High School Field Improvements Receive Funding

The West Orange Township Council approved a $550,000 bond ordinance Tuesday to revamp the lighting on Joseph Suriano Field and the addition of a concession stand at the high school.

The bond ordinance passed in a 4-1 vote, with Councilman Joe Krakoviak opposing, the councilman told Patch Wednesday. 

The lighting, which came in $75,000 over estimates, will cost $275,000. The difference in lighting estimate and actual cost was taken out of the consession stands funds, currently estimated to cost $275,000.

Krakoviak said another issue with the improvements is the township already expected the concession stand to come in over the original $350,000 estimate. He suggested to charge a fee to those who use the field and concession stand to make some money back on the bond.

Councilwoman Patty Spango defended the ordinance saying, "We want to attract young families to our town," the Alternative Press reported.  

Krakoviak claimed the Board of Education is bypassing the law requiring it to have a town vote for bond ordinance by having the municipality foot the bill.