PRESERVE Holmdel's Objections To Turf Fields
COST - Virtually all costs will be paid by Holmdel taxpayers
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The township states it can use the "open space fund tax" and fees from clubs for this expansion. Yet the Township Committee stated at their meeting on 4/14/15:
"The Open Space tax currently does not cover the debt services of the land that has already been purchased. Every year hundreds of thousands of dollars are needed from the general budget just to cover these past purchases."
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The private sports teams pay no fees if they are comprised of 50% Holmdel residents.
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No budget delineating cost breakdown has been given to residents.
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No list of continuing upkeep budget to maintain expansion has been provided.
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Life span of synthetic turf is approximately 15 years and will require expensive refurbishing.
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PROTECTION OF OUR WATER
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Impact on well water of neighboring homes from lead, zinc, and chromium fill.
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Impact on water quality of Ramenessin stream, which feeds the Swimming River Reservoir, which in turn provides drinking water to much of Monmouth County.
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ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES - Absent or concerning
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An engineering firm on 8/12/16 submitted their geotechnical report only and did not do any studies for chemical testing, environmental evaluations, pollutants, hazardous waste, or other dangerous substances.
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Conflicting studies on the health impact of synthetic turf fields relative to injuries and toxic effects such as cancer (see links).
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The Township's expert on toxicology of the turf fields did not disclose that she has been retained frequently to testify by Shaw Sports Turf.
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NIGHTS AND LIGHTS
The bond ordinance includes an option to install 70 foot lights to make these synthetic turf fields playable at all hours.
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PARKING/TRAFFIC
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An additional 250 parking spaces would be added, yet no traffic impact study has been done.
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May result in county widening Route 520 to 4 lanes and realigning Longbridge Road.
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NO NEEDS ASSESSMENT HAS BEEN DONE ON FIELD USE OR DEMAND
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FUNDING OF PRIVATE NON-RESIDENT AND HOLMDEL TEAMS WITH PUBLIC DOLLARS
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TAXING THE MANY TO BENEFIT THE FEW: Who will use these regulation size fields?
Full size fields are mainly for teen and adult use, likely for predominantly private clubs.
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TOWN HAS OTHER HIGHER PRIORITIES FOR FUNDING
Road paving, enabling operation of firehouse on Rt. 520 so it can serve the southern half of the town, correcting drainage problems on Cross Farm Park baseball fields, repair of other town parks, refurbishment of tennis courts, rebuilding of pool club infrastructure, repair of high school stadium lighting towers, etc.