HOPATCONG RECREATION COMMISSION

FEBRUARY 10, 2004

The meeting of the Hopatcong Recreation Commission was opened by John Young at 8:00 p.m. with a statement that this meeting is held in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-1 et seq., annual notice having been forwarded to The New Jersey Herald, The Daily Record and The News-Leader and posted on the bulletin board maintained in the Municipal Building for public announcements.

ROLL CALL:

PRESENT: Dave Barnish

Janet Bunnicant

Cindy Klein

Dave Levin

Joan Reilly

John Young

ABSENT: Dennis Tobin

Also in attendance were Debbie Armeno, Recreation Coordinator, Laurie Spaziani, Council Liaison and Mayor Richard Hodson.

John Young led the Salute To The Flag.

MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Chris Anderson, President of Warriors Football attended the meeting this evening. Chris is requesting a new field this season and how soon before they get started.

Debbie Armeno stated that her goal is to get everything in pencil by Friday, February 13, 2004. Debbie announced that the school has shut down two fields for the spring and she doesn’t know what is going to shut down for the fall and it might have an impact on some of the soccer fields.

Dan Cotrau, Vice President of Hopatcong Soccer also attended the meeting this evening. Dan filled out several request forms for alternative fields and is willing to work with any of the programs. Dan stated that he needs four fields to contain the 300 children.

Debbie Armeno said she already spoke to little league about Squire Field to give Dan some additional time.

Chris Anderson questioned why the fields were closed. Debbie said it was just routine maintenance.

MEETING CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC

John Young asked Cindy Klein, being the chairperson of the fields committee, if she would get together with Debbie Armeno and review all the field requests for next month’s meeting. Cindy agreed

APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 13, 2004 MINUTES

Joan Reilly made a motion to approve the January 13, 2004 minutes. Janet Bunnicant seconded the motion and all were in favor. Absent: Dennis Tobin

John Young announced that there are two new commissioners to the Recreation Commission and John welcomed Dave Barnish and Dave Levine.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Debbie Armeno said she cannot do the contracts for the Summer Recreation employees until the salaries are discussed.

Joan Reilly made a motion to increase the salary of Art Buehrer to $5500.00. Cindy Klein seconded the motion.

Discussion: Dave Levine asked what his salary is being raised from. John Young said Art Buehrer has been at $5000.00 for the last two years.

Laurie Spaziani commented that the standard increase for white collar/blue collar salary contracts are 4% and that the increase salary to $5500.00 is 10%. Joan Reilly said Art’s salary hasn’t been raised for two years.

John Young said if the salary for Art Buehrer were to be $5400.00, that would be in the guidelines of 4% per year.

The motion has been made for an increase of salary for Art Buehrer to $5500.00.

ROLL CALL:

YES: Dave Barnish

Cindy Klein

Dave Levine

Joan Reilly

John Young

NO: Janet Bunnicant

ABSENT: Dennis Tobin

FIELD TOUR

March 14, 2004 is the date for the field tour starting at Jefferson Field to Nariticong Field to Squire Field to Veteran’s Field. Also included are the tennis and bocce courts.

Debbie Armeno mentioned that the basketball program is going very well and all the awards and trophies were ordered.

John Young discussed the lock at the field house on Nariticong Field. John is having a tough time collecting the keys from the Warrior Football Organization. John suggested the barrel system. John said it could cost approximately $400.00

Debbie Armeno asked if she could call Able Security and compare how much it would be to change the lock instead of the barrel (tumbler) system.

Laurie Spaziani said the Borough Clerk is in control of the keys and she has expressed a concern about having so many keys and having so many people having access to the keys, so perhaps the Commission should check with Lorraine Stark.

John said Debbie will call Able Security and get a price comparison and it will be discussed more at the next meeting.

Dave Levine said the accountability of each organization should be responsible for the keys.

Laurie Spaziani said Mayor and Council approved the first quarter payment for the weight room supervision and the question about the hours and who can use the room came up.

John Young said the weight room is open to the public and John said he would find out about the hours that are available.

Mayor Hodson reminded the Commission that Art Buehrer was hired by the Administrator and the 2004 budget hasn’t been approved yet. The Mayor also said that the inspector will read the laws for the roller hockey during the first week of March.

Debbie Armeno said she would provide the Commission with copies of the rules and regulations for roller hockey when they are available.

Mayor Hodson said the rules went to JIFF for approval. The Mayor mentioned that we do not handle locks for Byram or Stanhope and the Mayor suggested to not work out a system where someone would bring the keys in or asked to pick up keys.

ADJOURN

Joan Reilly made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:43 p.m. Janet Bunnicant seconded the motion and all were in favor. Absent: Dennis Tobin

Respectfully submitted,

Marie Filoso

Recording Secretary