Solomon Schechter Field Construction Fails to Win Community Support

While Solomon Schechter Day School of Essex and Union will proceed with their blueprint to build a new athletic compound behind their Eric F. Ross campus, the neighbors' blueprint for halting the project is slowly turning into nothing more than gravel and asphalt.

Solomon Schechter, 1418 Pleasant Valley Way, whose campus stretches from the front entrance on Pleasant Valley Way to the fields touching St. Cloud Avenue, broke ground in April on an athletic compound that includes renovations to the soccer and softball fields. The goal, according to the school, is to make them regulation size in order to host home games. The plans also call for a new running track, an improved drainage system, a fence separating the fields, a sprinkler system and an indoor weight room.

The cost for the project is between $400,000 and $450,000, according to Donna Oshri, director of marketing and communications at Schechter. Oshri said the cash for the project comes from school donors.

"Our school community is excited about the enhancement to our athletic facilities and looks forward to both our physical education and athletic programs benefiting from improved and increased playing fields," said Oshri. "Our school currently offers 27 sports teams in our Upper School, including baseball, basketball, cross-country, softball, swimming, soccer, volleyball and tennis."

Some of the homeowners that surround the property around St. Cloud Avenue, though, have grown cautious about the continuous development.

"They own the property. What are we going to do? At least they're not building houses," said Barbara Pascall, whose house sits directly next door to the property and is separated only by a wooden fence. "We love the open land. I'll be happy when the construction is over, being the way things look now."

Before construction began, Pascall said neighbors surrounding the property were notified. But, it was after the notification that neighbors weren't pleased and many homeowners made their voices heard at several town meetings.

When asked whether anyone disagreed with the construction or thought it was unnecessary, Oshri said, "As far as I know, no one has a problem with the construction."

Beverly Meaux, of West Orange, a real estate agent with Towne Realty Group, said her main concern is the increase in traffic within the St. Cloud section, along with the safety of the students who attend St. Cloud Elementary School.

"You try to keep people in the dark (until) it's too late," she said. "I think it's good for the school, but what about the neighborhood?"

Because of Solomon Schechter's development along St. Cloud Avenue, Meaux also is concerned with the proposed construction on the site of the Essex House restaurant, 525 Northfield Ave., at the corner of Sheridan Avenue.

"What happens to all that traffic that is hitting (the) St. Cloud school in the front and in the back," said Meaux. "That's a lot of added traffic ... and that's why the speed bumps were installed on the street. It becomes a concern."

Meaux , who has some home sales listed in the St. Cloud area, said she's heard a number of residents complain.

"I have heard people say, 'What are we going to do?' " she said. "There isn't much we can do about it, so we have to live with it."

Pascall said such development causes a threat to the neighborhood.

"We're hoping for the best," she said. "It would have been nice if (the undeveloped field) had stayed, but it's happening all over town."