Let's see now.....people along Columbia St. don't want to see the water company property developed because they think they will get flooded.
People along River Rd. don't want it either because they will see more traffic congestion.
Now you want to build the "Field of Dreams" at the Middle School. Suppose the people who live in that area don't want it because of traffic, noise pollution, light pollution, parking pollution during events. Do they have a say in this?
Is this project just for football and softball? What about track facilities. Doesn't make any sense to leave the track as it stands, does it? Why maintain two facilities? I didn't see any mention of a track at this site.
What will the final cost be. Moving all the equipment to the field, moving the lights, field houses have to be built, probably a larger locker room (s), also have to be considered. Traffic flows into and out of the area are bad as it is. Just watch on any school day. Throw in a little rain or snow and real havoc occurs.
What happens to the football/softball field as it stands? Is it left to return to nature? Sold? Held for future projects?
The mayor and council and board of ed have to very carefully think this one through. Bad decisions have been made in the past by both entities. Don't make a bad call on this please!

By the way I can't believe this project, if it goes through, will only cost me $50.

This will be great for the children of New Milford . This will help our kids to be more active and let them excel in sports and academically . Hope everything works out in all aspects of this project .

This will be great for the children of New Milford . This will help the kids to be more active & promote a healthier life. By doing this , the kids will excel in sports and enrich them academically . Hope this works out in all aspects of the project . Edwin Maniago

Do you think the BofE should be more concerned with spending money on the educational aspect of their positions? If I remember right the Mayor and council just eliminated the radio and communications capital project from the budget due to budgetary constraints. Is spending money for new sports facilities more important than protection of the masses by the police? Grants, I'm sure, will not cover all costs of this "Field of Dreams". As I just said the mayor and council and board of Ed better think one out carefully. Besides, a turf field doens't make the youth of this country want to put down their cell phones and video games and go out to get exercise!

That's all this is, is a Dream. Everytime I hear about NM wanting to build something new, the next thing I read it will only cost the taxpayers XXX amount of dollars. No wonder everyone is moving out of town, between the taxes & not being able to keep up with mortgages. Oh, and need anyone be reminded about the "new" soccer field the Hekimian supposedly was to build at the UW land parcel.......

I think this is an incredible endeavor for New Milford and the residents. The work has clearly been done by the committee in order to ensure low costs to residents. The new facilities will also attract new residents to the area that are seeking great public schooling with great facilities.

I don't question the work done by the committee. But, what will the final cost be? Don't forget to add an additional 10% due to unforseen costs. And exactly where will these new residents be housed? In the homes that are currently in foreclosure in New Milford now and in the future? Or in he apartments Hekemian proposes to build?

I live in the area of the Middle School. My kids are out of school. I still support the field of dreams. This is good for the youth of this town. This is good for the future of New Milford. Young families consider both schools and athletic facilities before deciding to move to a community. Taxes are not as big a concern as long as the schools and athletic opportunities are good.
As far as the track: the middle school site is not big enough to accommodate the track. The ONLY site in all of New Milford big enough to accommodate the track (besides the current location) is the United Water property. Correcting the drainage at the Middle School will not add to any flooding concerns. It is not watershed property. Building on the United Water property and covering it with impervious coatings will impact and add to existing flooding.

Good point. Let me ask.....where does the water go from the middle school. Storm drains? Don't they lead into the Hirschfield brook, which runs towards the back of the old New Milford Plant, an area along Washington and Lenox Aves. That also floods like Columbia St.
I Wonder...... If we had an unusual rain storm, say 6 or 8 inches, some flooding may occur. with the water company plant developed how high would the river rise? Can anybody answer that? Before everyone rushes to judgement and decides additional flooding is imminent some important engineering questions have to be answered.

