In recent weeks, the Sentinel’s opinion page has contained letters expressing reservations and outright opposition to North Brunswick Township’s recent renovation of Sabella Park. The writers suggest that the renovations have been extravagant and are not in best interests of township taxpayers. I respectfully submit, however, that a review of the history of the Sabella Park Improvement Project points to a different conclusion.
The need to renovate Sabella Park, particularly the poor drainage of its playing fields, has been acknowledged for decades, but was most recently cited in the 2001 Open Space and Recreation Master Plan Report commissioned during Mayor David Spaulding’s administration. In response to the report, planning and financing of park improvements began in 2002. In fact, 70 percent of the bonding for the township’s portion of this project was authorized prior to my administration. Proposed improvements were developed with input from the Township’s Parks and Recreation Committee, composed of interested township residents. Public meetings with local residents were also convened at the park to present the proposed plans, and to obtain input and suggestions from those residents. It was only after considerable public dialogue over six years that the plans were finalized and put to bid this year. While there were many helpful comments and suggestions throughout the process, there were no objections to the overall plan or the proposed cost. An artificial turf field is a good fit for Sabella Park. To be sure, an artificial turf field is costly. However, given Sabella Park’s heavy seasonal use, its topography and poor drainage, a turf field is indeed
the right solution. The stream running through the park gives rise to restrictive environmental regulations, and a turf
field helped the township comply with those regulations. Artificial turf was chosen not because it is “fancy,” but because it is “functional.” It will allow the entire park to remain in good, usable condition for years to come, and will allow our residents to use the park during all seasons and kinds of weather.
North Brunswick needs to improve its infrastructure. Some may suggest that in these hard economic times that we should not spend tax dollars on improving our schools, library, roads, water and sewer utilities, and parks. I strongly disagree. Remember, it is failure of homes to hold their value that has been a precipitating factor of our nation’s current economic crisis. It is now more important than ever that local governments take responsible action to preserve and enhance the property values of homeowners. The Sabella Park Improvement Project does just that. Our schools, library, parks, water and sewer utilities, and roadways have long been in critical need of investment. We must commit tax dollars to renovate and to maintain these vital assets and, in so doing, maintain the value of our own homes. Although the present road improvement plan and our park plans were conceived before I took office as mayor, I have embraced both plans and continue to support them because it is these assets, schools, library, parks and roads, that largely define our community standards and form the image we project as a township. That positive image, and the quality of life that goes with it are critical as we attract and retain businesses and residents to our township. In addition, we have an obligation to responsibility maintain and enhance our parks, library, roads, and utility infrastructure, because these are assets that have been entrusted to us by past generations, and it is our duty to pass them to future generations.
Both Mayor Spaulding’s administration and my administration have strictly controlled capital spending to minimize any tax impacts. Since 2000, spending on taxsupported general capital improvements has increased 3.4 percent annually, essentially mirroring the rate of inflation for state and local government. Projects and financing have been painstakingly planned and prioritized to limit the tax impact on residents. In the case of Sabella Park, we intentionally delayed the improvement so that its debt payments will come due at a time when many of the township’s old obligations have been paid off. In 2012, when the first debt payments are due for the Sabella Park improvements, the township’s debt service will actually decline from $8 million annually to $5 million,