Verona Council Hosts Outdoor Hilltop Meeting

The Verona Township Council held a special outdoor meeting in the setting sun on Tuesday to tour the wooded area of the Hilltop Reservation destined to become new athletic fields and walking paths.

Council members, along with the Recreation Committee, representatives of various sports groups and Verona residents got a first-hand tour from Township Engineer Jim Helb, who showed the group exactly what Phase II of the Hilltop Project will entail.

The Verona border was extended so that everything up to and 10 feet past White Rock Road is part of Verona, Helb told the crowd. The extension will make it easier for maintenance, access and policing, he said.

“There's a lot of work to be done here,” said Helb, as he walked the grounds pointing to the different landmarks of the proposed project.

Gesturing in an area covered with overgrown mounds of dirt, Helb pointed out where home plate, bleachers and the snack bar will be located for one of the fields.

The lights on the field, he explained, will not be intrusive to the neighboring homes and can be turned on and off from a remote location.

Helb said the field plans will be finalized within the next six weeks before going out for bid.

The prices and bids could be in by September and construction could begin as early as next spring, he said.

“One year would be a very aggressive schedule, but one year and sixth months is reasonable,” said Helb of the estimated time to completion.

Sports teams could be playing on the fields by the spring of 2015, he said.