So No Berkeley Heights…No Turf Field

Berkeley Heights BOEBerkeley Heights Town Council

Recreation Commissioner Uses Private Gmail Account on Surprising Update to the Board

The following email came from BOE Representative Sai Akiri in response to our 08/14/2025 inquiry on the Turf Field.

“Dear Laura,

Sorry for not responding earlier. Trying to figure out where the Township is on the Lower Columbia field has been confusing.

I received an email from the Recreation Commissioner’s personal gmail account indicating the township is no longer pursuing a Turf-field installation on Columbia Middle School property. Her communication indicated that after initial discovery, it is highly probable that the area where the turf field would be installed will be classified as wetlands by the NJ DEP.

Hence they are now looking to the NOKIA property to meet this need.

My questions and concerns on the validity of the lease agreement which was written on the intent of installing a turf field and never passed as on ordinance by the township still exist.

I am quite surprised that after the level of involvement and anticipation the township pursued on this project, that this was communicated in such a quiet manner from a personal account.

I am not clear if this was an official communication from the township as this came from a personal Gmail account which is generally not considered best practice due to transparency concerns.

These are my thoughts and opinions as an individual and do not represent the opinion of the Berkeley Heights Board of Education.

Best regards,

Sai Bhargavi”

NJ21st and BOE Representative Natasha Joly both questioned the Townships belief that it would be able to install a turf field on the property precisely for the reasons now cited by the Recreation Commissioner who early on indicated confidence that this would not be an issue.

Also concerning is the use of a private email account to communicate on official township business.

Editors Note (08:29pm):

Residents asked the Mayor and Council about the Turf field during the last Town Council Meeting and received no responses.  On 08/25/2025 NJ21st reached out to the Recreation Department inquiring about the Turf Field and received no response.

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Laura Kapuscinski

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