Boro Council debates where to locate field BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer MATAWAN- Throwing strikes left and right at the Feb. 19 Borough Council meeting, town officials debated the placement of a girls softball field next to the Community Center on Church Street. "We have money available through a bond, not out of taxpayers' pockets," Councilwoman Linda Clifton reasoned. "The fields inMatawan are nonfunctional." Currently, the girls softball league travels to other towns to play on fields better equipped to handle the games. The league has been collaborating with the Matawan- Aberdeen Babe Ruth League to work out scheduling, but conflicts continue to arise. Theproposedballfieldwouldbe adjacent to the Henry Hudson Trail near the existing baseball fieldbehindtheWalgreen'spharmacy. In addition to all council members being present, parents and officials from the Matawan-Aberdeen Babe Ruth League and the girls softball league turned out to have their case heard. "The leagues are offering to reach into their own pockets," said Aberdeen resident JohnGromkoski. "I think it is time for someone to step up and make it happen." The required and allotted distances between the proposed field and the existing field were points of contention. Gromkoski called Councilman Joseph "Bud"Mullaney 'deceptive' in his comments to the council regarding field sizes and specifications. Mullaney countered that the children's safety is his top priority. "I don't want to put a Band-Aid on it and do it in a hurry,"Mullaney said following the meeting. "We do recognize that the girls need a softball fieldwith the proper planning and so far, no one has looked at the safety factors involved." Mullaney said that he saw a better opportunity for a softball field at Gravelly Brook Park. "Themost logical place for a girls softball field is at Gravelly Brook Park," Mullaney said. "With the proper engineering and proper layout, we have a chance to apply for a grant as well." "While I amhappy that the council is embracing revamping Gravelly Brook Park, I feel that this is a stall tactic," Clifton said. "Everyone is concerned for the children's safety, but I ambasingmy opinions off what the softball officials are saying." According to members of the Recreation Commission, a contractor has submitted a proposal, but committeememberswere concerned about the lack of information and specifications on the initial proposal. Town officials hope to have more information on the field specifications and distances for theMarch 3 meeting.