Field Donation to New Milford Board of Education Rescinded by Hekemian

Editor's note: The Borough of Oradell has hired an attorney to represent them at the Zoning Board hearings regarding the development of the 13-acre United Water property in New Milford. Here is the latest update.

Michael Polizzi, Superintendent of New Milford Schools, informed those gathered in the auditorium at New Milford High School Monday evening that the developer of the United Water property has rescinded their donation of three-acres of property to the Board of Education (BOE) for a field. 

According to Polizzi, Hekemian's engineers performed a geological test on the portion of the BOE's property that they had intended to build the storm water retention basin on and discovered that the water table was too high. For that reason, the donation of the land was rescinded.  

"We regret the developer's decision as it stands today," Polizzi said. 

The story of the BOE and Hekemian's agreement began in May when it was revealed during a Zoning Board meeting that the BOE had entered into a 'conceptual contract' with the New Milford BOE to donate 'in excess' of three acres of property to construct a state of the art athletic field and stadium on a parcel of property that is not subject to flooding. 

The three-acre area designated for donation was located where the site plans had a storm water detention basin. The storm water detention basin was to be moved to the High School softball field with an easement to allow for the basin. However, the geological tests deemed the water table on this property too high and rescinded the offer. 

In a prepared statement, Polizzi addressed those in the audience who had accused the BOE of getting involved in the United Water property at the 'eleventh hour' by taking them through a detailed timeline, beginning when the land first became available in 2009, of the Board's persistent, but unsuccessful, urging of the Mayor and Council to partner with the BOE to acquire the property while they had the chance. 

Polizzi said that from 2009 until a private purchaser (Hekemian) came in to contract for the purchase of that property, his proposal to purchase it was not explored by any governing body. 

Despite the level of outrage exhibited by residents when the agreement between the BOE and Hekemian was revealed during the May 14 Zoning Board meeting, the comments from the audience Monday evening were tempered. Although many who spoke did not agree with the BOE's decision to accept the field from Hekemian, they publicly acknowledged the BOE's successful advancement of academics, arts and athletics within the district. 

Further emphasizing the BOE's position for entering into the land agreement with Hekemian, Polizzi said, "If we did nothing and [the hearing before the Zoning Board] went to court, we would potentially have everything SOD hates and not one blade of grass." 

Members of SOD (Stop Over Development) petitioned the BOE to join them in their continued fight against the proposed development now that the three-acre donation was no longer on the table. 

Dan Conner, BOE Vice-President standing in for BOE President Darren Drake, who was not present at the meeting, said, "We believe we're big, we're mighty, we're strong and we will not wither away from this. We will continue to talk with the developer."

Polizzi told Patch that although the developer did not offer the BOE any other alternatives, he is hopeful that they can still continue having discussions with the developer regarding the development of the property and continue to have a seat at the table. 

Polizzi added that despite the fact that the donation of the field has been rescinded, the four points he addressed in his letter to the Zoning Board outlining the school district's concerns over the development of the property remain central to what the BOE is interested in:

1. Neither he nor the BOE are in favor of any type of residential development being built on that property.
2. Traffic flow and how the additional traffic, along with the widening of River Road, will affect the safety of the high school students.
3. The BOE's belief that the parcel of land where Hekemian originally had slated a field remains an ideal location for a field.
4. The BOE would like the opportunity to have a seat at the table with the developer and be a part of the conversation.

"At this moment, I don't know where we go from here," Polizzi said. "But the four points contained in my letter to the Zoning Board remain at the heart of what we're interested in."