Township Committee authorizes funds for renovations to property.
By: Scott Morgan
MILLSTONE Despite the objection of one member, the Township Committee last week authorized funding renovations to the Clarksburg School property.
The ordinance, adopted Sept. 5, is part of a $400,000 effort to mend the aging facade of the historic site.
Mayor Evan Maltz said the renovations will allow the township to use the facility for additional office space. The goal, he said, is to move the Office of Emergency Management, Recreation Department and Building Department into the former schoolhouse, which has gone unused since 1995. Those offices currently are operating from trailers.
Committeeman Bill Kastning, who voted against the ordinance, said the 77-year-old facility, a state historical site, needs roofing and siding. At the Sept. 5 meeting, Mayor Maltz echoed these statements, saying the renovations are needed soon to keep the building from falling into disrepair.
Mr. Kastning said he considers the renovations money unwisely spent. Despite referring to himself as an "historic preservationist," he said the Clarksburg School building ultimately will prove too costly to renovate.
He said he feels expanding the current municipal site on Millstone Road is a better idea, as the Clarksburg School building will not address the township’s future needs.
"I’m here to protect taxpayers’ dollars, and I think (this) action was not in the taxpayers’ best interest," Mr. Kastning said.

