Discussions regarding what to do with the old Chesterfield School property have reached a tipping point, and residents want to know why the Chesterfield Board of Education and Township Committee canâ
by David Kilby, Special Writer
CHESTERFIELD — Discussions regarding what to do with the old Chesterfield School property have reached a tipping point, and residents want to know why the Chesterfield Board of Education and Township Committee can’t work together to find a reasonable deal for the property.
At the Chesterfield Board of Education meeting Nov. 19, Valerie Jones of Bordentown-Crosswicks Road, expressed her concern for the sale situation of the old school building, located at 295 Bordentown-Chesterfield Road.
Her main concern is regarding the relationship between the Township Committee and the school board, as they try to work together to find the best deal for taxpayers.
Ms. Jones said there’s no reason why the two bodies can’t work together more closely and efficiently.
She also said several years ago a deal was discussed where the township would buy the property, subdivide a portion of it and give it back to the school, but members of the board said they did not know what offer she was referring to.
”The township has never wanted the piece of property,” said Craig Thier, a board member since 2002.
”We’ve had conversations with them over the years,” board President Brian Meincke said, explaining there is a 2003 interlocal service agreement that dictates the board receives the 8.8 acres that the current school stands upon, and using the surrounding fields that are owned by the township.
There’s also the deed in which the township granted the 8.8 acres to the school board for $1. The township purchased the land for approximately $1.5 million, Ms. Jones said.
”We do not have an existing contract with anyone for the old school property,” Mr. Meinke said.
In the last year he said he can reference six discussions with the Chesterfield Township Committee about what to do with the old school property.
”Why are you making this so hard?” Ms. Jones asked. “We’ve already paid for this parcel, and now you want us to pay for that (old school parcel).”
”We are trying to do the best economical deal for the town,” Mr. Meinke replied. “There is a lot of debt service over the next 20 some years, and that building is going to help pay that debt service.”
But residents were still upset over the fact that the committee and school board are having so much difficulty working together.
Eileen Sennett of Orchard Drive, said she remembered how one year, when there was a massive blizzard in town, the committee and the board collaborated to form a “snow chain” to get the roads and sidewalks cleared more quickly.
Joseph Malison, vice chairman of the township Planning Board, attended the meeting and shared the most recent plans for the old school property.
He said that currently the plan is to redevelop the land and use it for housing, commercial or municipal development.
”The municipal complex and municipal services are hurting. The school is beautiful,” he said, but added that when the school moved it sucked the life out of that part of town.
He said the Public Works Department works out of a barn, and the police station works out of a component of the original public works building.
Mr. Meincke said the board would report back to the town after it meets with the committee Friday, Nov. 22.
The Register-News could not get a response regarding the outcome of that meeting before press time.

