July 17, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 5 Glen Rock Council undecided on bonding of artificial turf by John Koster The Glen Rock Borough Council is still considering whether to bond the installation of artificial turf now that a initiative to have public donations foot the bill has failed to live up to proponents’ promises. Council members had warned several years ago that the borough would not be responsible for funding the estimated $1.5 million cost, since ostensibly increased to $2.5 million, to resurface part of Lower Faber Field with artificial turf. The principals of Game On! Glen Rock, a residents’ group, had promised they would provide all necessary financial support while the council was still holding sessions in rented space awaiting the reopening of the renovated and expanded Glen Rock Borough Hall. Several council members, widely involved with collection of voluntary donations for the Glen Rock Ambulance Corps and youth programs and activities, had pointed out that the financial climate of the time did not inspire large donations. Environmentalists had added that artificial turf was shown to cause more injuries than grass, and does not absorb water and reduce flooding as grass does. The original meetings concluded with the Glen Rock Council approving the installation of the artificial turf with the explicit understand that taxpayers’ money would not be involved. The fundraising, which looked promis- ing at the outset with some big donations, has now reportedly stalled with about $60,000 in hand. Game On! proponents have urged the council to take advantage of low interest rates to bond the project. Mayor John van Keuren has said the matter remains under study, a sentiment echoed by Borough Administrator Lenora Benjamin. “It’s still on the table,” Benjamin acknowledged. Residents who have spoken on the issued mostly urged fiscal caution and some advanced environmental concerns. One man said he had spoken to 30 residents about artificial turf and had not found one person in favor. He also said that artificial turf tends to concentrate and throw off more heat than grass. At press time, no date had been set for a firm approval or rejection of the bonding suggestion. The Glen Rock Board of Education and the Glen Rock Education Association have signed a contract that covers teachers’ salaries through the 2014-15 school year. Teachers will receive annual raises of 1.9 percent for 2012-13, 2.9 percent for 2013-14, and 2.3 percent for 2014-15. The raises for 2012-13 will be applied retroactively to July 1, when the contract, previously negotiated, formally took effect. Trustees, teachers have signed contract The Glen Rock Board of Education and the Glen Rock Education Association both won praise from the public for working out a zero-increase school budget earlier this year. The teachers had been working under the terms of a contract that had expired at the end of the 2011-12 school year. J. KOSTER