Schedler Turf Gets Green Light From Ridgewood Council Despite Concerns

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — A large turf field can be built on the Zabriskie-Schedler property after the Ridgewood Council gave the controversial project a green light with a slim vote in favor.

The Ridgewood Council voted 3-2 to install the multipurpose sports field on April 12 after an intense, months-long debate considering the purported benefits and ill effects of putting such a field onsite.

Council members Evan Weitz, Siobhan Winograd and mayor Paul Vagianos voted in support of the resolution, while Council members Lorraine Reynolds and Pam Perron voted against.

"I have come to the reluctant but strong conclusion that a large, turf field is absolutely appropriate there and is needed," Weitz said. "I proudly vote yes on the resolution."

He said that that he is comfortable "owning" the legacy of this vote and feels that the affirmative vote is the right thing to do.

In effect, the vote paves the way for construction of a full-sized regulation field, providing space for multiple sports, at the village parcel on West Saddle River Road; a project start date has not yet been announced.

Winograd said she supported the adopted plan, as maintenance of a turf field is expected to cost less than grass, and as the village needs more sports fields in less flood-prone areas.

"I know some people will not be happy with the net-net here, and some will be very happy," Winograd said. "But I want people to understand that this conversation happened out in front week after week."

Mayor Vagianos, before voting in favor, said the "main driver" for adding this field is that all of the village's major fields are in flood hazard areas.

"Imagine living in a community where athletes have to go to neighboring towns to have practices because we don't have enough fields," he said.

"When the floodplain collapses, and (the sports fields) are under water, it wreaks havoc on the entire program for all of our youth."

Reynolds and Perron voted against the plan out of concern that squeezing the field into the limited space would result in more trees removed, and that polyfluoroalkyl substances (also known as "forever chemicals") are reported to have been found in turf.

"We will be tearing down trees, and harming our residents' rights to clean air, safe drinking water and preservation of the natural scenic, historic and aesthetic qualities of the environment," Reynolds said. "(The vote tonight) takes those rights away from people."

In response, the mayor said "plenty of trees" would, in fact, be planted (to replace those cut down), and argued that PFAS are already found in everyday products such as cookware or some dental floss.

Perron held that the council owed Ridgewood citizens (and all its living creatures) more.

"We know that PFAS is potentially bad for not only humans, but fish, oysters and insects," Perron said.

"Just because PFAS is ubiquitous doesn't mean that we should throw our hands up and say, 'Well, we can't do anything about it.'"

But Winograd put the focus on the Schedler house, which is listed in the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places and is also being restored.

"We are putting money into a house for which we have no future intended use," Winograd said.

"I am respectfully asking that the house be added to the discussion for the next work session."

The council also awarded a contract — in an amount not to exceed $8,600 — to a historic preservationist to gather information on the property, identify regulatory approvals, and coordinate with the project team.

All council members voted to award the contract to Peter Primavera Partners, LLC, except Reynolds who said she didn't feel as though she had enough information about the contractor.

"We should not be voting on this; this should come off of the agenda," the councilwoman said. "We are putting ourselves in harm's way."

Mayor Vagianos disagreed; he said CEO Primavera has labored in historic preservation for more many years for numerous town councils, and that the contractor can help "push the Schedler project over the finish line."

"My professional credentials and experience are already accepted by the Ridgewood council, and any towns, counties, states or federal agencies I have appeared before," Primavera told Patch. "My attorneys are evaluating whether anyone's capricious comments (about me) are actionable under New Jersey defamation law."