Letter to the Editor: Thank You For Voting Against BAC in Referendum

Members of the Stop The BAC Committee show their gratitude to residents who votes "no" in Tuesday's special election.

To the Editor: Stop The BAC and its supporters owe a huge debt of gratitude to the residents of Berkeley Heights, including the Mayor and Town Council. For many of us, this election was intensely personal, as our neighborhood was literally under attack. For many others not directly impacted, this election was about common sense and the Golden Rule. From the beginning of this campaign until Election Day, we focused on the one thing that we believed mattered: our town. We think these results, both the number of voters and the dramatic results, confirmed that our town believed that as well. Plus, we learned that our town believed in us, and that made Election Night truly special. We set out on this campaign as a group of residents in Berkeley…

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Berkeley Heights Voters to Decide on Aquatic Club Referendum Today

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. as residents vote on whether or not to allow the Berkeley Aquatic Center to use the local sewer system.

Residents of Berkeley Heights will head to the polls today to cast their votes on a special referendum to decide the fate of the proposed Berkeley Aquatic Center and it's ability to connect to the township's sewer system. The proposal calls for the construction of a 51,000-square-foot building in nearby Warren, just over the Berkeley Heights border. Plans for the new BAC began a few years ago when Aquatic Center owner Jim Wood sought to relocate his facility to expand his business. His proposal would involve the construction of an approximately 51,940-square-foot building on 523,591-square-feet of land. It includes a swimming pool facility containing three pools and including a competitive swim training pool and training facilities, a …

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Letter to the Editor: Councilman Supports the BAC

With only a few days to go before Tuesday's referendum, a council member is showing support for the Berkeley Aquatic Center.

To the Editor: As a member of the Town Council I voted YES to amend the sewer agreement with the Warren Township Sewer Authority. When we voted, we were told the only issue was" IF" the Berkeley Heights sewer plant had the capacity to accept 6000 gallons per day of sewage from the BAC.  Our own engineering firm said, “Yes, we do."  We are working at approx. 50 percent capacity and have plenty of room for more. By accepting their sewage we will make a profit so additional tax dollars will be going to the township. If the BAC gets built taxes will go down, a small amount, NOT up. As for the location of the swim club, the current BAC is adjacent to residential zones on thee sides with zero buffers. The proposed site will have a 15-acre buffer…

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Letter to the Editor: Families Speak Out in Support of BAC

With the May 7 special referendum regarding the Berkeley Aquatic Center just days away, some residents are voicing their opinions in support of the BAC.

  Editor's Note: The following letter was written by several local families who support the new Aquatic Center. To the Editor: BACK the BAC’s campaign is motivated by the children of our community, to provide more services and better opportunities to them and to all the residents. It is no surprise to anyone that participation in sports promotes academic achievement and builds valuable life skills. We, as all parents from Berkeley Heights, want to provide our children with all the things that will make them happy, successful and responsible citizens. Any organization that has been positively influencing the lives of children and families for 36 years, and wishes to expand its services to reach more residents, primarily children, has our …

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Letter to the Editor: BAC Facility Does Not Belong On Emerson Lane

Emerson Lane resident Denise Foy says BAC's proposed facility shouldn't be built in any residential neighborhood because it will negatively impact quality of life for local families.

To the Editor: There is no question that the residents of Emerson Lane and the side streets near the border of Warren would be adversely affected if the BAC is allowed to move forward with such a large, commercial complex (Vote Sought on Aquatic Center, 9/19/2012, Independent Press).   The residents of Berkeley Heights being asked to sign the petition being circulated about the sewer should pause before signing and consider how they would feel if someone proposed a 51,000 square foot structure in their backyard.  This has never been about the mission of the facility.  This has always been about location and quality of life for families in the residential area where this has been proposed. The sewer agreement between Berkeley Heights and …

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Aquatics Center Supporters Want to Reverse Sewer Decision

Online petition drive focused on Berkeley Heights decision blocking connection.

Hoping to reinvigorate the stalled application for a new center on Warren's Emerson Lane, more than 800 people have signed on to an online effort in support of the Berkeley Aquatics Center's proposed facility on Emerson Lane in Warren. The effort has been directed at Berkeley Heights Mayor Joseph Bruno and the Town Council, which voted in December not to extend sewer service to the facility, which was required by the Warren Township Sewerage Authority. The center's application in still pending at the Planning Board. BAC has regrouped after the Berkeley Heights vote, launching the Back the BAC website, which includes information about the center and an advocacy link that generates emails to the Berkeley Heights council expressing the sender…

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Patch Poll: Should the Town Council Allow the Aquatics Center Sewer Access?

Berkeley Heights town council will vote tonight on access to township sewer line.

After much discussion, the Berkeley Heights town council will vote tonight on the subject of giving access to township sewer line to the proposed Berkeley Aquatics Center, which would be the first commercial venture to have that designation. The 51,000 square foot facility, to be built in Warren, would need the council's blessing in order to move forward with the project. What do you think? Should the BAC be allowed to tap into the township sewer line? vote below, then tell us what you think in the comment section.

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In the Spotlight

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 …

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Inside Berkeley Heights

Debate on Aquatics Center at Tonight's Council Meeting

Proposed Warren facility needs township sewer line to move forward.

If past planning and zoning board meetings in Warren are any indication, Berkeley Heights residents opposed to the construction of a new Berkeley Aquatic Center facility on the border of Berkeley Heights and Warren, will arrive tonight to the Berkeley Heights Town Council meeting ready to voice their opposition to the proposed center's contruction off Hillcrest Avenue.  Berkeley Heights Mayor Joe Bruno has said that he will host the meeting in a diplomatic manner, but knowing the emotion involved, is also ready to enforce the diplomacy he has come to expect as mayor. “It will be an interesting meeting,” Bruno said by phone recently. “Hopefully, it’s going to be a respectful meeting or I will call it. We will be there to hear both sides and…

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