Wetlands issues prevent land's use as ballfields
BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer

SPOTSWOOD - Some 10 acres of land that was being given to the borough for use as ballfields is too wet for active recreation.

The land, owned by Schweitzer Mauduit paper manufacturer, is largely wetlands, according to Borough Council President Curtis Stollen.

Schweitzer wants final say over what the property is used for, and has expressed displeasure with the borough's backup plan to use the area for a walking trail, according to Stollen.

"They are not happy with walking paths, and we can't use it for fields," he said.

The acreage is located across the street from the plant, and even if the company gave the land to Spotswood, Schweitzer would still need to maintain its access to a pumping station and well fields in that area.

Stollen said there are about 10 acres with wetlands, but there are also "higher and drier" areas that Schweitzer does not want to give up.

"They are willing to give us 10 acres with the wetlands," he said. "We're in a quandary."

Stollen said the area is largely wooded, and there are some "dry spots, but it's a lot of wet areas too."

Schweitzer had said it would only grant the property if the borough agreed not to disturb the pumping areas.

"We'd have to work around it," Stollen said.

That was the first challenge, but borough officials felt they could use the property for ballfields while still allowing Schweitzer access to the pumping station. The borough even had a committee formed to determine the best recreational uses for the site. However, after officials learned the extent of the wetlands, they realized that building athletic fields, which are at a premium in Spotswood, is unlikely to become reality.

Stollen said Schweitzer will not turn the property over without knowing the borough's plans.

Regardless, the borough has asked the company conducting a review of the borough's master plan for ideas on how the property could be used.

Stollen said he hopes the master plan review will create a coherent picture for future Main Street development.

"We want guidelines for the Planning Board and Zoning Board, rather than having Main Street lack continuity," he said.

The slower real estate market gives the borough some time to develop its vision before much new development takes place, Stollen said.