Page 10 THE VILLADOM TIMES Area IV • September 22, 2010 Rambault Lake dwellers may form consortium by John Koster The substantial majority of Wyckoff residents whose houses surround Beekmere Pond – also known as Rambault Lake – have agreed in principle to form a coalition and subsidize the rebuilding of the now-crumbling dam that makes the lake possible. “If the present status continues, the DEP will breach the dam – they will leave it like that in a natural state,” said Ray Wiss, an attorney appointed to serve as moderator by the Wyckoff Township Committee. Last week’s meeting about the lake drew 17 of the 21 people whose Lakeview Drive homes face the lake, along with a dozen other residents. By show of hands, 14 of the 17 Lakeview Drive neighbors present volunteered to join a group to be formed in the next few weeks which would formally incorporate. They agreed to fund the replacement of the dam, now targeted for destruction by the Department of Environmental Protection if some decision is not reached. Another woman said she would pay but would not join because she envisioned credit complications if she belonged to a condominium-style organization. Tom Buda, a restoration advocate, said he carried three proxy votes with him from neighbors who could not be present, and added that two other neighbors said they would refuse to join. Four residents who live farther from the lake also stood up to be counted as potential supporters, while a half-dozen others did not. “Nothing is free in this world,” said Jonathan Strauss, who offered to pay, even though he does not live on Lakeview Drive. “The entire town is not going to pay for this.” Strauss said that since he derives enjoyment from the proximity of the lake, it was just and reasonable that he help pay for the new dam. However, he said that the residents from other parts of Wyckoff were not liable – a position heartily endorsed by the members of the township committee. Wyckoff Mayor Rudy Boonstra and Township Committeeman Christopher De Phillips remained firm on two key points: The dam would not be funded for through a general tax increase, since some residents benefit far more than others, and Wyckoff would not buy Beekmere Pond and assume maintenance responsibilities. “I don’t know that it’s fair to saddle taxpayers in other neighborhoods with any expenses for this project.” Mayor Boonstra said. “I sense no interest on the part of the governing body to take over Rambault Lake. I hear no thought at all of the desire to own the property. Are you with me, guys?” They were. “Everyone here wants to save the lake and get the dam done,” De Phillips said “We’re at the point now where we want to fix the dam, and find put how to finance it.” Boonstra, Wiss, and members of the Wyckoff Township Committee estimated it would cost $650,000 to replace the dilapidated dam and, with state-supervised funds available at an attractive two percent, each resident who joined would be liable for about $38,000, which could be reduced if other residents contribute voluntarily. One woman stood up and offered to write a check on the spot, but members of the Wyckoff Township Committee felt that stretching the payments out over 15 years would be more equitable. The lake was once the center of an established private community whose members paid dues for lake privileges and maintenance. The organization faded out in the 1960s, though some neighbors continued to pay for lake maintenance, while others did not. Albert Ferro, a long-time resident and real estate attorney, said the lake should be considered a town-wide responsibility, not a neighborhood project, because it benefits the entire township. Ferro also said losing the lake would reduce the value of each of the houses around the lake by what he estimated at $200,000. He said this would reduce the tax rolls for the entire town, which should be responsible for at least some of the dam restoration. Boonstra also parried suggestions by neighbor Charles Lieberman who said Wyckoff should be responsible for some of the repairs because the township “dumped” water drainage into the lake. Lieberman also argued, as Ferro had, that the elimination of the lake would lower the assessed valuations of neighborhood houses and reduce the tax income of the entire township. Boonstra replied that the lake is part of an estuary that starts in Franklin Lakes and, by that logic, a number of towns could be held responsible – but that the obvious responsibility for fixing the dam was on the neighbors who enjoy the seven-acre lake. “It’s just under $9 a day to enjoy that lake,” Township Committeeman Kevin Rooney told the residents. Lieberman continued to advocate partial responsibility on a town-wide basis, because even some local people might not be interested, but the township committee would not budge. Brian Scanlan, the governing body’s only Democrat, agreed the dam is a neighborhood responsibility. “I don’t think it’s fair to ask the entire town to pay for the cost of restoring the lake,” Scanlan said. Ben Margiotta, another neighbor, urged that the terms of the loan be extended for 20 years if possible, but he concurred that the issue is a neighborhood matter. “I do not want to see the township own that lake,” he said. “I don’t want them telling me that anybody can walk through my back yard.” “I don’t think we can go out to 20 years,” Scanlan responded. “Fifteen seems to be the maximum.” “It’s not the what, it’s the how,” said Buda. He thanked the township committee for providing structure for a meeting to achieve harmony. He and other residents asked to have at least one township committee member supervise the meeting where the neighbors work out the details of incorporation. Break the Highway Trend! ...not your community’s back. Local businesses are the backbone of your community and the trend to shop the big guys on the highway hurts us all.Your local businesses have what you want... at the right price... and close to home. So, why hassle with the highways? Save Time! Save Gas! 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