Dear Editor:
Another delay. This current Board of Education has been requested by the HMDC (Hackensck Meadowlands Development Commission) to explain to them what happened to the creek and/or stream that was on the land site that is presently the Middle School/High School site.
I learned about this request two weeks ago. When I related what I remembered about the creek, stream and maybe even a pond that existed on that site before the landfill operation began to the current board members and our attorney, they scoffed at my recollection of the subject. One of the youngsters on the board said, quote, “You can remember what happened way back in 1977?” “You’re an old timer.” My reply was “I sure can, and I sure am.”
Now a point of information. Our attorney traced the problem of the location and existence of said creek and stream back to 1977, then the information regarding the creek and stream, no pun intended, “dried up.”
Be that as it may, I proceeded to tell them what I knew about this disappearance of the creek, stream and pond, based on my memory from when I served on the Board of Education, 1973-1976. I informed them how I, on several occasions, questioned the “quick claim” the Board believed the HMDC would grant us. I wondered how the landfill operation could begin before getting “clear title” from the HMDC. It was my opinion and that of a few Board members during that period of time that the landfill operation that was then taking place should not be taken place until this creek, stream or pond matter was settled with the HMDC. For the most part my questioning fell on deaf ears.
Now for the reason for writing this letter. I would appreciate it if the following “old timers” who were around in 1973-74 (30 years ago) would share some of their memories/knowledge regard the location of the spring/creek and pond with some of the young whippersnappers now on the Board. Was there a creek? Was there a stream? Was there a pond? If so can you help us pinpoint a location? — Paul Amico, William Bercaro, George Broemmer, John Bueckner, Anthony Calderone, Robert Campanella, Joseph DeFerrari, Howard Elwell, Anthony Just, Joseph Lynch, Michael J. Marra III, David Pollack, Dennis Pope, Eugene Salvatore and Richard Steffens — this is a great opportunity for us “old timers” to help this current Board of Education. It’s surprising how much of a memory is built around things unnoticed at the time.
Please contact me or any Board member with any information that you believe may be of assistance in solving this problem we are having with the HMDC. Without your help we may be delayed and “up the creek” for quite some time.
Tom Troyer