By Joanne Degnan, Staff Writer
UPPER FREEHOLD The Upper Freehold Allentown Soccer Association is offering to pay for an automated irrigation system at the Mark Harbourt soccer complex if the township will agree to maintain it.
Chris Ennis, a member of UFA Soccer’s board of directors, told the Township Committee on Oct. 21 the summer drought has left the fields at Mark Harbourt in poor shape. UFA Soccer will donate 100 percent of the funds needed to install an automated sprinkler system there, he said, noting the work could be done at the same time handicapped-accessible restrooms are built at the park.
Mr. Ennis estimated the irrigation system would cost UFA Soccer $35,000, which includes the cost of digging a new water supply well, installing the irrigation system, the electrical system and connecting the automated control system. He emphasized that he was proposing a donation, and that UFA Soccer would continue to meet its other funding obligations to the township.
”Something for free sounds good to me,” Mayor Stanley Moslowski Jr. said.
Mr. Ennis also made a second proposal that would enable the soccer program to raise funds for the more frequent fertilization of the fields. UFA Soccer wants to run periodic weekend soccer tournaments at the township’s athletic complexes and asked that the township earmark the revenue in an escrow account for enhanced field maintenance. He stressed the irrigation system donation was not contingent on the dedication of tournament revenues.
The township’s current maintenance of the fields is limited to mowing, basic fertilizer application and annual aeration of the fields. UFA Soccer wants to use the extra funds it raises through periodic tournaments for reseeding and more frequent turf-building fertilizing applications six times a year, Mr. Ennis said.
”We’re not asking you to defer any recreation fees that are owed to you,” Mr. Ennis said, noting the nonprofit soccer organization was paying $8,575 in fees to the township this year for its spring and fall soccer programs. Only the tournament fees would pay for additional field maintenance, he said.
Township CFO Dianne Kelly pointed out the indirect cost to the township, noting that grass on well-fertilized, irrigated fields grows faster, and that will require more frequent mowing by township employees.
”Well then, we’ll just have to put the tractor in the next higher gear and get it done a little quicker,” Mr. Moslowski said.
No official vote was taken on the UFA Soccer proposals, but the committee members appeared agreeable to the proposals.
Ms. Kelly said an ordinance would need to be passed in order to dedicate tournament funds specifically for field soccer field maintenance instead of treating the money as field usage fees that go into the general operating fund.
The inclusion of an irrigation system in the Mark Harbourt restroom project could be done as a change order because the bid package has already been prepared, township officials said.

