Football field causes neighbors concern

By:Alec Moore
   Willow Road residents John and Susan Giranda went before the Township Committee last Wednesday to express their frustrations over a number of problems they are facing as a result of the football field next to their house, used as practice field by the Hillsborough Junior Raiders.
   "Every night when I look out my front window I see people urinating on my yard," said Ms. Giranda. "There are people who do k-turns on my front lawn, there’s garbage everywhere and people steal our newspapers," she added.
   The Giranda’s, who have a 16-month-old daughter, said they recently spent $2,500 to repair and decontaminate the water in their well, which was damaged by a Hillsborough woman who drove over part of it.
   "I can’t wash my daughter’s bottles and I can’t give her a bath," she said, indicating that she has to bring her daughter to her mother’s home in Bridgewater for such things.
   "Our citizens shouldn’t be putting up with this kind of rude behavior," said Mayor Joseph Tricarico who is looking into the Giranda’s concerns.
   In addition to the problems the Girandas face as a result of inconsiderate people with no regard for their property, they say they have had many sleepless nights caused by the lights at the field, which often stay on until 11 p.m.
   Although the lights were initially installed on a temporary basis they seem to have become a permanent fixture, the Girandas said. The couple pointed out that they saw PSE&G workers installing poles for additional lights at the township-owned field last week.
   Township Committee members seemed baffled as to who had authorized the installation of the poles and are looking into the matter. Mr. Giranda, however, said he believes the lights were authorized by the Junior Raider organization.