$1.4 million is approximately one third of the 2024 Capital Budget of $4.1 million and almost double the 2023 Capital Budget of $2 million.
Pedestrian improvements are described in the Traffic Impact Report.
The Mabie Playground only requested $600,000 in taxpayer money for the $1.6 million project. The city received $180,000 in grants and hopes to raise another $600,000 through donations. (source)
Population based on census records. School enrollment has also been flat for the past 5 years: : 4,041 students enrolled in 2019 vs 4,040 in 2024.
Department of Community Program stadium lights page shows 70 – 80 ft pole height. The Broad Street West Redevelopment Plan specified a maximum height of 70 ft.
Other Misleading Claims
- They claim they were not able to accommodate all players in our K-3 flag football program due to lack of fields, but parents of wait-listed children were told at the time that this was due to lack of uniforms, not field space.
- They claim they need lights to run a 7th/8th grade field hockey league, but this program is running this Spring without lights.
- They claim the Summit football program has grown 400% since 2016. This is misleading since the flag program started in 2016. A better indicator of growth would be a 5-year comparison of enrollment.
Based on this breakdown of the “needs” listed in the Community Programs’ Field Study, the only sport that does not currently have space in Summit is girls flag football. They played in New Providence last season.
The full list of “needs” in the Field Use Study require an estimated 250 hours of field space annually. The city now has an agreement to lease field space from Kent Place School for $150/hour. This would cost the city approximately $37,500 annually, which is significantly cheaper than stadium lights.
Heard enough? Let Summit’s elected leaders know how you feel! Click here to email Mayor Fagan and the Common Council to let them know you oppose lighting Tatlock Field.