Politics & Government

The Clock is Ticking: Eatontown Officials Struggle with Husky Brook Park Plans

The Eatontown Borough Council debated details of the restoration and development of Husky Brook Park at its April 6 workshop meeting.

The clock is ticking for the Eatontown Borough Council to approve a final plan for the restoration and development of Husky Brook Park to satisfy a January agreement with the Department of Environmental Protection.

While the borough agreed to have construction on the park—located between Grant and West Grant avenues—completed by this fall, council members are still struggling with details of the plan and worry about stepping on the toes of its recreation department.

James A. Priolo of Birdsall Services Group presented three variations of a concept plan to the borough council at its April 6 workshop meeting that would satisfy the DEP’s mandate that Eatontown remove illegal wetlands fill from the site.

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Borough officials met with the DEP on January 5 and agreed that in lieu of an assessment for the violation, Eatontown would remove the fill and create a supplemental environmental project—like a walking trail—on the site.

The DEP also agreed to allow Eatontown additional time to have Birdsall design a plan to develop the park and combine it with the restoration as a cost saving measure, provided planting could begin in the fall.

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Council members unanimously supported the most basic of Birdsall’s plans, which calls for a passive park with approximately 10 parking spaces, a walking trail, a grassy area and landscaping. The cost for construction is estimated by Birdsall to be $345,000.

The other two plans for Husky Brook included a picnic area, pavilion, storage area, a larger parking area and restrooms and cost between $850,000 and $930,000.

Council President Anthony Talerico verified with Priolo that features could be added to the basic plan, like restrooms or extra parking, at an additional cost.

The borough has about $400,000 bonded and earmarked for the project, and an additional approximately $600,000 in bonded funds that could be used for Husky Brook Park if necessary.

Eatontown resident Joel Stark recommended to the council during the public portion of the meeting that it prioritize and focus on meeting DEP mandates.

“Fix what needs to be fixed,” said Stark.

Council members also discussed whether plans should be given to members of the borough’s recreation department for input and approval and agreed that Councilman Mark Regan, liaison to the department, would present the plan to them at an upcoming meeting.

The council also agreed to have a resolution at its April 13 meeting to approve the plan and move forward with construction on Husky Brook Park.


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