TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON—The township recently submitted a $1.3 million bid for the former Charlie Brown’s property at 95 Linwood Ave. that matched a bid submitted earlier by Apple Montessori Schools for the same 1.45-acre parcel — and threatened condemnation if the a voluntary sale didn’t happen.
On Tuesday, Jan. 4, Township Attorney Kenneth Poller emailed a Charlie Brown’s property representative — whose email address was blacked out on the email received by Pascack Press — to submit the township’s $1.3 million offer.
“Michael: As per our telephone conversation, the Township of Washington is prepared to enter into a purchase arrangement for the property at 95 Linwood Avenue (Lot 20 Block 2502) for purchase price of $1,300,000. The amount is in accord with an appraisal which the township commissioned at the time of our initial discussions relating to this matter,” Poller wrote.
He added, “It is hoped that we can amicably reach an agreement for the voluntary sale of the property. If that cannot be accomplished, the Township is prepared to follow the condemnation route, an alternative that the Township would like to avoid for the benefit of all concerned.”
Pascack Press revealed the township’s interest in acquiring 95 Linwood Ave. after a Jan. 13 call from Erica Amon, vice president of real estate and development for Apple Montessori Schools in New Jersey, to a special council meeting. (See “Town to grab Charlie Brown’s site from under Montessori school?” Pascack Press, Jan. 24, 2022.)
That meeting was called to introduce a $762,000 bond ordinance to acquire the Washington Township Swim and Recreation Club property. The public hearing on the $800,000 cost is Feb. 7.
Amon told the council that Montessori was under contract to purchase the property, and had spent “thousands of dollars” on due diligence studies and surveys.
She said she did not want to be “litigious” but rather sought to work with the township. She said her company hoped to locate in the township soon.
Township officials have declined to reveal details about the bid, or offer, or future use of the property. If acquired, there would be costs for demolition, site investigations, and site preparation before construction could begin.
The property is owned by Giselle Brown Realty LLC, of Oklahoma City, Okla.
Following public records requests on Jan. 17, Pascack Press received a copy of the 95 Linwood Ave. property appraisal (by McNerney & Associates, Glen Rock) and the email detailing the township’s $1.3 million offer via email to us on Jan. 26.
Township officials are perhaps eyeing the property as a new location for a Department of Public Works building, recently razed due to longstanding contamination concerns, although no public official has offered public comment on the site.
With the former DPW building, now torn down and its longstanding toxic soil contamination cleaned up, the DPW had been searching for an alternate location.
However, several temporary local sites were opposed by neighbors worried over heavy truck traffic, children’s safety, noise, and pollution.
It appears the site may have been selected, although no public discussion of the site or “due diligence” by the township on appropriateness of the parcel seems to have taken place.
People familiar with the negotiations told Pascack Press that the township offered the same purchase price offered by Apple Montessori Schools, with township officials claiming that their offer was based on a property appraisal, which has now been confirmed. McNerney & Associates’ appraisal, dated Aug. 4, 2021, notes that the market value of the fee simple estate at 95 Linwood Ave. was determined July 21, 2021.
Residents reaching out to Pascack Press questioned the transparency of Mayor Peter Calamari and council members in sending a legally binding document to the seller. Town officials appear to commit $1.3 million in public funds without a bond ordinance in place and no prior public meeting on how the acquisition benefits the township.
The property was listed in August 2020 as “available” through Jeffery Realty.