United Water Property: Fate to be Decided Soon

The United Water property at the intersection of Main Street and River Road has undergone an environmental clean up dating back to 2003 when the company stopped dumping sludge from its water treatment plants at the site.

That clean up and restoration process is now coming to a close. The Department of Environmental Protection recently cited the property as remediated, according to United Water, and all that remains is the restoration of a berm slated to be completed this spring.

"There were six lagoons on the property and there was sludge in all of them," said Mary Campbell, corporate counsel for United Water at the Jan. 10 mayor and council work session. "All 13 acres were dug out and there was a small area where an oily substance was found and remediated."

The berm is being rebuilt to protect the property from flooding. But the question remains--what will the property be used for?

During the public portion of the Jan. 10 work session, members of the council and the mayor were limited to asking questions regarding the remediation of the site. The governing body and the UW representatives then met in closed session to continue their discussion.

A developer is slated to attend the March 14 meeting of the Mayor and Council to make a presentation on the United Water property but it is not clear which potential use of the property they will be discussing. Because it relates to a potential sale or purchase, the mayor and council are not allowed to comment on it.

"I am somewhat restricted in what information I am allowed to share," said Mayor Ann Subrizi in an e-mail. "However, as it stands now, the meeting on March 14 will be open to the public."

The borough gets first right of refusal if the property is put up for sale by United Water. Borough Administrator Christine Demiris said the borough had an appraisal of the property done by Appraisal Systems--the site was valued at $3 million.

Some, like NMHS Head Football Coach Bill Wilde, have suggested that the property be purchased by the borough to be used as an athletic complex.

"The United Water property is where it has to go because it has to be built on higher ground," said Wilde, who is also the School Resource Officer for the NMPD at the high school. "It could be an athletic complex used by the entire town for all of New Milford Recreation and the high school teams."

The NMHS football field, located behind the high school, has been plagued by both flooding and geese. Wilde, who has been head coach for six years, said many games could not be played on the field over the years due to flooding. 

"If it rains on a Wednesday, the field is still not dry and not playable by Friday," said Wilde. 

Wilde also has concerns about his players' health since their practice field, which is adjacent to the main field, is covered in geese feces for the majority of the season.

New Milford School District Superintendent Michael Polizzi also supports the development of the property as an athletic complex, among other potential uses.

"Given the value of athletics in the community, both the high school and the borough deserve a facility out of the flood plain," said Polizzi. "A facility that the entire community can use and be proud of and which is not limited to sports competitions, but one that can be used to generate revenues through year-round, multi-purpose use."

Polizzi said the school district approached United Water back in 2009 to discuss a use for the property that would benefit all of the parties involved.

"The District presented a proposal seeking to dedicate the property to the development of a much needed athletic complex, community center, environmental educational center, nature preserve and passive recreation," said Polizzi.

Polizzi said the proposal envisioned a "green" state-of-the-art athletic complex that would also include a sculpture garden and an outdoor laboratory among other uses.

In terms of the financial cost of the development of this site as an athletic complex and community center, the superintendent said the district would support this project over the long term.

"If United Water would be willing to waive even a portion of the cost to purchase the property, and another part is subsidized through grants and private donors, the project becomes increasingly feasible," said Polizzi. "This requires the public will and the long-term commitment of stakeholders--understanding that the economic crunch will not be with us forever, it's important not to buckle under the pressure of profit-driven developers."

The development of the property for affordable housing has also been a leading contender for a use of this property over the years. Polizzi said allowing this property to be developed for housing could be devastating.

"This could have a devastating impact on the school system, which is already at capacity and what may be gained through taxes or ratables will be dramatically offset by possible future bond referenda to expand school facilities," said Polizzi. "A project that does consider development of ratables along Main Street without imposing a hardship to the schools is sensible."

Polizzi said he hopes that high density housing is not an option on the table. He said the district has not been involved in the latest round of talks with the borough and United Water.

"The incentive going forward has to come from the borough, with whom we eagerly look forward to partnering, so that the property is protected for future generations," said Polizzi. "Perhaps UW needs to be reminded of its own bragging points--that the company is proud to make a bigger difference in the towns and cities where its employees live and work."

Polizzi said the district's goal is to help UW deliver that goal as a reality in the borough.

"Profit motive does not always have to trump humanistic interests of much greater social and educational value," said Polizzi.