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Turf, wetland findings and a contested lease: Berkeley Heights board debate ends with failed attempt to exit Lower Columbia agreement
Summary
After months of planning and public debate, trustees could not secure a majority to exit a recently approved lease of the Lower Columbia property. Board members and residents disputed whether environmental findings and consultant communications should have been completed before the lease; the referendum and referendum-related ballot language also drew scrutiny.
Trustees clashed late Wednesday over the Berkeley Heights lease for the Lower Columbia parcel and related turf-field planning after members of the public and some board members said environmental reviews and consultant reports should have been completed prior to approving the lease.
A chronology compiled by a public commenter traced actions from the March 18 board vote approving the lease through consultant engagements, an environmental commission recommendation against artificial turf, and subsequent OPRA responses. The commenter and several trustees said key consultant findings (including identification of hydric soils and wetland…
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