HILLSDALE—The borough engineer said a $5.8 million renovation of Memorial Field will likely be finished in mid-June, plus or minus a few weeks depending on spring weather conditions.
Borough Engineer Nick Chelius told the council April 7 that was his latest estimate for project completion following a cold, snowy winter that left the ground frozen for months.
He said the contractor has completed the first of two large retaining walls and began work on the second that week. Chelius said it will likely take about four more weeks to complete the retaining walls.
Once those are finished, he said, “things will happen quickly,” including field renovations and installation of artificial Pivot turf.
Chelius said the contractor is “moving forward and making good progress.” He added that all retaining walls above four feet in height will have safety fencing.
He said the manufacturer is working on sports striping for the Pivot turf, which is expected to ship in about a month.
Councilman Clemente Osso noted the turf will include striping for soccer, baseball, and football. Chelius said men’s and women’s lacrosse lines were not included because “it gets too busy” with field markings, but temporary striping could be added later.
Chelius said officials should have a clearer picture of the completion timeline after April. He said the contractor is doing everything possible to expedite the project.
New turf
The field’s natural grass will be replaced with no-infill Pivot synthetic turf, which officials say will allow play immediately after rain and reduce maintenance.
The surface carries a 12-year warranty—longer than typical turf systems—and contains no detectable PFAS, PAHs, or lead, according to manufacturer GeoSurfaces of St. Gabriel, La.
On March 11, 2025, the Borough Council voted 4–2 to approve Resolution 25-102, authorizing the improvements and capping spending at $5.8 million.
Councilmembers Robert Colletti Jr., Justin Fox, Melissa Mazza-Chiong, and Clemente Osso voted in favor. John Ruocco and Janetta Trochimiuk opposed. Both supported field upgrades but cited concerns: Trochimiuk objected to the absence of field lighting in the resolution, while Ruocco opposed the use of artificial turf.
Administrator Michael Ghassali said the borough has budgeted $500,000 annually for field upgrades since 2021. About $1.2 million from that fund, combined with $4.6 million in bonding, will finance the project. He said there will be no annual tax increase if costs remain within the approved cap.
In a special Zoom meeting Oct. 30, 2025, the council voted 5-0 to award a non-competitive contract, through the Bergen County Cooperative Pricing System, to Applied Landscape Technologies of Montville for $5,729,779.34.
Voting in favor were Mazza-Chiong, Osso, Ruocco, Trochimiuk, and Colletti. Fox was absent.
The contract includes the purchase and installation of a synthetic turf multi-use field, sporting equipment, perimeter fencing, a pathway and lighting, basketball courts, picnic tables and benches, a playground, parking lot improvements, and retaining walls. Colliers Engineering & Design is overseeing the project.
For prior reporting, visit thepressgroup.net and search Memorial Field. Also see “Memorial Field upgrade plans due ‘ahead of schedule,’” by Michael Olohan (July 14, 2025).