The first order of business at the Jan. 29 meeting of the Northwestern Recreation Commission was reorganization.

Township representatives for 2014 are Justin Smith, Lynn; Steve Bachman, Heidelberg; Tom Wehr, Weisenberg; and Rick Hughes, Lowhill.

LeRoy Sorensen and Darryl Schafer represent the school. Don Link is the member-at-large.

Link was named president with Sorensen as vice president. Schafer continues as secretary and Christie Steigerwalt of the Northwestern Lehigh School District will serve as treasurer.

Kathy Hermany, coordinator for Night in the Country, asked that a date be set for the annual festivity.

Aug. 16 was chosen for the celebration held at the Northwestern Recreation Commission Community Park.

Hermany received information from XY Pyrotechnics but the choice of a fireworks company was tabled until a later meeting. Fireworks are a $15,500 item. Celebration has been providing the fireworks in past years.

The suggested band was Steel Creek. Bachman favors Valerie Borman, a local singer.

Sorensen said if he had her schedule, he would be willing to go and see her. Borman told Hermany she would send information.

Some vendors did not like being asked to pay the commission after Night in the Country was over but it was such a help to Hermany it will be done again.

She said vendors do not like counting the money they brought in late at night.

David Laudenslager of the Northwestern Youth Athletic Association said plans were needed for the equipment storage sheds before a permit can be issued.

Heidelberg Township waived the administrative fees for the permits. The sheds need to be inspected because they will be open to the public.

Link said the fields are torn up by snowmobiles but no one had any idea of how to keep them off the fields except to fence the entire area.

NYAA representative Andy Lister said prices for field drags were $295 for steel mats, and $229 for drag brooms.

This was quantity pricing, but the commission wants to buy only two of each at this time on a trial basis.

The maximum cost of $200 each, which was set in December, was raised to $300. By buying two, the quantity discount may be lost.

The opening parade and program for T-ball, Grasshoppers and Prep softball will be April 26.

Lister said the batting cages were taken down. They will be replaced with something smaller and more rigid.