One thing that needs to be a major consideration of this development along with the United Water development, is New Milford going to be considered a family town with family appeal? If so, then we need to make sure that the town does the right thing with the development of these properties for athletic fields, schools and recreational areas. Our children are our FUTURE. While many of the respondents do not appear to have children in the school systems (some still support the fields), we need to ensure that our children remain to be in the forefront of our future and provide them with these amenities. Families with look to move to other towns that have these available amenities for a better life for their family. If I were looking to move to a new area and these available resources werent available for my kids future athletic and academic activities, it would not be on my list of consideration. We are maxxed out in our classrooms NOW, there are really not enough fields in town for the kids to play sports and the ones we have are sub-standard. Lets look at the big picture and not just the costs associated with them. Of course and it goes without saying, the town needs to have a flood action plan in place to minimize destruction.

We need to work together to get this done. I have coached for numerous years in this New Milford and when we travel to other towns (ex: Rutherford, Wallington, Harrison, Hasbrouck Heights, Carlstadt, Lyndhurst, Wood Ridge), the first thing that I ask the other teams coaches are about the turf fields and how they got it done. All said the same thing, "we worked together." Remember, its for the kids in this town and future parents who are thinking of living here. Yes there are issues that need to be worked out, but its not unachievable. Even neighboring towns like Dumont have beautiful turf facilities, which are shared amongst the organizations in town. If it costs $50 per family it can only increase the property values in town. Our kids deserve the same advantages afforded to kids in so many other towns.

Have you been to the field behind the middle school lately? it is hardly a swamp. The NMHS varsity softball team and freshman baseball teams play there. Drainage is not a big issue. The fields are well maintained but would be far more useful and durable in turf.

Years ago the mayor and council were bombarded by a group of adults and children who wanted a hockey rink built behind the boro hall. After many hours, days, months, and I believe years the mayor and council denied the requests. Part of the denial was due to the adament objection by the people who lived along Trotta Drive, Ridge Street area.
What happens if the people who live along Monroe, Marion, Rose, Knoll, roads and all other affected streets raise an objection to this proposed field. Will there be drainage problems? Will there be parking problems? Noise complaints from night games? Traffic congestion problems?
There is an awful lot to consider here. You can't just cram this project down the neighborhood's throats and say live with it? All things, and peoples concerns, must be considered.
Nobody wants Shop Rite and apartments in the Madison Ave area. Perhaps nobody wants this in their neighborhood either.

R.I.P.

Did you now that there is a hockey rink back there every winter? It doesn't seem to be a problem with the neighbors. If you live near a school, you expect traffic during drop off and pick up. There is traffic on back to school night, concert nights and graduation. The only major change if this field is constructed will be the 4 or 5 nights a year that the varsity football team has a home game. Practices don't draw much traffic. The improvement in athletic facilities will only make it easier to sell homes.

Mayor Subrizi said at Monday's work session that once the committee has completed gathering all pertinent information regarding the community field it will be presented to the public for their input.

I also live across the street form the field. The field does not drain well even though french drains were installed 6 years ago. When it rains, it takes a week for the water to drain and the mud to dry up. For DN, most of these fields are not in residentail areas. Thins about it, a municipal sports complex in an residential area. Dumont and Hasbrouck Heights turfed their high school fields they did not move them. There is a difference. Also, traffic patterns would have to be studied. There is no main access road to this field. I also have talked to people on Ryeside, Florence St., Rose, Court, and of course Marion Avenue, and most people in the neighborhood are VERY upset and think this is being shoved down our throats .

I’m a member of the field committee & I’ll preface my comments by stating that these comments are mine alone as I don’t speak for anyone else on the committee. Deciding on the Middle School field was neither an easy nor quick decision; no recommendations were made lightly, without research or without ample debate by the committee members. There has never been any attempt to ‘shove anything down people’s throats’ as all reports & recommendations have been made to the M&C in a public session listed in advance on the agenda. The fact of the matter is there’s no ideal location for this type of facility that is owned by either the BOE or our town; I think that’s the only thing that we’ll probably all agree on. If you look at all existing options that could be developed, we don’t have any great possibilities primarily due to our flooding issues. So you start off with what you have to work with and exhaust all possible existing options and try to come up with the best case scenario which is also cost effective, so that the facility actually has a chance of going from a concept ‘a dream’ to a reality.The criteria we used in coming up with a recommendation was to identify locations that could be multi-use & serve the needs of both our rec program and school athletic programs to accomplishing the goal of adding much needed recreational/athletic facilities in a cost effective manner. Coming into the process, many of us felt that we needed to first exhaust all

