Parks & Recreation Committee

Minutes for January 5 at 7:30 in New Borough Hall  

Next Meeting in office February 2 at 7:30

Attending:  Lori Kesilman, Derek MacMillan, Gina Vigilante-Soto, Tom Price, Tess LaMontange,

Absent:  Andrea Antell, Gwen Preston-Yamamoto,

Committee Organization:

• Derek is chair
• Andrea is the treasurer
• Lori is secretary
• We meet on first Mondays of the month  

Minutes for tonight’s meeting:

1. Update on tree work for church.  Two healthy trees.  Four diseased.  Tess, Derek, and Andrea will meet with church tomorrow to discuss.  
2. Update on Orchard Park trees - trees taken down.  Underbrush will be cleaned up this was with the money remaining in our budget.  Derek will look into a quote for stump grinding.
3. We are looking to have a treasurer.  Andrea is now the treasurer and will create a report.

1. Soccer proposal - for playing field

4. No Smoking Ordinance - We are not in favor of the smoking ordinance - unanimous vote
5. PECO Grant - We hope to know more next month
6. Orchard Park Sign - Tess will talk to Char  sign will be ordered
7. New Walkway -
8. Property boundaries - are looking into a hedge to create a natural boundary
9. Website - will review as a group next meeting

1. Tom Price discussed Bird Town

• 23 Bird Towns in the state.  
• Want neighbors to “Birdscape”
• Peter LaMontange got us involved.  The Preserve and Parks benefit from the funding
• Tom is spokesperson and is contact person for Bird Town

• Anti pesticides
• encourages birdscapes

• Tom wants a birdtown committee - I think we need council to approve this.  Robin, can we get it on the agenda?

1. Marge Eberz is interested
2. Peter LaMontange
3. Gina Vigilante-Soto
4. Lori Kesilman
5. Harry Baum
6. Tom has the name of another
7. Tom Price

• First meeting will be January 5 at 6:30
• We want Robin to send out a mailchimp email alerting the public about the meeting
• Mike Goodwin - Is there an eagle or Boy Scout that could be on the committee?
• Derek - Will contact our DelVal friends about students who could run a workshop
• Some Ideas for the committee:

1. Healthy yard pledge - online

1. agree to reduce pesticides
2. agree to native plantings

2. Register your property and get a sign
3. Workshop for individuals to make their
4. Boy Scout fundraiser idea of making blue birdhouses

1. Halsey White - works with Boy Scouts.  He may be able help with the building process.

2. Soccer group has approached Derek about creating a covered turf field.  They are willing to fund it.

• Derek will get a proposal before we discuss further

3. We want to spent the remaining budget money for removal of dead trees.  Derek talk to Robin about funds and then contact Gilbert about which trees.
4. Tess and Robin - Can we get the sign approved and paid for?