Present: Dr. Harold Nolan, Frank Baker, Richard Rehm, Edward Piotrowski, Dwight Wolf, Leonor Lesta, Bruce Bennett, Marianne Reagan, Philip Maida, Frank DelleDonne

Absent: None

Liaison Present: Thomas Hennessy

The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, Frank Baker at 8:01 PM. The Sunshine Statement was read by the secretary. The minutes of the December meeting were approved.

Treasurer's Report: In the 2000 Recreation Operating budget, we have spent $122,027.07, $3,072.48 is encumbered, and $5,000 has been transferred to the Park & Playground budget, leaving a available $2,700.45. In the Park & Playground budget, we have spent $29,362.55, $676.54 is encumbered leaving available $110.91.

Old Business: Dr. Nolan reported that both the Holiday Concert and Tree Lighting had a good turnout and he thanked those on the Committee who had helped.

The Adult Craft Workshop had about 25 participants and the Children’s Craft Workshop was also very successful.

Almost 200 Letter from Santa were sent out this year. That is almost doubled from last year.

Our Winter Recreation programs will start with the gymnastics program this Saturday. The other programs will commence next week and the following week. The Teen Ski Trip is scheduled for Saturday, February 10th. We are planning to have a cooking program, since we have a kitchen in the Grange Building that we can utilize.

The Pop Warner Football program was again discussed. This Committee supports the concept of the program and will recommend such to the Township Committee but the site where it should be located is still under consideration.

Dr. Nolan reported that discussion was held by the Township Committee concerning the annual Craft Fair held at Bucks Mill Park. We are in the second year of a three year contract. The Committee will honor the contract but it will probably not be renewed as they are very concerned over the traffic problem that it incurs. They are also under consideration is drafting an ordinance to prohibit profit making organizations from holding events at the park.

The Township Committee also approved of making the Recreation Secretary a full-time position. Dr. Nolan said that this is long overdue and it will take effect on June 1st.
Dr. Nolan reported that there are plans for the Recreation Office to move to the Grange building. We are now holding three of our winter programs at this site. The building will have to be renovated and updated for office space. This will be the major department capital expense for this year.
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The Recreation Operating Budget and the Park & Playground Budget for 2001 have been submitted to the Township Administrator. Dr. Nolan explained the budget process to the Committee, i.e. we will be working with 25% of last year’s budget until the budgets are approved (usually by April).

New Business: Dr. Nolan reported that he had met with Dr. Hauser, Superintendent of the Colts Neck Schools regard the installation of a Challenge Course which will consist of such elements as a balance log, nitro swing, tandem traverse, etc. This outdoor recreation course is to be constructed by the Board of Education. He advised the Committee of the design of the facility and that a very small portion of the course would fall on Township property. Based upon this information and specific data provided by the Board of Education, the Committee approved the concept and general location of the challenge course. The Committee also recommended that the Board also install some type of fencing around the new facility due to various overhead wired that are part of the unit and could be a potential danger to others.

The 2001 Memorial Day Parade was briefly discussed as the Committee should start contacting groups for this event.

Discussion was held to elect a vice chairman of the Committee. It was decided that Ed Piotrowski would be the Vice Chairman.

Dr. Nolan told the Committee that Green Acres has approved a grant for $630,000 last July. They would like us to identify a project in the next 30 days. This project must be a land acquisition or a development of recreation facilities. It was suggested that we get input from other committees, such as Environmental and also look at available land.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.