possibilities of building the complex at the HS because it simply makes sense to locate a HS football/soccer field in a HS setting & and in doing so, we would also not encounter the opposition from residents which we knew would be a factor with every other possible location. So we looked into a variety of scenarios at the HS - everything from investigating what it would require to move the county road that runs behind the HS, to elevating the existing football field & moving it closer to the HS soccer field to adding retaining walls to investigating covers for turf fields that supposedly withstand flooding, etc.The options we were presented with were either cost prohibitive or the technology was new & unproven. Should we have proposed something at the HS that would include these options mentioned which would never have any probability of being built? In the end, the Middle School became the consensus for a multitude of reasons: the condition and drainage of the existing field are not good and an artificial turf field with the type of drainage that goes along with it, would in fact, take a not so good field and potentially turn it into a great field. The MS field is the largest of all the options we looked at so it would accommodate 4 sports & be used by both the rec programs and our school programs. Further benefits of the MS field are that it can be used during the day by MS students for PE classes and our HS athletes could walk to the MS from the HS for practices & games.

The obvious disadvantage is the location in a residential setting. I’d be happy to hear better & more cost effective options that we may have overlooked; please put your name to it and put your neck out on the line with solutions. But don’t tell me that doing nothing is an option, because it is simply not an option for me and hundreds of people that I’ve spoken to during this past year about the existing athletic facilities. I completely understand that some people who live by the MS don’t like the idea of the field by their house; I truly wish that we could have proposed something cost effective that would make everyone happy, but we can only work within the confines of what we have. Several people that I’ve spoken with who live by the MS have told me they’re not crazy about the idea and I respect their opinions. And yet, they’ve also said that they realize there’s a need for this type of facility & although they don’t necessarily like the location by their home, they realize that it has to go somewhere if we are going to improve our facilities. On the other hand, there are going to be some people with the NIMBY mentality and there’s nothing that either myself or anyone else is going to say or do to change that mindset. I expected criticism & while I can’t follow some people’s rationale, others I do think have raised valid concerns that will need to be addressed as the process moves along. The inconvenience in September and October when the HS plays

at home on Saturday, are the timeframes that will increase traffic and noise in the area. Anything that can be done to be good neighbors & minimize the effect that this facility will have to those around the MS should be taken into consideration.

First of all I don't understand how installing this field is going to increase the value of New Milford homes. Especially if you happen to live in close proximity to the area.
Second of all, as Ms. McElroy has stated, "the inconvenience in September and October when the High School plays at home on saturday, etc". If this is to serve all in town what about the junior football teams. High School Friday nights, 4 or 5 games each year. Junior football Saturday nights, 4 or 5 games each year. Is that truly a wise investment for maybe 10 games each season?
What about practice sessions from August through November? Do you think the teams will want to practice on the field they play their games? 5 nights a week. What about band practices? Will they utilize the field? Then soccer and softball. What about, if they exist in town, men's softball, over 40 baseball leagues, etc? It appears to me that EVERYONE in the town will have the right to use this field, the Boro and Board of Ed should NOT have the right to restrict the usage to any town organization. If the field were not open to ALL in town then, again, this certainly is not a prudent investment. I believe some of your arugment of the usage may be grossly underestimated.
I only ask you, Ms. McElroy, and please don't think I'm being sarcastic, would you be so tolerant to the noise and other associated potential problems to have this in your back yard?

Junior football would play games here as well. And to your other questions about scheduling, I obviously can't answer since I do not run either the REC program or BOE athletics. There are people who are paid to do those jobs and I believe those questions are best directed to those groups who creat schedules - just as they are currently doing for every organization in town. This field would be run by schedule - just as it does now and when it's not scheduled for an event then of course, it's for all of us to enjoy. For instance, I run at the HS track but if there's a scheduled event such as track or a football game, then I move off. My kids have played football and practiced for baseball on numerous fields in town but if a group shows up that's been scheduled then we move off. And to answer your final question, which I don't find sarcastic at all, the answer is "YES". Yes, I would allow this by me. My husband & boys would actually love it, but I'd be less enthusiastic about it. And since we don't know each other, you'll have to either take me at my word or ask around about me & I think you'll find that anyone who knows me will tell you that's an honest answer.

