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Resident urges timely Fox Chase Pond work to avoid losing $246,000 ARP-funded grant; asks about oversight of federal property sales
Summary
A resident told the committee the township must schedule Fox Chase Pond restoration this summer to avoid forfeiting a $246,000 DEP grant funded by American Rescue Plan funds that must be fully expended by Dec. 31, 2026; she also asked whether the township can regulate former federal property sales and urged the Board of Adjustment meetings be recorded for public access.
Susan Gollaford used the public-comment period to press the committee on several land-use and transparency matters, beginning with Fox Chase Pond. Gollaford said the township received $246,000 from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for pond upgrades (funded by American Rescue Plan Act money), that funds were obligated by 2024 and must be fully expended by Dec. 31, 2026, and she asked whether the work will be scheduled this summer to avoid returning unobligated balances to the U.S. Treasury.
Gollaford also asked whether the township has authority to oversee property once federally owned land is sold to private buyers and whether the federal government can make representations to buyers that would override municipal regulations. She urged the township to review ordinances for emergent uses — citing potential AI-related businesses and detention-center proposals — to avoid 'grandfathering' problems when permits are filed.
She requested that Board of Adjustment meetings be recorded and made publicly available to improve transparency and said she had raised concerns about Airbnbs in town. A staff member who identified themself as Sam acknowledged the questions, said staff would prepare written answers and promised to bring clarifications back to the committee at a future meeting.
The committee did not set firm dates for Fox Chase Pond work during the meeting; staff said they would follow up with detailed responses on federal-property oversight and project scheduling.
