TOWNSHIP OF BERNARDS TURF FIELDS
CURRENT FIELD CHALLENGES • Field closures due to inclement weather – approximately 15% of available field time each season. • Field closures for long term maintenance projects – Since opening in 2006, MP fields #3 & #4 have been closed for a total of 12 months for maintenance. • A late spring field opening day – Sports leagues begin their season in March. Our opening day in April is often pushed back even further due to wet field conditions. • Field set up limits the type of play on each field – this limits our ability to reschedule cancelled games on fields set up for other sports.
ADVANTAGES of ARTIFICIAL TURF • IMPROVED CONDITIONS • High Quality Surface • Limited Standard Maintenance Required • LIMIT FIELD CLOSURES • No need to close the turf field for inclement weather • No extended closures for rejuvenation and repairs • EXTENDED SEASON • Available for use prior to season start in April • MULTI-USE • Permanently lined for multiple sports
THE PLAN… To install Turf Fields at NO cost to the taxpayers – Construct 2 Full Size, Multi-Purpose, Turf Fields under the existing lights at Mountain Park • Engineer’s estimate = $1,700,000.00 • Construction to begin: Late June 2015 • Fields to be open for the Fall Season of 2015 • A Referendum will be required to access funding
FUNDING PLAN… The collection of fees from the users of the Turf Fields will enable us, over the next 20 years, to: • Repay the full cost of construction • Fund the replacement of the turf surface every 10 years (estimated) • Fund regular turf maintenance
OPEN SPACE TRUST FUND The Open Space Trust Fund was established in 1997 to Preserve Open Space “The funds accumulated within the Open Space Trust Fund shall be utilized for the acquisition of real estate and interests in real estate…” “The land acquired under the Open Space Trust Fund shall be utilized for all categories of open space, including parks, recreation areas, natural areas, greenways, wildlife habitats, preservation of farmland and such other uses consistent with the concept of open space.” As of 12/31/2013 the Township has collected $34,494,551.90
OPEN SPACE INITIATIVE Since the first tax was levied in 1998, over 1200 acres of Open Space have been preserved in the Township • No plans to purchase additional Open Space • Property is expensive and the TOWNSHIP OPEN SPACE remaining funding would not be sufficient for future purchases
OPEN SPACE: MAJOR PURCHASES • Farmstead Arts Ctr. / Farmstead Park (36 acres) • Mountain Park (149 acres) • Whitenack Woods (186 acres) • Sons of Liberty Farm (23 acres) • English Farm (joint w/ County (81 acres) • English Woodlot Preservation (59 acres) • McCollum Farm (11 acres) • AT&T/Knox (joint w/ County) (119 acres)
FUNDING CONSTRUCTION Use balance of the Open Space Trust Fund We project that there will be $1.1 million remaining when the tax sunsets in 2017 This is not an extension of the Open Space Tax and is at no additional cost to the taxpayers The referendum is needed to allow us to utilize the fund for capital expenditures & infrastructure improvements Remaining funds will come from other sources Full construction costs will be recouped through Turf Field user fees
NEXT STEPS • The Township Committee must pass a resolution to place a referendum on the November ballot – August 15 is the deadline to submit a non-binding municipal public question for the General Election • Upon passage of the referendum, and acquisition of required funds, we will immediately begin the bid process
This referendum does not extend the Open Space tax Full construction costs, replacement and maintenance will be borne by the Turf Field users
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