Thursday, May 23, 2013
Before the hearing can proceed, the status of whether the land agreement with the BOE constitutes a new application must be determined.
The big question sure to dominate Thursday's special meeting of the Zoning Board is this: does the 'conceptual contract' between Hekemian and the New Milford Board of Education, whereby Hekemian is giving the BOE 3.25 acres of land and a 'sizable' donation, constitute a new application? Louis Flora, the attorney representing Oradell in the matter, and Al Alonso, an attorney representing himself, believe that the donation of land to the BOE changes the land use requiring that residents within 200 feet of the property be re-noticed. Attorney for the applicant, Antimo "Andy" DelVecchio, informed the Zoning Board that Hekemian had entered into a "conceptual contract" with the New Milford BOE to donate "in excess" of three acres of property to …
Sunday, May 19, 2013
The overwhelming reaction to the BOE's vote approving a 'conceptual' contract with the developer of the United Water property dominated the conversation in town this week.
Jaws dropped and tensions mounted during Tuesday's Zoning Board meeting at the revelation that the New Milford Board of Education (BOE) had entered into a separate agreement with the developer of the United Water property to receive a parcel of land to build a 'field of dreams.' Depsite the loud response that accompanied the revelation that the New Milford Board of Education (BOE) had entered into a separate agreement with the developer of the United Water property to receive a three-acre parcel of land to build a 'field of dreams,' the Board of Ed stands by their decision. Defending the BOE's decision, Superintendent Michael Polizzi said, "Creating 21st Century learning environments extend past the walls of the classrooms." It took four …
Monday, March 18, 2013
Councilman Dominic Colucci responds in favor of Superintendent Michael Polizzi's letter to the Zoning Board of Adjustment
Superintendent Polizzi has editorialized his and the Board of Education’s opinion regarding the United Water property that is adjacent to the New Milford High School. I believe that action needs to be taken on the development of that property. Although, for now, the council members are not “players” in the decision making of what goes there, we are reaching to the center where compromise is key. We are in agreement with his concept of eliminating the housing component and we approve some commercial development on the United Water Property. For two years I, along with Councilman Robalino have thought this to be the best possible plan for New Milford thus being the best plan for our schools. A multi-purpose field is of the upmost necessity …
Friday, November 30, 2012
Here are some of the stories that caught readers' attention in November.
Although the tidal surge that occured during Hurricane Sandy did not bring anticipated floods, it did hit New Milford hard with unexpected power outages. Sandy's punch took down wires and caused damage at the substations leaving most of the town without power for upwards of 10 days. During that time, Patch was plugged in and became a source of information for readers. Democratic incumbent Austin Ashley and his running mate, Michael Putrino have won the two open seats on the council, unseating Council President Howard Berner. The most resounding loss of the night was the defeat of the 'Field of Dreams' referendum. 2,858 votes were cast against it, while only 1,669 were cast in support of it. Perhaps the most resounding loss of this November…
Friday, November 16, 2012
With the election over, and the referendum defeated, where does that leave the Field of Dreams?
Perhaps the most resounding loss of this November's election was the defeat of the 'Field of Dreams' referendum. The unofficial count shows 2,858 votes were cast against it, while only 1,669 were cast in support of it. At Monday's work session of the Mayor and Council, Mary McElroy and George Adelung -- both members of the Committee that worked on the Field of Dreams-- asked the council what their plan was now that the Field of Dreams referendum had failed to pass and given the fact that the town's current fields are often unusable after any type of inclement weather. "Every time that our team has to relocate to another town because our fields are unplayable, that's money we don't get from snack bar sales," McElroy said. Explaining that …
Monday, November 5, 2012
The Field Of Dreams question goes to referendum today, giving residents the chance to finally give their opinion some weight at the polls.
After nearly a year of discussion and debate, voters will have the final say Tuesday on the proposed multi-use athletic field--dubbed the "Field of Dreams"-- which could cost up to $3 million to build at David E. Owens Middle School. This multi-purpose turf field would include a soccer, football and baseball field, in addition to two softball fields, and be a shared service between the borough and the New Milford Board of Education. Approval of this non-binding referendum will give elected officials a better understanding for how the voters feel about the installation of a turf field at the David E. Owens Middle School. If the field is approved, the borough will incur an additional $3 million in debt which is estimated to increase property…
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Philosophically aligned on most of the hot-button issues, 'Candidates Night' saw little controversy and much agreement.
The residents of New Milford face an interesting challenge when they go to the polls on November 6. On the hot-button issues of the United Water property and flood mitigation, all four council candidates are philosophically aligned. Nearly 100 people filled the cafeteria of the David E. Owens Middle School Wednesday to attend SOD's (Stop Over Development) first "Candidates Night," moderated by the League of Women Voters. Although the audience asked the candidates a variety of questions, the United Water property and flood mitigation dominated the evening and seeped into almost every answer to every question. At a disadvantage was former councilman, and current candidate, Peter Rebsch who could not state his position regarding the United …
40.938348
-74.011214
David E. Owens Middle School
470 Marion Ave, New Milford, NJ
/articles/candidates-agree-united-water-property-is-the-no-1-issue
1831956
/locations/8029848
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Regarding the turf field at the middle school Superintendent Polizzi says, "The decision comes down to the kind of legacies a community is willing to leave for its current and future generations of children."
- OPINION
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Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Let’s shift to the turf field proposal for the David E. Owens Middle School. It is hardly the Field of Dreams. It is an alternative to the United Water Company property concept. The DEO field represents the best in the local partnership between the Borough and Board of Education given the availability of the acreage owned by the BOE. The Board of Education has been very public in its support of the proposal. On April 16, 2012, it approved a resolution “to enter into a shared services agreement with the Borough of New Milford in regard to planning and development of a turf field complex to be located at David E. Owens Middle School.” As far as the BOE is concerned, it is an equal partnership established around mixed use of the field by …
40.938348
-74.011214
David E. Owens Middle School
470 Marion Ave, New Milford, NJ
/articles/superintendent-polizzi-on-the-middle-school-turf-field-proposal
1831956
/locations/8026050
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Polizzi asks, "Do you know of any community whose leaders celebrate the legacy of a strip mall?"
- OPINION
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Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Let’s be clear about the “Field of Dreams.” It is a concept that grew out of the possibility of acquiring the United Water property adjacent to New Milford High School. Initiated by the New Milford Board of Education in the autumn of 2009, the concept as first presented envisioned a public-private partnership between the school district, the Borough of New Milford, the State of New Jersey, and—yes—United Water Company. If through the application of support from the Garden State Preservation Trust, Green Acres, local funds and BOE resources, UW property could be obtained, it could be rededicated to the creation of an environmental studies center (as an adjunct to the STEM Academy @ New Milford High School), passive recreational and park …
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Catch up on all of last week's local news here.
SOD asks for a legal determination on whether Subrizi's phone conversation to Hekemian regarding the possible rezoning of the United Water property by the Mayor and Council is legal. Project is to be fully funded by Borough; BOE requests opportunity to make revisions to the design; Borough not to make modifications without BOE approval. Board grants variance approval after applicant submits revised plan reducing parking, impervious coverage. Sanzari's New Bridge Inn granted approval to expand restaurant and knock down residential houses to make room for a new parking lot. Two recent incidents of attempted child luring prompts Chief Papapietro to caution parents. NMHS Students recognized as Commended Students in the 2013 National Merit …
new milford dad of 3
6:46 pm on Sunday, March 24, 2013
Ulises for councilman.You are a fighter keepup the good work. more ›