20230307 - Fields Committee Minutes

Ridgewood Fields Committee Meeting Minutes

March 7, 2023 – 7:00 am via ZOOM

 Attendees:  K. Cook, R. Brooks, P. Thomas, E. Seavers, M. Andreula, C. Fisher, B. Lynch, S. Winograd,

P. Vagianos, B. Lasky, H. Kwak, A. Mahmudi , S. Bisig, Z. Pace, B. Bieleweski, D. Loren, N. Bigos, M. Hefferan

I.                        Approval of Minutes – February 7, 2023

II.                        Public Comment

D. Loren-KGV over 50 men’s soccer team, asking for 10 hours of time on Maple Field for 5 home games in the spring and 10 hours in the fall, so the team can remain part of the USLNJ league. Adult recreation time is currently not allotted in the field’s schedule.

E. Seavers-RBSA supports adult softball and baseball. Recommends talking with Maroons Soccer to arrange for a time. The 8am to 10am time would be easier to accommodate.

C. Fisher- Maroons soccer may have two-hour time slots that can accommodate men’s soccer on Sunday mornings.

S. Winograd- Going forward adult recreational sports should be part of the discussion.

K. Cook-In favor of adult play and asked if there is anything that is equal for women. Thinking long term are other adult sports potentially LAX, football…how can we adjust the youth sports to accommodate the need for adult play in the future?

III.                        Spring Facility Maintenance

·       Broadleaf Application

M. Andreula- Set for April 7, 2023, all Village fields will be closed due to religious holiday.

·       Field Conditions

M. Andreula-Foul poles are up for the 90, radiuses have been cut on the infields. Trees were pruned from Vet’s Field, grass groomed and top soil was added.

N. Bigos- Would like to thank the RBSA for the purchase and installation of protective padding at the 90 ft. diamond. They have scheduled a contractor to repair pitching mounds and home plate rubbers, realign surfaces at Vets 90, Somerville, Habernickel, Hawes and Citizens diamonds. Thankful for the gift donation that is in excess of $11,000.00.

K. Cook-Two security cameras are installed at Brookside and are looking to install two additional cameras. Next Monday,  the blanket will be removed off of Brookside. RHS athletic begins March 16. At Brookside field trees will be trimmed back and netting will be secured. Fields will be prepped at Somerville, Kenilworth, the 60 and 90. Everything will be ready for the start of HS athletics.

·       Portable Restrooms

K.Cook - Units will be delivered to fields- Somerville, Kenilworth, Brookside, 2 at RHS, Vet’s (until rest rooms open) and BF. Delivery date is March 15 and they will be in place for the next four plus weeks. After that date, youth sports resumes responsibility.

·       Equipment/Storage/Maintenance

M. Andreula- Waiting to hear back from Sport Care about dates to groom Maple Park.

K. Cook – Waiting to hear back from LandTek to have both the Stadium and Stevens Field groomed. Contacting vendors to have the RHS tennis courts resurfaced.  

IV.                        RHS Spring Sports Schedule

K. Cook – Pawlowski Relays will be held on Saturday, April 8. All the BF field and Travell School fields are used. Travell’s field and basketball courts will be closed but the playground will remain open. Last year the participation increased and RPD will be notified about anticipated parking issues.

V.                        Master Library/Update

K. Cook- BOE request system has a 30-day window for facility/field permit submission. 40 days if BOE approval is required.

VI.                        Daffodil Festival Earth Day

N. Bigos- Invites all sports groups to attend. The festival is attended by very young families and is a valuable resource for future participants.

VII.                        Schedler Property Park Development/Update

S. Winograd-The most recent ideation was sent back to engineering. The discussion is ongoing. SHPO has rules on what can go in the house.

P. Vagianos – The council is looking to find a balance. Currently considering a full size multipurpose turf field and baseball diamond contained within the field.  

R. Brooks – The needs of the entire community must be considered. We must anticipate the future needs of the Village.

S. Winograd – The process for approval, once the plan is approved by the Village Council it is sent to SHPO for approval.

VIII.                        New Business

E. Seavers – The field policy needs to be updated for field lighting.

N. Bigos – Committee met and worked out the wording that will be submitted at the next meeting.

K. Cook – PSEG excavations around Stevens Field will not affect the turf field. Pedestrian sidewalk and entrance maybe affected. September 23, 2023 RHS Band will be using the field from 3 to 7pm. September 30, 2023 the Stadium and Stevens field will be used for Super Soccer Saturday from 8am to 8:30 pm. Additional trash receptacles will be added to fields as use increases.

IX.                        Next Meeting Date – April 4^th at 7:00am, Zoom and 2^nd floor Conference room, BOE Center

X.                        Adjournment 8:15 am