Glen Rock Turf Debate Heats Up

The prospect of higher taxes to potentially turf wretched Lower Faber Field has divided residents in the family-oriented town of about 12,000, as was clear at Wednesday's forum with the borough mayor and council.

"It's like two towns today," said one speaker. "It's very sad."

Glen Rock is exploring the possibility of bonding the estimated $2.5 million project, which would feature two baseball fields atop a multi-purpose field and a separate soccer field on Doremus Avenue. 

More than half of youth soccer and football games need to be rescheduled following rain events. Long-time residents maintain Lower Faber hadn't been in good shape in decades, but has never been this porous. Kids frequently are injured on the field, coaches said.

Fundraising efforts to rectify the field woes by non-profit group Game On! Glen Rock have netted only about $60,000 of the $2 million-plus, leaving the hot potato in the hands of elected officials. No official proposal has reached the council, which says it will take in public input before reaching any decisions.

"We know there is a need, we know the conditions and the environment of that area," said Mayor John van Keuren. "But we're also aware that this is not the only consideration before the council. There are other issues that have the potential to need significant funding too." Rebuilding surplus is a greater concern, he said. 

"It isn't as easy as yes or no and we're all aware of that up here."

Proponents of the turfing said thousands of children are forced to play on a "dangerous" field, while opposition voices told the council they simply can no longer continue to face the tax burdens.

"There's no such thing as a free lunch," commented resident William Husking, whose property tax bill has doubled to $14,000 in a decade. "No matter of how many ways you divide it by mil-rates and everything else, we're going to pay for it. We're doing to pay for the depreciation, we're going to pay for the replacement and the maintenance."

Those who want the turf shouldn't "pass the buck on to everyone else to pay for," concluded resident Carl Peterson. "I really think an expenditure like this would at best be frivolous and at worst would be complete fiscal irresponsibility."

On the other side, numerous speakers said the issue was one of safety and of opportunity for children.

"I strongly encourage the council to continue to look into this proposal, which as a parent, as a coach, as a resident, I think this town desperately needs," youth soccer coach Robert Rundle said. "What we've got left to play sports is a beat up field that is full of rocks; that is under water half the time; that has grass – if you want to call it that – for a couple months out of the year. It's not a viable place to practice sports."

For 15 years, council officials have been saying the problem needs to be addressed, he said. Thus far, it hasn't. And conditions are only worsening.

"This is a necessity," added Ted Belin, long active with youth sports in town. "This is not a luxury as some people feel. I have seen injuries on that field... I know I don't want any of them getting hurt." 

He said a lack of opportunities for children could lead them to pursue drugs. 

Youth football coach John Gunther said kids are demoralized by the conditions of the fields, telling the council that the project would benefit thousands. 

With his oldest kids hitting 6th grade, Gunther said he has no skin in the game.

"The fields, frankly, are just not safe. That's the bottom line."

The latter point was also echoed by resident Rob Scherer, who said Game On! Glen Rock's fundraising shortcomings don't represent a referendum on the issue.

Still, others wondered if the problem is really that the Parks and Recreation Department hasn't properly maintained Lower Faber. 

Perhaps the council should investigate how to return the fields to the condition they were in years ago, where they were at least playable, suggested one resident.

"It doesn't have to be a Mercedes Benz, said Jack Kopp, of Godfrey Terrace. "It can be a Ford Focus."

Though she didn't support the project for fears of environmental damage, Leslie Kameny said she hopes in the tight-knit borough aren't wedged by the divisive issue.

"I think we'll get a lot further if we work together instead of fighting each other," said Kameny. 

The Glen Rock Environmental Commission (GREC) says the project will exacerbate flooding along the Ho-Ho-Kus and Diamond brooks.

The project's cost implications will force the local government to slash elsewhere, argued Jeff Meltzer, the CEO of a publishing company.

"The question is, what are we prepared to give up if we do this?" he asked. "If you're going to add a significant portion of expense to the budget, you have to cut something. So the question is if people are they willing to cut garbage, are they willing to cut landfill, are they willing to cut the police department, are they willing to cut volunteer services?"

Future forums are expected to be set up by the borough council.