brownstowntownship

November 12, 2016 11:00 AM

Introduction and History: Township Board Chairman: Jack Gillespie

Introductions: The members of the Brownstown Township Board are Beverly DeWitt, Hope Sitterding, and Jack Gillespie. The Township Trustee is Jennifer Isaacs. Trustee Isaacs and myself were present for the “Township Soccer Fields” dedication.

History: In the 1970’s I became familiar with soccer as a “popular local community sport” while traveling to rural communities in South and Central America. In many of the small, rural towns, I noticed kids were kicking any round object available in many vacant lots. And on weekends most of the local people attended community soccer games or listened to national or international soccer games on the radio. At that time Betty and I lived in Greenfield, Indiana which was just starting a youth soccer program. So I volunteered to coach our son’s youth soccer team. Soccer is now a very popular international sport.

When I was first elected to the Brownstown Township Board 10 years ago, I learned that townships had a responsibility for budgeting for local parks and recreation and culture programs. So we started a township recreation and culture fund. However, for this soccer project we had to do a special appropriation to use some of our reserve funds.

The idea of a cooperative project with local government unites started in 2011 when the “Brownstown Community” won the $25,000 AT&T Back Home Again In Indiana Decoration Contest. That was truly a “community effort”, but there was no single “local community organization” to decide how to use the winnings. Linda McCormick was trying to organize “Brownstown/Ewing Main Street” at that time. So she invited several people from local government unites to consider using the money for possible parks and recreation projects. Since our Township had not financially supported local parks, the township board passed a resolution to match the community’s $25,000. That allow for a $50,000 “Multi-Purpose Path” project in cooperation with the Jackson County Park Board and the Brownstown Chamber of Commerce.

After completing the “Multi-Purpose Path” project, I ask Larry Raymer if the Jackson County Park Board would consider a soccer field project. He then advised me of the limited funds budgeted for the Jackson County Park Board, but indicated we might be able to use county property.

In November of 2012, the Brownstown Township Board passed Resolution 4-2012 to budget up to $45,000 for a cooperative soccer field project with the Jackson County Park Board. Today’s dedication is the completion of that Brownstown Township and Jackson County Park cooperative soccer field development project.

Historic Marker: Celery Signs designed and constructed the “Township Soccer Fields” sign dedicated today. Naturalscape Services provided current landscaping and is planning landscaping around the new sign.

Larry Raymer, Chairman of the County Park Board said a few words about how we coordinated the development of this Township Board, Jackson County Park Board, and Jackson County Council soccer field construction project.

Travis Norman then reviewed the project plans that Foresight Land Surveying developed and implemented. He also discussed how he and Dan Blann organized and expanded the Brownstown Youth Soccer League. Travis related that many of the visiting soccer teams have said the turf developed by Myers Sod Farm is the best they have played on.

Charlie Murphy spoke for the Jackson County Council and expressed their pleasure for the utilization of this county property. He also indicated he would work with other council members to address any issues the County Park Board may have in the future.

Unfortunate Carl Shake was not present to discuss his and Brownstown Electric’s contribution of the equipment building. Carl donated the boards from the Shieldstown covered bridge and all of the materials and the labor for this building.

This dedication was the culmination of four years of planning and construction of the Brownstown Township Board and the Jackson County Park Board cooperative park and recreation soccer project. We look forward to the Brownstown Youth Soccer League utilizing this facility for a truly popular local community sport program.

Posted on Brownstown Youth Soccer League Facebook Page

Jack Gillespie
Today at 3:46pm
The Brownstown Township Board is preparing for a dedication of the Township Soccer Fields. This four year township project started in 2012 as a cooperative recreation development project with the Jackson County Park Board. The Jackson County Council designated county property for development of the Jackson County Park Board soccer program. Brownstown Township then provided the funding and coordination for construction of the soccer fields and the equipment needed to initiate a local community soccer program. Thanks to the Brownstown Youth Soccer League for organizing soccer coaches, parents,and soccer teams to utilize these cooperative township and county supported park facilities.

October 17, 2016 0

Brownstown Youth Soccer League

This is the first year for organized play on the Brownstown Township Soccer Fields.

