By Joe Pinchot
Herald Staff Writer
HERMITAGE —
By a 5-4 vote, Hermitage School Board on Monday approved installing artificial turf at Hornet Stadium.
The board — after hearing an hour of public comment, a lengthy presentation from HHSDR Architects/Engineers of Sharon and asking questions about turf vs. grass, drainage options and the availability of funds — put to bed what has been an often contentious five-month study.
School board members Timothy Kizak, Dr. Morren J. Greenburg, Judith Rice, Robert Mancino and Rob Gelesky voted for turf. Laurie Ann Biblis, Jane Levine Matusick, Alan Warren and Paul Paoletta voted against it.
The board hired Sports Construction Group of Brecksville, Ohio, to install turf for $799,765.
The board rejected the bid of what had been the apparent low bidder, TPK Inc., of Allison Park, Pa., because of numerical errors in alternate bids and failure to meet experience specifications.
Mancino said he was going against the wishes of his family in supporting turf but felt that compared with doing nothing or building a soccer stadium, it made the most sense and would best meet the demands put on the field.
Mrs. Matusick said she believed use of the field was exaggerated and she would like to see that money put toward academics or some other use.
The committee that instigated turf discussions said that it would be able to raise $150,000 for the project, although it has only $60,000 committed so far.
Business Manager Monique Barber said the district could tap its $5.5 million capital reserve fund to pay for turf without raising taxes.
Prep work would tentatively begin May 10, but construction work would not interfere with scheduled events including track and field meets.
