Turf Bill Passes State Assembly, Paving Way for Possible Kinnelon Field

Kinnelon may be a little closer to getting an artificial turf field now that the state Assembly has passed a bill that would ease New Jersey Highlands restrictions on municipalities wishing to install turf within Highlands-protected areas.

The bill had moved from the state Assembly Environmental and Solid Waste Committee on to the full Assembly which passed it on June 24 with a 77 to 1 vote, according to the Suburban Trends. The bill had received bipartisan support from Senator Robert Gordon (D-38) of Fairlawn, who sponsored the bill, and Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce and Assemblyman Jay Webber (R-26).

Kinnelon Council members had approached state lawmakers to ask for help in amending the law, which creates a lengthy and complicated process for municipalities to be allowed to install artificial turf. School districts, however, are exempt from the Highlands restrictions.

The issue came to light as local officials were faced with residents expressing concern over the poor conditions of the field behind the municipal building. The council was advised by the borough engineer that because the borough is located in an area protected by the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act, too many New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection exemptions would be needed for the project there, or an artificial turf project elsewhere in the borough, to come to fruition.

Before the bill becomes law, it also would need the approval of the state Senate and to be signed by the governor.