Field upgrades likely at Memorial Drive Athletic Complex

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MONTVALE—Four of the six baseball/softball fields at the Memorial Drive Athletic Complex are planned for infield upgrades this summer, based on a planned contract with Colliers Engineering and Design up for approval at the March 29 Borough Council meeting.

On March 29, council will vote on a resolution to approve Colliers Engineering for a $13,000 contract for professional engineering services including construction design, specs and bidding, and construction oversight services.

The proposed contract notes design and bidding services at $6,500 and construction administration services at $6,500.

According to an anticipated timeline proposed by Colliers, design plans and specs are due in April. project bidding will occur in May/June, and construction is planned to start in July and finish by the end of August. 

“It is our understanding that the Borough has budgeted $75,000 for these improvements,” states the Colliers Engineering proposal, submitted by Andrew Hipolit, the borough’s longtime engineer.

The proposal notes construction starting no later than July 25 and ending no later than Aug. 26. 

“Please note that the above schedule is fixed and the goal is to construct the entirety of the project as outlined above, Should inclement weather occur, the construction schedule may be altered, as necessary,” notes the proposal.

The proposal notes that three fields are on Montvale Board of Education property and one field is on borough property. It notes improvements will be made to fields 2, 3, 5 and 6.

Regarding project oversight, Colliers Engineering and Design (CED) proposed to provide the borough with part-time, on-site observation services for the project. 

It said it will coordinate a pre-construction meeting for the project and maintain observation reports, and review and prepare contractor payments and change orders, as necessary.

“If the contractor supplies unacceptable work or material, CED will take an immediate course of corrective action on behalf of the Borough. CED will review all submittals for the project, including shop drawings provided by the contractor,” writes Hipolit.

“Prior to completion, CED will provide the borough with a final punch list as created by the Inspector. The punch list will detail any open items along with the anticipated completion deadlines. Upon completion of the punch list items, a final site observation will be scheduled with the Contractor to close-out the project. CED will prepare the paperwork for project close-out and final payment to the contractor,” states the proposal.

The Montvale Board of Education on Dec. 20, 2021 approved a field license agreement and a maintenance agreement with the borough through Jan. 1, 2024 to share the recreational fields adjacent to Memorial Elementary School and Fieldstone Middle School. 

The district and borough agreed to mutually share the fields adjacent to both schools and maintain specific levels of liability insurance.