At its meeting on Tuesday evening, February 15, the Planning Board approved plans for a new artificial turf field at Livingston High School. Before the project can be put out to bid, it was subject to review and approval by the Engineering Department and the Planning Board. The latter was also asked to determine whether the project is consistent with the township’s master plan.Architect Matthew Gianforcaro explained that the artificial turf field will be installed behind the high school, in an area commonly called the “Pit.” Construction will include new baseball dugouts and bull pens, a new batting cage, nine new light poles, two scoreboards, and netting. A new padded concrete retaining wall will be erected, and the field will be surrounded by a new chain link fence.The township Engineering Department reviewed the plan and prepared a report. Among the recommendations listed in the report were that the applicant conduct geotechnical investigations to confirm that the existing soils beneath the turf field project area are satisfactory for con struction; that the applicant clarify the lay-out of the new asphalt driveway proposed, and consider installing a handicapped-accessible ramp. Township engineers also recommended that the proposed 30 foot high sports field poles and netting be extended to incorporate areas to the northerly sidelines, adjacent to Littell People’s Park, and to the south, adjacent to the existing turf track and bleachers; and that the applicant review the need for any warning track areas, specifically along the easterly outfield areas adjacent to the retaining walls.Architect Anthony Gianforcaro was questioned about drainage for the field. He explained that the field will have an underground drainage system that will discharge into nearby storm basins. When concerns about drainage were expressed, he said the drainage will be reviewed by the state Department of Environmental Protection.Board member Stephen Santola voiced concern about rubber pellets from the field getting into Littell’s Pond. He also asked whether the district would consider not fencing and locking the field; he noted that the town-owned Community Field on Madonna Drive is not locked, with no resultant problems to date.The Planning Board then voted unanimously that the project was consistent with the Livingston master plan. The project can now move forward.
