LETTER: Vote No to BAC on May 7

To the Editor:

The only sensible choice in the May 7th Special Election is for Berkeley Heights to vote no.  While the Back the BACer’s have spent a lot of time name-calling StopTheBAC.com supporters (including myself, as I live within 200 feet of BAC’s land), the issue is simple – a non-taxpaying, non-resident, members-only business (BAC) is trying to evade the Town Council, which has repeatedly rejected  BAC because it is bad for Berkeley Heights. If you aren’t sure whether the Town Council is right, the League of Women Voters is holding a public forum on the election on April 24, 7:30 in Columbia Middle School.  Until then, because of the costs, the legal precedent and the destruction of a residential neighborhood, the reasons for voting No on May 7^th, are clear:

1. Costs:  Berkeley Heights has spent more than $100,000 on this special election and litigation brought about by BAC.  BAC is not reimbursing the town one penny for that money.  Plus, the Town Council and the Mayor (not just StopTheBAC.com supporters) have stated there are serious issues with the sewer plant handling the amount of chlorinated water that BAC is handling.  If BAC’s chlorine seriously harms the sewer ecosystem or pushes future capacity estimates higher, Berkeley Heights may need to retrofit or upgrade. This, too, would be paid by Berkeley Height, not by BAC. Berkeley Heights just cancelled spring clean-up. Imagine what services will be lost next to subsidize BAC.

2.  Legal Precedent:  This legal maneuver by BAC opens the door to other private businesses doing the same thing: acquire land outside of Berkeley Heights and force Berkeley Heights to pay the cost.

3.  Destruction of Neighborhood:  The Emerson Lane and Free Acres Neighborhood has existed for over a century.  BAC is proposing to drop a Walmart-sized facility – a 51,000 square foot building (which is bigger than a football field) plus hundreds of parking spaces - in the middle of it.  BAC is also proposing to keep the facility open upwards of 18 hours a day.  The traffic, noise and light will destroy this area.

In sum, despite what BAC backers say, this is not a vote about the kids.  The ‘kids’ (like my own) have many, many swimming options, including two other swim facilities in Berkeley Heights already.  This is about whether big-bucks developers can push around citizens and local elected officials acting in the best interests of the town.  Berkeley Heights needs to say enough is enough.

Jonathan C. Wishnia
Warren, NJ