Developer offers Schwenker's Pond

FAIR HAVEN - A developer who is proposing to build three houses on the estate formerly owned by the Doremus family has offered to give the borough Schwenker's Pond, which is part of the site where the development is planned.

The new owner of the property is listed as David Carr in documents at the borough's Construction Office.

At the Borough Council meeting Monday, Peter Falvo Jr., attorney for the developer, said the pond tended to be covered by algae in the summer, caused by the water coming from the storm drains on the roads nearby and the run off from fertilizer used on lawns. Cleaning the pond would be less difficult for a municipality than for a private owner, he said, because the borough could work with the state and county more easily to get the required work done.

Falvo said his client would be willing to make a contribution to start the process to obtain a grant that could be used to clean up the pond.

The present condition of the pond, Falvo said, was not caused by the new owners, but by the storm water outlets from the streets in the borough, and from the leaves and fertilizers that wash into the storm drains.

"Our contention is it is not our sole responsibility to clean the pond," he said.

Falvo said the pond could be used as an open space area and environmental resource for the town.

"This is a tough situation," Borough Council President Thomas Gilmour said, adding that there could be a "high cost factor associated" with the borough taking over the pond.

Gilmour said the Council should get a recommendation from the borough's Environmental Commission and the borough engineer.

He said he didn't know how the borough could take on another project. The town has been involved in work to remove silt from McCarter's Pond.

In response to questions from the council, Falvo said the developer would provide land adjacent to the pond that would provide access to it.

Mayor Michael Halfacre asked Falvo to give the Council a formal proposal in writing and Falvo said he would comply by the end of the week.

The developer's proposal for the property is scheduled to be heard again by the Planning Board next month.

- Liz Sheehan