Getting Out the Turf Vote [VIDEO]

Residents who support having an artificial turf field installed at set up informational tables at elementary school back-to-school nights this week, printed handouts and are planning to have about 30 volunteers make phone calls the day before the election reminding residents to vote.

A video featuring Superintendent Paul Fried with two students discussing the project was posted this week on the district website.

Fried has said the nonprofit Turf the Valley associated with promoting and conducting the vote.

Montville Mustangs Association recording secretary Cheryl Manfra said the association and Turf the Valley are supporting the proposal because fields are "the largest outdoor classroom."

Association Co-President Sue Karl distributed Turf the Valley literature at the most recent Board of Education saying artificial turf would be safer, used more and more cost effective in the long run than re-sodding the field.

If voters approve the special question, the district will be able to spend up to $990,000 that was originally budgeted for health insurance benefits on the new field. After the budget was approved in April, the district , resulting in savings of $1.5 million.

Not all parents are enthusiastic about the plan.

Michelle DeFazio, president of the Valley View School PTA, asked the Board of Education why more wasn't being done to restore foreign language, computer and gifted and talented classes to the elementary schools. District officials said that is a priority, but that it takes time and they want to make sure they go about implementing the programs the best possible way.

DeFazio said she isn't necessarily against having an artificial turf field at the high school.

"I'm against what we haven't gotten back in two years" since the budget was cut, she said.

Public Question to Be Voted Upon:

The Board of Education of the Township of Montville in the County of Morris, New Jersey is authorized to transfer 2011-2012 funds in the amount of $990,000.00 from the general operating budget, insurance line, to the capital reserve account to pay for the installation of a turf field at the Montville Township High School.

• YES
• NO

Polling Places:

• Districts 1, 4, 12, 16: , 5 Shawnee Trail, Montville
• Districts 2, 5, 10, 13: , 195 Changebridge Road, Montville
• Districts 3, 6, 8, 17: , 46 Pine Brook Road, Towaco
• Districts 7, 9, 11, 14, 15, 18: , 90 Horseneck Road, Montville

If you don’t know your district, call the municipal clerk’s office at 973-331-3345.