Batter Up! The Next Phase of Fiber Optic Installation Coming to Nutley’s East Little League Field

NUTLEY, NJ - Revenue and Finance Commissioner Thomas J. Evans introduced Ordinance No. 3559 on behalf of himself and Parks and Recreation Commissioner Mauro G. Tucc during the Tuesday, July 2 Board of Commissioners meeting.

The Ordinance allows for purchase, installation and related services extending the municipal fiber optic line to include the municipal parks on Hancox Avenue. The projected appropriation is $70,000 from the Capital Improvement Fund.

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According to Evans, it is a fully funded capital project, and will not add any debt to the municipal budget. Tucci stated that the township already has fiber optics at the American Little League field in Reinheimer Park on Bloomfield Avenue. “This will give us Wi-Fi at the East Little League, and it will also provide Wi-Fi service for a portion of that end of town [...],” he added.

The fiber optic service will also include the maintenance facility the Board of Education has on Memphis Avenue. “This is part of a progression we are following to Wi-FI for the entire town so we can live stream different events [such as] sporting events, civic events, school events,” he said.

Tucci and Evans explained that anyone can watch them such as parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. “We know people are busy, this will bring it right into their living room,” said Tucci.

Jason M. Kirk, technology manager/certified government chief information officer from the township’s Office of Information Technology explained the ordinance in more detail in a separate interview.

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The township has half a million dollars invested in the fiber optics upgrade. This phase is $65,000 and is fully funded as Evans stated earlier, but according to Kirk, it should pay for itself in a few years. This is Phase 5 of the project. “It is a smaller run than the others, and it will eliminate monthly costs,” he said.

Kirk said it will incorporate East Little League by the 7-Eleven on Hancox Avenue. This all started before the COVID-19 pandemic, as he pointed out that Tangorra Field, also known as the Nutley Park Oval was completed in 2012.

He believes this will also be for the schools as well as the municipal buildings.

Kirk said this is a collaborative effort between Commissioners Tucci and Evans. “This will allow people to watch through their phone if they can’t get to the game or event,” he said.

He said the plan is to enable Wi-Fi throughout the entire town to live stream certain events.

A public hearing will be held during the Tuesday, Aug. 6 Board of Commissioners meeting.

The next Board of Commissioners meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 16 at Nutley Town Hall, One Kennedy Drive, third floor Commission Chambers.

To access the meeting virtually via Zoom go to zoom.us/j/98805921694 . Password: 876956. For those without computer access or a mobile device you may dial into the meeting at: (number based on your current location) US: +1-929-205-6099; +1-312-626-6799; +1-301-715-8592; +1-346-248-7799; +1-669-900-6833; or +1-253-215-8782. Meeting ID: 988 0592 1694.

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