Millstone residents implore committee to hasten Master Plan process

Some fear foot-dragging could pose detriment to township environment.

By: Cynthia Koons
   MILLSTONE — Four months after the Planning Board submitted its recommendations for a new Master Plan to the Township Committee, some of the natives are getting restless.
   In October, the Planning Board suggested modifying the Master Plan by, among other things, introducing 6- and 10-acre zoning. Earlier this month, Township Planner Richard Cramer was authorized to draft the ordinances for the Master Plan based on the Planning Board’s recommendations.
   Last week, members of the public confronted the Township Committee to ask why the body is taking so long to make up its mind and expressed concerns that foot-dragging could have negative effects on the environment.
   "My concern is the environment and the ecology," said Gordon Road resident Gerald Fabisch. "Particularly the aquifers."
   Some residents have, over the past few months, expressed fears that increased lot sizes could trigger a backlash, causing some landowners to subdivide their properties for fear of losing land values.
   Chadwick Road resident Gary Dorfman said the committeemen, by virtue of dragging their heels, have become foxes "guarding the hen house."
   Mr. Dorfman chided Mayor Bill Nurko that the committee is not moving quickly enough through the process and challenged the mayor’s attempt to assuage his concerns. Mayor Nurko reminded Mr. Dorfman that the public will have its chance to offer input on the Master Plan, but Mr. Dorfman said that just adds time to the process.
   "The time of discussion (on the Master Plan)," Mayor Nurko said, "depends on the content and how everyone reacts."
   "So this could go on ad infinitum?" Mr. Dorfman asked.
   "It potentially could," the mayor answered. "I hope it doesn’t."
   Mayor Nurko added that the Township Committee expects to put the Master Plan ordinance to vote by the end of March, five months after the Planning Board’s recommendations were submitted.
   But not all residents agree that the slow approach is a bad thing.
   Frank Cotter, chairman of the newly formed Millstone Landowners, an advocacy group, said the committee should take its time and weigh all the options before putting the final stamp on the Master Plan.
   In a telephone interview earlier this week, Mr. Cotter said township residents are reacting to the Master Plan recommendations emotionally and that if the Township Committee acts based on fear, the township could end up scrambling to fix a larger problem in the future.
   "We should err on the side of caution and not push this thing based on some of the emotional views out there," he said, adding that those who quickly sell off land for fear of losing their retirement money are making "knee-jerk reactions."
   Mr. Cotter said his group hopes to convince the Township Committee, through meetings and/or presentations, to enact a Master Plan that is good for the entire township.
   Mayor Nurko said he has not yet spoken to the group in an official fashion and has received no word when he or the committee might.