BY LARRY HLAVENKA JR.
Staff Writer
Round 1 of a war of words between Howell Mayor Joseph M. DiBella and Councilman Robert Walsh occurred while the Township Council held its April 25 regular meeting.
After the meeting was adjourned, round 2 proved to be even more contentious.
The heated discussion between DiBella and Walsh centered around a $3.8 million bond ordinance that would approve additional funding for the town’s planned purchase of the Pinnacle tract for open-space preservation purposes.
A property near the Pinnacle tract, the Harms parcel, has already been purchased by the township for $12.75 million. The two properties – a combined 300 acres – are between West Farms and Georgia Tavern roads near the Manasquan Reservoir.
According to a memorandum written by Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey Filiatreault and information from Filiatreault that was posted on Howell’s Internet Web site, about $18.2 million was initially appropriated by the council for the combined purchase of the Harms and Pinnacle properties.
Following the purchase of the Harms parcel, about $5.4 million was left to be used toward the purchase of the Pinnacle tract.
Since the town is proceeding with a plan to acquire the land through eminent domain (condemnation), Filiatreault estimated that condemnation commissioners would award Pinnacle’s owners $8.7 million. If that scenario had played out, Howell officials would have had to authorize an additional $3.8 million to complete the transaction.
However, according to information posted on the Web site, the condemnation commissioners’ report came in with a $12.5 million price for the Pinnacle tract.
Thus, it was reported by Greater Media Newspapers that approximately $7.3 million in extra funding would be needed to complete the acquisition of the Pinnacle tract.
However, Filiatreault said Howell will go to court to fight the condemnation report and try to keep the Pinnacle property at $8.7 million. He acknowledged that an additional appropriation to complete the acquisition might have to be made if the courts agree with the condemnation commissioners’ report.
On April 25, the council approved a $3.8 million appropriation by a 4-1 vote. DiBella, Deputy Mayor Peter Tobasco, Councilwoman Cynthia Schomaker and Councilman Juan Malave voted in favor the proposal, while Walsh cast the lone dissenting vote.
During the discussion of the approval of additional funding, Walsh pressed his fellow council members for information regarding whether grants to assist the township’s purchase of the property had been explored.
“Where are we going to get the money for these things?” Walsh asked.
He also questioned the land’s use, expressing concern that the property would be purchased just to preserve space, instead of providing a worthwhile structure, facility or complex for the municipality.
Tobasco responded to Walsh, saying, “Our efficiency review of the township said that we are sorely lacking in services for the community. In the future, this would be an identity-creating site. The intention is to get this now and pay for it later.”
DiBella stressed the need to buy the land in order to prevent developers from building houses and creating an even bigger burden on taxpayers in the future. He discussed how homes add children and costs to local schools.
The mayor presented a hypothetical situation to Walsh. He said if a developer built 150 houses on the tract, figuring 1.4 school-age children in each house and a $12,000 cost for each child, the township would need to find $2.5 million to support schools for those children (1.4 x 150 x $12,000).
Walsh continued to press the issue of grants and said the people of Howell will be bankrupt if officials continue to spend money wildly.
Tobasco said, “It’s more than just about taxes. Getting this property and keeping it from houses helps this town long-term. We have an obligation to purchase this land. It would be irresponsible to keep this land for $22 million – it’s not just going to be open space.”
Tobasco referred to plans that have been drafted for the Harms-Pinnacle site. Based on the proposal, he said the site would include recreation amenities. He said the land could also be the site of a high school.
Although any plans for the Harms-Pinnacle site are conceptual at this point, the township has explored the options, according to Tobasco.
DiBella then called the question and said, “you’re welcome to vote no, Mr. Walsh.”
With the question on the table, Walsh reaffirmed his previous statement and said, “we should have gone for grants.”
Schomaker said officials explored the possibility.
“We as a council engaged to gather funding with the county and other entities,” she said.
During the council’s vote on the bonding ordinance, DiBella punctuated his vote in favor of the expenditure by saying, “there are 2.5 million reasons why,” referring to the earlier discussion about money needed to pay for school children.
After the bonding ordinance was adopted, DiBella left the dais to take a phone call.
When he returned, the meeting was ready to be adjourned.
As the council members got up from their seats, Walsh walked past DiBella and the two traded barbs.
After a brief exchange, Walsh had heard enough.
“Get out of my face,” he told the mayor, and walked away from the dais.
DiBella continued to speak to Walsh as the councilman left.
Walsh yelled back, “stop it, Napoleon, stop it.”
DiBella then said to Walsh, whose back was turned, “that’s great, that’s great for this town.”
The pair exited through separate doors.
DiBella declined to comment on the confrontation.
As of Monday, calls to Walsh seeking comment were not returned.