The badly deteriorating and disused UMS Tennis Courts. Photo/Rikki Massand
The Montgomery Board of Ed. conceded that construction bids are being sought after “slow progress” in starting the 2016 referendum process.
From the perspectives of MTSD and the Township Committee, expressed separately at each board’s mid-summer meetings, a better price better be in store for new tennis courts at E the Middle Schools. The project 8 cost to refurbish the courts was (fi once thought to be $300,000, to 2 be shared equally by MTSD and Z, Montgomery Township. That g number ballooned to $640,000 for a new set of six courts, as both boards look to each other for the next volley of financial commitment.
MTSD Vice President Charles Jacey notes the referendum approved March 8 and $132,000 it included for the tennis courts, half the project estimate. However, Jacey says this represents the one item that the State of New Jersey did not give any funds to MTSD “to be more ahead with, for the reason that the town was willing to pay 50% of the -then-estimated cost of fixing the courts.” He announced on July 19 that Montgomery Township’s estimate “was woefully inaccurate.”
The new plan for $640,000, he said, would have six new tennis courts replacing the ten that exist and “are beyond repair.” Jacey also explained the UMS/LMS tennis courts project starting 40 years ago as “a partnership between the township and school district.” The courts are on MTSD property and maintained by the town.
“The maintenance apparently had been neglected over a period of years by the town, making the courts not feasible to resurface,” Jacey said.
Schools Business Administrator Annette Wells explained MTSD leases the property to Montgomery Township for $1 and the courts were built by the township in 1976.
The proposed new courts would have greater longevity and will be concrete instead of tarmac. Board member Dale Huff, and OFF committee member, described the surface as newer technology, “post-tension concrete.”
Jacey told Nieman that MTSD is in an embarrassing position, having the community approve $132,000 in its referendum. He is concerned about going higher than that.
As Superintendent of Schools Nancy Gartenberg explained, “The courts are not really being used at this point. I think there are some community members playing on them, at their own risk. We were looking forward to being able to utilize the tennis courts more formally in the instructional program. I think depending on the conditions there, maybe one can be used, but if you have been over there to see them it’s been difficult.”
Jacey looked at his fellow board members to consider amending the position of MTSD, reimagining its share of the new costs as 25% if Montgomery Township would agree to pay 75% of the $640,000. He said that would require MTSD to reallocate the balance, above $132,000, from existing funds.
That does not appear favorable to the Township Committee, though. Administrator Nieman’s explained at the Township Committee’s August 4 meeting, “We got an estimate on what it would take to repair the courts we had discussed repairing jointly with the Montgomery Board of Education. We got the bid several years ago and the estimate was $300,000. It’s no longer that but well in excess of $600,000 and the Board of Education is willing to up their contribution, but not at the 50% level because they had to go out for it with their referendum. They don’t feel they have flexibility. We need to discuss what we wish to do; whether we wish to proceed with renewing our agreement with the Board of Ed. on the tennis courts or walking away. I think we need to have a discussion with Karen Zimmerman about the options available and whether we want to pursue it or not,” Nieman said.
He later explained that Committee must decide on doing the entire project including the school board’s contribution, doing just a portion of the project, or “walking away.” Nieman told the Committee on August 4 that the district was willing to go as high as $170,000, above the amount approved by the community in the referendum.
Deputy Mayor Ed Trzaska noted high demand for tennis courts in town.
Nieman believes there are a number of factors.”’There is a need; however is the need sufficient to justify the additional expense? I think that’s a discussion we all need to have. The Recreation Committee certainly has talked about this and would like to see it done, but the Township Committee must discuss it for a significant increase in the financial commitment,” he says.
Committeeman Rich Smith stated that the township should not bear the brunt of the project cost. Mayor Graham and Madrid backed him up, saying “it’s a lot of money.”
Trzaska commented that the town could invest the money up front and there could be a “charge back for use.”
Nieman advised the Committee to meet again before deciding any course of action.