Borough of Woodland Park West Paterson Boys’ & Girls’ Club Merger Proposal May 1, 2019

1. Borough of Woodland Park West Paterson Boys’ & Girls’ ClubMerger ProposalMay 1, 2019

2. The History and Relationship Between the Borough and the Club • The Boys’ & Girls’ Club was established in 1952 in West Paterson. • In 1981, a usage agreement was agreed to between the Borough and the Club. The Borough made a $70,000 payment to assume 50% ownership of the building. • The town’s purpose for doing so was to aid the Club and have a place to host the Senior Citizen Club. • The agreement spells out usage, room allocation, time allocation, maintenance responsibilities, etc.

3. Past & Current Partnership • The Borough and the Club have had a partnership over the years including supporting each other with activities and improving facilities. Including: • Building Maintenance • Insurance Costs Odd-Set • Open Space Grants • Weekend Custodian Costs – Gym Use • Parking Lot Paving

4. Past & Current Partnership • Field Investment & Maintenance: • Memorial Field – sod instillation after Hurricane Irene; irrigation system; new baseball softball field fencing; dugouts; sun shelters; patio area at Yodice Field; snack stand upgrades. • Grimes Field – snack stand and restrooms; softball field fencing, dugouts. Grimes is scheduled for a new playground and we will be submitting an open space application for a turf field in spring of 2020. • Zaccaria Park/Rose Place Park – $1.2 million investment into both parks. Multi-purpose turf field; tennis courts; additional parking; among additional improvements.

5. Current Challenges Facing the Club Programming in Woodland Park • Membership & Participation • Volunteerism on the Decline • Competition for Fundraising Dollars • Competing Programs and Activities • Resistance to Regionalizing as a Tri-Town Organization • Loss of Tradition • Age and Structure of the Boys’ & Girls’ Club Building

6. Concerns • Ability to field teams based upon the number of participants. • Lack of pre-set schedules at start of season. • Facility schedule – last minute scheduling. • Conflicts with events sponsored by the town and other organizations. • Need to recruit new people.

7. Proposal • Merge the Club under the Borough. • Hire a Recreation Director with NJ certification to manage our programs, parks, open space and activities. • Form, by ordinance a 7-member Recreation Board which would be governed by State Statute. The Board would help set policy and guide the Director and staff. • There would be an apportionment of current Board members to be appointed to the Recreation Board for transition purposes. • Current Commissioners would be offered to remain in their positions for two additional years should they wish to do so. • Recreation Board Meetings would be Board driven, rather than membership driven.

8. Immediate Goals • Launch a major, visible recruitment drive for participants, coaches and folks who want to be involved. • Create and publish a master schedule of all events which will include, recreation, Borough, community organization, schools, etc. • Move all registration and enrollment to the Community Pass system. By doing so it takes away a heavy burden on the Commissioners, who then can focus on managing their programs rather than handling registrations and checks. • Create a facilities plan for all parks and athletic facilities. Identify areas for improvement and prioritize the order in which upgrades should be made.

9. Financial Transition • All money would be deposited into the Recreation Trust account and major costs would be allocated by the Director with the advice of the Recreation Board. • All current Boys’ & Girls’ Club funds would be turned over to the Recreation Trust account in order to continue to sustain programing. • Maintain the Boys’ & Girls’ Club 501(c)(3) status to act as a non-profit fundraising arm to aid programing and to apply for grants. The modified Board of Directors would act similarly to the Friend of the Library who fundraise for that purpose.

10. Future Funding and Budgeting Plan • Programs would funded through registration. • Fundraising would continue either under the banner of the Recreation Board and/or the Boys’ & Girls’ Club. • Grant applications have can be filed jointly by the Borough and the Club, in partnership, and therefore be more competitive. • Possible adjustments to the Recreation S&W and O&E line items in the budget to subsidize areas of programming.

11. The Boys’ & Girls’ Club Building Proposal • Borough is pursuing ownership of the “capped” property next to the Boys’ & Girls’ Club Building for purposes of additional parking. • Consideration of a ballot referendum in November of this year to raise the building and re-building a new center, including: • The entire building being raised up to above flood level. • New gym; senior citizen area/community room; offices; possible classrooms (Pre-K); area for afterschool program. • New space to house entire Recreation Department.

12. Questions?