Chatham Gardens Take More Heat at Madison Council

Mayor Mary-Anna Holden and members of the Borough Council joined residents on and near Brooklake Road in criticizing a proposed expansion of Chatham Borough's community gardens.

The proposal, which has caused a stir recently with Madison residents who want no part of the project, would place two garden plots and a parking lot directly across from residents who live on Brooklake Road.

Two of the most vocal residents against the project, husband and wife Hank and Irene Knobloch came before Madison's council to offer their concerns and ask for the council's support in dealing with Chatham Borough.

Irene Knobloch also presented a petition which she said contained the names of 95 people. She said the 95 came from 100 people they 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 it were Chatham Borough residents who are near to the proposed gardens.

"I think it's think pretty overwhelming," Irene Knobloch said. "People were actually telling us how glad they were for us coming around."

Holden told Irene Knobloch the borough was looking into the issue, saying she wasn't sure that legally Chatham would even be able to put the driveway where it is currently proposed.

She said, though it has an easement agreement with PSE&G, that it is proposing to put the driveway over a Transcontinental (Transco) Gas Pipeline. Like its name suggests, Transco uses a vast interstate system of pipes to transport natural gas. Holden said she doesn't see how PSE&G will be able to grant an easement over the pipe, and also thinks it could be a safety hazard.

"I think what they plan to to do is, frankly, rather dangerous," Holden said. "Pulling a car in, and metal on metal, one spark..."

Holden also said she sees no reason why Chatham Borough can't put the driveway in from Bartow Lane, which is fully in Chatham Borough and has a right of way across the PSE&G Property.

The Knoblochs thanked the council for its support. They also thanked Councilman Sam Cerciello for coming out to Brooklake Road to take a look at where the proposed gardens and parking lot would be placed.

The proposal is for 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, would be leased from the company for a dollar a year.