Choosing up sides on artificial turf plan

Debate in Barnegat packs town hall

Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 02/22/06

BY JOHN VANDIVER
MANAHAWKIN BUREAU

BARNEGAT — When the next school year starts, middle school student Robbie Municchi will be a freshman at Barnegat High School and hopes to play on the football team.

But if an artificial turf field is installed, Municchi, 13, will be watching games from the bleachers.

"If they go to the artificial turf field, he will not play," said Robbie's father, Bob Municchi. The reason: Injuries and dangerous staph infections are more likely to occur on fake grass, the older Municchi said.

Residents filled town hall Tuesday night to discuss whether an artificial surface is needed at the stadium, an idea that has been vigorously debated in recent weeks.

Residents and Township Committee members sounded off on the proposal, which would cost the township about $750,000. The discussion was a swirl of conflicting opinions.

Some say artificial turf is a safety hazard. Others contend the surface is actually safer than grass. Both sides point to various studies to support their positions.

Some, including Mayor Thomas E. Hartman Jr., say artificial turf would help solve the shortage of fields for recreation in the township. Synthetic turf is more durable and can be used more frequently than grass fields, supporters argue.

Others, including Committeewoman Maxine Blumenthal, say township recreation funds should be dedicated to projects that benefit all residents, such as refurbishing already dilapidated or out-of-use fields in town.

"It's a question of priorities," Blumenthal said.

The Board of Education has said that without artificial turf, non-school athletic programs will no longer be granted access to fields at the high school. The high school's main practice field has been subjected to too much wear and tear, school officials have said.

Because the township wants its youth programs to be able to use the field, it would borrow money through bonds to pay for the artificial turf and be reimbursed by the school district.

"My concern is the ethics of this idea," said John Van Der Bas, a resident.

Van Der Bas, who works as a consultant in education construction, described the relationship between the Township Committee and the school board as "an unhealthy marriage," and said the turf issue should be settled by voters at the polls.

In Barnegat, artificial turf has been the talk of the town. At the local Wawa convenience store on West Bay Avenue, where some of the township's civic-minded residents often gather outside to catch up on local news, it was a point of discussion earlier in the week.

A day before Tuesday's meeting, Bob Municchi paid a visit to the small strip mall in search of someone to share the information that he'd collected on artificial turf.

"Yesterday (Monday) I tracked down Len Morano, one of the committeemen. This is an issue that has to be addressed," Municchi said of the turf proposal. "What scares me — I've researched this since the fall — is the safety. I don't want to see somebody get hurt."

Choosing up sides on artificial turf plan Debate in Barnegat packs town hall Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 02/22/06 BY JOHN VANDIVER MANAHAWKIN BUREAU BARNEGAT — When the next school year starts, middle school student Robbie Municchi will be a freshman at Barnegat High School and hopes to play on the football team. But if an artificial turf field is installed, Municchi, 13, will be watching games from the bleachers. "If they go to the artificial turf field, he will not play," said Robbie's father, Bob Municchi. The reason: Injuries and dangerous staph infections are more likely to occur on fake grass, the older Municchi said. Residents filled town hall Tuesday night to discuss whether an artificial surface is needed at the stadium, an idea that has been vigorously debated in recent weeks. Residents and Township Committee members sounded off on the proposal, which would cost the township about $750,000. The discussion was a swirl of conflicting opinions. Some say artificial turf is a safety hazard. Others contend the surface is actually safer than grass. Both sides point to various studies to support their positions. Some, including Mayor Thomas E. Hartman Jr., say artificial turf would help solve the shortage of fields for recreation in the township. Synthetic turf is more durable and can be used more frequently than grass fields, supporters argue. Others, including Committeewoman Maxine Blumenthal, say township recreation funds should be dedicated to projects that benefit all residents, such as refurbishing already dilapidated or out-of-use fields in town. "It's a question of priorities," Blumenthal said. The Board of Education has said that without artificial turf, non-school athletic programs will no longer be granted access to fields at the high school. The high school's main practice field has been subjected to too much wear and tear, school officials have said. Because the township wants its youth programs to be able to use the field, it would borrow money through bonds to pay for the artificial turf and be reimbursed by the school district. "My concern is the ethics of this idea," said John Van Der Bas, a resident. Van Der Bas, who works as a consultant in education construction, described the relationship between the Township Committee and the school board as "an unhealthy marriage," and said the turf issue should be settled by voters at the polls. In Barnegat, artificial turf has been the talk of the town. At the local Wawa convenience store on West Bay Avenue, where some of the township's civic-minded residents often gather outside to catch up on local news, it was a point of discussion earlier in the week. A day before Tuesday's meeting, Bob Municchi paid a visit to the small strip mall in search of someone to share the information that he'd collected on artificial turf. "Yesterday (Monday) I tracked down Len Morano, one of the committeemen. This is an issue that has to be addressed," Municchi said of the turf proposal. "What scares me — I've researched this since the fall — is the safety. I don't want to see somebody get hurt."

