Week in Review: ShopRite Hearings March On

This past week we caught a glimpse of Stop & Shop's legal strategy going forward as property owner Munico Associates' legal representation renewed its objections to Inserra Supermarkets' ShopRite proposal.

Hearings resumed before the Planning Board on Wednesday with the continuation of project architect Thomas Ashbahian's testimony on the planned supermarket's design aesthetics and size. After being rebuffed in arguing for a change of venue last month, an attorney with the firm Price, Meese, Shulman & D'Arminio cross-examined Ashbahian, challenging his testimony of the building's roof plans and size. The firm plans to object throughout the proceedings for site plan approval, which will likely take months.

The hearing also was marked by the board chairman's dissatisfaction with the state of the site plan, whose architecture and design was vetted by the Design Review Board. Inserra attorney James Jaworski had planned to conclude Ashbahian's testimony this week before moving on to other witnesses, but the architect will likely be called back after tweaking the ShopRite design. Two clock towers that received much attention at the Design Review level were deemed unnecessary by the board chairman.

Inserra also were complimented on a height demonstration that went up last Monday, in which scissor lifts were connected by rope to show the elevation of the planned supermarket.

The Planning Board will not meet again until Sept. 13, but this week will be very busy at Town Hall and beyond. The Wyckoff Board of Education will meet Monday night; the Township Committee Tuesday; the library Board of Trustees Wednesday; and the zoning board Thursday.

Other items of note within the past week: 

• Two local organizations reached out to the community for support with fundraising initiatives.

Christian Health Care Center held a sidewalk sale at the de Snoop Winkel Gift Shop, with proceeds going to benefit the center programs. Additionally, the Ramapo Bergen Animal Refuge partnered with Midland Park photographer Keith Hopkins, who was donating part of his proceeds from pet portrait sessions to the Oakland-based shelter.

• The charitable spirit certainly extends to the Smith family of Wyckoff, who served as a host family within the Fresh Air Fund program. The Smiths opened their doors to a boy from Brooklyn, and the experience was as enjoyable and educational for the Smiths as it was for the youngster.

• We stopped by the public library, where artist Rosemarie Crabtree was helping teens find their creative touch with watercolors. The teens embraced the challenge, crafting artwork that would catch any eye. The library will again welcome teens this Tuesday for a creative exercise where the youths will be invited to re-write a children's book. We'll be there!
• We took a look at first-year Township Committeeman Chris DePhillips' acceptance into a prestigious legal association that allows attorneys from around the world to touch base on vital areas of the profession.
• We also checked in with the Wyckoff Family YMCA Sharks swim team, which recently had a great showing at a national competition in Maryland.
• The Police Department's recent arrests were featured in the blotter.
• Discussions continued on the proposal to allow outdoor dining in the township, with the Planning Board agreeing that the measure is a worthwhile pursuit.
• We also heard from some of our columnists, with Mia Brady ruminating on the vast differences between her home life and college lifestyle; Gloria Johnson took a look at nutritional rating systems; and real estate agent Allison Witkowski offered her advice to first-time homebuyers.

As always, if you have a story idea or just want to talk, contact me at 201-208-3349 or nick@patch.com.