While the Township previously engaged in a highly public campaign that involved press releases and email blasts to promote the CMS lease, recent communication on the project -particularly a scheduled meeting with a turf vendor-raises questions about consistency and transparency.

A meeting organized by the Recreation Committee to hear from a turf vendor was not listed on the Township calendar, social media, or other typical communication outlets. When brought to the Township’s attention, the absence was attributed to a “calendar malfunction,” and it was stated that the notice had been included in the Recreation Committee’s agenda. Following that inquiry, an email blast from the Recreation Department was sent to residents.

The Deputy Clerk confirmed that the meeting had been missing from the Township’s website, though the Township Administrator maintained that the information was accessible through official postings. According to the Administrator, a legal notice was sent to the newspaper on May 28.

Given the Recreation Commission’s role in overseeing the project, and their function as an appointed body, questions have also been raised about whether proper notice was provided under New Jersey’s Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA). As of the June 2 calendar snapshot, no Recreation Committee meeting was publicly listed aside from the Environmental Commission session.

At the June 5 Board of Education meeting, a Recreation Committee report acknowledged that there has been little forward movement on the turf project. For residents who live near the field, questions remain about drainage, water runoff, and the environmental impact given how close the field would be to designated wetlands and homes. There are also concerns about long-term costs and the implications if the property eventually reverts to the District.

The stark difference in communication efforts—highly visible during the CMS lease campaign but non-existent during follow-up planning—has led some residents to feel that public input was actively sought only when it served the Township’s goals.

Calendar showing no meetings were on the Township Calendar for June 2 outside EC.

Email Blast sent at 1:44PM just 13 minutes after I brought the missing meeting to the attention of the Township Administrator and Rec Director – the same day of the meeting.

Full Email Chain Between Myself and Various Township Representatives

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