Residents Get Support Against Chatham Gardens

A group of Madison residents on and near Brooklake Road have received backing from the borough against a proposed Chatham Borough community garden project adjacent to their property.

Mayor Mary-Anna Holden told Irene Knobloch, of 30 Brooklake Rd., at Monday's Borough Council meeting that a letter had been sent to Chatham Borough, signed by Borough Administrator Ray Codey, expressing Madison's concerns over the project.

The letter, addressed to Chatham Borough Mayor Nelson Vaughn and dated Aug. 23, said Madison Engineer Bob Vogel had reviewed the plan for the gardens, and detailed a number of problems the borough had with it.

One issue raised in the letter was that, though the survey for the proposed project was done on March 3, the council and residents did not find out about the project until about five months later.

"It is unfortunate that until recently our residents and governing body were not informed or consulted regarding the development plan," Holden read from the letter.

Also addressed in the letter are what the municipality sees as numerous safety concerns raised by Vogel, including the location of metal structures, new water lines, and vehicles in close proximity to electrical transmission towers, and permanent improvements over the below ground Transco gas pipeline.

The letter also stated that Madison Attorney Joe Mezzacca and Zoning Officer Frank Russo say notices are required to adjacent property owners, regardless of municipal boundary lines. The letter ended by requesting that if Chatham Borough wished to proceed with the project, that it give advanced notice for a community meeting to address the issues raised by the Madison residents and council.

The letter was also sent to Transco, Texas Eastern Gas Company, PSE&G and New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Commissioner Joseph L. Fiordaliso.

Knobloch and her husband Hank, along with Rosemarie Frank, of 34 Brooklake Rd., have spearheaded residents' outcry against the garden proposal.

The proposal would put along the Chatham side of Brooklake Road two­ garden plots that, once they are fenced in, will each take up a spot 95 feet by 130 feet. The plans also have a 45-by-120 parking lot with a 20-foot driveway sitting between the two proposed gardens. The property, which is owned by PSE&G and has power lines running through it, sits directly across the road from Madison residents on Brooklake Road.

Knobloch presented a petition at the Aug. 9 council meeting, saying it contained the names of 95 people. She said the 95 came from 100 people polled around the area, asking if they would sign the petition in opposition of the project. She said only five people said they would not sign, and that some of those who did sign were Chatham Borough residents who are near to the proposed gardens.

Holden reiterated statements she previously made at that council meeting, saying the proposal as it stands appears to be "really, really dangerous," and wondered if there was another option for its placement.

In particular, she mentioned expanding the gardens that already exist on the Chatham side of Division Avenue, where she said there appears to be plenty of room to expand.

"There seems to be an awful lot of room," Holden said. "If they want to continue the gardens, wouldn't it make more sense to put them there, where it already is and it's along a Chatham road?"