Facebook page for Soccer League:

https://www.facebook.com/Brownstown-Youth-Soccer-League-1554364138223803/

October 17, 2016 0

Next Board Meeting 9-21-16

The budget planning meeting will be at the Trustees office Wednesday Sept. 21 and 6:00 pm. Other agenda issues will be refund from Graber Post Bldg., soccer sign, tombstone groomer, and township soccer field dedication.

September 20, 2016 0

Brownstown Township Board Meeting

The Brownstown Township Board met on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at the Trustee’s office. Members present at the meeting were Bev Dewitt, Jack Gillespie, and Jennifer Isaacs. Meeting was called to order by Jack Gillespie. Jennifer Isaacs read the minutes from the March meeting and they were approved.

Old Business

Jack Gillespie has been trying to contact Celery Signs to make a sign for the Soccer Field. He will call him again in the next few weeks.

The township website fee of $18 will be paid by Jack Gillespie

Jack requested that we purchase and additional portable toilet for the soccer field. He stated that they have received a few complaints about just having one toilet for boys and girls. Bev and Jack voted and both agreed to purchase another one. The money will come out of the Rec Fund.

New Business

A check was written to Graber Post Bldg on July 17, 2015 for $2500 to purchase a building for the Soccer Field. The project got cancelled but the check was still cashed. Jack Gillespie said he would check with Travis Norman about it.

Jennifer Isaacs informed the board that her deputy wanted to take the summer off, so in June and July Jennifer will take over her hours. This was approved by the board.

Jack discussed the possibility of an invasive weed in Brownstown that might need to be controlled in the next few months.

The next meeting will be July 20, 2016

Meeting was adjourned

June 13, 2016 0

March 15 2016 Board Minutes

Brownstown Township Board
March 15, 2016 Meeting Minutes

The Brownstown Township Board met on Monday, March 15, 2016 at the Trustee’s office. Those present were trustee Jennifer Isaacs, and board members Bev DeWitt, Jack Gillespie, and Hope Sitterding.
The meeting was called to order by Jack Gillespie. Hope Sitterding read the minutes from the January meeting. Minutes were approved with corrections.
Old Business
• Soccer Field
o Jack gave Jennifer a bill from Global Equipment Company for $913 which is associated with the porta pot that will be placed at the soccer field. Payment for porta pot will be taken from the recreational fund.
o New goals will need to be ordered for the older age groups. Jack had priced goals and presented the information to the board. It was decided Jack would go ahead and order the 2 goals and would later be reimbursed.
o Discussion was held in regards to placing a sign at the soccer field. Jack had tried to get in touch with Jerry Brown (Celery Signs) to discuss the possibility of an aluminum sign. He was unable to contact him but will try again.
New Business
• Correction to resolution 1-2016 in regards to the salary of each board member.

The next meeting was set for Wednesday, May 18, 2016 @ 6:00pm.
Meeting was adjourned.

March 17, 2016 0

Brownstown Township Board January 27, 2016 Meeting Minutes

The Brownstown Township Board met on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at the Trustee’s office. Members present at the meeting were Bev DeWitt, Jack Gillespie, Jennifer Isaacs, and Hope Sitterding.

Meeting was called to order by Jack Gillespie. Bev DeWitt read the minutes from the August meeting. Minutes were approved. Jennifer stated that Teresa Stuckwisch will be the new deputy starting January 28, 2016. The new office hours will be Mondays and Wednesdays 3:30pm-6:30pm, Thursdays 10:00am-1:00pm. It was decided that future meetings will be held every other month on Wednesdays @ 6:00pm.

Old Business

In July Jack had sent all members an invitation to accept in regards to the township website. Some members were not aware of this and will proceed with the proper steps to gain authorization to be able to post on the new website.

New Business

The 2015 Annual Report will be submitted 02/01/2016 or after. The Board of Finance was organized and will be as follows: President – Jack Gillespie, Secretary – Hope Sitterding. The 2016 Board of Finance Report was given with a total of $62,279.62 as of 01/23/2016. All members signed certifications for Resolution 1-2016 and Resolution 2-2016. Jack Gillespie will inquire about the investment policy. The next meeting was set for March 14, 2016 @ 6:00pm.

Meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Hope S. Sitterding, Brownstown Township Board Secretary

February 17, 2016 0

Brownstown Township / Jackson County / Indiana

Board Minutes and Schedule, Project Updates, and News Items

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