HILLSDALE—Councilman John Ruocco and local environmental advocate Fred Rubel on July 16 raised more questions about the health and safety concerns of installing artificial turf versus natural grass on Memorial Field.
Colliers Engineering & Design’s July report to the Borough Council notes the project will include synthetic turf baseball fields, a synthetic turf multi-sport field, and various other improvements to the athletic complex. Colliers did not send a representative to the meeting.
Reubel’s LinkedIn says in part that he specializes in assisting operating facilities in meeting occupational safety and environmental protection obligations, performing environmental and occupational safety compliance audits, and providing technical expertise in connection with environmental litigation.
Both Ruocco and Rubel questioned the use of artificial turf, citing potential health concerns and disposal costs. Rubel estimated that disposing of artificial turf at the end of its useful life could cost $375,000 to $450,000.
Generally, synthetic turf lasts eight to 25 years, he noted.
Ruocco expressed frustration that Colliers had not yet provided an analysis comparing natural grass to artificial turf, as he had requested. “It’s a rather important discussion to have,” Ruocco said.
These concerns were also raised on June 11, when the council approved a $2.7 million capital bond ordinance, including $1.8 million for unspecified funding for the borough’s athletic fields, parks, and recreation facilities.
Administrator Michael Ghassali explained that the council had not asked Colliers to perform such an analysis, suggesting that another consultant might be needed to review health and safety concerns related to artificial turf. He said that Colliers likely would present a proposed plan for Memorial Park in July or August. After review by the fields committee and council, a cost estimate would be provided based on the final plan.
Councilor Abby Lundy noted that engineers had recommended a turf field as natural grass fields needed rest and should not be overused. She explained that the recommendation for an artificial turf field was based on the usage demands of local fields.
Ruocco argued that although prioritizing field utilization made sense, it should not come at the expense of residents’ safety.
Of the risks cited in playing on artificial turf, councilman John Escobar challenged Ruocco, asking, “You know this how?”
Ruocco responded that he had requested a discussion on the pros and cons of natural and artificial turf fields and said that his alma mater had seen problems after installing artificial turf.
Escobar countered by pointing out that there were more than 1,000 turf fields in the state and that New Jersey offers grants for it.
It remains unclear whether officials will further investigate an analysis of synthetic versus natural turf at Memorial Field.
Additionally, Ghassali outlined the timeline for Centennial Field improvements: bids were expected to go out on Aug. 7, with bid openings on Sept. 4, and a council bid award on Sept. 10.
According to the Colliers July report, the project scope for Centennial Athletic Complex renovations includes regrading, underdrains, amendments to topsoil, new sod, stormwater management, irrigation, and restoration.
No cost estimates were provided in the engineer’s report for Memorial Field or Centennial Field improvement projects.
Ghassali added that the borough anticipated receiving an NJDEP permit soon for the proposed work, about four to six weeks after submission by the borough’s licensed site remediation professional, Lois Spagnola, of The Environmental Group. The permit is required due to Centennial Field’s prior use as a landfill and ongoing monitoring onsite, officials said.
DPW: ‘Renovations Ongoing’
Facing a Dec. 31 deadline to move DPW offices back from two temporary Woodcliff Lake properties, councilmember Justin Fox said that most DPW building renovations should be completed within 90 days.
Ghassali noted that this includes renovations to the site’s four-bay garage and relocating offices from the main building.
Officials previously mentioned plans to move offices to a trailer onsite, pending NJDEP approval. Ghassali also mentioned the possibility of using federal recovery funds to address flooding from remnants of Hurricane Ida in September 2021.
Mayor Michael Sheinfield asked if there would be a “safe space” for every Hillsdale DPW employee now based in Woodcliff Lake to move back.
Ghassali confirmed that there would be.