Voters to have say on sports

Voters in the Warren Hills Regional School District will soon have to choose between newer athletic facilities or lower taxes.

A referendum on Sept. 30 will ask if $5.5 million should be used to update aging sports facilities. Voting is slated from 2 to 9 p.m. at the regular polling places in each of the constituent communities.

Voters twice rejected a similar question in 2004. But with the district about to pay off a 20-year debt for a high school addition and newer additions about to be completed, no other projects are planned in the near future, officials say. Taxes are projected to remain at or near their current levels.

"We just think at this time, it's the time to just propose it and see what people think," Warren Hills Superintendent Pete Merluzzi said. "We felt that now is an opportune time."

The cost of the new athletic facilities, if approved, would be paid back bonded over 15 years with the cost integrated into taxes at the same time the 1989 payments end. The cost to an average home in the district would be about $60 per month, about the same rate as the previous long-term bond.

"It will be pretty transparent to people regarding their tax bills," board of education President Karen Graf.

Not everyone is happy with the proposal.

"Instead of reducing taxes, they're going to keep it the same," Mansfield Township Committeeman Joseph Watters said following an explanation of the referendum at a committee meeting Wednesday.

A tennis court was included in a similar proposal in 2004, but was built separately after that referendum failed. Washington Township resident Charlie Shield said he thinks this project will work the same way.

"Even if this gets voted down, it's going to happen anyway," Shield said, adding that he is concerned about additional costs.

"I think you can do without this, at least for now," he said.

Referendum information on the district's Web site indicates many of the athletic facilities, including the track and bleachers, are deteriorating and unsafe. Merluzzi added there are not enough fields for physical education classes in the fall and spring. Several sports teams compete or practice at other schools or on municipal fields.

"Frankly our programs need it. Our kids need it," Merluzzi said.

The proposal does have its proponents, such as Friends of Blue Streaks Athletics, a district sports support group.

In December 2004, voters approved $36.8 million to expand Warren Hills high and middle schools, but that year rejected a second question that would have appropriated $6.1 million for a new athletic center and artificial turf field.

An earlier referendum that September included both projects in one question and was narrowly defeated.

"Most of the other schools have a very nice facility," Graf said. "Ours is almost an embarrassment."