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Politics & Government

Residents Mixed on Berkeley Aquatic Center Proposal

Township council will vote on sewer line usage Dec. 20.

Berkeley Aquatic Center (BAC)’s bid to construct a new 51,000 square foot facility in Warren at the Berkeley Heights border came under “planned” public scrutiny at the Berkeley Heights Township Committee Meeting on Tuesday night. 

Mayor Joe Bruno and the council said that they wanted to provide the community with an opportunity to sound off - whether for or against - the proposed facility that has come under public scrutiny, mostly for its location, nestled between Route 78 in Warren but abutting a residential Berkeley Heights neighborhood.   

“This is clearly an intense commercial project,” said Emerson Lane resident Mark Faescher before the approximately 100 concerned residents who packed the municipal center. “There is a reason that commercial projects aren’t allowed in residential areas.” 

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While many of the Berkeley Heights residents who shared that opinion focused on the impact of new traffic in the area, Monday night’s hearing was specifically designed to address whether the BAC should be permitted to use Berkeley Heights township’s sewage lines to accommodate its new facility. The council will vote on the issue at it next regular session on December 20.

In September, Warren Township Sewerage Authority asked the BAC to gain the approval of the Berkeley Heights Township Committee to use the sewage line, which is shared between the two towns.   

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Peter Wolfson, attorney for the BAC, said the proposed facility would add 4,920 gallons to the sewerage water supply, which can be easily accommodated by existing capacity. The township carried out a $6 million sewerage upgrade in 2009, with full intent to convert that capacity in revenue for the municipality. 

If the BAC is to gain approval, Berkeley Heights would receive a one time sewerage connection fee, which Wolfson estimated at $100,000, and per-gallon usage fees. 

Revenue from potential sewer use was a consistent message from residents who were in favor of the proposed BAC facility.

“My taxes have been going up higher and higher,” said Berkeley Heights resident John Shepanzyk. “We paid for a treatment plant that is twice the size that is needed so I think agreeing to this amendment would be the best holiday gift to all Berkeley Heights taxpayers.”

Residents who were opposed to the construction of the new BAC facility tended to focus on the overall impact to the surrounding residential community and in particular, an increase in traffic along Hillcrest Avenue and nearby Emerson Lane. 

“Talking about not have additional traffic along Emerson Lane is difficult not to foresee,“ said Berkeley Heights resident Ira Jersey. “When traffic builds up at the intersection of Hillcrest and Mountain Avenue, what is the natural cut through? Emerson Lane.” 

Nearly all residents, whether for or against the proposed facility, were careful to separate their admiration of the quality of the instruction at the BAC facility, from their disagreement with the location for the proposed facility.

“The BAC is one of those few organizations that can take swimmers as far as their talents will take them,” said Berkeley Heights resident Steve Rabino. “I spent 17 years with the Berkeley Aquatic Club.”

Alan Henderson, a Berkeley Heights resident who had once lived on Emerson Lane for 15 years said he evaluated as many facts as he could to arrive at his position. 

“In talking to the neighbors I was trying to decide which side I should go,” Henderson said. “I had to make an educated decision here. I looked at the traffic -- most of the traffic is on Route 78 and Mountain Ave. Noise? All you hear at that location is Route 78. Parking? If BAC tells you that you cannot park on Emerson, you won’t park on Emerson. It finally came down to who does the facility benefit? The kids, the master swimmers and the citizens of Berkeley Heights.”

Mayor Bruno, who suggested last week that he might open a Pandora’s Box to commercial interests if he allows the BAC use the sewage facility, after the meeting said that his concern is not only accommodating the BAC but two new hotels that are being built in Berkeley Heights -- one in Connell Park and the other downtown.

“There is obviously a lot of flow from a hotel so I want to make sure we have the capacity for that.”

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