Open Space Board Undecided on 'Field of Dreams'

A controversial proposal to has been getting a lot of attention. That certainly was the case Thursday night, when two municipal groups took on the topic of the so-called Fields of Dreams.

The Open Space Committee, a body made up of Mayor James Barberio, Councilman Michael dePierro and a handful of concerned residents, met at in the early evening to talk turf. 

The committee's role is to recommend open-space and historic properties for Parsippany to acquire. In the end, the Fields of Dreams plan did not make it onto the list of recommended projects: Three members voted against, because they said they did not have enough information yet and therefore could not vote in favor. The remaining three voted in favor in an effort to keep a dialogue going on the issue. Under the open space statute, a tie equals a "no."

Township Attorney John Inglesino said that the committee's "no" vote is essentially meaningless.

"The decision ultimately is made by the governing body—the mayor and the council," he said.

Prior to the vote, a host of Parsippany residents stood to speak for and against the projected $4.5 million plan, which would use Open Space Trust Fund monies to purchase bonds over 15 years to pay off the cost of two turf fields, modernized lighting, new track ovals and fencing. Additionally, the Board of Education would have to agree to cede to the township 51 percent of its control over the high school fields.

"The statute is very clear," said attorney Inglesino. "In order to be able to use open space funds, the township must have a property interest in the fields."

He explained that interest can be manifested through a deed or through a conservation easement, which would give the town a permanent right to use and develop the property it covers.

"It isn't about taking ownership," Inglesino said, noting that the Planning Board would not have to get involved. He added that the Department of Education would have to give the Board of Education its approval before it could make any move to give the town control over the fields.

Township residents for and against the project offered their opinions before the Open Space Committee. Those opposed to the effort cited concerns such as the environmental impact of such a plan, the potential effects on nearby homeowners and the possibility that tying up funds in the turf project could cut the money available for historic preservation. Those in favor said the new fields would be beneficial for student athletes at the High and the Hills as well as all of Parsippany's residents, who would gain access to the fields.

Many urged the committee to take its time before committing itself to a vote. The panel, however, decided to vote.

The meeting was generally low-key, save for a moment when Mayor James Barberio called out former Mayor Mimi Letts for apparently nodding her head during the discussion. 

"It's disrespectful," he said sharply. "Stop it."

Later, the former mayor said she did not understand Barberio's outburst.

"All I did was nod my head; I disagreed with what was being said," Letts explained, adding that she doesn't believe turf fields are an appropriate use of open space funds. 

Many of the same residents who offered their opinions at the committee meeting left Town Hall for . There, they voiced their views again for the meeting.

Citizen Peter Bradley said the move to use open space funds for the turf field plan may be legal, but "it doesn't feel like it's in the spirit of the trust fund."

Sports dad Tom Bluj countered that the Fields of Dreams project would build community spirit and make residents proud.

Resident Hank Heller suggested that the board contact school boards of other municipalities that have installed turf on their school fields to find out how they accomplished the move.

BOE President Frank Calabria said that the school board will take its time to become fully informed about the project before it will make any decision or take any vote on the matter.