Veto gets board members off hook, doesn’t aid O.B.

The decision by some Old Bridge Planning Board members to veto John Brunetti’s proposal for the development of his property may sound logical on the surface but is actually misleading and deceptive.

Like most residents of Old Bridge, I would like to see all development in the township come to a halt. Ever-increasing taxes and ever-increasing traffic are just two of the more glaring reasons for wanting to call a halt to further growth, but rejecting Brunetti’s proposal isn’t going to accomplish that. All the denial did was let the board members off the hook.

Mayor Barbara Cannon and the other members who voted against the plan have been on the board long enough to know the law. Brunetti has had approval of a general development plan since 1987. Since that time he has been negotiating in good faith with the board. Forcing Brunetti to turn to the courts for a remedy will be a bonus for the lawyers but costly for the taxpayers. What it will accomplish is to allow the board members to disclaim all responsibility by forcing the courts to give Brunetti approval to build.

The real losers will once again be the Old Bridge taxpayers. Brunetti was planning to donate 20 acres of land for a school, land for a firehouse and $30,000 to the local fire department. This is hardly likely to happen under the circumstances. When it’s all over, I predict we will still have the development minus the incentives.

I have known John Brunetti many years and have often disagreed with him and what he proposed for Old Bridge. Still I have always respected him for having built Glenwood Apartments, which are well constructed, well-maintained and an asset to the township.

One can only wonder why the board wasted so many years working with Brunetti on an acceptable plan that would best protect the municipality only to refuse him final approval.

Edna Gordon

Old Bridge