Friday, May 17, 2013
The revelation that the Board of Education entered into a conceptual agreement with Hekemian for a 'field of dreams' has raised the temperature on the United Water property conversation.
The aftershocks of 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' have rippled throughout community since Tuesday's meeting of the Zoning Board. Board of Education president, Darren Drake, said that the Board's approval of entering into a 'conceptual contract' with Hekemian for three-acres of property to construct a field of dreams-like "state of the art" athletic field is in line with the Board's vision of moving the district forward, athletically as well as academically. "As a Board, we are charged not only with the academic component of a superior education, but also the …
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Further states that by the governing bodies lack of action, the application meets all criteria for approval
After years of the borough providing documentation showing that the United Water property would be best utilized for affordable housing units, the project planner for the proposed development of the 13-acre United Water property has stated that by New Milford's inaction, the mixed-use project is inherently beneficial to the town. Peter Steck concluded his testimony during Tuesday evening's Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting where he placed the onus of the Mayor and Council's decision to not rezone the property the impetus for the need of a D variance. "The governing body could have zoned this site to hold all of the [affordable housing] units, but they did not do that," Steck testified. "We deserve merit approval of this application …
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Joseph Binetti is the latest Zoning Board member to be recused from the United Water hearings over a perceived conflict
The New Milford Zoning Board of Adjustment will now have the bare minimum of five sitting members for a quorum as Joseph Binetti recused himself from the remaining United Water hearings on Tuesday night. Binetti is now the third member to be recused from the United Water hearings following Board Chairman Karl Schaffenberger's decision in February 2012 and then Vice-Chairman Ronald Stokes' recusal in late March 2013. "It is not my choice to recuse myself, having been a part of the application from the beginning," Binetti said. "I thought I have served both sides well listening during these many, many months. If an application comes in front of me that may effect my livlehood, I will do the best of my ability to sit here and repesent the …
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
The proposed United Water property hearings before the New Milford Zoning Board of Adjustment is closing in on its final meetings
After over 30 regular and special meetings before the Zoning Board of Adjustment, the hearings for the proposed development of the 13-acre United Water property is nearing a close. Development attorney Andy DelVecchio called two of his three final experts last week and is expected to conclude his presentation on April 9. The proposed mixed-use development includes a 70,500 sq. ft. supermarket, a 4300 sq. ft. bank and a significantly pared down housing component--24 units down from an original 221 units. "I'm getting close to concluding direct presentation for the application," DelVecchio said. At the last Zoning Board meeting, he called forth supermarket architect Thomas Ashbahin and engineering expert Michael Dipple. According to Ashbahin…
Monday, April 1, 2013
Over concerns of a "perceivable conflict" Vice Chairman Ron Stokes stepped down from the remaining United Water hearings
With the United Water hearings at the Zoning Board of Adjustment winding down, Vice-Chairman Ron Stokes stepped down late last week from the dais to avoid any potential "perceivable conflict". Stokes decision came following a closed session discussion after concerns raised by Hekemian's attorney, Andy DelVecchio relating to New Milford School Superintendent Michael Polizzi letter to the Board. "I have stated before that I could make a fair decision, but based on several decisions that the perception of possible conflict is reason to step down I don't see how I could sit here with a perceivable conflict," Stokes said. He is the Buildings and Grounds Supervisor for the New Milford Schools. "Therefore I will step down." According to Board …
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
School Superintendent Polizzi's letter to the Zoning Board regarding the proposed development of the United Water property raises objections and questions of potential conflict.
New Milford School Superintendent Michael Polizzi submitted a letter dated March 11, 2013, to the Zoning Board of Adjustment regarding the proposed development of the United Water property, according to Board attorney Scott Sproviero. That letter -- undisclosed to the public, but said by Sproviero to include four areas of concern --was the subject of much discussion between Sproviero and Hekemian's attorney, Andy DelVecchio. At issue is whether or not Polizzi has authorization to speak on behalf of the Board of Education since, according to DelVecchio, there are currently no public minutes available on the BOE's website reflecting their consent to have Polizzi appear. Polizzi assured the Board that the BOE did consent to his appearance and…
40.92383
-74.02719
New Milford Borough Hall
930 River Rd, New Milford, NJ
/articles/polizzi-letter-to-zoning-board-raises-another-potential-conflict-question
728213
/locations/9006286
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Zoning Board agrees to place a seven minute time limitation on public's questions during cross-examination and restricts the public to one chance to question an expert.
Towards the close of Tuesday's hearing on the Hekemian application for development of the United Water property, and at the urging of Zoning Board attorney Scott Sproviero, the Zoning Board agreed to impose a seven minute time limitation on public questioning of the applicant's experts. The Board also agreed to restrict the public to one opportunity to question each expert. Returning for cross-examination Tuesday was traffic engineer, Elizabeth "Betsy" Dolan. The decision to implement these restrictions followed the continued requests from Antimo "Andy" DelVecchio, attorney for Hekemian, to limit "repetitive and redundant questions" in an effort to speed the hearings along. "The statute put a 120 day clock on this application," DelVecchio …
Friday, March 1, 2013
Hekemian's traffic expert returns to answer the public's questions regarding her previous testimony.
Hekemian's traffic expert, Elizabeth "Betsy" Dolan returned to the Zoning Board to answer questions regarding the testimony she gave on her revised traffic impact study. The study was prepared in support of the proposed development of the 13-acre United Water property--a mixed-use development that includes a 70,500 sq. ft. supermarket, a 4300 sq. ft. bank and a significantly pared down housing component--24 units down from an original 221 units. The analysis —prepared by Dolan & Dean Consulting Engineers LLC of Martinsville —assesses the existing infrastructure in the vicinity of the site, identifies existing traffic patterns, and projects future traffic volumes. Also included is an assessment of future roadway and intersection conditions …
Monday, February 25, 2013
Check out what's going on in town this week.
There will be a public meeting of the Mayor and Council on Monday. They will hold their work session in the upstairs conference room of Borough Hall beginning at 7 pm followed by the open session at 7:45 pm in the Council Chambers. Click here to see a copy of the agenda. The Planning Board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 26 has been cancelled. The next meeting will be held on March 19 and will be a combined work session and public meeting. On Wednesday, the New Milford School District’s Student Assistance and Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying Program (HIB) is offering a presentation at the high school for all parents, guardians and community members. Registration for this program is required. John Halligan will be giving a …
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Catch up on last week's local news here.
Tempers flare over Grant's lawsuit; questions on who should and should not be present during closed discussion on indemnification. Plans filed for property on 391 Madison Avenue call for the construction of a three-story, 14 unit multiple dwelling with parking under the building. Zoning Board hears application for Milford Gardens--a 14-unit multiple dwelling on Madison Avenue. Zoning Board Attorney urges board to use the applications that came before the board in 2012 to look at the future of zoning in New Milford. Hekemian's revised traffic impact study calls for a delayed green light on River Road and Madison during the 3pm-4pm peak hour. The ACLU says that many local police don't know the rules for residents to file complaints against …
new milford dad of 3
8:16 pm on Sunday, May 19, 2013
Us a s taxpayers we get stuck either way.Make a park on that property.220 families flood and 5 are bought by blue acres.How is this development gonna help these homeowners not get washed away. Tell your neighbors to go an fight Thursday nite make it standing room only.Show these bullies we wont back down.Show them we mean business no developement keep New Milford Green. more ›