That's good to hear. Let's hope the current application runs its course, denied, United Water doesn't extend Hekeminian their contract and there are more votes on the council to make this a reality.

Hey guys keep up the good work.Make this happen and dont stop thinking about tomorrow.

Where have I heard that exact proposal before?

This sounds like the perfect plan. But like anything else that actually makes sense in this town will be flushed down the drain.

Thank you both for your clear headed analysis and solution to the proposed development. Our current mayor and coucilmen Robalino and Colucci have no understanding of what it takes to be real leaders. They are limited by their intransegent position regarding rezoning the property rather than attempt to defeat Hekemian's insane plan go develop this property. Tomorrow night, SOD is sponsoring a candidates night at the NM Middle School. The questiins will not be limited to thosr about the development. We hope we have a large turnout of folks who care about every aspect of our community. Bring your questions and become familiar with all 4 candidates. SOD has not endorsed anyone or party and remains non partisan. Though some political signs have been positioned next to our signs to give the appearance of endorsement, that is not the case.

Thank you for realizing that maintaining open space is actually the most fiscally responsible action. Additionally, the advantages to the quality of life are immeasurable. Residents of New Milford need to understand just how important this election is. We can not afford (literally) to Have Mayor Subrizi being the deciding vote in case of a tie. She doesn't seem to understand that her vision of building ShopRite on the UW property is undesirable from all aspects. It's time to send a message loudly and clearly at the polls. NO REZONING. STOP OVERDEVELOPMENT. KEEP NEW MILFORD GREEN.

ITS NOT FOR SALE....... Ask Frank DeBari why he didn't buy it!! ??

It's not for sale but if the application expires, because there's deadline in the current contract, we can purchase it through grants for a lessor cost than building at the middle school just like they did in Garfield (tanks to help our flooding problems too). Our pass and current mayor missed this oppurtunity but there will be another chance and it's not a "gamble", nor is this ShopRite a "done deal"...

This is great lip service from political candidates. People do need to realize a few things. First, Putrino had a term on the council already and if I am not mistaken was part of the team that changed the master plan to put the affordable housing units on this property, which puts the town at a disadvantage when and if this goes to court. In addition, his party had years to acquire the property and made no attempts to do so, that have been made public. Secondly, Ashley has recused himself (as has Berner) from the vote by hiring his own lawyer so is not able to vote on this and in effect has no official say in what happens. Basically Berner and Ashley cancel each other out vote wise. Finally, they all talk like there is no CONTRACT for the developer to buy the land. That is the biggest stumbling block to all of these political promises. Both sides can say anything they want, but there is a legal contract in place and I have not seen any side saying how they are going to get around that.

It is for sale and Hekemian is trying to buy it. If he fails it may be open to New Milford again to purchase it and there is more than enough money in grants to pay for the property and move the field to where it belongs. If Mayor Subrizi achieves a majority on the council we will lose any hope of keeping this as public property. She is opposed to buying this property even if it won't cost New Milford taxpayers a penny. The availability of grants to pay for this land was not a secret when she didn't respond to United Water's offer to sell it to us. The participation of environmental groups to purchase this land was not a secret when she sat by and allowed the property to go into a private contract. Mayor DeBari did want to purchase this property. I believe if he had been mayor when we had the 4 month window of opportunity, we would not be in this situation now. He would have used the available grants and environmental money and bought the property.

So let us take a look at the situation from a voting standpoint:

Right now we have the republican mayor and two republican councilmen for the development and bargaining with the developer, each have 2 years left on their terms.

We have two democratic councilwomen, that each have 2 years left on their terms, one has voted with the 3 republicans that are for the development to potentially rezone the property, basically giving the developer a potential lifeline. The other has come out against the development and not negotiating with the developer.

We have two additional councilman both up for re-election, both have recused themselves from a vote due to retaining an attorney and the other citing potential professional conflicts of interest. They in effect cancel each other out, BUT if they are each elected to new terms, are they allowed to enter back into the vote??? If Ashley, drops his legal representation can he vote? If Berner all of a sudden does not have a potential professional conflict , can he vote? Two huge questions that need to be answered independently, not from the candidates themselves. cont.

Cont.
So assuming that Duffie continue to side with the mayor and two republican councilmen, whoever is elected does not matter, the mayor has the majority.

If Duffie, can be counted upon to vote against the development and opposite the mayor and two republican councilmen, then it gets interesting.

Putrino would need to get voted in and must vote against the developer.

That gives you 3 v. 3 divided by party lines. What is the tie-breaker? I do not know?
Then you have the three remaining candidates all who say they are against the development, but two of them have made it so they cannot vote.

Rebsch has stated that he is against the development, but is Republican and if he flips, once elected, the Mayor gets her majority and the developer wins.

Quite a conundrum, what have I missed?

Low and Behold - Here's where I saw it:

Flood Mitigation Plan, by Howard Berner

right here on the patch.

Anthony, Randi has publicly said she is against the rezoning.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Thank you Michael and Austin for supporting my plan.

Councilman Berner, it’s a great plan and I'm happy to hear all candidates are on the same page on this issue. We can only hope the Mayor and the entire council would realize this is what most people want in town.

Yes, we have alternatives. Now can we get all candidates to pledge not to support rezoning?

I think that kind of puts Peter in a no win situation at this point. As a candidate, he might want to promise to not ReZone it, but as an alternate zoning member, he can't say anything.

It would be a very good question to ask though..Get them on record!

According to Anthony: "Rebsch has stated that he is against the development, but is Republican and if he flips, once elected, the Mayor gets her majority and the developer wins." So, has Peter stated that he is against this development? He's not supposed to but if he already has, then all questions regarding this are fair game at candidates night. And he's done on the zoning board.