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Volunteers and council press for long‑term plan to fix fields, cover volunteer background checks
Summary
A rec‑committee volunteer outlined maintenance needs at town fields (fencing, sinking fields, batting cages, gazebo roofs), raised concerns about umpire/referee payment processes and the $65 background‑check fee for volunteers; council members said budget and DPW will address prioritized items and will explore making fingerprinting more convenient.
Rob White, a volunteer with Old Tappan’s recreation committee, urged the borough to adopt a long‑term maintenance plan for athletic fields and facilities and said several issues require near‑term attention: corroded backstop fencing with jagged points, sinking and drainage problems in multiple fields, a visibly deteriorated batting‑cage area, and roof rot at the Stone Point gazebos.
White also raised operational concerns: mismatches in how umpires and referees are paid given auditor requirements and a volunteer background‑check process that he said costs roughly $65 and deters potential volunteers. Council members said the budget process has considered some improvements; the mayor and department heads noted the DPW superintendent would review roof and field needs. Council members suggested linking volunteer photos and field photographs to a GIS plan to prioritize work and said they will explore making fingerprinting and background checks more convenient for volunteers.