As I previously stated the field will be used more than originally noted in your statement. To what extent nobody can say. In my opinion it will only grow in use more so than a few weekends in the fall.

Your approval in this is strong. I'm sure your and your team have spent long hours coming to your conclusions and recommendations. I take my hat off to all.
However, take into consideration to the surrounding area. People may not want to hear football players, bands, cheering during the evening hours. I live in the middle part of town, south of Madison Ave. and can hear the High School and Junior Football announcers when the wind is blowing right. And the band in Bergenfield as well. Does it bother me? Not really, but then again, it's not in my backyard! If it were, I wouldn't be able to sit in my back yard in the evening, relaxing with my wife, enjoying the Boro of New Milford known as a "Bedroom Community".
I'm all for sports, having played in town Little League, Babe Ruth, and summer baseball leagues. I also played high school and college level sports as well. My children all played, as well as my wife, in this town. They all survived and did quite well with the existing fields.

The facility does not make the athlete. It starts with the parents, organizational leaders, coaches, and general attitude of the individual. State championships were won on the broken down high school football field, two years in a row in the mid 1980"s. There was, apparently,nothing wrong with the field then and, in my opinion, nothing wrong with the field now. If it's in that poor condition the board of Education needs to repair it. The Babe Ruth field was just soddd recently. Is theta in poor shape. Tell the Mayor and Council, D.P.W.
Flooding may again occur. It's beyond any humans control. If, or should I say, when it happens again get the volunteers, coaches, all parents, even the players themselves out to get the field back into shape. Unfortunately, in this day and age, if you want something done you have to do it yourself!

field - whether it's the greatest facility in the world or a mud pit has anything to do with winning the admiration of your opponents; that comes from someplace else and many of us trying our hardest to raise those types of kids. You mention the "broken down HS football field from the 80's", I'm pretty sure that's the same "broken down" HS field that we are using in 2012, but even worse due to the flooding. So I'm hoping that we can work together to change it.

Just because some one else played on inferior fields doesn't mean that all future generations should play on inferior fields. Times change, safety issues arise and improvements are necessary. Our homes have changed over the past 50 years: no longer is there a single black rotary dial phone in your home, no longer is there a single black and white TV in your home. Who doesn't have a microwave now? Times change. Schools need to keep up with change, too. Computers are not a luxury but a necessity in schools. And the same old fields that are now far worse from 50 years of use and from multiple floods now need to be updated. Improving the field with turf will make it usable and safe for the residents of this community.

New Milford should be practicing an "austerity program" right now. It seems that no one was an increase in taxes, (I certainly don't), but everyone has their own agenda. Our children have fields to play on. Why not put new fields on a wish list for the future and let's help our residents stay in New Milford for now. $50 increases in taxes here and $50 increases there are only going to price the young families with children right out of our town.

Why not use the existing Connelly field and incorporate it with the ABC softball fields.This field would definitely be bigger than the Middle school field. There are 3 snack stands and 6 toilets in this area. Facilities that would have to built at the Middle School and not practical in a residential area. Since I live across the street from the Middle school flooding is a problem. This field is soaked for weeks after a heavy rain. A practical business solution is to use existing facilities and improve them, then expand them. Not to use a swampy area and start from scratch. The costs will be prohibitive. RNM

