Community Gathers to Mull Fate of Rambaut Lake

Should the township use Open Space funds to help repair the dam at Rambaut Lake? Can Wyckoff take ownership of the body of water? Can corporate support help residents fund necessary repairs to the dam? 

After a community meeting Wednesday, it's not yet clear what can solve the residents' problem, although one thing is known: should no action be taken, the state Department of Environmental Protection may breach the dam, thereby eliminating Rambaut Lake as it now exists.

"Any proposal to breach the dam... has to be off the table" for a body of water that is "such an asset to Wyckoff," said resident Joseph MacDougall, whose comments represented the general opinion of the majority of those who spoke at Town Hall.

A standing-room-only crowd filled the Municipal Courtroom to offer their opinions before the Township Committee on what could and should be done at Rambaut Lake, a 7.5-acre body of water that is publicly accessible off West Shore Drive. The session, moderated by Ray Wiss, an attorney representing the township, was an attempt to bring the community together to try to find a solution before the state acts.

"I don't think we have the luxury of time with this dam," said Committeeman Chris DePhillips, who also characterized the more than 100-foot deteriorating structure as a "ticking time bomb."

Engineering reports state that the dam could be breached in the event of a 500-year flood, but residents representing Beekmere Inc., a defunct corporation that had historically claimed ownership, don't have the money (up to $1.25 million) or standing to repair or replace the structure. Beekmere had sued other homeowners last year in the greater Allison Acres community to try to compel everyone to contribute to the upkeep of the lake, which Beekmere residents have voluntarily maintained via dues for years. The suit has been dismissed, and Beekmere representatives say they will not pursue the matter, in hopes the township can step in to help.

For more background on Rambaut's history, click here.

The township, which had also been named in the lawsuit, has not committed to taking any action, but governing body members indicated that they're willing to listen to proposals.

"We're not closing our minds to anything," Mayor Rudy Boonstra said.

Tom Buda, a Lakeview Drive resident representing the 20 to 30 families who consider themselves Beekmere, had several ideas. He proposed a special tax assessment, like the Open Space tax, which could be levied on the Beekmere homeowners, the approximately 70 Allison Acres residents or the greater community. Buda suggested that corporate donations could be solicited, essentially money in exchange for the status of being the entity that "saved Rambaut Lake."

Or, Buda said, the township could take a direct role, either taking ownership of the pond—thereby assuming responsibility for the dam, upkeep and potential liabilities—or appropriating the approximately $900,000 in township Open Space money to repair the dam.

However, the Open Space money has been targeted to help fund the possible purchase of Russell Farms, combined with $1.859 million in county money recently granted to the township.

"Which is more important to the town?," Buda asked, in reference to Rambaut and Russell.

Residents largely supported the idea of someone stepping in to help save the dam, while the discussion also debated the potential benefits and liabilities to the town should it take ownership. Others expressed their anger and resentment at being named in the lawsuit.

"There's not a great deal of land" left in Wyckoff to preserve, resident George Pitts said. "We have to jump on what's available now."

Resident Jonathan Strauss maintained that home values in the immediate area would dip should the dam be breached and the lake effectively destroyed. Tax appeals would likely result, he said, at potential further cost to the township, in arguing that the fate of Rambaut Lake is not merely the concern of nearby homeowners.

MacDougall agreed, arguing that the economic consequences if the dam was breached would be greater than the cost to repair the structure.

But resident Bob Traitz cautioned against not considering other options outside of those involving significant expenditures.

"Need we keep what has historically existed for 130 years?"

Committeemen Brian Scanlan and Kevin Rooney questioned the rights-of-way for the public should the township ever possess the lake. Rooney was concerned about limited access to residents who don't live on the lake, as well as a steep slope on West Shore Drive, where most would access the water.

Some of the residents said neighbors historically have not had a problem with passers-by on their property, with Kit Scripps and Judy Strauss saying the lake is easily accessible to those who currently use it to fish and kayak.

The lawsuit filed by Beekmere clearly motivated many to attend the session. Resident Nina Sobel was "appalled" at the suit; Timothy Buchman of Meer Avenue wondered how a "nonexistent corporation has the standing to sue the town." A Colony Court resident was "extremely bitter for being sued" and also wanted Beekmere representatives to share all documentation related to engineering reports and DEP correspondence with the greater community.

However, Buda said Beekmere has no intention to pursue the suit. 

Committeeman DePhillips, an attorney himself, said, "I think we all agree that litigation is not the way to solve this problem."

The problem could have a potential solution that would not force the township to take a very proactive role. Scripps detailed Beekmere's efforts in 2007 to get the township to co-sign a loan application with the DEP for dam repair funds, but the governing body at the time declined to assume such liability. DePhillips indicated that the current Township Committee could be more amenable to such an idea.

In the meantime, while there is "downtime from litigation," as attorney Wiss said, the committee will throw its weight behind the search for a solution, contacting the DEP to request they not act while the governing body explores ideas.

After all, the lake is "too beautiful to just let it be destroyed," as Wood Street resident Nancy Lewis said.