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February 24, 2009 The Township Committee held a special meeting on the above date at 7:30 PM. There was no tape recording of this meeting as it was an informal work session meeting with the Recreation Needs Committee to review the amended plans for the Township Recreation Area at the former Fuchs property. Present were: Deputy Mayor Brian Kelly, Township Committeeman Lawrence Durr and the following members of the recreation needs committee: Bill Berger, Paul Cincotta, Lora Durr, Lothar Ehrich, Susan Gallagher, Frank Herdt, Susan Layton and Tom Miller. Notice of this meeting was properly given by filing written notice with the Clerk of the Township and members of the governing body, posting notice on the bulletin board in the Township Municipal Building and publishing notice in the Burlington County Times on February 19, 2009 in accordance with the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act. The Recreation Committee and the public viewed the amended plan for the recreation areas and compared the plan to the original plan of the area. The following reactions were expressed: Susan Layton has concerns with the dog park. She has visited the part in Mercer County which is very small. There is currently daily postings on the Township blog about people not cleaning up after their dogs in Old York Village. She feels the dog park will become an issue. Matt Weismantel stated that Old York Village is designed with smaller properties and larger houses and the residents need somewhere to go with their dogs. Mrs. Layton replied that, if that is the case, then the dog park should be located in Old York Village. Lora Durr visited a dog park in North Jersey which is rated one of the best in the country. A non-profit organization was given 8 acres to develop and maintain a dog park. The are terrain changes as well as grass and dirt areas in the park. There are different areas for different size dogs with a double gate system and lots of signage. She feels a dog park requires a much larger area than is allocated on this plan. Mr. Kelly stated that there are 2 parts to the recreation plan – the sports fields and the passive recreation area. He feels that the first priority is the sports fields to meet the demands of the increased number of teams. Bill Berger stated that he is happy with the layout of the fields. Frank Herdt believes that once the soccer fields are staked out and lined, it’s possible that more fields could be fit into that area. A discussion ensued about the location and number of concession buildings, as well as a building for indoor training. Mr. Berger questioned whether or not the soccer fields are actually graded properly. Mr. Herdt stated that the grade is fine, but they do need to be rolled before being used. Mr. Herdt also asked about the cost to continue the infrastructure in that area, such as the driveways and parking areas. Greg Lebak stated that the grading of the fields needs to be done first. It was a consensus of all present that the sports fields are the priority and the Committee turned their attention to the other side of the property where the passive recreation will be. Greg Lebak is concerned with the concessions and restrooms in that area and feels they need to be more centralized. Lother Ehrich stated that there is a shelter in the center of the area which could be used for anything. Mr. Durr suggested concession trailers that could be moved to wherever they are needed. Questions were raised concerning the amphitheater which appears on the plan. Mr. Ehrich explained that this is not a structure, just a flat stage area with a graded lawn seating area. Mr. Lebak questioned the fencing of the entire area. Mr. Durr feels the entire perimeter should be fenced. The neighbors deserve the property line to be identified and the users of the area need to know where the lines are. Mr. Kelly would prefer a natural material fence, however, it was mentioned that that type of fencing would not provide any security for the neighbors. It was suggested that the residents be asked what type of fencing they prefer. Mr. Lebak stated that the plan calls for the area between the fields and the yards to be heavily treed, so the residents will no see the fields. Mr. Durr feels that a demarcation line is needed and should be one of the first things to be done. Susan Gallagher would like the grading to begin for the sports fields so the Township kids can come back into the Township to play sports. Mr. Durr is concerned with the appearance of spending the money on this now. It is the best time to borrow money and contractors are looking for work, so it could possibly be done cheaper now that later, but he is concerned with how it appears for the Township to be spending money on something that is not absolutely necessary. Mr. Ehrich stated that the recreation area will add a quality to the community and increase the property values. It should be developed conservatively and in stages. Mr. Durr would like to put the site work out to bid for the entire project but separate the bids for each side. Paul Cincotta know what his finances will be in a year from now, and knows he cannot afford to pay any more but he is totally in favor of developing the fields now even though it may come at an additional cost. Matt Weismantel asked how the Village Square and the pedestrian bridge to the school fit into this plan. Mr. Lebak responded that the plans for the bridge are almost finalized and it is the developers responsibility to build. Any work the Township wants to do in the Village Square needs to be budgeted. Bob Schoen of Fenton Lane stated that developers are filing bankruptcy and may not continue to build. The sports fields are needed now and should be built now. The other area can be phased in as the economy gets better. Mr. Durr asked Mr. Schoen how he would feel about a fence. Mr. Schoen stated that most of the residents already have a chain link fence in the rear of their properties, so there will probably not be as much fence needed as originally thought. Paul Cincotta stated that he does not feel that the indoor training facilites and batting cages should not be funded by the town but space should be provided. Lora Durr suggested that areas on the passive recreation side be divided up and developed as Eagle Scout projects. Lora also suggested that some of the indoor activities being discussed could possibly be done at the existing school, after they move. Mr. Ehrich will speak to Mrs. Jamanow about the estimate that she has prepared for the grading. Mr. Lebak stated that the Public Works Departments could do some of the grading in the recreation area, however, the sports fields should be done by a contractor. The meeting was adjourned at 9:02 PM. Respectfully submitted, Bonnie J. Haines, RMC |