HILLSBOROUGH: Candidate Mandell asks about GSA depot

To the editor:
The GSA depot is a big issue that the townspeople feel that they are in the dark. In November of 2008, the Hillsborough Township website quotes then Deputy Mayor Frank DelCore as saying, “It is, therefore, imperative for Hillsborough taxpayers that the (GSA) redevelopment plan be approved, so the Township and County can move forward on making an application.”
   Then Mayor Anthony Ferrera stated, “Our goal is to minimize the cost of the clean up on Hillsborough, so approval of this redevelopment plan is crucial to the taxpayers.”
   In December of 2008, Hillsborough released a statement that financing had been approved for the “largest open space preservation project in Hillsborough history,” as quoted by Committeeman Bob Wagner on the township website. Hillsborough approved a $6.9 million allocation from the Open Space Trust Fund as well as a $2.1 million bond ordinance that was authorized.
   Mr. DelCore noted in that same article, “Authorizing debt is not something that this Township Committee takes lightly. In this case, however, it is an appropriate because there is an excellent business rationale, as well as an exit strategy that makes sense.”
   The total cost including money from Somerset County totaled $15.735 million. The township took steps to involve the public by creating a GSA Advisory Committee and had meetings up until October of 2010. The final sentence in the article sums it up, “No action was taken at that meeting.”
   Hillsborough residents want to know, what happened and how much does it cost us by not taking further action? Environmental concerns seem to be impeding progress; where do we stand today?
Judd Mandel
Township Committee candidate
Hillsborough