Montgomery residents praise virtues of NPDC agreement

Officials see many challenges ahead in planning site’s development.

By: Kara Fitzpatrick
   MONTGOMERY — The public is breathing a collective sigh of relief after learning of the township’s deal to acquire the former North Princeton Developmental Center property from the state Department of the Treasury.
   Officials, historians, educators and long-time residents alike are expressing their utter delight over the township’s pending $5.95 million purchase of the 250-acre tract. The township will be responsible for environmental cleanup.
   "I am absolutely delighted," said Deputy Mayor Karen Wintress. "This has been a high priority for us for many, many years."
   Resident Sue Repko, an advocate for the township’s acquisition of NPDC who created a Web site designed to act as a clearinghouse for public documents relating to the cause, said she was "thrilled" to hear of the news.
   "I think it’s terrific that they were finally able to work out the details," Ms. Repko said. "I think it’s terrific news for Montgomery so they can now get to work in cleaning up the property."
   Former Mayor Donald Matthews, who was part of negotiations with the state in the past, said he was "very pleased" with the arrangement.
   "I am glad to see that, finally, we’ve reached a conclusion," Mr. Matthews said.
   "We’re absolutely thrilled. This was the essential first step necessary toward preserving some of the historical buildings," said Brad Fay, president of the Van Harlingen Historical Society, which has urged the transfer of the property to salvage its historical value.
   Reaching the deal has been a long and often agonizing process for the township, officials said. NPDC was abandoned in 1998, and negotiations between the state and township over purchase of the land — which surrounds Village Elementary School — had been futile until recently.
   Township officials and community members for years criticized the state for leaving the property derelict, saying it was a magnet for vandalism. Underscoring their argument, a fire that officials suspect was an act of arson occurred in one of the site’s buildings in November.
   Because of the placement of the Village Elementary School in the heart of the NPDC property, parents and educators had been strong backers of a resolution to the impasse.
   Superintendent Stuart Schnur said the acquisition of the property is "nothing but positive. It will be cleaner, more secure, safer and more pleasant."
   Some warned that prudence is essential as the township proceeds to the next steps.
   "I am cautiously optimistic," Township Committeeman Mark Caliguire said. "We’re not getting a bargain." But, he added, "It’s an awfully important piece of land for the township."
   Mr. Caliguire said the Township Committee is aware that "we’re going to have to do a very creative job finding a way to mix the open space and the kind of development we want if we’re going to be able to pay for this."
   Mr. Caliguire said that although the cleanup of the property is a "big burden" on the township, "I am optimistic that we’ll be able to make this work."
   Mr. Matthews agreed that the cleanup would be expensive. He said an appraisal in 2001 estimated cleanup costs at $10 million. And although he believes it was not "a fair deal" on the state’s behalf to stick the township with the onus of the cleanup, "I also believe that we had to settle this and we had to get on with the town business.
   "The state had us over a barrel," Mr. Matthews said, but because of public pressure, the state Department of the Treasury knew they "were going to have to strike a deal sooner or later."
   Although Mr. Matthews believes the price is high for the property for what it is zoned — public, parks and education — he also said that "for the welfare of the community, I don’t think it’s too much."
   Mayor Louise Wilson said that although the zoning is public, parks and education, "long ago we declared NPDC to be a redevelopment area."
   And so it seems the Township Committee is well aware of the challenges that lie ahead. But tackling those responsibilities is something it has craved for years.
   Something that needs to be kept in mind while planning the future of the tracts is, "How can we make Montgomery more sustainable?" Ms. Wintress said.
   "We have to firstly incorporate the views of what the community wants to be at this site," Ms. Wintress said, adding that that goal is under way with the formation of a 30-member panel that will explore different site options.
   Ms. Wintress said the Township Committee must also determine what parts of the property are best suited to become open space. Township officials have already said that at least 140 acres of the site will be preserved as open space.
   And, Ms. Wintress said, the township must look to partner with outside sources for site redevelopment options in order to recover costs.
   "We’re trying to take a step back and look at this differently than a normal model and incorporate the social needs of the community," Ms. Wintress said, while at the same time seeking to fulfill economic and environmental needs.
   Most agree that there will be hurdles to deal with as the project evolves. But most also agree that those hurdles are well worth the outcome.
   "The township certainly now has a big job on its hands, to clean up the property and have the community reach a consensus on its purpose," Ms. Repko said. "These are all difficult tasks. Certainly, it’s a job that the township has wanted to take on."
   Michael Fedun, a member of the Citizens’ Committee for NPDC, said the now-vacant tract is "a beautiful piece of land."
   Mr. Fedun said he believes the ensuing journey — one of planning rather than parleying — is likely to be downhill.
   "Frankly, it’s a very exciting time, because there can be nothing but improvement on the site," Mr. Fedun said.