On what basis do you make a comment that flooding is not a problem at the middle school? Do you have an engineer's report? Since french drains were installed in the MS field, residents here have experienced flooding for the first time since homes were built about forty-five years go. It is exactly this concern for residents that makes the boro hall fields a better choice. Fields a,b, and c and Connelly are bordered by the Boro hall, the Elks Club, the DPW and. The tennis courts. The five homes on Oak street would not experience any new and different situations regarding traffic congestion, noise pollution since These fields have long functioned as the center for many sports and town activities including carnivals, town fairs, etc. as far as the HS students walking 1.44 miles vs. .87 miles, well neither is really convenient, but athlete could just as easily walk the extra .57 mile to practice if need be. After all these are athletes we are talking about. Since everything is already in place at the boro hall fields, this seems to be the most logical and cost effective. We also need to see some hard evidence. While there seems to have been a lot of discussion and debate, we need to see traffic analysis reports, engineering reports, surveys of citizens in order to make informed decisions. We all want ago improve our town and create a wonderful future for our children. I don't think one group has the ownership of this belief. This may involve coming to a consensus.

Connelly, as well as Pavone Field, are not Borough fields. The Little League organization will never agree to it so get that idea out of your head. Mary is 100% correct. The Middle School is the logical choice.

Bobby, if it's not a borough field what is it??? I am 100 percent against the field at the middle school and will fight against it all the way!!

At a time when school budgets are being cut and programs eliminated, New Milford’s “Field of Dream Team” should not be so dismissive of other ideas. It is clear that the field committee does not want to use what many consider the “best space,” the space behind the Borough hall. They have admitted that the location already works “fine for now,” but they would rather spend more of the taxpayers money to do the MS field. Since moving to New Milford in the mid nineties I have seen my taxes more then double. The Town should be looking to cut spending and waste and stop trying to create a second facility that the town cannot afford.
DN is correct and “we all need to work together"...that includes Little League! Let the town build a real town sports facility behind the Borough Hall. It is close enough to the High School, Little League would benefit by having a better field and so would the recreation program. There could even be room for the track. And Like Robert stated, much of the infrastructure is already in place. Of course there is the added benefit of “no Flooding” or “poor drainage” as Marry likes to call it. If the town has its heart set on a new football field, then build it where it makes the most sense and will cost us, the tax payer, the least amount of money. Building it in the middle of a residential neighborhood, on a swamp(I did not say flood area), with no infrastructure to speak of does not meet any of these requirements.

i am a current NMHS student and have discussed this topic with teachers and fellow students. the consensus i've reached? most people think the idea is quite ridiculous. some high school athletes don't like the idea of playing at the middle school. shifting many athletic activities and transforming a swampy plain into a brand-new turf is a long, arduous process and as someone who had walked the entirety of the middle school field, i can vouch--you don't want to be there after a good rain. the field is muddy and messy and stays that way for at least a couple of days.

granted, the entire middle school field is colossal; i can see why many people would think of it as a candidate for a new athletic venue. personally, i say why not just use some of the taxpayer's money to do some serious high school field repairs? i walk the track for gym class several times a week, i was even there today. the high school field floods differently than the middle school--rather than soaking it up, the water level rises and the track resembles a lake--but after a day or two, it's all gone.

..as opposed to the middle school absorbing all of the rainwater and making for a sloppy playing field.

if not the high school, the borough hall has several fields to use. it is surrounded by the swim club, the tennis and basketball courts, a large playground, and the nearby shopping center—in addition to several snack stands and bathrooms. very many students (from young kids to preteens) utilize the borough hall field as their primary spot for hanging out with each other, watching their friends compete in sports, and are content with having it as their ‘hotspot’. more sporting activities taking place at borough hall fields could perhaps boost buisness for the nearby restaurants and stores. the middle school has three remotely-surrounding businesses—an autobody shop and a hair salon (which are things one makes appointments for based on necessity), and a bagel shop that closes at five o’clock.

as a student and one who uses all three fields, i just don’t feel as though the middle school would provide the most hospitable athletic environment. the borough hall is the town’s core for activity, the high school is where most athletes reside, both venues have nearby business that benefit from the onslaught of both pregame and aftergame purchases, and both nearby residents are already used to the noise, light, and traffic. the middle school field is quiet, swampy, (while some sport teams have games on it, they are quite small compared to the crowds at the big games) and almost purely residential. aside from sheer size, what does it have going for it?

why can't we just do a swap (like mayor subrizi suggests) with united water property and the field behind the high school and build the field of dreams on the uw property? would that be possible? it seems as though that area is less likely to be a flooding concern. it can accommodate traffic concerns (we already have experienced the traffic as a result of the high school games, and its not bad). a lot of people do not want the uw property to be developed/zoned commercial. as concerned student pointed out, there are businesses that could boost their sales nearby... and i agree that the field behind the middle school may not be suitable for the plans in mind.

