By Audrey Levine Staff Writer
After striking out the first time, the township is hoping to have a hit with a second proposal for the construction of a township baseball field.
An offer from Hiland Construction Services, Inc. is under consideration to create a ball field on the property adjacent to the Hillsborough Promenade on Route 206, according to Kevin Davis, township clerk.
The township had initially planned in August to upgrade a ball field near Surrey Drive to be used by the 9-year-old members of the Boro Bombers traveling baseball team.
Hiland Construction is owned by a parent of one of the members, who offered his company’s services to repair the field for the team.
”All we are looking to do is have a public park for the kids,” said Kevin Sluka, one of the coaches for the team.
At the Sept. 25 committee meeting, more than 30 residents living in the surrounding areas requested that the township rescind its initial approval, citing concerns of speeding drivers and a lack of restroom facilities on the Surrey Drive property.
After the meeting, the township rescinded the approval.
Hiland Construction will still work on the ball field at no cost to the township.
”The Promenade owners are receptive to the idea and our staff has examined the area to ensure there are no environmental issues with developing a ball field on the site Promenade,” said Deputy Mayor Lisa Nisivoccia, in a press release. “I think, however, it is important to give the public time to be aware of this potential project and to provide input at the next Township Committee meeting.”
Mr. Sluka said the team would be happy to relocate so long as there is a public park available. He said the team and construction company are simply looking to improve a public facility, and have no qualms with choosing a spot other than the Surrey Drive field.
The 20-acre site adjacent to the Promenade was donated for parks and recreation by Krame Development, developer of the Hillsborough Promenade, in 2000.
”It’s an open field that we’ve used before for practices,” Mr. Sluka said. “But it doesn’t have a baseball field there right now.”
Although the Boro Bombers are at the center of the discussion for creating the ball field, Mr. Sluka said that, once finished, the park would not be used exclusively by the team. He said it would be a facility still owned by the municipality, but the team would look to take out a permit to use the field at specific times.
”The contractor and other volunteers just want to improve a facility,” he said. “This is an opportunity to give back to the municipality.”
