Horses have left the barn at Willowbrook & throughout boro
I feel compelled to respond to your article concerning the development of Willowbrook Farms in Tinton Falls. Borough Administrator Tony Muscillo says in your article "there have been no complaints" when asked about any recent comments on the development. I certainly hope your readers don’t take that statement as an endorsement of any kind by the residents of Tinton Falls for the development of Willowbrook Farms.
What would be the point of complaining or protesting now? Does Mr. Muscillo think we’re giddily anticipating the unparalleled vistas of clustered "McMansions" on once pristine farmland, not to mention increased traffic and the added burden on our schools and infrastructure? No, this is not the happy ending brought on by compromise and a common concern for the quality of life for the residents of Tinton Falls as one might gather in the article.
The development of Tinton Falls since the mid-1980s has been one story like Willowbrook Farms after another. Many residents of the borough have been extremely diligent in their attempts to thwart suburban sprawl in our once-rural community but, unlike our neighboring towns, they are never successful. Until our mayor and council, Planning and Zoning Boards all understand Tinton Falls has had enough development or until we run out of land — which could come first — the building will never end.
Let’s try some planning for a change. Do something about the Cecom building, get a post office after trying unsuccessfully for more than 20 years and, how about a town center? Wouldn’t it be great if those three issues could be solved simultaneously? I’d like to say my home is two miles from the post office, rather than "north of Society Hill" or "just off the parkway."
Noelle Talbot Walls
Tinton Falls