=== Turf Field Controversy ===
Wetlands in Peril, Sidewalks for Show, Flooding Unchecked Part 1: Unmasking the CMS Lease Scandal
Date: 2025-09-25
Laura kicks off a three-part series digging into the Township’s CMS lease deal, exposing how a project pitched with promises of progress would have put wetlands at risk and still has residents in the dark.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/09/25/wetlands-in-peril-sidewalks-for-show-flooding-unchecked-part-1-unmasking-the-cms-lease-scandal/
BOE Rep Joly Calls Out Inaccuracies and Manufactured Urgency During 09/16/2025 Town Council Meeting
Date: 2025-09-17
Natasha Joly provides a pointed history of the CMS lease controversy and reiterates questions that remain unanswered by the Recreation Chair.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/09/17/boe-rep-joly-calls-out-inaccuracies-and-manufactured-urgency-during-09-16-2025-town-council-meeting/
Ordinance Dispute Sparks Heated Exchange: Sai Presses Council, Poage Exits Discussion
Date: 2025-09-17
Sai Akiri attends the 09/16/2025 Council Meeting and Council and faces yelling and walkouts by Council Members in response for her request that the Council hold off on voting for work to start until the Recreation Chair answers the BOE's questions and provides the requested documents.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/09/17/ordinance-dispute-sparks-heated-exchange-sai-presses-council-poage-exits-discussion/
Berkeley Heights Town Council Trying To Rush Through CMS Project and Force District’s Hand Again
Date: 2025-09-13
After the abrupt announcement by the Recreation Chair, the Town Council moves to start work on the CMS field prior to the BOE Meeting the Chair was to present on.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/09/13/berkeley-heights-town-council-trying-to-rush-through-cms-project-and-force-districts-hand-again/
Emails Confirm Columbia Turf Field Off the Table, Funding Questions Ahead
Date: 2025-09-07
NJ21st receives a portion of the email discussion that ensues as a result of the Recreation Commission's announcement of the Turf Field
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/09/05/emails-confirm-columbia-turf-field-off-the-table-funding-questions-ahead/
Recreation Commission Silence Fuels Frustration in Turf Field Discussion
Date: 2025-09-04
BOE Member provides an update on difficulty in getting answers from the Township on the Turf Field Issue
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/09/04/recreation-commission-silence-fuels-frustration-in-turf-field-discussion/
So No Berkeley Heights…No Turf Field
Date: 2025-09-02
Recreation Commissioner Uses Private Gmail Account to communicate decision not to pursue turf field to BHPSNJ BOE
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/09/02/so-no-berkeley-heights-no-turf-field/
No Ordinance, No Referendum: Were Berkeley Heights Residents Shut Out?
Date: 2025-08-27
John breaks down why the detail on how the Council passed this matters to residents and how it's another concerning reflection on how Berkeley Heights approaches important issues.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/08/27/no-ordinance-no-referendum-were-berkeley-heights-residents-shut-out/
A Turf Field Deal Without “Turf Field” And a Lease That’s Now Called Something Else
Date: 2025-08-13
Laura receives a surprising update from the Township Attorney on the legal questions we've been asking about the CMS Lease Agreement.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/08/13/a-turf-field-deal-without-turf-field-and-a-lease-thats-now-called-something-else/
From Screaming to Silence....What Happenned to the Berkeley Heights Turf Plan
Date: 2025-07-11
Laura provides an update on the Turf field, questions the wisdom of the plan given recent flooding in the area and lack of response to questions surrounding the legality of the field.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/07/25/from-screaming-to-silence-what-happened-to-the-berkeley-heights-turf-plan/
Public Only When Convenient? Residents Question Turf Field Transparency
Date: 2025-06-11
Demonstrates the clear differences in communication from the Township and Recreation Department prior to the Referendum-Lease Agreement and after.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/06/11/public-only-when-convenient-residents-question-turf-field-transparency/
Private Tour, Public Questions: Does Recreation Department Invite Lead Council & BOE to Violate OPMA?
Date: 2025-04-16
The New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) 10:4-7 clearly states:
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/04/16/private-tour-public-questions-does-recreation-department-invite-lead-council-boe-to-violate-opma/
Turf Fields and Tutoring: Who Gets What in NJ’s Broken System?
Date: 2025-04-12
The real tax issue in New Jersey isn’t about funding critical services for underserved communities—it’s about the relentless churn of money between politicians and special interests.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/04/12/turf-fields-and-tutoring-who-gets-what-in-njs-broken-system/
Smiles for the Camera, Silence Behind the Scenes
Date: 2025-04-09
The work of our elected representatives is arguably difficult—and often thankless. But lately, the endless parade of staged photo ops and plastered-on smiles pushed out by the Township feels increasingly out of sync with dysfunction.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/04/09/smiles-for-the-camera-silence-behind-the-scenes/
Turf or Grass? Environmental Concerns for Lower Columbia Field
Date: 2025-04-01
The lease has been approved, but concerns remain about environmental impacts of placing synthetic turf at Lower Columbia field.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/04/01/turf-or-grass-environmental-concerns-for-lower-columbia-field/
Council Passes Lease in Special Meeting as Residents Raise Transparency Concerns
Date: 2025-03-28
The Berkeley Heights Town Council held a special 3:30pm Zoom meeting to pass the CMS lease agreement. Residents questioned the timing and communication of the meeting.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/03/28/council-passes-lease-in-special-meeting-as-residents-raise-transparency-concerns/
BOE Representative Joly's Comments on CMS Lease Agreement
Date: 2025-03-25
Board of Education representative Joly voices concerns over the township's approach to the CMS lease and its implications for school operations.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/03/25/boe-representative-jolys-comments-on-cms-lease-agreement/
A Disturbing Abuse of Power: How the Berkeley Heights Council Circumvented the BOE
Date: 2025-03-21
Describes how the Council moved forward with turf-related agreements without BOE involvement, raising major legal and ethical red flags.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/03/21/a-disturbing-abuse-of-power-how-the-berkeley-heights-boe-budget-meeting-became-the-mayors-playground/
Response from BOE Representative Sai Akiri on CMS Field Question
Date: 2024-06-27
Board of Education representative Sai Akiri addresses community inquiries regarding the CMS field, providing insights into the decision-making process and future plans.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2024/06/27/s_akiri_cms/