By Audrey Levine
The four candidates for Township Committee may agree that a 1,500-unit retirement community does not belong near a residential neighborhood, but they are divided about how best to move forward with the purchase of a 369-acre contaminated property.
These have become two of the priority issues for Republican incumbent Mayor Anthony Ferrera, Democrats Matt Dawson and Manny Foranoce, and Republican Gloria McCauley, who are all running for two three-year seats on the Township Committee.
The four candidates have expressed similar concerns about the recent proposal to build an Erickson Retirement Community on the East Course of the Royce Brook Golf Club on Hamilton Road.
”I am not against the facility itself; I think it’s a unique project,” Ms. McCauley said. “But if it’s not the right place for it, it’s not right. I am against the monstrosity it could be.”
The concept plan — which was recently revoked by Erickson representatives who said at the Sept. 25 Planning Board meeting that they would like to revise it — called for a 1,500-unit retirement community to be built for senior citizens age 75 and over who are in need of constant medical attention. The plan included the building of restaurants, a fitness center, library, convenience store, hair salon and pharmacy on the self-contained development. Also included were about seven full-time physicians.
Mayor Ferrera said he was pleased that Planning Board members expressed concerns about the effects the Erickson project would have on traffic, flooding and the nearby Claremont neighborhood. He said it will be important to look at the impact Erickson would have on the entire township if a new concept plan were to be submitted, especially because it would require the golf course’s zoning to be changed to accommodate residential properties.
”I think residents were happy that the board expressed their concerns,” he said. “There were too many things wrong with that plan.”
In addition, Mayor Ferrera expressed concern about overdevelopment in the township, and how Hillsborough’s Master Plan does not provide for a development of Erickson’s magnitude, especially on the golf course that is zoned for office and commercial, not residential properties.
”We have preserved about 500 acres of land,” he said. “We want to continue that as we look at the township’s Master Plan.”
Mr. Dawson expressed a similar opinion about building an Erickson development in a location that conflicts with the township’s Master Plan.
”That development does not belong there,” he said. “There is no question that there would be a great value to having it. But it should not be in an ecologically damaged area (like the golf course), and that’s why we have the zoning for office and commercial. The size of the Erickson community is also very concerning.”
Mr. Foranoce said that, although it is important to increase ratables in the township, which could come from creating more business opportunities at the retirement community, it would be a problem near the already-established Claremont neighborhood.
”No one’s arguing that the Erickson community is a great place,” he said. “But why put it in such a place where there is the chance of flooding and other problems?”
Still, Mr. Foranoce said, the community could be beneficial for the township if it were done correctly.
”If Claremont is the only place, fine,” he said. “We have to make the decision to do what’s best for the people, and do what’s best for the town.”
Mr. Foranoce suggested that a viable option might be to build the Erickson community on the 353-acre section of the General Services Administration Belle Mead Depot currently owned by Carroll Drive resident Bhrugesh Patel. Township officials cannot comment on the suggestion as Hillsborough Properties, which represents Mr. Patel, has not settled a lawsuit filed against the township in March 2006 over possible zoning changes on the land.
”Maybe we can put the community in a different place,” Mr. Foranoce said.
Despite the agreements about the problems presented by Erickson representatives, the candidates are divided in the best way to move forward with the purchase of the GSA Belle Mead Depot on Mountain View Road.
The Township Committee recently approved several resolutions to continue with the joint purchase of the GSA Depot with Somerset County for $15.735 million. The funds will then be put into two escrow accounts to be used for the cleanup of the property.
If remaining funds are needed to complete the cleanup, the township plans to apply for brownfields grants, which will reimburse up to 75 percent of costs.
”We have plenty of money for the cleanup,” Mayor Ferrera said. “With grants, we will get more than enough.”
In addition to the available money for the cleanup, Mayor Ferrera said he is looking forward to creating recreational facilities on about 321 of the 369 acres that will be purchased. The remaining 48 acres will be used for research and development sites.
”This is one of my top priorities to move forward,” he said. “We will create recreational facilities. Then we will be selling the research and development land, and someone else will pay for that.”
Ms. McCauley expressed a similar approval of the purchase of the site, especially the fact that the money being used for the purchase also will be put toward the cleanup.
”I think it’s excellent that it’s not really costing us any money,” she said.
In addition, Ms. McCauley said, she believes the plans for recreational facilities at the GSA Depot fit with her desire to bring about more environmental awareness in the township, and her passion for the outdoors.
”I want to bring environmental awareness to the forefront,” she said. “We need to be preserving farmland and open space.”
Despite confidence about getting the grant money if needed, Mr. Foranoce said he does not support assuming for receipt of the funds before they have actually been granted. He said he wonders if there is contamination below the 8 feet of concrete the township has already examined and whether the money will be available if cleanup is needed, or if the taxpayers will have to foot the bill.
”Brownfields has not committed to giving the money,” he said. “And no one has taken a sample of the land (below the 8 feet) to see exactly what the cleanup will cost.”
Mr. Dawson expressed a similar concern about the possibility of not receiving all the funds necessary to complete the cleanup.
”What if we don’t get the grant money and we are stuck with the cleanup costs?” he asked. “No one is raising those concerns.”
In addition, Mr. Dawson said he is concerned about a trend he has seen in the township where open space has been sold off to private owners.
”I am concerned about the 48 acres of the GSA Depot to be sold off (for research and development),” he said. “The point of purchasing the property is to control development.”
Mr. Foranoce suggested that, instead of moving forward with the purchase now, the township might want to consider allowing the federal government to take care of the entire cleanup, and then Hillsborough would have the first opportunity to purchase the land.
”There is no urgency to buy it now,” he said. “Why would we want to inherit that hornet’s nest?”
Mayor Ferrera said his desire to take over the GSA Depot comes from a refusal to allow outside developers to take over the property.
”We don’t want to lose the land to developers,” he said.
Elections will be held Nov. 4.

