Shrewsbury mayor promises additional hearings before plan is adopted
By Sandi carpiello
Correspondent
Shrewsbury Borough’s second public hearing for the Open Space and Recreation Plan generated much concern among residents this week.
In response to a 16-percent increase in the borough’s population since 1990, the Open Space and Recreation Committee devised a plan, which was introduced on June 17, to enhance the quality and safety of the borough’s recreation facilities while preserving its natural environment.
According to Councilman Douglas Moore, who also is chairman of the borough’s environmental commission, there are now approximately 600 children between the ages of 5 and 14 living in the borough.
“Recreation is somewhat strained. One concern is that, due to overlays, there is no time to rest [the fields] between activities,” he said.
Moore suggested a need for additional baseball fields, soccer fields and basketball facilities, as well as creating nature walks for children and adding lighting to the fields for nighttime games.
Borough residents, who turned out in force for the hearing, questioned the need for additional recreation.
Susan Hellman, Beachtree Lane, a property owner and mother, told the council that her son never had a lack of fields to play on. “I can’t imagine that we need this many more fields,” she said.
Raymond “Bucky” Mass, Sickles Place, a borough resident since 1934, argued that the plan would cost residents a tremendous amount of money. “I have no objections to simple playgrounds, but the borough is still a community. I like my peace and tranquillity. I do not like lights at night. If they want a city, let the residents move to North Jersey,” he said.
Some property owners did express a need for more passive recreation and environmental preservation.
Borough resident Frank Mazza posed the problem of adding too much concrete on wetlands areas. Judging from prior experience, he said the lack of trees and excess of cement can cause flooding and property damage. Resident Dave Carroll, Colonial Drive, expressed a need for more nature and additional paths in Buttonwood Park. “There is no path between Colonial Drive and Parker Place,” he said.
Residents favorably discussed other possible forms of recreation for children, including the establishment of a town orchestra which would enable children to give concerts in the parks.
The council closed the hearing without taking any action. Councilman Terrel Cooperhouse was quick to note, “All is conceptual. No one should assume anything.”
According to Mayor Emilia Siciliano, the purpose of the hearing is to find out how the community feels about open space. The next step is to incorporate public comments into a revised plan. When the plan is adopted, the council will submit a proposal to the state’s Green Acres program for a grant. The mayor said she would make every effort to publicize the date of the next public hearing.
“There will be no secrets,” she said.