Crossroads Hearing Continues, DWI Court Case Update This Week

It’s shaping up to be a busy week in Mahwah. Here’s a look at some of the stories you can expect to see on Patch this week. Have an idea for another you’d like to see? Email it to Jessica.mazzola@patch.com. 

Crossroads Hearing Continues

An ongoing Crossroads hearing in front of the Mahwah Planning Board happens Monday night at 7 p.m.

According to Planning Board Chair Todd Sherer, the proposed development’s planner will be testifying about the plans for the development at the meeting. An expert on the potential environmental impact of the development is not scheduled to testify Monday night, Sherer said. The environment will be the topic for the following hearing, he said.

The Crossroads Developer is seeking preliminary site approval for a 600,000 square foot shopping center proposed at the intersection of Routes 17 and 287. The development, which would contain two big box stores, a pedestrian-friendly area with shops and restaurants, and a movie theater, would surround the Sheraton Mahwah Hotel.

The Planning Board has been hearing testimony on the site plan application for over a year. At its last hearing, the developer’s witnesses testified about the internal traffic pattern at the site.

The development is pending litigation. Both sides in a dispute between a group of anti-mall citizens and the Crossroads announced earlier this month they would not settle out of court. The pending lawsuits are awaiting a judge’s decision.

DWI Backlog Update

At a township council meeting last week, members updated the public on the status of a DWI court case backlog in Mahwah reported earlier this year. Check Patch this week for news on how the court system is getting through what Superior Court officials said was a high number of “backlogged” cases, or pending DWI cases that were 60 days or older.

Students Award Local Heroes

A group of Mahwah High School students is hosting a ceremony Monday night to honor 25 people who they say act as “everyday heroes” in the community. The ceremony honoring the group is open to the public, and is happening at 7 p.m. at Ramapo Ridge Middle School.

Also happening this week:

Vegetation Maintenance Program Begins

Orange & Rockland will be conducting its periodic ‘Distribution Line Clearance Program’ in Mahwah for about a month starting Monday.

According to a letter O&R sent to the township, its crews will “cut back trees that are touching lines or which have the potential to interfere with the wires,” and remove dead trees and underbrush.

See a list of roadways that will be affected here.

Adult Sports Sign-Up

The Recreation Department is hosting an in-person sign up for mens and womens softball, soccer and tennis on Wednesday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Rec Building at Commodore Perry Field. 

Joyce Kilmer Celebration

The Joyce Kilmer Society of Mahwah is hosting ‘A Tribute to Joyce Kilmer’ this Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott. The event is set to include displays of the notebook in which his famed poem ‘Trees’ was written and the letter from his wife claiming he wrote the poem in Mahwah, a video of a musical version of the poem, readings of his work, complimentary refreshments, and free admission.

Annual Fishing Contest

Mahwah Recreation’s 24th Annual Fishing Contest will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m.  This family favorite is held at Silver Creek Pond, located at the intersection of Airmont Ave, and Airmount Road. The contest is open to residents, ages 5 through 13 and is Catch and Release only. Proof of residency will be required at registration. Prizes will be awarded to contestants based on size of fish caught and amount of fish caught.

Submit your questions or news tips to jessica.mazzola@patch.com. And, remember to sign up for Patch's daily newsletter, and get updates on Facebook and Twitter.