It was a busy night at the Township Committee on Tuesday, with the Committee and public commenters discussing or deciding on issues including the old police station site development, the Woman's Club, the Maplewood Community Garden, and plans for merging various departments with South Orange.

First, Mark Built Homes was unanimously approved for exclusive negotiations concerning 125 Dunnell Road, the site of the former Maplewood police station. Mayor Vic De Luca stated, "This resolution will extend a 60-day exclusive negotiation period with Mark Built Homes to discuss the sale and development of the former police station property." Deputy Mayor Fred Profeta noted that he has spoken with Mark Built Homes concerning "green aspects" of the new building, which would, according to Profeta, reduce costs and increase profits.

An ordinance to expand the Maplewood Village Alliance Special Improvement District to include the Woman's Club at 60 Woodland Road was not approved, after an outpouring of dissent from members and non-members of the Woman's Club alike.

Resident Connie Cosgrove (a former Township Committee member) mentioned that this move was attempted in the 1990s, and wanted to know why, at this time, it was being tried again. Mayor De Luca responded that the move was recommended by Profeta in a January 2009 brainstorming session, and also recommended by the Maplewood Village Alliance. Cosgrove, along with a chorus of her peers in the audience, said that she feared that a surcharge for belonging to the Alliance and taxes on the property would make it impossible for the Woman's Club to continue operations. 

The issue of whether of not the Woman's Club property is eligible for taxation is curently being tested in Essex County tax court, and though that is technically a separate issue, it was continually tied into the conversation concerning inclusion in the Maplewood Village Alliance. Another speaker said that because the issue is in court, this ordinance was "putting the cart before the horse." 

There was concern over what control the town would have over the building at 60 Woodland, should the Woman's Club need to sell because of not being able to afford monies owed. Profeta responded that being part of the Special Improvement District would not prohibit a sale, but would protect the building from being demolished.  

Resident David Huemer told the committee that he believes "the only reason you're considering this is because you're strapped" and went on to cite Profeta's earlier comments, saying, "I'd love to hear all five of you on the record saying that you'd like to protect the building."

At the end of public comment, Councilman Jerry Ryan said that instead of passing the ordinance that night, it might be prudent to speak with historic preservationists, to see if 60 Woodland Road could be deemed a landmark. Mayor De Luca claimed he had come into the meeting ready to vote the ordinance down, but almost changed his mind when he heard a member of the Woman's Club talk about the sale of the building. That member had said developers approached her. The ordinance was ultimately voted down.

The last big issue of the evening was the proposed community garden project. Profeta made mention of several groups forming without the knowledge of the Township Committee. He felt that a lot of the plans were progressing too fast. A number of public commenters echoed Profeta's statements. No one expressed opposition to a community garden, but many said they were upset with the manner in which plans seemed to be taking shape. 

Several neighbors of the Maplewood Municipal Building were frustrated that the Township Committee had approved the relatively small patch of grass next to the parking lot behind Town Hall to be the new community garden.  Neighbors who know of the trouble the area has with flooding questioned why other sites for the garden were rejected with no explanation to the public.

Vicki Arlein said that a community garden "could be a valuable asset to the town" and that it should be "given the time it deserves." Arlein felt that the people making decisions have "their hearts in the right place," but that they should step back and "take a page out of South Orange's book." She says South Orange community garden organizers have formed several planning committees, and are being much more careful in their planning than Maplewood. 

Patch spoke with Dorothy Jaker, a near neighbor to Town Hall. Jaker said that every time the Town adds paving to build up the parking lot, there has been subsequent damage to her property. "My garage is crooked," Jaker said. Jaker and a number of her neighbors expressed concern that the creation of the community garden at the designated site could cause damage to their properties.

Maplewood Garden Club members were also concerned that the community garden, at his location, would block views of a memorial wall for deceased Garden Club members. 

Besides location, the other big issue is soil. There is a question of lead in the soil, and it is going to have to be tested. Vice Mayor Kathy Leventhal said she was under the impression that organic soil sold in the marketplace is tested only for lead and not other chemicals, and asked if they need the soil for Maplewood to be pure, or just lead-free. Profeta said that having inorganic soil with chemicals of any sort would defeat the purpose of an organic garden. 

Also passed Tuesday night were resolutions to authorize negotiations with South Orange for the establishment of a shared fire department, and a resolution expressing Maplewood's interest in receiving a proposal from South Orange to provide recreation and cultural affairs services to Maplewood through an inter-local agreement.