Letter writer says the administration costs for the field are bound to rise.
I am disappointed in the apparent insensitivity to the feelings of the residents of Moorestown who attended the council meeting regarding proposed changes to Memorial Field.
Annual maintenance and administration costs for the field are bound to rise under the proposal as well as the probable need for additional restroom facilities
At present there are four baseball diamonds and four soccer fields (which can also be used for field hockey and lacrosse), and they are well used by the various children leagues of all ages as well as by adult leagues. The apparent reason for the rather expensive expansion and installation of lighting at the field is to allow a few adult soccer clubs to be able to practice after dark getting home from work. I heard no voice from the board opposing the changes.
We were told not to worry about the increased traffic on already crowded Church Street, and yet the proposal more than doubles the available parking space at the field.
We were told that the lights would never be on after 9 p.m. at night. How can the board assure us of this with an empty promise when the board is proposing undoing commitments of previous boards which were to be permanent? There will be pressure from those who use the field after dark to extend the time, and this promise is not likely to be honored by other boards in the future.
We were told that the noise level would be no more than at present. How can that be if there are more fields and more parking?
We were told that the improved fields would not, as time goes on, attract countywide, and even South Jersey wide teams to play, practice and hold tournaments. Without a staff to monitor the field usage, to control the lighting, etc. night games between Moorestown teams, between Moorestown and Cherry Hill and other to will eventually take place.
There will thus be extra maintenance and administration for the field, less time available for children baseball, extra tie-ups on Church Street more noise and stray light throughout those neighborhoods that adjoin the field and increased costs to the already overtaxed citizens of Moorestown.
Murray Rosenblatt
