Board of trustees may be solution for Fort Hancock

I read the June 14 editorial on Fort Hancock, and as one of the non-selected master development proposers, I would like to offer the following comments.

As a rehabilitation planner who has worked in Washington, D.C., I know the likelihood of federal funds being used to restore the fort is remote, especially at a time when well-known national parks are not being funded.

It doesn’t really matter if funding for the fort is private or public. What matters is the use of the buildings and public access, both now and within the next 60 years of the land lease.

Public input at this time is crucial to ensure the use of the fort reflects the desires of the community. There are ways to accomplish these goals. For example, you could create a board of trustees for Sandy Hook.

The board would have to be advisory, but it would have the final say in the uses of the buildings for the next 60 years.

The trustees could be composed of seven members — one from the developer, one from the park service, and five from the environmental and nonprofit community. We have to stop going to Washington for solutions that can be obtained locally.

Philip G. Crifasi Jr.

Tinton Falls