Save Watchung Library Position Statement on Barn Deal
Save Watchung Library (SWL) is a non-partisan group dedicated to working towards keeping and improving the Watchung Library. Our library is an important community hub that helps provide a sense of common belonging. As Watchung residents we care about our community’s cohesion, success and safety.
Based on publicly available information, the firm opinion of SWL is that the proposed barn deal (Borough of Watchung Resolution: R12) does not serve the public interest. If there is benefit in giving away land that belongs to the public and the future residents of Watchung, that case should be made abundantly clear to the public. This deal does not pass that test.
The R12 deal would give public property, commonly known as the Barn, to a private property owner in exchange for a sidewalk easement and parking lot resurfacing. The library is in the process of improvement, and a deal to barter away the Barn property could severely limit the potential options available to the Borough in the future.
In a recent council meeting, Councilperson Jubin suggested "the library people" were conflating the issues. As the Save Watchung Library group, our concerns focus solely on the Barn aspect of this deal. It is short-sighted, and we object. In our opinion, dealing away public land, and limiting the possible uses for public good, such as part of a library renewal project, is ill-advised.
Lastly, it’s our position that council members who have benefited from monetary or in-kind contribution(s) from the private property owner involved in the deal should voluntarily recuse themselves. The highest ethical standards should apply to all our representatives.
Please share your input with our borough council. The email addresses for mayor and council are:
Kballa@WatchungNJ.gov, WRobinson@WatchungNJ.gov, PMartino@WatchungNJ.gov, RJubin@WatchungNJ.gov, FHayeck@WatchungNJ.gov, CEad@WatchungNJ.gov, CDahl@WatchungNJ.gov
We also urge you to show up at Council meetings, in person or virtually, and make your concerns known during the public comment portions of the meetings.
Council Meetings are held the first and third Thursdays of the month.
To submit your public comments in writing, please mail them in or send an email before 6:00 P.M. by the meeting date to the Borough Clerk at publiccomment@watchungnj.gov
Based on publicly available information, the firm opinion of SWL is that the proposed barn deal (Borough of Watchung Resolution: R12) does not serve the public interest. If there is benefit in giving away land that belongs to the public and the future residents of Watchung, that case should be made abundantly clear to the public. This deal does not pass that test.
The R12 deal would give public property, commonly known as the Barn, to a private property owner in exchange for a sidewalk easement and parking lot resurfacing. The library is in the process of improvement, and a deal to barter away the Barn property could severely limit the potential options available to the Borough in the future.
In a recent council meeting, Councilperson Jubin suggested "the library people" were conflating the issues. As the Save Watchung Library group, our concerns focus solely on the Barn aspect of this deal. It is short-sighted, and we object. In our opinion, dealing away public land, and limiting the possible uses for public good, such as part of a library renewal project, is ill-advised.
Lastly, it’s our position that council members who have benefited from monetary or in-kind contribution(s) from the private property owner involved in the deal should voluntarily recuse themselves. The highest ethical standards should apply to all our representatives.
Please share your input with our borough council. The email addresses for mayor and council are:
Kballa@WatchungNJ.gov, WRobinson@WatchungNJ.gov, PMartino@WatchungNJ.gov, RJubin@WatchungNJ.gov, FHayeck@WatchungNJ.gov, CEad@WatchungNJ.gov, CDahl@WatchungNJ.gov
We also urge you to show up at Council meetings, in person or virtually, and make your concerns known during the public comment portions of the meetings.
Council Meetings are held the first and third Thursdays of the month.
To submit your public comments in writing, please mail them in or send an email before 6:00 P.M. by the meeting date to the Borough Clerk at publiccomment@watchungnj.gov
