'Field Of Dreams' Presentation Hosted By Board Of Education

While voters will have the final say on a proposed multi-use athletic field—dubbed the 'Field of Dreams'-- to be built at David E. Owens Middle School (DEOMS), Kevin Boswell of Boswell Engineering made a presentation regarding its design during September's Board of Education meeting. This field would be a shared service between the borough and the New Milford Board of Education.

A PERC test was performed on the soil in June as a first step in determining if the DEOMS field can even be considered a viable contender. The results of that PERC soil test indicated that the middle school location would be an appropriate site for a turf field. 

With costs estimated to be between $1.8 million (for clearing of site and the installation of a synthetic turf field) to $3 million with the installation of lights, bleachers and a bathroom, the multi-purpose field would be a turf field that would include a soccer, football and baseball field, in addition to two softball fields. 

According to Boswell, the plans include bleachers that can seat up to 800 spectators, a concession with accomodations for an ice machine, bathroom, visitor and home team meeting room.

Built into the design is a walking path that would circle the perimeter of the field for use by residents. 

Only two existing trees would be removed from the northeast corner; all other trees would remain.

Boswell said that the plan for the lighting system calls for six lights. Four lights for the football/soccer field and two lights for the softball field. According to Boswell, the proposed lighting system is considered to be the next generation and used by many municipalities and schools because "the direct light impact offsite will be virtually nonexistent." 

Boswell indicated that the plan includes adding 80 additional parking spaces to the existing 76, giving a total of 156 parking spaces--more spaces than New Milford High School currently has. 

One of the main concerns raised by residents was traffic during games. Boswell explained that it would be similar to what New Milford currently does to control traffic during games--surrounding entrances can be shut making spectators park away from the field if they do not get there early enough to get a parking space. 

Boswell said that if the bond gets approved, it would take 60 days to design the plans. The project would go to bid in March and be awarded in April. The work would be scheduled to start at the end of the school year with a completion date of October 2013.

Boswell will be delivering this presentation to the Mayor and Council. A date for that presentation has not yet been determined. 

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