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Montville residents question redevelopment and turf funding as redevelopment ordinances advance
Summary
The Committee introduced Ordinance 2026-19 (a redevelopment plan for Block 59) and Ordinance 2026-21 (reserving $498,000 from the Open Space, Recreation and Farmland Trust Fund). Residents asked process questions about redevelopment designations and expressed environmental concerns about artificial turf; the Township Attorney and Administrator clarified the legal and funding limits.
The Montville Township Committee on June 9 introduced Ordinance 2026-19, a redevelopment plan for several parcels consolidated as Block 59 (lots 13, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 22) and set a public hearing for June 23, 2026. The Committee also introduced Ordinance 2026-21, which would authorize a capital expenditure of $498,000 from the Open Space, Recreation and Farmland Dedicated Trust Fund to address future recreation and open-space needs.
During the public portion, residents raised questions about the redevelopment designation and the Recreation Commission’s priorities. Melissa Benno asked about Ordinance 2026-19 and about timing and details for playground and grass/turf field work under Ordinance 2026-21. Steven Benno asked procedural questions about how an area is designated as in need of redevelopment.
Holly Cox, of Towaco, expressed environmental concerns about artificial turf, stating that turf fields can "plasticize and contaminate the environment with turf fields" and urged preservation of wooded sites, specifically asking that the 17 Chapin site be preserved. Anthony Angioli urged the Committee to consider proactive open-space uses rather than limiting funds solely to recreational turf or fields and asked for more detail in Resolution 2026-231 (the River Road grant application).
Township Attorney Fred Semrau, Esq. responded to the public by explaining the difference between a designation and a redevelopment plan: a "designation" determines that an area qualifies as in need of redevelopment, while a "plan" acts as an ordinance for land use; if the plan is adopted it identifies the maximum that could be built but does not permit additional development beyond that maximum. Administrator June E. Hercek clarified that Ordinance 2026-21 sets funds aside at the Recreation Commission's request and "no decision [has been] made on what will be replaced or what they will be replaced with," and that Resolution 2026-231 authorizes the Township to submit a grant application to the New Jersey Department of Transportation for River Road improvements.
Both ordinances were introduced and scheduled for public hearing on June 23; Committee members did not adopt either ordinance on June 9.
