Ho-Ho-Kus November 5, 2014 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 5 School officials present referendum plan to council by Jennifer Crusco Ho-Ho-Kus Superintendent Deborah Ferrara and the Ho-Ho-Kus Board of Education attended last week’s bor- ough council session to provide a courtesy presentation on the school district’s proposed track and field project. The borough’s registered voters will have the opportunity to cast their ballots on the proposal in a Dec. 9 referendum. The board is proposing improvements including the replacement of the existing grass at Lloyd Field with artifi- cial turf and organic fill, an underground drainage system, the replacement of the existing cinder track with a synthetic “rubberized” track, and associated site work. The total cost of the project cannot exceed $2,172,000. Earlier this year, the state awarded debt service aid for the field, which is considered an educational facility, but only if the district installs artificial turf, which is viewed as a long-term capital improvement. According to the district, the debt service aid “equates to 40 percent of eligible costs, which aid equates to 32.5 percent of the total costs of proj- ect. Such state funding will only be available if the referen- dum passes.” The final eligible costs would be $1,766,610. The tax impact of a 10-year, $2,172,000 bond would be $118 per year for a home assessed at $736,535. The school track and field are used by students and by recreation teams, and Ferrara told the council that the facilities are deteriorating. She said plans call for the track, which is oval on one end and squared-off on the other, to be a made into an oval shape. She said there would be buffers provided to screen the recreation sheds from residential neighbors, and she said there would be no increase in the use of the facility. She said $58,000 is now spent on grass, water, and cin- ders to maintain the facility each year. That money saved over a 10-year period, she said, would help fund future replacement of the artificial turf. Councilman Steve Shell asked if the plans call for moving the existing lighting. Ferrara said some of the lights were not properly approved, adding that the recreation lights would have to be reviewed by the planning board if they are moved in the future. Shell also asked about fencing at the property. Ferrara said any fencing would be used to prevent cars from dam- aging the facility, not to stop pedestrians. The councilman asked if the facility would be leased to other groups. School Board President Colleen Federer said the board does not intend additional use at the property, and would be looking at its facilities use policies and adjusting them if necessary. Shell pointed out that, in Waldwick, the original intent was not to lease the fields, but that borough’s fields are now being leased. Mayor Thomas Randall added that present boards cannot bind future boards. “How do you assure there is no ‘creep’ over time?” Ran- dall asked. “No one doubts your sincerity, but what hap- pens when the four of you are gone?” (School trustee John Buffa, the fifth board member, was not present.) Federer acknowledged that there are no guarantees. Councilwoman Kim Weiss said the facility would attract people from other towns, and said vandalism is a concern. Federer noted that the board’s insurance would cover any incidents. Councilman Kevin Shea asked how the board would realize the $58,000 annual maintenance savings. Ferrara said the savings would be realized in terms of time. She said staff members who work on the facility would be able to work on other jobs, saving money for the district. (continued on page 25) Borough hall intern serves as mayor Sofia Wyman served as ‘Mayor for the Day’ at last week’s council session. She read the opening public meet- ing statement; led the council, the visiting board of educa- tion, and members of the public in the pledge of allegiance; and helped welcome the borough’s newest EMT. Wyman spent most of the summer as an intern at bor- ough hall, and will be returning to that post in the coming months. She is a senior at Northern Highlands Regional High School, where she has posted a 4.2 grade point average and was inducted into the National Honor Society. She has placed cum laude and maxima cum laude in two national Latin exams. In addition to Latin and her regular course load, she studies Spanish, psychology, U.S. government, art history, and creative writing. Wyman is a member of the cross country team, the Animal Conservation Club, the school literary magazine, and the Women’s Rights Club.