Orchard Park Committee.

Minutes for November 21, 2016 at 7:30PM in Admin Office by Sam Bryant

Next Meeting December at 5 at 7:30PM at Admin Office (45 Keeley Ave)

Attending:  Jo Schuler, Derek MacMillan, Tom Price, Andrea Antell

Absent: Council Liaison Lori Kesilman, Member Janet Moore

Visitors: Sam Bryant

We are in need of TWO members.  Contact the office (nbboro@newbritainboro.com; 215-348-4586) if you are interested.

Committee Organization:

• Derek is Chair
• Lori is Secretary
• Sam is Interim Treasurer
• Andrea is Information Officer
• We meet usually on first Mondays of the month  

Agenda for meeting:

1. Administrative Items
2. Old Business
3. New Business
4. Action Items

Minutes for Tonight’s Meeting:

1. Administrative Items

1. Approve Minutes from October Meeting

1. Tom made a motion to approve the October minutes; Andrea seconded the motion; All members present voted in favor.

2. Remaining Budget for 2016 and 2017 Budget

1. Sam reviewed the budget figures.  To date, the Committee had spent $1,145.  $300 was expected for mowing costs that had yet to be paid.  Previously, the Committee approved $1,300 for the rock mound removal, $900 for the island clearing, and $950 for tree removal.  This left $405 in the budget.  Derek made a motion to approve spending up to $300 for removal of invasive plants along the park edge.  This motion was seconded by Andrea.  All members present voted in favor.
2. Sam reported that the 2017 Budget pending approval included $6,000 for Orchard Park maintenance.

3. Committee Vacancies

1. Sam reported no new applications.  Sam had contacted Del Val, and Andrea posted it on NextDoor.

4. New PECO Grant Submittal

1. The Committee had a lengthy discussion about the merits of this application.  The plan presented by Sam was to apply for the PECO grant to help setup an application for a DCNR grant to implement improvements to make the park ADA compliant.
2. Tom questioned whether that level of improvements were necessary.  Other members of the committee had concerns about the possible costs.  There was also concern about what to do if the Borough received only a PECO grant, only a DCNR grant, or neither grant.
3. There was also discussion of the permitting requirements this would entail.
4. Tom made a motion to recommend to Borough Council that the Borough apply for the PECO grant, on the condition that it be determined what the needs of the park to achieve ADA compliance, and that portions of the grant be reworded to stand alone in the event a DCNR grant is not applied for or awarded.  Andrea seconded the motion.  All members present voted in favor.
5. Sam stated he would get this information prior to the next Parks/Rec meeting, so it is ready in time for the December Council Packet.

5. PA Wetlands Grant

1. In the October minutes, it is noted that the Borough was not awarded this grant.  Jo requested that the Borough follow up with the grant vendor to do an education seminar on wetland maintenance.

2. Old Business

1. Update on DEP Permit

1. The Borough was awarded the permit from DEP.  As noted in the PECO Grant discussion, Sam agreed to find out if this grant would cover a different bridge design.

2. Information Center Update

1. No update/action.

3. Pruning of existing apple trees

1. The Committee debated whether it made more practical sense to prune the apple trees, or to remove and replace them as they died off.  Given the high cost of pruning relative to the maintenance budget, it was suggested that this be investigated as part of the other grant research by Sam.  Andrea agreed to follow up with Tabora farms about suggested maintenance.

4. Review quotes for rock pile removal and cutting back undergrowth

1. Sam noted that the contractor met with him and Andrea earlier that day, and expects to complete the work on either Wednesday or Friday.

5. Gilmore’s request for proposal costs applied to the PECO grant; ADA compliance plans (Small Communities Grant);

1. Discussed during the PECO Grant item.

3. New Business

1. Projected Park Trails

1. This item was not discussed.

2. Overview of Park Boundaries

1. Derek noted that he, Tom and Andrea did some walking in the park a couple weeks ago, and realized they weren’t entirely sure of the boundaries.  Tom produced a GIS map that showed they had actually walked beyond the park and into neighboring properties.  It was agreed to obtain additional boundary signs.
2. There was also discussion to relocate the existing fencing near the entrance that is now redundant.

4. Action Items

1. New Member Nominations

1. None to be done.

2. $40,000 DCNR Grant, $20,000 (Professional Engineers) Gilmore

1. This item was discussed during the PECO Grant item.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:37PM.