Saddle River council tables award, citizens question scope and cost of Ring Lab Park putting green

The Saddle River mayor and council voted July 20 to table a resolution awarding Ring Lab Park improvements that included a proposed putting green after residents questioned whether the amenity was described in the borough's grant application and whether the project should proceed while the school district faces fiscal pressure.

Mayor Kurpis and borough engineer Martin told the council the putting green had been included as an alternate in the public bid documents issued Feb. 4, 2026, and that Bergen County Open Space funding could be available in a future round. Martin said the borough went out to bid and received low bids for the package; he told the council that alternates are dependent on available grant funds and a future resolution would be required to award the work.

Resident Ron Wybie said he reviewed the county grant application and could not find an explicit mention of a putting green. "There was no mention of a putting green in the actual grant application with the Bergen County Open Space," Wybie said, and he warned the council that adding the amenity could affect reimbursement eligibility. He also asked how the council planned to share pilot-program revenue with the school, noting the borough has had months to work on a revenue-sharing mechanism.

At the meeting Mayor Kurpis said he expected the project could be "net 0" to taxpayers because donations would cover matching costs, and he reiterated that public feedback would determine whether the amenity moves forward. "I'm about, at this point, 95% certain that this will be a net 0 addition to our community," he said.

Other residents and council members urged broader outreach and more documentation of public support. Nancy Bush and Marilyn Goldfish asked whether residents had been surveyed and suggested the borough consider alternative uses for the acquired property (farmer's market, walking path, dog park) rather than a putting green.

When the council took up Resolution 166 (an award to Downs Tree Services that included putting-green work), several council members moved to table the item so staff can provide additional information about grant scope, bid breakdowns and donation restrictions. The motion to table passed on roll call, and the award will be reconsidered at a future meeting.

What happens next: the council asked borough staff and the engineer to return with detailed cost breakdowns, documentation from the Bergen County grant packet, and any donor agreements that would affect the use of a donation. The council also signaled it would seek wider resident input before approving irreversible park improvements.