DUI Lawyers in Frankford, NJ

FRANKFORD — For the second time in the past four months, the Township Committee failed to pass a resolution Tuesday to allocate $50,000 in open space funding to renovate Culver Lake Golf Course.

The Greater Culver Lake Watershed Conservation Foundation, an organization created to create the environment surrounding the lake, had sought funds to turn the 92-acre property on East Shore Culver Road into a space for hiking, biking, bowhunting and other outdoor activities.

The vote at Tuesday's meeting was 2-2, with Nick Civitan and Deputy Mayor Jim Ayers for the measure and Sam Castimore and Ed Risdon against. Mayor Chris Carney abstained because he lives near the property.

Foundation President Rick Ferruggia said the group's proposal had been "very well-received" from the lake community and other township residents. He said he envisioned the renovated property as a spot that would showcase the natural beauty of Sussex County and entice others to visit or move to the area.

Aside from the $50,000 from open space, Ferruggia said, "there won't be one dime on the taxpayers of Frankford," with the state's Green Acres program and other grants funding the rest of the project and future maintenance.

Castimore said Frankford residents would still partially fund the project through their tax payments each year.

"What you're saying is it's not paid for by the taxpayer, but Green Acres funds is taxpayer money," he told Ferruggia. "So you kind of hide behind the veil of, 'it's free,' but it's not free money."

Ferruggia said about 70 residents sent letters in support of the proposal. Castimore said he has spoken to plenty of residents who oppose it.

"I guess the people that I talk to would rather see their taxes go down and don't (want to) buy things that cost more money down the road," Castimore said.

The Township Committee voted the same on the renovation as they did on Tuesday. The foundation modified its proposal since in the hope it would pass on the second try.

The three members of the public who spoke on the matter Tuesday, along with Ferruggia, said they support the project and see a potential benefit for the township.

"We very much are in favor of the foundation and their proposal. We think it's the best-case scenario," said Ralph Smith, president of the Normanoch Association of homeowners in the Culver Lake neighborhood. "I hate to see it go as a golf course, but I think hiking trails and the natural area would be wonderful for our township — a great asset."

Danae Dotz, secretary of Frankford's Lake Owassa Community Association, read a letter stating the association's full support of the project and requesting the township approve the resolution.

"Preserving this important tract of land for walking, hiking, snowshoeing and other forms of recreational use for the residents of Frankford Township could not be more timely in this era of COVID-19, where additional options for outdoor activities are of the greatest value," Dotz read.

Mike Dolan, a member of both the Frankford and Sussex County open space committees, said Frankford currently has more than $300,000 in open space money and no other projects planned.

"Projects of this nature, that are basically shovel ready, don't come around very often," he told the board, "and I just wish you'd reconsider your position and offer your support for the project."

Ayers referenced an article he read about two new hotels being built just over the Sussex County border in Port Jervis, New York, with nearby biking and hiking trails making the city a popular tourist destination. He said the golf course project would achieve the same goal for Frankford and lead to more people visiting and spending money.

"In my opinion, when you have something like this open space and hiking trails, it only helps bring people into the area," Ayers said.

Just before he recused himself ahead of Tuesday's vote, Carney made a brief statement in which he reminded the committee of the 70 township letters in favor of the project.

"The only thing I do want to say is, we do work for the people," he said, "and there were a lot of people who spoke up (in support)."

FRANKFORD — Members of the Frankford Township Fire Department got their first look at the department’s newest fire truck when it arrived at the firehouse on Route 206 Wednesday afternoon.

Roughly a dozen firefighters and their families gathered at the firehouse, which officially opened last fall, to see the truck come up the hill shortly after 4 p.m. Those in attendance then spent several minutes walking into and around the vehicle and examining its various features.

The vehicle is a pumper rescue truck, the first of its kind owned by the Frankford department, according to Depatment President Mike Fox. While all other trucks in the township are designed with equipment to either fight fires or assist in rescue situations, he explained, the newest addition to the department is equipped for both scenarios.

Although the new truck made its debut at the Route 206 firehouse, the vehicle will be housed at the station on Pelletown Road.

“Being on that side of town, we don’t have as much manpower on that side,” Fox said, “so we can roll this to the scene and be ready for either situation.”

The new truck, which was built in Louisiana, is notable for being the first one purchased by the township, as each previous vehicle had been bought through funds raised by the department itself. According to Fox, the vehicle cost about $430,000, of which $400,000 came from the township.

As for Frankford’s new firehouse, the department is still planning to hold an open house for the general public after the original event, scheduled for Dec. 1, was postponed due to weather. Fox said the members are still working out available dates, but the open house will likely take place on a Sunday in May.

