BY MICHAEL OLOHAN
OF NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS
TENAFLY, N.J. —— After briefly debating what type of layers the proposed new artificial turf at Municipal Field should consist of and how it will be funded, the mayor asked that a representative of a field turf company should be invited to an upcoming meeting in December to explain what the company offers.
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The borough council next meets Dec. 5 and Dec. 12.
Following comments by Councilman Maxim Basch and Councilwoman Shama Haider that a layer called “cool field,” which apparently consists of granular vermiculite over either crumb rubber or crumb rubber and sand infill, can save additional money and keep the surface cooler, they were told the current proposal includes that option.
“It’s already in the proposal,” said Borough Administrator Jewel Thompson-Chin to Basch.
On Oct. 10, Thompson-Chin said an additional $100,000 was needed for an extra layer of protection for safety. This extra layer creates a slightly softer surface and doesn’t heat up under the sun as much, Thompson-Chin said in a later interview with Northern Valley Press.
When Rustin mentioned that they had received a letter from FIFA, the international soccer association, promoting the use of artificial turf fields, Basch said he had concerns with FIFA, and the organization was “not something that you should bank on.”
Both Basch and Haider said in discussions with FieldTurf, they were told that the rubber crumb layer was not necessary and might save thousands of dollars.
“If we do this at next meeting can we still fit the schedule we have?” asked Rustin.
Thompson-Chin said the issue was “not just selection of material but completion of funding [options.]”
Thompson-Chin apparently had provided members a letter listing the funding options and timeline for turf replacement. Previously, council members have said they hope to select a funding option by Dec. 31.
Rustin said if something can be eliminated, they will do that and told Borough Clerk Lissette Aportela to schedule a FieldTurf representative to address the council.
Basch argued that using Open Space funds was “not agreed upon” as was listed in a discussion document provided to members. Rustin and Thompson-Chin said that was the consensus and no other options were agreed upon at the last meeting.
“You’re going to bring our bond rating down to a ‘C’,” said Rustin to Basch when Basch said he opposed using Open Space funds to pay for a new turf field.
Basch contends that a turf field is plastic and Open Space funds should not be used.
Rustin responded that previously when artificial turf was installed, Open Space funds were used.
Thompson-Chin said all budget requests, including capital expenses, are due from department heads by Dec. 1. Councilman Mark Zinna said that it would make sense to have a list of large 2018 capital expenses so they could evaluate field turf funding options.
A brief back-and-forth discussion over whether funds should be taken from capital expenses or the Municipal Open Space Fund to pay for new artificial turf occurred. “Keep in mind, the only limit on capital spending is what this body decides to spend on capital expense,” said Rustin.
Susan Corrado, the borough’s chief financial officer, said $1.75 million remains in the municipal Open Space fund after appropriating $661,000 for possible use for Pfister’s Pond restoration.
The council also tabled a resolution to “authorize additional professional engineering services” for the “synthetic turf replacement project.”
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