Township Administrator Mark DeCarlo told the Township of Washington Council on Sept. 22 that contractors who traced the field wiring found unsecured access panels, deteriorated wiring and possible ungrounded light poles at Memorial Field, and recommended further testing and repairs.

The findings matter because contractors flagged “potential exposure to safety concerns” for players and spectators, and estimates for the necessary work range from roughly $2,800 for diagnostic ground testing to tens of thousands of dollars for rewiring or pole grounding, DeCarlo said. He asked the council to allow staff to seek additional quotes and present capital reappropriation ordinances at the Oct. 6 meeting to cover repairs.

DeCarlo said the issue began after a separate contractor working on an irrigation project struck an electrical conduit last year; an insurance claim covered most repairs but left a $2,500 deductible. As SM Electric Group inspected the field, it documented unsecured access panels, taped covers, cracked wire nuts and other deficiencies. DeCarlo said SM Electric’s initial estimate for a grounding investigation was about $2,800 and that full rewiring could be in the “around $20,000” range, though he said additional quotes were needed.

“The best they can tell professionally is that they don't think they're grounded,” DeCarlo said, summarizing the contractor’s view. He said contractors recommended either testing each pole and remediating those that fail, or performing a full rewiring to avoid duplicate costs.

Council members asked for alternate approaches to reduce cost, including the possibility of aerial cable between poles instead of replacing conduit underground; DeCarlo said he would request dual estimates (conduit and aerial) and more specific scope details from contractors. He also described a separate line-item estimate of about $11,000 to replace pole base covers and repair exposed connectors shown in the contractor photos.

On funding, DeCarlo told the council he planned to close several older capital ordinances and reappropriate available funds toward Memorial Field work and associated DPW building needs. He proposed returning formal capital reappropriation ordinances on Oct. 6 for the council’s two readings and vote. Council members did not authorize spending at the Sept. 22 meeting but directed staff to gather further bids and cost breakdowns.

Council discussion also raised related uses of capital funds allocated to the firehouse, including a proposal to use part of a roughly $53,000 balance to install emergency vehicle beacons or flashing stop bars at the firehouse driveway to address hazardous traffic when emergency vehicles exit. Council members agreed to first obtain cost estimates and to consult Bergen County about work on the county road before committing the funds.

DeCarlo and council members repeatedly emphasized that the field is in use and that electricians confirmed the lights are functioning and that no immediate exposure exists, but they said the documented conditions mean the council should not delay deciding on funding and repairs.

The council directed staff to obtain additional written proposals (including a complete rewiring price and a conduit vs. aerial comparison), to clarify whether ground-penetrating radar would be required before driving rods, and to bring capital reappropriation ordinances to the Oct. 6 agenda for formal consideration.