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Council accepts NJDEP conditional authorization for Schedler park; one council member objects to artificial turf
Summary
Council voted to accept a conditional NJDEP authorization to develop the Schedler property into a multifunctional park, including an artificial‑turf multisport field. Councilmember White cast the lone no vote, citing health and environmental concerns about turf.
On Sept. 10 the Village Council voted to accept an NJDEP conditional project authorization allowing development of the Schedler (Schedler/Shedler) property into a multifunctional public park with walking trails, an ADA playground and a multisport artificial‑turf field subject to nine mitigation conditions.
The resolution directs the village manager to execute the authorization letter and to take actions necessary to comply with the nine conditions, including retaining qualified professionals and coordinating with historic preservation officials. The manager said failure to accept the authorization within 60 days would result in automatic denial of the application.
Council member Karen White (first recorded at earlier roll calls) explained her no vote on the grounds that artificial turf exposes the public to health risks she described as possible carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, off‑gassing of volatile organic compounds and other environmental harms. “For the environmental harms and the potential health risks … I cannot vote in favor of this resolution,” White said.
Other council members supported the authorization and framed the vote as a long‑overdue step to deliver recreational facilities to residents. One council member noted the village has owned the parcel for nearly two decades and described the plan as a way to provide improved play space and accessibility.
What’s next: The manager is authorized to sign the conditional authorization and proceed with the required mitigation steps and professional reviews; the project will proceed to the State House Commission for final action as required by Green Acres rules.
