Divided Board OKs Bids For New Pressbox

The Watchung Hills Regional Board of Education approved moving forward with plans to replace the condemned pressbox at Tozier Football Stadium, with members Peter Fallon and Peter Falsarano voting against the resolution authorizing bids.

Bids for the pressbox—which is used by coaches and game functions more than members of the press—will be solicited around the end of March, in hopes a winning bid can be selected in April and a new pressbox in place for the fall seasons.

The vote followed an update by board member Louis Pepe on estimates obtained by the board's Buildings and Grounds Committee, which ranged from a high of $169,000 to build a replacement using wood components, to $86,000 for a prefabricated modular unit measuring 8-by-16 feet.

Both Fallon and Falsarano focused their concerns on the cost and commitment before passage of the 2011-12 budget. Pepe and Business Administrator Timothy Stys noted the board had budgeted funds in the 2010-2011 budget for the replacement, although only $42,000.

"I can support putting some money towards a press box ... the question is, how much?" Fallon said. "I would like to see us try to raise a substantial portion of this—I'm just loathe to fund a large part of it."

Before the vote, board member Harold Grossnickle read several statements contained in a fact sheet, which included commitments by several community groups and residents to help pay for the press box. Those donations include a $10,000 pledge by the Touchdown Club, $5,000 by the Junior Warriors Football Club, and a resident's commitment to match private donations.

But the expected $35,000 total of the private donations still leaves the board picking up $7,000 to $16,400 (for a larger 8-by-16 foot box preferred) if the bids are the same as the estimates provided. While Stys said there are other accounts with surplus balances that are available—including $10,000 in unused and uncommitted special education funding, $15,000 unneeded by the guidance department, and several other accounts— Fallon asked "why this and not (technology)?"

Members arguing in support noted that the pressbox is not only where the school's new scoreboard is controlled, but also houses the PA system for announcements, and offers a clear view of the field for coaches, film crews required to provide competing teams with game fields, and college scouts.

"This does support more than football," Grossnickle added.

In fact, according to Superintendent Francis Stromsland, the field hosts more than 65 New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association-sanctioned events each year, as well as graduations, soccer and other sports.

"It's a hard choice, but it comes down to another competing need," she said.

Robert Horowitz noted the board is seeking to replace an existing part of the school, not add something new, and Lara Mandell added the pressbox would enhance the facility and its useage in the community.

Falsarano said he was opposed to advertising for bids when the board doesn't know what position it will be in after the April 27 budget vote, fearing advertising could commit the board to actions members may not be able to fulfill if the budget fails.

Before casting his vote against the resolution, Fallon added, "We're still spending $80- or $90,000 we don't have. There are alternative ways to accomplish this."

But his concerns were over-ridden.

After the vote, the board also voted on a resolution to sell several surplus vehicles, leading Horowitz to quip: "Do you have any expectation the sale of that 1983 Ford truck will pay for the press box?"