$500K Donated Anonymously To Light Up Investor's Bank Field In Summit

SUMMIT, NJ — The Summit Common Council approved $500,000 in anonymous donations earlier this month for the Investor's Bank Field, also known as Lower Tatlock Field, lights project.

The donations, made through the Summit Foundation,were approved by a 6 to 1 vote at the latest council meeting.

The private nonprofit says its goal is to use philanthropy to better the lives of members within the community it serves. Donations through the group can remain anonymous, a point that caused great debate among the public and city officials during the meeting.

"I do remain disturbed by the process," said council member Claire Toth. "Anonymous donations lack accountability and can erode public trust in the government...it is lawful, for now."

A Summit mother echoed her concern, asking the council, "Why the secrecy?" before calling on the group to be more forthcoming with the answers she and others want to hear regarding funding.

In response, a resident involved with starting an online petition to generate funding for the fields addressed the room, adding that he was one of the donors. He told the crowd that, "There's nothing here...but to move this project forward and light those fields."

As to why donors asked to be anonymous, he revealed that some of his fellow donors have been receiving harassment from multiple people who are opposed to the project.

The resolution allowing private donations for Lower Tatlock on Butler Parkway was approved in July. At that same July 29 meeting, Council approved $650,000 in city funding through the $5.5 million Bond Ordinance 25-3349 for the Upper Tatlock Field lights.

The call for taxpayer dollars towards lights was, among other things, in response to a safety issue for teams practicing at late hours on the fields, according to councilmember Bob Pawlowski.

Additional donations beyond the cost of the Lower Tatlock lights are also allowed to be directed toward offsetting the Upper Tatlock costs.

“This is a win for the youth of Summit,” Mayor Elizabeth Fagan said after the July 29 meeting. “With this vote, the Council clearly showed their support for this project.”

While the project has long been a concern of residents worried about traffic, noise, and quality of life, the city has continued to stress its desire to keep the line of communication clear for the community to speak up.

A Tatlock Neighborhood Committee was formed out of stakeholders to specifically address the concerns of this project brought forth by residents.

“The decision on lighting was not an easy one,” added councilmember Pawlowski. “But I believe it is in the best interest of the community as a whole. The committee has already made progress, and we remain committed to listening to resident concerns and implementing thoughtful solutions.”

Patch has reached out to an advocacy group that has voiced concerns about the project, "United for Tatlock Neighborhood," for their reaction to the approval of the anonymous donations.

The Summit Planning Board will hold a project review for the Tatlock Field Lighting at its Sept. 29 meeting.