HILLSDALE, N.J.—Slightly more than $6 million in renovations at Memorial Field are nearing completion, with multi-use artificial turf likely to be installed during the week of Aug. 17, the borough engineer said at the Aug. 11 council meeting.
Borough Engineer Nick Chelius of Colliers Engineering & Design said the turf generally takes two to three weeks to install. After that, plans call for installation of coaches’ boxes, nets, benches, bleachers, and dugouts. He said early September is the “substantial completion” date for the project.
Administrator Michael Ghassali said he spoke with the turf vendor, who promised “custody” of the fields by Labor Day. “We will celebrate,” Mayor Michael Sheinfield said, with Chelius suggesting a ribbon-cutting, Ghassali suggesting possible fireworks, and Sheinfield suggesting an aerial drone show. “He’ll take care of it,” Sheinfield said, referring to Ghassali.
“We’re getting very close to the end,” Chelius said, noting only torrential downpours were likely to delay work on the site. Ghassali said rainstorms would be “a very good test” of drainage systems newly installed at the fields. Chelius said rainwater drains through stone and is collected in drainage chambers, where water percolates into surrounding soil and wetlands. He said all regulatory requirements were met.
Chelius said the batting cage fence was in good condition and would be cleaned, and noted the artificial turf being installed would be laid directly on top of asphalt. Chelius said site landscaping would occur in late September or October.
Ghassali said the first phase of playground equipment installation — funded by a $150,000 donation — would occur soon. Ghassali said it would likely be accessible for children sometime in September.
Improvements are being made at the fieldhouse by local sports associations, and they requested a trash container, which Ghassali said he would provide. Upgrades to the fieldhouse kitchen may occur over the next few weeks after a contract is approved, Ghassali said.
Recent estimates put the total cost of Memorial Field renovations at about $6.3 million, including soft costs such as construction management, engineering, and legal fees, officials said.
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 Melissa Mazza-Chiong, Clemente Osso, John Ruocco, Janetta Trochimiuk, and Robert Colletti. Councilor Justin Fox was absent.
Previously, Ghassali explained that following a 2021 budget increase, the borough has been allocating $500,000 annually into a field improvement account. Some $1.2 million from that account, combined with $4.6 million in bonding, will finance the park upgrades. He said there would be no additional annual tax increase as long as the project remains within the approved $5.8 million cap.
Economic survey details at Sept. 8 meeting
In his Aug. 11 report, Ghassali said the Economic Development Committee’s recent online survey received about 1,100 responses, and 800 residents added written comments. “So someone actually took the time to type and they’re all genuine and all sincere,” Ghassali noted.
He said the committee will discuss survey results at the Sept. 8 council meeting. He said the committee will assess the responses at its Aug. 19 advisory meeting. He said some highlights were that taxes were a top concern, along with the downtown’s look and vibrancy, and a demand for more restaurants, especially Italian restaurants. He also cited interest in more specialty food options and strong opposition to high-density developments.