February 12, 2014 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 3 Franklin Lakes Borough plans to permit boating at preserve by Frank J. McMahon The Franklin Lakes Borough Council intends to intro- duce an ordinance that would allow boating at the Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve. Councilman Joseph Kelly, chairman of the council’s Recreation and Parks Committee, gave a report to the coun- cil last week during which he described a survey recently conducted by the borough. He said the 335 responses to the survey indicated that 264 respondents were in favor of per- mitting boating on the nature preserve, 69 were opposed to it, and two responses were not clear. Kelly said those who favor boating said the preserve is underused and allowing boating there would build a greater sense of community. Those not in favor of boating stated concerns about liability, the effect on property taxes, an increase in pollution and rowdiness, negative impact on birds and wildlife, and the desire to preserve the pristine character of the preserve. Kelly said a concern was also expressed about the pos- sibility of the boats transferring microscopic organisms to the lake that could destroy vegetation. Noting that there was more support for the idea than he expected, Kelly said, “There is enough interest in it to make it worthwhile and we can do it without an impact on taxes.” During a discussion of the concerns expressed in the survey it was pointed out that the borough’s risk manager has advised that the borough would be covered by its liabil- ity insurance; the plan would be revenue neutral and have no effect on taxes; litter is not now, nor expected to be, a problem at the preserve; no loud music would be permitted; and only boats that can be transported on top of a car would be allowed. Mayor Frank Bivona said the possibility of transferring microbes into the lake cannot be controlled and that they are already in most lakes in the state. Borough Administra- tor Gregory Hart also pointed out that the prohibition of trailers would minimize that potential problem because it is the trailers that carry the microbes. Council President Paulette Ramsey was the only member of the council who was opposed to the idea. She explained that such an ordinance had been considered in the past and voted down in favor of passive recreation at the preserve. “I’m not in favor of it,” Ramsey said, “but we’ll see how it goes.” Bivona made the original recommendation that “car top” boating be permitted at the nature preserve starting this spring. “This public park has proven to be a great asset to the community and this proposed use would further enhance its usage in a way that encourages active life styles and general wellness,” Bivona said. “It’s a great resource and I think we should open it up.” Bivona recommended, however, that several regulations (continued on page 8)