Fate of Montville's Football Field Still Up in the Air

The Board of Education ruled that it would reach a decision on a maintenance method for the Montville High School football field pending a recommendation from the administration.

"It's the administration that should make the recommendation," Communications Chair, Paul Przetak said. "That's operational, that's not us."

The administraion's initial recommendation to sod the football field came into question during a recent meeting of the Mustang Association attended by members of the board. Board of Ed President, Dr. Karen Cortellino, who was in attendance at the meeting, said that coaches and Mustand Association members expressed concern over the sodding project from a safety standpoint.

"They felt it didn't really address what was wrong with the field," Cortellino said. "The field is down to packed dirt and there are exposed sprinkler heads which wouldn't be addressed with the sod."

Environmental and Saftey Officer, Steve Toth disputed the safety concerns over sodding by explaining the sodding process of removing several inches of dirt before filling in the sod for a smooth surface that wouldn't endanger players.

"When you were done you would get a finished product that would be the same height as the rest of the field," Toth said. "So if that was their concern, in my opinion, would it be a safety concern? No."

The foremost complication to the sodding option discussed was the time consuming nature of the operation. Toth explained that the sodding project would require several months of non-athletic use on the field in order to properly take hold. Other than the football team, several teams use the field throughout the year, including the lacrosse team and marching band. Also discussed were the use of non-athletic uses of the field, such as Relay For Life, the 4th of July celebration and graduation.

"If we don't sod the field will it be less safe to play on?" Cortellino asked. "Will it be any less safe going forward than it is now?"

"If you do nothing you're going to end up with a mud field," Athletics Director, Paul Pignatello said. "You are going to increase the amount of injuries if you do nothing because you're going to be playing on mud."

Ultimately it was decided that it was up to the administration to devise a new course of action for the Board of Ed to consider.

"I think we've heard everything," Dr. Karen Cortellino said. "I think the administration needs now to confer and reconsider their recommendation."