Buono’s Installation Error Leaves Glen Rock with $10K Water Station Problem

At the September 25, 2025 Work Session, Council Member Seth Rosenstein reported back from the Recreation Advisory Board with news that the filtered water filling station at Faber Field had failed and needed to be replaced.

Rosenstein explained that the station, designed to let families and athletes refill reusable bottles, was not built to withstand outdoor conditions. Although the plumbing was set behind a wall, the unit itself was rated for indoor use and eventually broke. According to Rosenstein’s report, Department of Public Works Director Bob Buono had believed the indoor-rated unit would function properly because of the wall placement, a miscalculation that ultimately led to the failure. Buono estimated that replacing it with an outdoor model would cost between $8,000 and $10,000.

The Recreation Advisory Board suggested that the borough consider using the Open Space Trust Fund to cover the replacement. Rosenstein relayed the idea to the council, stressing how important the fountain has become on busy weekends at Faber Field.

“RAB is proposing that we use funds out of the Open Space Fund to replace the water fountain, which I think is a terrific idea,” he said. “I know my three-year-old plays soccer at Faber every Saturday, and it’s helpful to have water there. Kids don’t have a water source other than the fountain.”

Council members responded favorably to the concept but raised questions about whether the Open Space Trust should be used for what could be considered a routine maintenance expense. Some suggested that installing a new unit might fall more clearly within the fund’s mission than repairing an existing one. Others called for a full accounting of the trust’s balance and past uses before making a decision.

Rosenstein agreed to return with a more detailed report on the Open Space Trust Fund, including available funds and relevant guidelines. With the installation unlikely to take place until the spring, the council opted to revisit the matter at a future meeting.