Township Councilmen Recommend Adding Sherry Field Project to Capital Budget for 2011

Members of the Washington Township council recommended putting $110,000 in the 2011 capital budget for a field house at Sherry Field during the budget meeting Monday night. The governing body hopes little, if any, township money will be needed for the project, however.

Currently Washington Township Baseball Inc. is fund-raising to pay for the field house, which . Mayor Janet Sobkowicz said the group has gotten commitments for nearly $100,000, what they estimate the project will cost, but residents want to make sure their donations are going toward the field house and not other projects or expenses.

"They really need some kind of written commitment for them to proceed at this time," Sobkowicz said.

Councilman Richard Hrbek suggested putting the item in the capital budget. The mayor said she agreed because if all the donations come in as expected, the governing body can cancel out a capital ordinance without spending any money.

Township Auditor Gary Vinci also explained that money in the capital budget doesn't have to be spent.

"What you really need for budget purposes is to let the residents know these are capital projects you are thinking about," Vinci said. "No money is committed to it. It's just a plan."

Council President Fred Goetz said he had questions about the placement of the field house and Councilman Glenn Beckmeyer said he also had some reservations about the project, but Hrbek and Sobkowicz said those issues would be resolved before any construction would start.

Hrbek suggested adding 10 percent to the estimated cost "just to make sure we're covered."

CFO Jacqueline Do agreed additional money should be included in the projected cost for other expenses the association might not be including in the estimate. Vinci said the additional 10 percent "is probably OK."

Hrbek made a motion to put $110,000 in the capital budget for the Sherry Field field house project and the four councilman in attendance voted yes. Vice President Steve Cascio was not present at the time of the vote.

"It might help them raise money quicker," Beckmeyer said.