HILLSDALE—A unanimous Borough Council approved a memorandum of understanding between Hillsdale and the state Department of Environmental Protection that endorsed the state’s Blue Acres program to acquire specific local properties in flood-prone areas.
Mayor Michael Shienfield told Pascack Press that approving the resolution was a routine action to show local support for the state’s Blue Acres program, which acquires properties in repeatedly flooded areas.
Councilor Robert Colletti Jr. raised concerns about the number of potential homes up for acquisition, possible loss of tax revenues, and future impacts to affected neighborhoods. However, he said he believed the NJDEP program was “a godsend” for local homeowners in desperate flooding situations.
“But depending on the scope and scale of this, and what it may expand to, there are implications for the town,” including decreased property tax revenues and possible future property maintenance costs, he said.
Officials said 10 properties were listed by NJDEP for possible acquisition due to their location in frequently flooded areas.
Officials told Pascack Press that the 10 properties were on Beechwood Drive, Hazelwood Avenue, Sycamore Avenue, Glendale Drive, and Riverside Drive.
Borough Attorney Mark Madaio said the Blue Acres program purchases flood-prone properties at market-value from homeowners. The NJDEP then demolishes the structures on the property and creates open space, allowing future floodwater to be absorbed by the undeveloped open space.
Madaio, who has served as an attorney for municipal planning boards, noted New Milford did about six Blue Acres buyouts in a low-lying section in one year in a frequently-flooded neighborhood.
Madaio said the list of 10 local properties eligible for Blue Acres buyouts was not likely to expand anytime soon.
Administrator Mike Ghassali said six properties are closed on or being acquired, and four properties are on the list but not being acquired by NJDEP as their owners did not wish to sell.
Officials said when Blue Acres acquires local property, the state owns the deed while the municipality must maintain the property. Madaio noted that often DEP tries to acquire contiguous properties.
Officials said it appeared NJDEP only allows passive recreation uses for Blue Acres properties, though previously Councilor John Ruocco noted that more active uses may have been allowed on the acquired sites.
While officials pointed out tax revenue losses were likely from homes bought out by Blue Acres, the benefits of residents exiting from flood-prone structures was well worth the cost, they said.
Madaio said during prior discussions a few years ago, it was noted emergency services were often “under stress” during major flooding events, and people’s lives might be at high risk due to flooding and rescue situations that could otherwise be avoided if high-risk properties were acquired by the Blue Acres program.
Though he raised concerns about possible tax and community impacts, Colletti said he completely supported the NJDEP’s Blue Acres buyout program.