The township is exploring various improvements as problems arose in the past month.
Deputy Township Administrator Dennis Chambers informed the committee at a recent meeting about an email sent to him from someone involved with the Clearview Youth Lacrosse program stating the fields at Pleasant Valley Park are in poor condition.
Some of the problems mentioned were patchy grass, tire tracks and soggy fields.
“At this point, what we really need is for one of the groups, or both of them, to sacrifice a season to really bring the field back,” said Chambers. “You‘ve got lacrosse starting at the end of February and grass hasn’t grown. They end in the beginning of June, and I have a month and a half to try to grow grass, regardless if it’s irrigation or not, before football starts.”
Chambers said the youth soccer program has committed to do an extensive fertilization program this year and to recondition two other fields.
“With our staffing, both of their seasons and the conditions of the fields, it’s only going to get worse,” said Chambers. “Honestly, that entire park, from the day it was built, the drainage and grading were not good. It’s getting to a point where it will need a total reconstruction.”
He added continued play on the fields following rainy weather isn’t helpful and the possible fixes won’t alleviate the issues lacrosse has that football might have come the fall.
Township Administrator Mark Gravinese proposed for the teams to request use for Glassboro’s turf fields at Rowan University on Mullica Hill Road. However, Chambers said the teams were denied last year due to space limitations.
Chambers said he also looking to do a road repair on Walters Road toward the soccer complex because a sinkhole opened up under drain pipes. Road plates are over the road, however, he said construction would need to occur on both sides.
“It’s a pretty heavily traveled road,” he said. “If we can pull all of the materials together, we’re going to need to open the whole road. We can’t do half, so we may have to run a detour.”
He hopes to do construction when both school districts are off so the detour won’t affect the bus routes. High Street near the Woolwich Township line will be another focal point for Chambers following Walters Road.
The township also received a $270,000 grant from the state to do phase II construction on Jackson Road. Chambers hopes to be able to complete construction on the road in two phases.
In other news:
- Mayor Louis Manzo discussed the state’s property tax situation and referenced the “N.J. Path to Progress Report.”
- Police Chief Thomas Mills updated the committee on the latest patrol numbers: 32 crashes, 317 traffic tickets, 50 total arrests, two DUIs, 2,784 calls for service, 16,057 miles patrolled, and 22 firearm permits and 11 new firearms cards issued.
- Robert Schumann commended township employee Mike Wilke for his hard work in the historical society.
- The no smoking ordinance was adopted and signage could appear in town notifying people where they can’t smoke.
- Solicitor permits were approved for Sunny Corp. for Thomas Heller and Kevin Cartwright from March until September, Monday through Friday from noon until 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Mr. Softee’s solicitation permit was approved by the committee, and is pending further approval from Mills, to sell soft-serve ice cream from April to October, from noon until 10 p.m., every day by Nicole Bright and Caitlin Musser.
- Elk and South Harrison townships’ representatives, as well as the Phillie Phanatic, confirmed attendance to Harrison Township Day.
- The JIF provided the township with recommendations on installing AEDs at its sport fields which include: where they should be located (Ella Harris, William Wilt and Pleasant Valley parks), monthly inspections to ensure use and life of the equipments, training for coaches in the event one needs to be used, and creating a secured enclosure for each AED. The AEDs are being offered at no cost to the township from various organizations.
The next meeting is scheduled for May 6 beginning at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Court Room. This meeting is also the public hearing for the municipal budget.