"Former draftsman draws solutions for Matawan"
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 02/10/06
BY BRIAN LEE
KEYPORT BUREAU

MATAWAN — It's been more than five years since Carolyn J. Williams made the passing remark. The 54-year-old Cliffwood resident and longtime volunteer at area youth clubs had grown weary of friends complaining about the nine-member Matawan-Aberdeen Board of Education.

'Next time a seat is up for grabs,' Williams told them, 'I'm going to run.'

Now in the midst of a second term since her 2001 election, the retired Verizon engineer draftsman said she wants more minorities speaking up for the township's schools.

Williams, who negotiated current contracts for teachers, administrators and transportation workers through 2007, said the district has made progress on racial inclusion in recent years.

But there's still room for improvement in some areas, she said:

Minority parents should be better attuned to school issues and actually face the board at meetings, she said.

Another minority board member should be elected.

Most importantly, more diversity is needed among the district's teachers and administrators.

Robert Rodgers, the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, said 10 of the district's 20 minority teachers have been hired in the past two years.

'I think Carolyn's been successful in getting the board and administration to realize that the goal for diversity is a serious one,' said Kathy Zavorskas, a member of the Matawan-Aberdeen Board of Education. 'They're all aware of the needs, and she's been very successful in helping to expedite it.'

But overall, 94 percent of their 306 teachers are white, while 16 percent of students are black, 10 percent Hispanic and 6 percent Asian.

Diversity among faculty is important 'for minority students to have role models, and for faculty to underst"

Public tours an improved Matawan Avenue School

Public tours an improved Matawan Avenue School
BY TOM CAIAZZA
Staff Writer

TOM CAIAZZA Assemblyman Sam Thompson and Sen. Joe Kyrillos accompanied Board of Education member Pat Demarest through a tour of the newly renovated Matawan Avenue Middle School Jan. 30.

ABERDEEN — With construction completed and the remnants of the Labor Day fire behind them, the Matawan-Aberdeen School District officially presented the newly renovated Matawan Avenue Middle School at a dedication ceremony on Jan. 30.

The event was attended by state Sen. Joseph Kyrillos and Assemblyman Samuel Thompson, both of the 13th District, along with members of the Matawan Borough Council and the Aberdeen Township Committee.

Hosted by Superintendent Bruce Quinn and the Matawan-Aberdeen Board of Education, the event spotlighted the efforts of many community members that brought the multimillion dollar project to fruition, and helped to assuage the disruption of the fire that caused more than $2 million in damage and resulted in months of lost time.

The ceremony consisted of remarks from Quinn, Thompson, Kyrillos and Board of Education President Cathy Zavorskas, as well as the contractors and architects involved. Performances from the MAMS Select Choir and Band livened the event, which was punctuated by student-guided tours of the new facility for dignitaries and the community.

“Mozart in Latin — that’s impressive,” Kyrillos said of a choral performance by MAMS students. “That means there are impressive things going on in this building.”

Kyrillos congratulated the Board of Education and the two towns for their foresight and leadership in being able to use state aid for building the new, state-of-the-art facility. The completed school is a testament to the good public government can accomplish, he said.

“This shows all of us the force for good government can be for a special purpose,” Kyrillos said.

Kyrillos said that taxpayers are apt to graciously support projects that have the ability to better the community as a whole.

“We realize and should realize that our neighbors don’t mind taxes and borrowing for the future when it goes to something like this,” Kyrillos said.

Thompson praised those involved for being able to raise the funds and completing what will be an asset to the school district and the towns.

“I would like to commend and congratulate the superintendent and the Board of Education for the foresight to act early,” Thompson said regarding the district taking advantage of state renovation funds that have since dried up. “You’ve done a tremendous job.”

The middle school project began in 2002 but was dealt a serious blow when a Labor Day 2004 fire resulted in more than $2 million in damages, and disrupted construction and student education for weeks. The fire was started by a then-12-year-old student, who has since been found guilty of aggravated arson and given three years of probation for his actions.

Eugenia Lawson, the Monmouth County schools superintendent, noted her pride in being on hand for the dedication, and put the fire into perspective.

“I am glad, pleased, and proud to be part of an historic moment,” Lawson said. “A setback is a setup for a comeback, and you, Matawan-Aberdeen, have come back in an awesome manner.”