Public Hearing on Aquatic Center at Tonight's Berkeley Heights Town Council Meeting

Following the succes of a November petition drive in favor of the action, Berkeley Heights officials will tonight decide whether to extend sewer service to the Berkeley Aquatic Club's proposed 51,000 square foot facility in neighboring Warren.

In late 2011, after months of controversy, the Berkeley Heights Town Council voted 5 to 1 against allowing any alteration to the original contract with Warren Township, putting a halt to the BAC's plans. 

Berkeley Heights and Warren Township have an agreement that allows new residential structures in Warren Township to access the Berkeley Heights Sewage Treatment Facility, but not commercial structures such as the proposed BAC facility.

Last month, a petition drive spearheaded by a public relations firm hired by the Aquatic Center garnered enough signatures to prompt the Berkeley Heights Town Council to vote on amending the rule. 

Residents living near the proposed building say the facility would substantially increase traffic on Hillcrest Road and create a hazardous situation. Residents also claimed Emerson Lane would be used as a short cut and for overflow parking. 

They also claimed that the installation of the facility would substantially reduce their property values. 

Other residents in favor of the facility claimed that allowing the BAC to tap into the Berkeley Height's sewage treatment facility would bring in much needed revenue to offset taxes.

There will be a public hearing on the amendment before the vote.