Voters On Both Sides of Referendum Turn Out Despite Rain

As morning turned to afternoon Tuesday, the profile of voters shifted from senior citizens to middle-aged men and women, many voting as they picked up their children from school.

Parents of students in the East Hanover, Florham Park and Hanover Park school districts showed a strong preference for approving the $17.5 million referendum to improve school fields.

Olga Silva, whose children have not yet reached high school age, said the fields at the high schools "need to be updated." She views the project as necessary. "I want to have the best experience for my kids when they get to the high school," Silva said.

Michael Prokop said even though his children have graduated from the district, "We need to invest in our schools and have good fields."

Others who voted said they preferred to spend such a large sum on science or math instruction and would vote against it.

Senior citizens, too, have expressed opposition to the referendum at a recent local meeting and at meetings with Hanover Park Superintendent Carol Grossi.

"I don't think we should be spending $17.5 million the way the country is right now," Farese said at a recent meeting of the East Hanover Council.

Grossi, describing a meeting she had at a local senior center to discuss the project, said at a Board of Education meeting earlier this year, "I had a woman tell me, 'I'm sorry, but I just can't afford it.'"

If the referendum passes, the $17.5 million needed for the project will be bonded out over 20 years at an interest rate of 3.25 percent. Taxes will increase by $61.69 per year in East Hanover and by $57.70 in Florham Park as a result.

These funds will not be added to the base budget, will not be applicable to the annual two percent cap on the local tax levy and will not be applied after the bond is paid off in 20 years.

Under the proposed referendum, fields at Hanover Park High School and Whippany Park High School will be replaced with synthetic turf which will accommodate boys and girls soccer, boys and girls lacrosse, football and field hockey.

Each field will also get a new rubberized D-zone behind the goal posts and a new track with eight lanes, which will enable the schools to host county meets.

Schools will also get new ADA-accessible bleachers, new scoreboards, new sound systems, a new press box above the home bleachers, new lighting with less spillage into the surrounding community, new lights at each end of the fields, new lacrosse goals and nettings and a new field house with locker rooms, concession stands and ADA-accessible bathrooms.

Hanover Park High will also get one new tennis court for a total of five courts.