The majority of residents who attended and spoke at the 03/25/2025 Town Council Meeting expressed concerns about the project, the information published by corporate media and/or the process surrounding the agreement. Most residents were not aware that the meeting was zoom-only. As predicted the measure passed with Foster and Poage abstaining due to their employment with BHPSNJ – though both expressed support for the project and are STILL confused, as evidenced by their remarks, about why people are bothered by how this happened.

The following are Ms. Joly’s remarks during the 03/25/2025.

As you are aware, I am a BOE member but I’m here to voice my personal views on what has transpired with the lease. These are my personal views and opinions and do not represent the opinion of the BOE nor the district.

My comments are focused on the events of this year and highlight what is missing from the timeline of key developments published by tap without any input from the Superintendent or the BOE.

Missing from the timeline: February 28^th – PAL president sends an email to the PAL families telling them to write the BOE to urgently support a turf field in Lower Columbia.

Missing from the timeline: March 5^th email from the Superintendent stating that the BOE doing is doing its due diligence.

Missing from the timeline: BOE special meeting on March 6^th to discuss the lease in good faith and work through revisions.

Not represented accurately: Mayor’s statement to tennis team parents. The statement made it seem that lease was necessary for the tennis team to practice. March 13^th (Mayor’s statement and atty letter) was the first time that the Board was made aware of an insurance concern. No other communication – written or verbal – mentioned insurance as a reason to sign the lease. What actually happened is the township blocked the tennis team from practicing to force the BOE to vote on the lease. The team was used as leverage. It’s that simple. There was no sudden insurance issue as the kids were able to play on the courts for years prior to March 13^th.

Missing from the timeline: March 19th morning email sent to several community members and District staff without including the Superintendent. In the email, the Mayor states that the township received the COI (Certificate of Insurance) and therefore, the tennis team can practice. As I understand it, it was sent to the Rec Dept within 30 minutes of receiving the request. This confirms there was no need for a lease to resolve this supposed “issue”.

The township attorney stated in his March 13th letter, “The Township’s Joint Insurance Fund has required that we list the Board as an additional insured, but we can only do that once a lease agreement is signed. Until that occurs, from a liability perspective, the Township cannot allow its courts to be used for school practices and meets. Please further advise the Board that when students and parents come looking for someone to blame for why they cannot practice or hold their meets, the Township will ensure that fault is laid at the Board’s feet.”

The tennis team practiced on Wednesday, March 19^th even though the lease had yet to be signed. All that was needed was the COI which would have been made available at any time the Rec Dept requested it. So where does the blame really lie? Was the township going to falsely blame the BOE for the kids being locked out? That seemed to happen anyway based on the correspondence the BOE received and comments at the March 18^th Board meeting.

In the end, I hope the students will benefit from the agreement that’s been negotiated. However, my trust in everyone involved in this political maneuvering has been broken. Using kids to manipulate and threaten the BOE to get what you want is unacceptable.

Note: These are my personal views and opinions and do not represent the opinion of the Berkeley Heights Board of Education.

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