Im reading all these comments and quite honestly Im shocked by everyone's responses. No one is thinking about the big picture and the future for our kids. The alleged student responses are absolutely out of line and unbelievable. I think that Ms McElroy has done a phenomenal job at trying to make the best use of the properties and everyone has just provided negativity. There is allot at stake here for all properties and quite honestly will determine the future of the town residents and scholastic / athletic possibilities. I hear allot of residents stating they are on fixed incomes and dont want tax increases. I dont either but your kids went to school here and mine need to as well. If I have to sent them to private school, its a result of your decisions. Dont just think about the immediate think about the future.

The UW debackle is a shame, they could have sold to the town for $1 and took the tax writeoff, the choice to make money at the expense of us taxpayers. Its an issue we need to address and it wont go away. Stay strong and positive as we CAN overcome this poilicital corruption with these builders. Thanks!

Oh btw, the parents hiding behind the "concerned students" and 'concerned residents" , give it up!!!!!

Hey JG, quit hiding behind your initials and put your money where your mouth is...who are you?

Hey concerned resident, how about YOU reveal yourself without a name or a reason, just a slogan, concerned citizen. How about you put up your words as well and make something of it. I see nothing but words...

JG, I don't think a football field is going to help your kids get a better education. And as far as you having to possibly send your children to a private school...that is not a result of the many residents against the field at DEO...it is a result of yourself thinking that a football field will give your children "scholastic possibilities" Give me a break...what a joke!

This is starting to become personal with some of you (concerned resident too)
which I understand however the issue is much greater than we can imagine. The political perpercussions and potential irreversible tragedies at stake are uncomprehensible for the residents of New Milford, Oradell and other towns affected by flooding and over bulding. The solution is investment in the town of New MIlford. And that does not mean building in the UW area. The town has enough vacant buildings, we dont need any more. BTW thx Concerned

Thank you too JG!!! Have a good night :)

show yourself Concerned resident, show yourself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RC
We don't want ongoing traffic congestion, parking problems, noisy crowded bleachers, concession food stands, glaring stadium lights, more tax increases, possible flooding and depreciation of our property values, trees being uprooted and generally the end of our quiet, peaceful neighborhood!!! The whole idea is ridiculous!

We have a football field in town, why do we need another one??

JG if you choose a private school for athletic fields then that is your choice. As parents we make decisions for our children based on what WE see is best for them. I choose private school because I felt at that time that academically it was better for my children. I voted yes for every budget for the public shcool because I felt that it was important for the town to have a good school system and that is what it has become from what I have heard. I agree that something should be done for the athletic fields but do not feel that the middle school is the answer. I also think that our students have excelled in the arts but we aren't building any new facilities for those interested in the arts either. Nor do I think it should be done now during this economic downturn. An observation here is that you should review what and how you state your argument. The impression one has when one reads the written word is important if you want to attract others to your position.

I also agree with Tony Mac, Concerned citizen, concerned resident too, concerned student and student. And not for nothing JG I don't see you showing yourself. I would hardly say that using the initials JG which probably aren't even yours counts for showing yourself. Oh and don't blame having to send your kids to private school on us. Blame it on yourself for wanting to waste money on a pretty new field instead of putting money in to our school system to improve the quality of the education in New Milford. I agree with you concerned resident too!

Perfectly said James. I could not agree more!

RE: field of dreams...... Read today's paper. Washington township last night voted NOT to pursue a turf field in their town due to the current financial crisis.
Let us hope our mayor and council and board of Ed use common sense and put this towns field of dreams to bed!

I just wish parents of New Milford would stop thinking about the cost and start thinking your children and there future.