Staff Writer

New Jersey Herald

Four candidates are running for three three-year terms on the Frankford Board of Education in the Nov. 6 election.

Serena Ayers

Age: 36

Hometown: Frankford. I grew up in Frankford and attended Frankford Township School and High Point Regional High School. I left the state to attend college and eventually returned to Frankford in 2005.

Family: I am married with two children (3 years old and 1 year old).

Education: B.S. biology and B.A. liberal arts, The Evergreen State College. M.S. in science education, Montana State University

Occupation: I conducted research for two years and then taught science for nine years at the middle school and high school levels. Currently, I stay home with my children.

Experience: I have served on the Frankford School Board for three years. Throughout these years I have been an active participant and have attended all of the training sessions. I also have a diverse experience in education as I have taught at a charter school in D.C., an international private school in Central America and New Jersey public schools.

Campaign website: No answer given

List your top 3 issues and what you would do regarding each issue.

1. Improve student achievement by encouraging and supporting techniques that challenge all levels of learners; develop creative, critical thinkers; and utilizing technology.

2. Making educationally sound decisions within the constraints of our budget. We have recently seen a decrease in state aid. It is important that we work as a team to thoughtfully make decisions that will move our school forward during these challenging years.

3. Continue to support the teachers by ensuring that they have the supplies, curricula, technology and training to provide the best education possible to our students.

What else should we know?

I am running for another term on the Board of Education because I am deeply committed to both the community of Frankford and public education. I believe that a solid education will provide the children of our community an opportunity to accomplish their goals and dreams. I benefited tremendously from my experience at Frankford, and I am excited for my children to have a similar, if not better experience.

Staff Writer

New Jersey Herald

sreilly@njherald.com

FRANKFORD — The old eyesore of the white-washed abandoned building sitting alone at the Ross' Corner intersection in Frankford is no more.

Demolition crews late last week tore down the old garage and work shop in preparation for construction on the Sussex Commons outlet mall complex.

"The demolition of the garage at Ross' Corner is a major step in removing what most feel was an eyesore when entering Frankford Township and the center of Sussex County," said Frankford Mayor William Hahn. "By bringing commercial development to Ross' Corner the township will see a substantial increase in tax ratables, which will help our school systems maintain their ranking as one of the best in the area."

According to developer Howard Buerkle, the old building was finally being torn down after 20 years because of a recent commitment from state officials that clears the way for the mall.

"We were waiting to get a commitment letter from the state before we began any work on the site," Buerkle said. "Now we have a commitment and statement letter that says the state has no environmental concerns regarding the development of the site. That makes the approval of the sewer plant easier."

Currently, the developers of the Sussex Commons outlet mall have yet to submit the final design plans for a sewer plant for approval, but the commitment statements from the state, county and Frankford Township make the development process of the sewer plant a financially viable endeavour, Buerkle said.

The controversial Ross' Corner mall development has gone through public hearings, heated town meetings, courtrooms, county agencies and state boards. After all of the fanfare, it boils down to the construction of a waste water treatment plant similar to the one being debated in neighboring Branchville.

"We have to design the plant, we have to build the plant, but the county runs the plant," Buerkle said. "That is a great deal for Sussex County. It will make Frankford the economic center of the entire Sussex County area."

According to Buerkle, the development of the Ross' Corner site with the construction of a waste water treatment plant will make Frankford the only municipality that will be able to support new construction of business complexes and affordable housing.

"The young people are leaving Sussex County because they can't find housing they can afford or jobs that will support them," Buerkle said. "The difference between the strip malls we all see along the highways of New Jersey and the mall at Ross' Corner is the difference in the community we want to create here. We want to keep the best of Sussex County and give people a place to live, work and play."

The Sussex Commons outlet mall developers are a major part of the vision statement development plan approved by the Frankford Township Committee in June. The mall is proposed to be located in the retail-commercial zone on the corner of the site at the intersection of Routes 206 and 15 and County Route 565.

The property located on either side of the planned mall development will be zoned for residential and retail use, which includes apartment complexes and retail stores.

Jessica Caldwell, a licensed planner from Harold E. Pellow & Associates in Augusta, said the vision statement had originally called for three areas of residential development; however, after the committee considered comments from a May public meeting, one of the residential zones was changed to a commercial and economic development zone.

This new zone will allow office buildings, warehouses and schools instead of residential homes.

The vision plan includes residential zones that could have townhouse developments, garden apartments, single-family homes and rowhouses. In the commercial retail and entertainment zones there could be a movie theater built, a hotel, music venues, schools and day care facilities.