The Board of Education has declined the Township Committee's "gift" of 86 River Road (the former police station) as a site to relocate the BoE executive offices. Currently the Board leases space on Changebridge Road, and is reportedly considering building a new building near the high school. 86 River Road will instead become the new animal shelter. While the shelter undoubtedly could use better quarters, some have said that the BoE passed up a low cost opportunity for office space in favor of something new that will cost taxpayers much more.
Well, attending the meetings which this was all discussed, it was understandable how the River Road Site for multiple reasons was turned down by the BoE. Could never understood why when at Lazar they couldn't put on a second story addition for BoE Offices. Regardless, they need a permanent facility, and renting space isn't helping.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
January 19, 2007 10:06 AM
River Road site is perfect. Utilities are present, parking lot, central location, property is free....Knock the old builing down and build a new one on the site. This is the most cost effective solution. Instead they are talking about decentralizing the municipal government and moving offices out of town hall to make room for the BOE. The BOE should come up with a financially responsible plan instead of displacing other municipal workers.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
January 19, 2007 12:23 PM
One could guess the BoE did not see the site in the same aspect, and are looking to build over near the Library on Horseneck Road. Utilities are there, good central location and the land there is free too.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
January 19, 2007 2:39 PM
The site cannot be knocked down and rebuilt...86 River Rd was built years ago without the proper permits and although not considered a "flood plain" it is in an area which floods. If anything is knocked down it will remain an empty, unsightly lot. The new animal shelter and new baseball association buildings will be a welcome sight once completed.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
January 19, 2007 6:17 PM
There is nothing preventing the building from being "gutted" and completely renovated inside and out.
In fact, as long as no new fill is being added in the floodplain, building may still take place.
Also, a building may have three of its 4 walls removed and be considered a "renovation" instead of being subject to regulations regarding new construction.
Bottom line is being in a floodplain would not have prevented re-using 86 River Road one bit.
Posted by
Architect
on
January 20, 2007 6:34 PM
Gutted and rebuilt, yes...and that is what will be done for the new shelter at the old police station site. Knocked down and completely rebuilt, no...the town has already stated that it is NOT allowed...that would have been the preferred plan. The BOE simply didn't want to take the time and money it would take to renovate this building. And they still have almost a year and a half on their "premium priced" lease of the building they are in now.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
January 21, 2007 8:46 AM
Wow. The entire building, the old police station is going to house the doggies?!? And how is that going to be financed, more taxes I presume. We already have an extravagant dog park, now an expensive and expanded animal shelter? Sure I love animals, but at what cost? Why don’t we ship out animals to another town and use the building for people. Pricey real estate for four legged furry things. I heard that Montville serves as the pound for other towns. Maybe they are too upscale to house dogs and other critters. Are we the doggie dumping ground? Surely there is another group and use for the building. Shame on the Bored of Ed for not taking on this.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
January 21, 2007 3:24 PM
The new animal shelter is not being funded by tax dollars. It is being built through grants and donations from a local, non-profit group called Montville Pet Parents. Before you condem the "animals" think about EVERYTHING else in this town that has been built for people, especially children, in this town. All great stuff, but it's about time humanity spread itself a little further. You may not be a big animal lover, but many are, and everything should be done to provide proper shelter to animals in need of a home (mainly because of PEOPLE who abuse them and don't want them anymore).
Posted by
Anonymous
on
January 21, 2007 5:27 PM
The old town hall at 86 River Road was originally designed to allow the building of a second floor on it, the BoE could of had plenty of room if they took over that building. Maybe if Morris County had a BoE in control of the public schools, instead of each municipality having a BoE, less taxpayer money would be wasted on excess administration and new buildings.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
January 21, 2007 5:33 PM
The old police sta, how large is it? Say 10,000 sq ft. The animal shelter is about 1,000 sf. (it looks very small) The shelter is going to expand 10 fold? Even if the police sta is only 5,000sf, this is a HUGE increase. Renovations are about $100 to $200/ft. Even at the modest end, that's $1/2 million. It could balloon into over a million. How long will it take to raise money (without tax dollars) as suggested. Thousands of kids play soccer and it took 10 plus years to collect about $250,000. Tough to get an animal shelter from grants and donations alone. Very lofty goal but not practical. It will take years.
Sorry, got off topic. Back to BoE
Posted by
Anonymous
on
January 21, 2007 9:38 PM
Part of the need for more space is that we provide Animal Control services to other towns (Boonton, Twsp, Mt. Lakes, Morristown...) Perhaps we could be a sending town, not a receiving town and do away with the shelter all together. This topic is slated for discussion at the Township Committee mtg. this Tues @ 8 PM.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
January 22, 2007 7:41 AM
Despite what was reported here previously, the new animal shelter will be funded with our tax dollars. The Pet Parents say that they will raise the money but to date haven't come up with a dime. They cannot possibly raise the 750K to 1Mil to renovate the old police station. They continue to portray themselves as a player in plans for the site. I say "SHOW ME THE MONEY".
Posted by
Anonymous
on
January 24, 2007 7:13 PM
This would be like the Dog Park, people approached the Town indicating they had 50K to help with it, and the money never appeared leaving the town with the bill. I would have to agree, will history repeat itself? Show us the money....
