Boyertown board awards $3.39 million contract for two synthetic turf fields amid capital-reserve questions

The Boyertown Area School District board on Oct. 28 approved a $3,387,700 contract with Land Tech Group LLC to construct two synthetic turf fields and related accessories, including four bid alternates.

Board president Joseph Panarello announced the award after a lengthy public comment period during which coaches, student athletes and parents urged support for on-campus turf. Student speaker Kendall Gilbert said the fields would "mean everyone in front of me having a home field to play on, a home senior night." Student Emily Ulrich told the board, "It'll be so much easier to attend practice and having support from other people than parents or grandparents." Coach Alicia Terezi and parents described competitive and logistical benefits for teams across the district.

Board and public questions during the meeting centered on permitting, inspection and project costs. A CHA construction-management representative, Mr. Lynch, told the board an NPDES permit covering stormwater/discharge is sufficient for both turf fields and that the Berks County Conservation District will inspect work for conformance with Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection requirements. Lynch also said there is no additional permit cost beyond those included in the project budget and that third-party materials/soils testing will be procured (the administration budgeted about $45,000 for that testing).

Interim Chief Financial Officer John Lentz provided a capital-reserve briefing to explain how the project would be funded. Lentz said the capital reserve has grown through transfers of surplus from the general fund and from interest earnings (about $665,000 in 2024-25; he projected roughly $864,000 in interest earnings for the current year). Lentz said the capital reserve balance on the September treasurer's report reflects prior transfers and that the administration expects an additional transfer of roughly $4,000,000 from the 2024-25 surplus once audit/closeout is complete. Factoring projected interest and planned projects, Lentz estimated the district's remaining capital balance after accounting for a $16 million estimate for BES HVAC/roof work and the turf award would leave multi‑million-dollar coverage for other projects; the administration estimated an all-in range for the two synthetic fields near $3.7 million once soft costs and construction-phase expenses are included.

The board vote to award the contract passed with six members voting yes and one voting no; two members recorded abstentions. The president instructed any member claiming an abstention due to conflict of interest to file the required memorandum with the board secretary under the State Ethics Act. The board recorded the outcome as approved.

Votes at a glance - Award construction contract to Land Tech Group LLC for $3,387,700 (base bid + alternates 1, 2b, 3 and 4) — Outcome: approved (6 yes, 1 no, 2 abstain). - Other routine items approved earlier in the meeting (minutes, treasurer's report, consent agenda, personnel items) — all recorded as approved (see meeting minutes for individual tallies).

Why it matters The vote clears the way for on-campus turf fields that supporters say will reduce travel time, increase home-game attendance and benefit multiple athletic and extracurricular programs. The decision also draws attention to how the district uses its capital reserve and how large facility projects are incorporated into multi-year budgeting and maintenance plans. The board signaled it intends to formalize capital-reserve funding in future budgets.

What happened next Board members discussed the timing of cash drawdowns and noted that large projects are phased. The administration said it will seek competitive quotes for third-party testing and will monitor permit and reporting requirements as new regulations take effect. Construction is expected to proceed next summer according to the project schedule presented to the board.