Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • October 3, 2012 Franklin Lakes Council eyes new outdoor basketball courts by Frank J. McMahon The Franklin Lakes Borough Council is considering the construction of a new outdoor basketball court area on the site of the existing roller hockey rink. The site is located north of the single-story recreation building at the Franklin Lakes Recreation Department and Community Center at the end of Vichiconti Way. Franklin Lakes Borough Engineer Kevin Boswell described the plan to Mayor Frank Bivona and the council at a recent work session. Boswell explained that the paved area would be 81 feet by 80 feet and would be striped for six half-court areas and one full-size court of 81 feet by 50 feet, which is slightly smaller than an 84 foot by 50 foot regulation size court. Boswell said the size of the court area is designed to fit inside the curb where the roller hockey boards were once located. He explained that it would be more expensive to construct a full regulation size court. He said there would be a 10-foot high fence all around the courts and spectator bleachers at the eastern end of the court area with an area for picnic tables. The project would also include an expansion of the parking lot to the west of the proposed basketball court area to contain 93 parking spaces. The budget for the project, according to Boswell, is $150,000 with an additional $10,000 for the bleachers. That budget would cover the excavation, the paving of the parking lot and the basketball courts, the striping of the courts and the fencing, and $15,000 for plantings in the area. Franklin Lakes Borough Administrator Gregory Hart explained to the council that this project would be one of several that are planned to enhance the borough’s recreation facilities, with a total cost of $290,000. The projects will be funded by grants and donations, not by tax dollars. Councilwoman Paulette Ramsey voiced a note of caution, however, saying the department of public works looked at the proposed parking area and indicated the area is not big enough for back-to-back parking and suggested a herringbone design for the lot. Ramsey also said the base- ball field needs more parking, and more parking is needed closer to the ball field. “My concern is back to back parking,” Ramsey told the council, “and children running in and out between the cars.” Councilwoman Nathalie Lota said there is a problem at that parking lot now when motorists try to turn their cars around. Boswell responded that solving that problem would result in a “huge project” that would require a detention basin, and the additional cost of permits because it would require paving an additional area. He said a cul-de-sac could be designed in the area, although that would result in the loss of 10 parking spaces. Ramsey asked Boswell to take another look at the plan in consideration of her concerns, which she said were being made to be constructive. The matter will be discussed further at the council’s Oct. 2 work session. Out on the town Shirley O’Reilly and Larry Loprete were among the many visitors to the Franklin Lakes Town Fair. (Photo by Donna White.)