island. Members suggested reminding residents that they need to register, offering temporary “amnesty” to try to get full participation.

In terms of the beach facilities, Dede noted that the Birchwood warehouse roof is leaking badly, and Denise added that there is also a big problem with rodents; a lot of the summer Rec materials were destroyed. There is a problem with flooding in the concession stand and guard shack at Island. The beaches need a new rescue board, and Dede would like to have an AED of our own (this year they borrowed the MLPD’s on a daily basis). Members suggested applying for a grant (possibly Town Club); might also be able to borrow the high school’s AED for the summer.

The new docks get too hot to sit or stand barefooted on. A possible solution would be to run a copper pipe along the non-diving side and pump water from the lake to hose them down. Duke and Bob felt that someone should be accountable for installing this material if it is unsuitable. Niecy will contact the swim team for input and write a letter to Gary. Relative to vandalism at Birchwood, members urged installing motion activated lights and possibly a fake camera.

Recreation Director’s Report: Denise will be attending a coaching certification clinic at Rutgers on October 16, and will offer clinics for Rec coaches in November. Clinics focus on positive, safe coach-athlete interaction, not first aid or sport-specific coaching techniques.

Residents purchased 468 tennis tags, 2227 beach tags, 14 20-visit guest pass booklets and 24 10-visit guest pass booklets this summer. In addition, 313 kids were registered for summer Rec, with 42 youth counselors. Sean Dolan did a good job as the new supervisor: better security through check-in/check-out process, good relationship with counselors (breakfasts, final pizza dinner) and lots of special events. Denise noted that there were two accident reports and the walkie-talkies didn’t work effectively. She hopes summer Rec will be held in Wildwood in 2004.

Participation in evening Rec/open gym was minimal again this year except for men’s basketball. Open mats (wrestling) was held in the high school cafeteria 1-2 nights/week for two weeks and drew about 12 kids, mostly high school-aged.

In conjunction with the HS Athletic Director, Denise has begun implementing some of Rec’s policy recommendations regarding scheduling facilities. Midvale field has been reserved for the high school from 2:45-5:15 p.m. M-F, and from 9-11 a.m. on Saturdays. The MLBT soccer association has access to it from 5:30-dusk M-F, and from 11 a.m. on Saturdays. So far the only request for Taft field has come from Grayhawks for their peewee squad; Rec field hockey is using the high school fields. Scheduling is likely to become more complicated in the winter, with multiple demands for indoor space. Members supported the idea of setting a cutoff date for requests, and reviewing all applications at one time to be able to allocate gym time fairly. We need the cooperation of the school board and individual building principals to make this work.

Programs/Activities: Hub Lakes - Mountain Lakes had a good year, winning swimming, tennis and roller hockey and making the playoffs in softball. Bonnie O’Mullane should be congratulated on her success with the table tennis team. The Hub Lakes dinner/dance will be held on September 20. Steve reported that two lakes had registered a complaint regarding our hosting of the Hub Lakes swimming championships stating that no one was allowed to swim in the beach area at any time during the meet. (Dede had left the meeting; need to discuss again next month.)

MBA - Cathy Smith wants to run the girls program; Mike Prevoznik volunteered to take over the boys. Greatest concentration of boys has historically been in the 3rd-6th grade range. Mike and Cathy will let us know what ages they plan to include, registration information and season dates and times; if possible, try to advertise in November H&S Bulletin.

New Program - Mike Carmiche has approached Denise with a proposal to run a 6-week martial arts class this winter, to teach basics of jujitsu, karate and tae kwan do. Kids would be separated into two age groups, 6-9 and 10-12 year olds, with a minimum of 8 participants and a maximum of 20. The $125/person fee would include first belt, tshirt and uniform.

Holiday Tree Lighting - Sunday, December 7. Debbie has confirmed donation of hot chocolate and coffee from Starbucks; Ed suggested that we try to get more hot chocolate. Kings will donate cookies, and Bobbie Boulware will bring the madrigal singers but needs to be told the date. Debbie will also ask Community Church about the bell choir. Costco might be willing to donate candy canes; send request on Rec letterhead. There were problems with the sound system and stage last year.

Other Business: Borough Newsletter/H&S Bulletin - October Bulletin deadline is September 10; newsletter information is due September 26.

Rec Roundtable - Denise will check dates with Mark Prusina, try to schedule evening meeting in November.

Facilities Tour - Niecy will email members with possible dates, Sundays preferred.

2003 Goals & Objectives - Bob volunteered to oversee goal 1(b) concerning maintenance of the Jan Wilson Memorial Basketball Court; he takes care of the plantings there now. He and Celia both offered to help with the website. Denise will post request for student liaison at the high school. Steve will find out how many lighted horseshoe pits are needed for Hub Lakes, and estimated cost of construction. There used to be a pit beyond the volleyball court at Birchwood; location has access to electricity/lights.

Other - Steve asked about an incident at the Midvale boat dock in which police told swimmers that the boat dock could only be used for boat launching. Niecy will research the ordinance and report back in October.

Duke asked whether Rec had any plans related to Bob Bigelow’s speech. Niecy explained that we had begun work on a philosophy statement last spring that we hoped to ask parents and coaches to sign. Bob said that soccer does this; he will bring a copy to the next meeting. Denise noted that she serves on an athletics committee at the high school that defined the purpose of recreational sports as providing fun, skills development and an opportunity for competitive play. A question was raised about why soccer signups and tryouts are held in the spring for a fall sport. Discussion ensued over Rec’s role and authority in defining the number and types of recreational sports programs offered in the borough. The point was made that “Let the Children Play” doesn’t say the competition is a bad thing. Rec can work to educate parents and coaches, but we also serve the community; these programs exist because residents want them. We will discuss further at our next meeting, and, if possible, develop a philosophy statement for introduction at Rec Roundtable.

NEXT MEETING: MONDAY, OCTOBER 6 @ 7:30 p.m. BOROUGH HALL