Marlboro seeks bids for installation of turf field
BY MARK ROSMAN
Staff Writer

MARLBORO - The first phase of planned improvements to the township's recreation facilities will begin to take shape on April 5 when bids for the installation of a multipurpose synthetic turf field at the municipal complex are opened.

According to a legal notice placed by the township in a local newspaper about two weeks ago, potential bidders have until 10 a.m. that day to submit their proposal for the project.

At that time the bids will be opened and read aloud in the meeting room at Town Hall. The Township Council will eventually have to review the bids and determine whether to award a contract for the job or reject the bids.

The legal notice said state funds provided through the Green Acres program will be used in this project.

In a press release, Mayor Robert Kleinberg said he and the Township Council are looking to improve Marl-boro's recreational facilities to make them better, safer and more accessible to residents. Among the upgrades being planned are the installation of turf fields and enclosing existing basketball courts.

"Quality recreational programs and facilities are vitally important to the quality of life of a community. Unfortu-nately, as our town grew, our recreational facilities did not grow with it," Kleinberg said. "Right now our facilities are overcrowded. These upgrades will give us the ability to ease the stress on our recreational facilities."

He said officials are planning to replace the existing football fields at the municipal complex with artificial turf fields. The turf fields will provide in-creased accessibility, versatility and durability. They will also give the township the ability to start new recreational programs such as lacrosse, according to the mayor.

"Lacrosse is a sport that is growing throughout the state and right now Marlboro is one of the few communities that does not offer that sport," Kleinberg said. "The new fields will hopefully change that."

Officials are also looking to enclose the basketball courts at the municipal complex. Currently, the township primarily uses school basketball courts which must be rented and are subject to availability.

By enclosing the courts in a domed structure, the township will realize savings in the long run and decrease its dependency on the school facilities, according to the press release from the mayor.

According to a spokesperson for the Marlboro K-8 School District, the township is not charged a facilities fee for the use of school buildings and the township is not charged a fee for custodians during the week.

On Saturdays, the school district charges the township $45.89 per hour, per school for a custodian and on Sun-days and holidays the school district charges the township $61.18 per hour, per school for a custodian, according to the school district spokeswoman.

Kleinberg said he and the council are looking into ways of paying for these recreation upgrades without raising municipal taxes.

"Our goal is to have zero impact for the taxpayers. Dedicating money from a one-time revenue to a one-time expenditure is something we are looking into," the mayor said. "We are committed to affordable government and looking for ways to provide services and facilities at the lowest cost possible."