Fairchild Residents Jubilant Over Defeat of Township Plaza Project

Cries of, "We did it!" and "Congratulations!" were heard just outside the Morris Township Board of Adjustment meeting after  The project would have joined three small commercial buildings spanning from 146 to 150 Speedwell Ave. and allowed 7 residential apartments on the second floor. 

Seven of the eight board members voted to deny the application, with only Timothy M. Kronk supporting it. 

Resident Maureen Carlin, who said she had never been involved in any kind of community activism in the past, but was among the leaders of the effort to defeat the proposal, said,"I'm just so proud of the board for listening to the residents. This project is not just a mixed use with one or two apartments. This is a looming strip mall that would have had a detrimental impact on the residents."

"I'm happy the board agreed with us. I think it was due to the Fairchild section coming together," said Maureen's husband, John Carlin.

"We applaud the board's decision to deny the application," said Eric Ruhalter, another resident. "They did the right thing for the neighbors and for the township." Neighbor Art Huhn agreed, adding, "I think in the long run it will be much better for Morris Township.

Ruhalter said, "Like the members of the Board of Adjustment who applauded his efforts, I think we residents of the Sherman/Fairchild neighborhood are all for Mr. Lobozzo improving the condition and appearance of his properties. But we’d like for it not to come at the expense of our neighborhood’s integrity and the safety of our children."