'Precarious', Crowded Warehouse Meeting Will Not Be Tolerated, Warns Hillsborough Mayor

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Emotions are running high in Hillsborough with a number of large-scale warehouses being proposed to forever change the landscape of the township. However, the behavior of residents at a recent Environmental Commission meeting described as "precarious" prompted Hillsborough officials to speak out.

"To say we had a lively meeting the other night was an understatement. It was a very precarious meeting," said Neil Julian, who serves on the Environmental Commission and the Planning Board.

Julian spoke to the Planning Board on Thursday night about the Environmental Commission meeting that was held on Oct. 24 where there was a discussion on another the proposed warehouse application by Weston RD, LLC.

"It was overcrowded. It was emotional. It was frustrating. We kind of just didn't know what to do," said Julian. "We almost shut down the meeting a few times. It was not a good night. It was very precarious."

Julian noted the committee didn't know how to get in contact with the fire marshall or the police. He also said that representatives for the applicant Waston RD, LLC approached him after the meeting to say they were threatened.

Township Committeeman Frank DelCore insinuated police will be present at the next meeting.

"We have these meetings in public… but there has to be a certain level of expectation on how the meeting will be conducted," said DelCore at the Thursday night Planning Board meeting. "The fact that people feel threatened? Where are you? Are you serious? We will have protection there. We will never put one of our volunteers in a position where they feel threatened."

Hillsborough Mayor Shawn Lipani reminded residents that the people serving on the commissions, such as the Environmental Commission, are all township residents and volunteers.

"It is a truly advisory panel that has no way of voting for or against the application. They advise us, the planning board. So to take your ire out on five people who are sitting there just trying to do a job you should all be ashamed of yourselves whoever you are. Completely ashamed of yourselves," said Lipani.

Lipani said he wished that he was present at the meeting so that he could call out every single one of their names publicly at the Planning Board meeting.

"You have a question or a concern, you as an adult deliver it. Not an emotional soliloquy that is half-hazard or random to a bunch of people just trying to do a job. What would your kids think if they saw you doing that? Or if you saw your kids doing that. I would hope you would say it is not the right thing to do. And if you do think it is the right thing to do then I am ashamed of you," said Lipani.

Lipani threatened to limit the number of people allowed at upcoming commission meetings "to keep my volunteers safe."

"So it is up to you when you go to a meeting to sit there and behave. And present yourself in the way it should be done," said Lipani. "There is no reason for [Julian] to come up and say they were afraid to do their job. So I am going to leave it to you to see how you act."

"I will not tolerate it… but the buck stops with me right now and it is not going to be tolerated," said Lipani.

These statements were made before another warehouse application for Homestead 279 LLC was supposed to be heard on Thursday night at the Planning Board meeting but it was adjourned to Jan. 12, 2023. The adjournment was called by the applicant because the planner was unavailable to testify.

Homestead 279 LLC is proposing to build a 137,413-square-foot warehouse at 279 Homestead Road.

The Jan. 12, 2023 date will not hear any testimony on the application instead it will just allow the Planning Board to come up with a new date to continue the hearing.

Additionally, the Planning Board agreed to extend the deadline for a decision on the application from Dec. 31, 2022 to Jan. 31, 2023 for the time being.

The proposed application on Homestead Road is looking to subdivide 17.11 acres into two lots:

• Proposed Lot A to front on Homestead Road and contain 5.41 acres to retain the existing commercial use and improvement
• Proposed Lot B to contain 11.7 acres and the subject of the major site plan, to construct a 137,413 square foot warehouse with internal office space, associated parking, lighting, stormwater, and improvements, on property in the LI, Light Industrial Zoning District.

The application is seeking five variances and 23 waivers. To see the full application click here.

With five warehouse applications before the township, the Township Committee announced on Oct. 25 it is working to "redefine" what is classified as a warehouse to combat the issue. Read More: Warehouse Issue In Hillsborough To Be Tackled By Committee

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