We want to applaud you all for continuing to show up in force for all of the Final B9 Hearings to date! Your steadfast support both financial and presence has continued to fuel us in our fight to stop Link Logistics ill-conceived warehouse project across the street from our beautiful community.
Summary
The following is a summary of the last hearing held on Wednesday, September 6th:
Developer’s Last-Ditch Effort
The developer’s attorney attempted to introduce a rebuttal witness (their planner) to refute our claims and to further discredit our professional testimony. However, at the objection of our attorney – the planner had not submitted a written report 10 days before this hearing, as our professionals were required to do – the Planning Board had no option but to stop him from testifying until he submitted the report. At which point the developer’s attorney withdrew his request for testimony. He then attempted to call township employees Mr. Healey, the town planner and Mr. Mazzei, the town consultant engineer. Both were rebuffed under our attorney’s objections as improper and irregular. Again, the developer’s attorney withdrew his requests. The attorney for Link was upset and suggested they “take a No vote, so we can sue you”, which is in the transcript. A threat and not well received.
Objections
Our Assemblyman, Joe Danielsen, also objected to a proposed change by the town consultant engineer Mr. Mazzei to incorporate a third driveway along with curbing to prevent trucks from making a left turn towards Weston Canal Road and for the third driveway for the smaller parking lot for automobiles to enter and exit. The objection was that this change to the building plans could not be entered without renderings and public comment. The proposed change was tabled until the next and final Planning Board meeting for any discussion.
Public Comments
To Be Continued…
The audience began their testimony restricted to 5 minutes each. Everyone spoke well with factual statements about the reasons the warehouses will negatively impact the residents. Time ran out before all speakers were given a chance to speak. For this reason, the Planning Board announced that public comments will continue at the Final B9 Hearings followed by closings from the developer’s attorney and our attorney. Then, the Planning Board will cast the final vote on the B9 application on September 26.
Special Hearing
Of note is that the B9 developers would not allow for any extension of time for the Planning Board (after) September 30 to render a decision. The Planning Board scheduled one of the final B9 hearings called a “special hearing” on Tuesday, September 26 at 7:30. Like all previous hearings, it will be held at the Franklin Township Board of Education Building: 2301 Rt. 27. The meeting will start at 7:30 PM.
An absolute decision/vote on this project will take place at this hearing. We strongly urge all residents to attend and have your voices heard during the public comments session at the September 26th meeting. We need to fill the hall and have more residents present prepared speeches. This will leave a very strong impression on each voting member of the Planning Board.
Thanks again for all you do to support us!
Citizens Warehouse Action Group (CWAG)