HILLSDALE—The Borough Council approved a resolution of support Feb. 14 for a long-proposed 1.5-mile Woodcliff Lake Reservoir Nature Trail — due to open on Earth Day, April 22 — while expressing concerns about future trail security, required gates, record-keeping, and overall costs.
Officials said a scheduled meeting between Veolia Water and the three towns, including Park Ridge and Woodcliff Lake, had not occurred since a December meeting. It also did not appear the other towns had passed support resolutions, nor signed the licensing agreement.
Park Ridge and Woodcliff Lake officials, however, expressed concern about what needed to be done between now and the nature trail’s anticipated opening.
Mayor John Ruocco told Pascack Press he had asked the police chief, DPW superintendent, and borough attorney, and new administrator Michael Ghassali (who starts Feb. 21) “to be involved in seeing this to fruition. I am becoming more pessimistic, however, that this can be done by Earth Day.”
The council resolution reads, “The governing body of Hillsdale continues its strong support of the nature trail, and executing all necessary agreements to effectuate its use subject only to specific comment by the borough, the borough’s law enforcement personnel, and final review by the borough attorney. This resolution shall take effect immediately.”
The mayor and council discussed concerns with the Veolia Nature Trail licensing agreement at its Feb. 7 meeting and again Feb. 14, raising concerns that the scheduled Earth Day opening appears uncertain.
Pascack Press has filed public records requests for a copy of the Veolia licensing agreement from the towns and Veolia, without success. Veolia officials said the towns should provide the agreement.
Council members, police chief Robert Francaviglia and borough attorney Mark Madaio had questions Feb. 7 and all said they needed more information on final project costs as well as what security needs to be in place before the trail opens.
Madaio said he would reach out to Francaviglia to find out his concerns and Francaviglia said he would reach out to his counterparts in Park Ridge and Woodcliff Lake to see where they stood on security needs for the trail.
Pascack Press asked Veolia about concerns expressed by Hillsdale regarding trail costs, trail work needed and ongoing costs for security and maintenance.
Spokesperson Debra Vial replied Feb, 10: “The terms have long been agreed upon, with the municipalities required to install security cameras, gates, etc. and to patrol the area to protect both people on the trails and the watershed that is essential to all North Jersey residents. This is the plan they came to us with. You should track their progress.”
She added, “We are in contact with the municipalities and they can contact us at any time. I do not have a schedule of events for April 22 as of yet.”
While both Park Ridge and Woodcliff Lake received prior state grants to pay for trail improvements/maintenance, Hillsdale was not able to get a state trail grant and may be required to pay $25,000 to $30,000 for its share of trail improvements, security, and trail maintenance, said officials.
At the Feb. 7 meeting, Ruocco said original budget estimates ranged from about $26,000 up to possibly $34,000 per town. He said one estimate from 2015 ranged around $100,000 in total, split three ways between towns.
Francaviglia said he was concerned about security around the reservoir and what cameras would be OK with Veolia.
Troast said he was under the impression that trail cameras, or hunting cameras, that would record but not provide a direct feed to police would be fine..
Troast said that it was likely all three towns were facing the same issues and having concerns about how to provide the requirements in the licensing agreement.
Councilwoman Abby Lundy worried requirements in the agreement might be “cost prohibitive” including gates and related security and needed further information.
At one point Feb. 7, Francaviglia said a requirement for police keeping a daily log of security gate openings and closings was “not feasible at all.”
Troast suggested that the other two towns who have been pushing for the trail should likely lead the way in completing it.
In mid-December, Woodcliff Lake councilwoman Jennifer Margolis told Pascack Press, “A revised agreement needs to be given to the municipalities and then it has to be signed. The walkway will require some clearing and maintenance in certain areas.”
She said, “Also, some security arrangements have to be made in regards to access, etc. It does look like we are in the home stretch after many years.”