Borough Council Approves Turf Field Project

Before a packed chamber, the Madison Borough Council on Monday night approved a $3.5 million in controversial financing for the construction of two artificial turf sports fields.

The 4-to-2 vote capped years of discussion over how best to expand Madison’s outdoor athletic facilities. The fields will be built on 10 of 49 acres of land formerly part of Florham Park in a separate deal to be finalized Feb. 1. Groundbreaking could take place in April, with the fields ready for play by summer.

“There has been 15 years of discussion about these fields,” Mayor Mary-Anna Holden said. “We have got to get this project moving forward right now.”

Council members Robert Conley and Sam Cerciello cast the dissenting votes.

The ordinance appropriating funding for the project authorizes $3.5 million in low-interest, short-term bonds. Interest and principal on the bonds are expected to be paid off through a combination of user fees, grants, Open Space Trust Fund monies and private donations.

The financing plan provoked controversy because the floating interest rate on the bonds have the potential to end up costing residents much more than originally estimated, and possibly saddle the borough with millions in added debt.

Council also passed an ordinance authorizing a 20 percent increase in water rates and service fees.

Passage of the fields ordinance was prefaced by extensive comments from the public, who filled the chamber in the renovated .

“This is not just about kids playing ball,” Madison resident Dave Carver said. ”It’s about youth sports as a way to connect the community. The field proposal is a good one. Vote yes, and let’s get started.”

But resident Carmen Pico noted that not every citizen had reason to support the project. “A plan like this should be put to a public vote. Council should make sure this won’t raise taxes, and be diligent about this very expensive project.”

Lucy Patke, a junior at Madison High School and saxophone player in the marching band, said that the new fields are needed, as the town’s existing grass fields are a hazard when it rains.

“We were doing a formation in practice and I slipped on the mud and had to jump out of the way of the trombones," Patke said. "Sports teams aren’t the only ones who use these fields.”

Thomas Bintingor told the council that even though he was in favor of the project, “I think there is a time and a place for it. Funding, indebtedness and the Madison balance sheet…council should think about those things.”

Another student, Maeve Byrne, said capacity was a big issue. “The fields get very busy. It would be good to have these new fields.”

Resident Chris Kellogg complained about the way the project was put together. “There was a lack of input from other user groups who weren’t involved. There hasn’t been enough discussion, enough back and forth. What about the rest of the community and their vision for the 49 acres? A lot of time and money has been spent without hearing from the other stakeholders.”

Softball player Helene Rowland called the turf field proposal “amazing."

"Not only do I get exercise from sports, but they are also a great social activity," she said. "They will be great for so many people with all the sports that are played in town.”

Madison Recreation Complex Advisory Committee Chairman Marty Horn, who has worked on the field project since 2004, observed that Summit and Chatham have invested millions in new fields.

“Madison has one turf field [at the high school]," Horn said. "The new field complex will be a revenue generator for Madison in the future. Our fields are blatantly unsafe, not from abuse but from use.”

He urged the council to set aside its differences and pass the ordinance, to much applause.

Council member Robert Conley, who has opposed the field financing plan, in a slide presentation offered a number of options he said were preferable to the short-term notes, which he compared to an adjustable mortgage, with floating rates that could end up making the project much more expensive than originally estimated.

But Borough Administrator Ray Codey pointed out that Madison “won’t actually close on financing until we get the bids in. And, we expect aggressive bidding in the current economic environment.”

That could actually bring the fields’ cost in at less than the $3.5 million estimate, according to council member Jeannie Tsukamoto.

Other public comments focused on potential health risks from the fields, which use material from recycled tires to improve cushioning, to the fields’ affects on the underground aquifer drinking water supply.

Holden said that the borough has been carefully following studies in several states, which have found more particulates from tire friction on roads than in the runoff from turf fields.

“Our fields would be made from newer products not conducive to staph infection, and are completely lead-free,” she said. “There is no conclusive connection between crumbled tires and any disease.

“Nothing this council would do to put anyone at risk.”

Madison High School Athletic Director Sean Dowling said that the new fields had the potential to attract participants from other towns that would likely spend money in Madison.

“More tournaments can be held: lacrosse, field hockey, baseball," he said. "The sky’s the limit for revenue-generating opportunities.”