Borough To Upgrade Ball Fields At Carteret Park

CARTERET—Mayor Dan Reiman joined with Councilman Randy Krum this week to announce that Carteret Park’s baseball and softball fields are undergoing reconstruction. Made possible by Carteret’s local Open Space referendum, $35,000 has been earmarked for materials needed to upgrade turf and surrounding amenities for Umansky Field and Leniart Field, with another $35,000 for in-house labor.

Adjacent to Carteret Middle School, the fields were first constructed in the 1960s. According to Randy Krum, both fields are used extensively by the middle school and high school, along with the number of recreational leagues the town hosts. Age, usage, and poor drainage have contributed to the deterioration of the fields, according to the Borough Engineering Department.

Both facilities will receive new infields, along with new batters boxes and new pitching mounds. Other upgrades will include new fencing, sidewalk repairs, and drainage improvements for both fields. As a cost saving measure, all work will be performed in-house by the Parks Department, and overseen by the Engineering Department.

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Carteret Requires Background Checks For Youth Organizations

CARTERET— Employees and volunteers of all youth organizations who receive public subsidies or use borough fields will have to undergo mandatory criminal background checks, mandated by a recently-passed ordinance.

The ordinance, which was passed unanimously on Sept. 9, will provide a new precautionary measure to safeguard Carteret’s children. The background checks will be performed by the N.J. State Police. Current volunteers and employees must undergo a background check within one year, and all new volunteers and employees must have background checks prior to their approval.

“Our children are some of the most vulnerable of our community citizens,” Mayor Daniel Reiman said, “particularly when in public areas where they may not be under the direct supervision of their parents. This new ordinance will help safeguard our children from potential danger when involved in organized sports and athletic programs that utilize our public facilities. Although this is primarily a precaution, the Council and I believe in taking every preventative measure within our means when it comes to protecting our younger residents.”

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