Despite winning the election for Township Committee last month, there is still significant dissatisfaction among Holmdel residents with the way its mayor and Township Committee hastily passed a bond ordinance in September to incur a debt of $3.3 million for upgrades to Cross Farm Park.
This includes two new artificial turf fields, expanded parking and possible 80-foot-tall light towers.
Residents filed a lawsuit against the Township and a petition that forces the Township Committee, via a special election, to give the residents of Holmdel the power to decide whether they want to pay for these improvements.
Of concern are the effects of the toxic chemicals, such as lead, benzene and chromium, which can leach from the turf fields into a nearby tributary leading directly into our water supply as well as the dangers of playing on these sports fields which some studies have linked to cancer. Neighboring homeowners are also very worried about the noise, lighting, parking issues, increased traffic and threats to the safety of their well water.
If you are concerned about any of these issues, please go to www.holmdel-cilu.org or www.preserveholmdel.org for more information. The date of the special election will also be posted after it is announced by the Township.
Jacquelyn Learsch
Holmdel