By Sean Ruppert, Staff Writer
EAST WINDSOR — The Township Council moved forward this week on plans to create new athletic fields near Etra Lake Park, approving a contract for their construction.
The council awarded a $922,582 contract to Precise Construction, of Freehold, at its regular meeting Tuesday for the creation of two new softball and two new multipurpose fields on a 59-acre plot of land on Disbrow Hill Road, according to Mayor Janice Mironov. The land — acquired by the township in 2006 with a Green Acres grant — sits directly across the street from Etra Lake Park.
Mayor Mironov said the type of fields planned can be used for soccer of lacrosse.
”It’s a very exciting project for our community,” Mayor Mironov said Wednesday. “It will provide additional and needed facilities for the many children who participate in sports in our community.”
Mayor Mironov said the project is being completely funded by two $200,000 grants from the state and a $1 million grant from the county.
”We are obviously grateful to the county and state for providing the resources to enable this project,” she said.
The mayor said the town still is waiting for the state Department of Environmental Protection to sign off on the plan. She said she is hopeful approval will come in time for construction to start this year so the fields could ready for use in 2010.
In other news, the council also approved two separate measures involving the stretch of Hickory Corner Road between Route 130 and Dutch Neck Road.
The council OK’d a resolution that bans passing on that part of the road and also accepted a $290,000 state grant for a road resurfacing and curb replacement project along the same stretch.
Mayor Mironov said the project is being planned by Banc3 Consulting Engineers, of East Windsor. She said the council hopes to seek bids on the project by late May.

