West Milford - Ben Osborne's Eagle Scout project is, by most standards, an ambitious one. The incoming West Milford High School junior is basically revamping the entrance of Macopin School. And not a moment too soon. The existing railroad tie flower beds and walls are rotted and must be replaced along with a new walkway. Ben, a member of Troop 151, started the physical work on the project this week, but that was after much work planning it and shopping around for a discount on the materials. He decided to take the project a step further - a big step further really - and replace the ties with decorative retaining wall stone. After much measuring, drawing sketches and plans, pricing several different block and stone from surrounding dealers, Ben got to work. Ben's project materials, which include the block and adhesive, is estimated to cost $4,800. Just for materials. After getting approval from the Boy Scout council, Ben went to six different suppliers of the stone looking for some type of donation - and came up empty. Finally he went to Grinnell, a paving stone distributor in Sparta, and explained his project. The owner, impressed with Ben's attention to detail and the fact that he wasn't asking for free materials, decided to sell the block to Ben for one quarter of the retail price. So instead of $4,800 in materials cost, Ben is now looking at $1,200. A huge difference. Ben went to the school board meeting Tuesday night, explaining the project to the trustees. “I didn’t have any luck until I reached out to Grinnell, a paving and stone company in Sparta and thankfully struck gold,” he said. “I told them that I didn’t expect it for free but would appreciate anything they could help me out with. Another great thing is that my boss and former scout master who is JPT Construction Co. was generous enough to supply his time and trailer today to pick up my first load. I was able to get an advance on the first few pallets of block and am really hoping to be able to fund the remainder without much trouble. At this rate, I am working to have the main walkway finished for the first day of school.” The new wall will not deteriorate over time like the railroad ties so it will be around for many years. And if there is any money left over when the project is completed, Ben plans to take out the overgrown bushes and trees and plant a new tree at his former school. But the first order of work is the walkway. Ben started work on that this week and, if all goes well, Macopin students will enter the school via a new walkway in September. All thanks to the dedication and handiwork of Ben Osborne. Ben is the son of Jeanann and Jeff Osborne. Anyone wishing to make a donation for Ben's project, which will benefit the entire Macopin population for many years to come, may mail them to Ben at 206 Henderson Road, Stockholm, NJ 07460 or to Macopin Middle School, Attn: Ben Osborne Eagle Scout Project, 70 Highlander Drive, West Milford, NJ 07480.