Concerns Raised Over Traffic, Lights From Ridge Baseball Club Complex

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Concerns over lighting, traffic, and noise coming from the Ridge Baseball Club Complex were raised by area residents at the Tuesday night Township Committee meeting.

Residents on Fenwick Place and Wedgewood Drive spoke specifically in reference to an ordinance to renew the leasing of the property at 3539 Valley Road to the Ridge Basball Club, Inc. for an additional 20 years.

The ordinance not only extends the lease but would allow the club to extend playing time and usage of lights into the fall from Sept. 1 through Nov. 15 each year. Currently the club plays from April through August.

"Giving someone a 20-year lease on township property is a tremendous responsibility. It allows the occupier a lot of power with little repercussions," said HOA President for residents on Fenwick Place Brian Krawitz. "For my understanding, some of the residents have been beholding to the club begging for quality of life for years. That's not the standard that anyone should have to live with and pay taxes for."

Gerard Elson of Wedgewood Drive pointed out the "parking chaos" where cars park on neighborhood streets and speed through the area looking for parking. He also noted the increase in batting cage use and noise over the years.

"I think it's incumbent to recognize that this field is in the middle of a residential area. For all the good the club does it is incumbent upon them to be a good neighbor and respect that we have the right to quiet and peaceful enjoyment of our property," said Elson.

President of the Ridge Baseball Club Kevin Lerner shared the benefits of the non-profit which is run entirely by volunteers.

"The Ridge Baseball Club currently provides recreational and travel baseball to over 400 boys and girls in the community aged 4 to 18. This spring had nearly 40 baseball teams playing in 5 age divisions. And 12 travel teams playing in 7 age divisions. Over the past 20 years I'd estimate more than 5,000 kids have played in our programs," said Lerner.

He added that the Bernards Township Recreation doesn't offer baseball so this is the only place for township kids to go.

"The reason for the amendment is to meet the needs and the demands of the community. Families want a fall baseball season. There is a demand for it. .. It is difficult to play baseball in the fall without lights. There is no other field in town that supports our program," said Lerner. "Allowing us to renew the lease at the complex where we have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars and thousands of man-hours over the years is imperative for our mission."

Parking is an issue for many of the residents even though "No Parking" signs have been placed along Wedgewood Drive. Some residents said they have had to call the police to enforce the signs.

Wedgewood Drive resident Bob Muderick said residents shouldn't have to call the police about parking.

"The Ridge Club should be providing traffic control and police for all of their events given the intensity of what's going on there," said Muderick.

Wedgewood Drive resident and member of the Ridge Baseball Club Jason Schmolze said parking is not really an issue anymore and he doesn't notice the lighting.

"As far as the fall league it's something the kids have wanted. And nowadays with sports, it's not one season anymore. If you want to play sports it's a year-round thing," said Schmolze.

Committeeman James Baldassare, who went through the baseball program as a kid, said he didn't have an issue with fall ball with kids in town looking for it.

"I get it the lights could be a problem for some people I guess. For me, I would close the shade. But there are other concerns, the traffic, the parking, the nuisance I think some of those things need to be addressed to the residents about what could be done with that," said Baldassare. "We need to talk to each other and come to a reasonable conclusion."

Committeewoman Janice Fields was most concerned with the lights and said she would do her "due diligence" and schedule a night to come to the neighborhood to see the impact of the lights.

Fields asked for Ridge Baseball Club to work with the residents to resolve some of the issues such as having attendees park at the hotel when there is a tournament and bus them over or have police volunteer their time to manage parking.

"I feel for the residents, I feel for you too… But it's your home, it's your safe haven. You work all day, you know what it's like, you're tired you come home. Maybe they don't want a blaring light, maybe they don't want the traffic, maybe they want to take a nap. So just be conscious of them," said Fields to Lerner of the baseball club. "It's not that they are against baseball or we are against baseball. We are not. We just all want to live together as a community and just be at peace. So if you can work with them a little bit more."

Commiteewoman Jennifer Asay said she had questions she needed answers to prior to the second reading and public hearing.

Asay's questions are related to traffic and parking, lights and noise, and what solutions can be developed to address these issues.

"Why a 20-year lease? That's a good question," said Asay.

The Township Committee did pass the first reading of the ordinance but wanted more information prior to the public hearing and second and final reading at the Aug. 15 meeting.

"I have personally struggled with this proposal of renewal of the lease. There are tremendous contributions that the Ridge Baseball Club makes to the community," said Mayor Andrew McNally. "We are blessed that we have a great many baseball fields and parks… and they can bring certain challenges - be it traffic lights or sounds. I am definitely sympathetic to all of the concerns we have heard."

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