Montgomery Township Committee approves $5.24 million allocation
By: Jake Uitti
MONTGOMERY In an effort to make the former North Princeton Developmental Center property more attractive to potential redevelopers, the Township Committee voted 4-1 Thursday, with Committeeman Mark Caliguire dissenting, to appropriate funds for the restoration of Sylvan Lake, which once occupied about 7 acres in the southwest portion of the property.
"We haven’t gone out and bonded," Mayor Louise Wilson said, "but we have authorized that bonding, so the funding mechanism is in place. One of the conditions of closing with the state is that we have to show that we have the financing in place to be able to cover all of those costs, even though we don’t expect the township to absorb all of the costs."
The vote authorizes the issuance of about $5.24 million in bonds or notes to finance the restoration work for the lake by Weston Solutions Inc., the firm the township hired to conduct the environmental testing on the Skillman Village site.
On July 20, the committee announced its decision to restore Sylvan Lake by dredging its 40,000 cubic yards of sediment, repairing the dam and creating step pool structures at the western side of the lake.
The work will take about two years, officials said.
"Number one, the restoration will cost us less as part of the entire remediation effort that Weston is doing if it is combined with the rest of the Weston contract," Mayor Wilson said. "Secondly, the financing for things the township is taking responsibility for has to be in place, and we are taking responsibility for the restoration of the lake, even though we do not expect ultimately to absorb all of the costs. Thirdly, the lake adds a great deal of value to the site and it’s important, as we seek to recover the cleanup costs, to make that site as attractive and valuable as possible."
The vote, however, met with some public criticism, notably from township resident Eric Weitze, who said that taxes were high enough as it is in the township without the added expense.
"Sounds to me like a project you can wait and defer," said Mr. Weitze at the Thursday meeting. "When money comes in, that’s when you start refurbishing the lake. Do (taxpayers) have to pay for it now?" he asked.
Committeeman John Warms said he struggled with this issue, but decided that approving the funds for the cleanup now would, in fact, be the least expensive way to go, because restoring the lake will make the property more attractive to potential redevelopers.
Mr. Caliguire, the lone Republican on the committee, explained his dissenting vote. "I do think we’re making a mistake," he said. "I think we should wait on the restoration of Sylvan Lake. There are no guarantees with the redevelopers."
In related business, the request for qualifications for Skillman Village’s redevelopment has been out since August, the mayor said. The responses, along with concept plans for the site, are due back Sept. 22.
"After we get them back," the mayor said, "township officials and consultants will evaluate them, and residents will have a chance to see them also. Ultimately, it will be the Township Committee’s final decision about which teams or firms we identify as finalists."

