YMCA
Background: TUF first became aware of the initial plans to build the YMCA from a Nov. 11, 2003 THNT article. On Dec 13, 2003 then Deputy Mayor Grippo announced it at a township meeting. The plan is for Eastman Companies to donate $450,000 and 6-8 acres of land at the corner of Mettler Lane and Weston Road. After procuring significant additional funding the YMCA would build a new facility. We understand that near the site the Eastman Cos. plans to build a retail development (or for lack of a better term, a strip mall). back to top
The YMCA is not part of the government, why is TUF involved: TUF's mission statement directs us to be concerned about issues that effect taxes and quality of life. We are examining the proposed Y because it has the potential of either positively or negatively impacting both. back to top
Potential positive impact on taxes: While the Franklin Y itself would be a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and thus exempt from paying taxes it has the potential of drawing business for other township businesses. This is the vision that Mr. Grippo speaks of when he discusses the Y. The concept is that events such as swimming meets would draw people who will need food and lodging. This would potentially increase business in the area and thus increase revenue to the township businesses. Located near business-zoned areas of the township (Davidson Ave and School House Road) the Y could increase the draw of the area to corporations. The nearby proposed retail area would also provide new tax revenue. A pool at the Y would negate (in TUF's opinion) any need for a pool at the near by High School (though we should point out that the voters have already against a pool at the high school). back to top
Potential positive impact on quality of life: The potential benefits to quality of life from a Y in Franklin are obvious. TUF does not mean to make promises for the Y but a competition quality pool seems to be a high priority in the plan. Other possibilities mentioned (but very tentative) are a fitness center, teen center, day care, health programs and aerobics classes. The nearby retail area (strip mall) will likely provide convenient services to those who live nearby. back to top
Potential negative impact on taxes: One of TUF's fears is that the Township will provide tax dollars either to help build or to support the Y. If the Y is built but not viable then there might be a desire or enticements to supplement the Y's income with school or Township funds. This could be done directly or indirectly. One indirect way would be to create needs (a high school gymnastics team as a hypothetical example) that would "need" the facilities at the Y. In short TUF asks, "If we build it, will they come? And if they don't, who will pay?"
In addition all new construction increases stress on the infrastructure that is maintained by tax dollars. This includes water, sewer and roads, as well as public works, fire, and police. back to top
Potential negative impact to quality of life: Clearly for those who live in the immediate area will be impacted by increased traffic both from inside and outside of Franklin. These same people will soon be subjected to the increased traffic from High School. This will be increased by the proposed nearby placement of the retail area (strip mall). The Y will increase traffic on already congested Amwell Road, Davidson Avenue and Elizabeth Ave. All of these roads will be under greater pressure when the High School and Somerset Run open - even more so at rush hour. back to top
Other concerns: Lucretias Comments outlines many concerns shared by TUF and those that have written TUF. A major concern is what does Eastman Companies. want in return for over $500,000 worth of donations? This can have a huge impact on Franklin. For instance the developer for the Canal Walk community received a zoning variance that granted them a "density bonus" to build an additional 0.3 house per acre which calculates out to approximately 75 additional, saleable homes or, at current market rates, about $24,000,000 in revenue. TUF believes that the increased burden on the infrastructure was not an equitable exchange for the $300,000 that was paid to the Township. back to top
What is TUF's current opinion?
In keeping with TUF's policy of maintaining a record of everything we have said available to those that visit our site we shall date our opinion because what we learn in the future may influence and change our position.
Feb 1, 2004 - TUF has almost no opinion at this time. How could we? Frankly we don't know very much yet. Though to be completely honest we are slightly pro in that we are hopeful that this will be a positive for Franklin. We plan to keep you informed about what is happening as events move forward. We still have many unanswered questions and our first concern is will there be an opportunity for a public meeting to have these questions answered? A YMCA is a community project and to be successful it requires community support. From the email we have received many have concerns. If those concerns are not answered they will simmer to a boil that could seriously impede progress on the project. back to top
What has happened so far?
Nov 13, 2003 - THNT article "announces" the plans for the Y.
Dec 11, 2003 - (Then) Deputy Mayor Grippo announces the proposal for the Y at a Council meeting. TUF notes that it has received many negative e-mails about the Y. TUF's director Phillip Kramer states that it was his impression that the negative perceptions about the Y were related to Mr. Grippo's involvement. Kramer made the statement "All things Grippo aren't bad", meaning that having a past disagreement with Mr. Grippo is a poor reason to be against a YMCA and that automatically being against something simply because it's "Grippo" is illogical and not in Franklin's best interest.
Jan 6, 2004 - TUF asked Township Manager Ken Daly "Several people have asked about the proposed new YMCA that Mr. Grippo announced in the newspapers and at the 12/11/2003 council meeting. Kindly provide me with a copy of the builder's agreement or proposal setting forth the terms for the YMCA that Mr. Grippo announced."
Jan 7, 2003 - Mr. Daly replied, "There has been no application from the developer named in Mr Grippo's announcement [Eastman Companies], no application, no board approval, and therefore no developer's agreement." (We added the bracketed text.)
Jan 29, 2004 - TUF was at the Community/Senior Center for the first public meeting pertaining to the proposed YMCA. The Home Tribune News covered the event even though there was no reporter at the meeting. Our opinion follows.
The meeting was lead by Mr. Grippo as Campaign Chairman Jeffery Hockenbury Somerset Valley, YMCA Board President and Efrain Centeno, Somerset Valley YMCA CEO. Mr. Peter E. Schofel of Eastman Companies is the Honorary Campaign Chairman.
The meeting was a designed to kick off the project and inspire those who want to be involved. It started with an overview of the project and Mr. Grippo informing everyone that this was to be a positive meeting and that he would ignore any negative inputs. He then asked for people to call out their personal visions for what the building should include. He then added it to a list. The intention of the list was to include the full extent of possibilities of what the Y could become. There was significant interest in not only a pool but also a pool that could accommodate competitions (it's important to note that both Rutgers and Princeton University already have competition pools). A second (smaller) pool was also suggested because those that swim for exercise require cooler temperatures then those that use the pool for other reasons.
Other "visions" included an outdoor pool, a fitness center, dance studio, child care, media center, stage, an outdoor ice skating rink, indoor track, child care room, large parking lots, snack bar, and racquetball, tennis and squash courts. Currently the plan is that the Y would supplement the Township recreation department.
Much of this is covered in the THNT article though, in our opinion, there was one somewhat misleading point. At the meeting the stated time frame of similar projects has been four to seven years. A YMCA representative made the statement that sometimes you get lucky and things can move faster. Mr. Grippo also indicated the possibility that initial use of the facility could be accelerated if the project was done in stages. Our point is that three years is possible but perhaps not realistic.
What the meeting lacked was the opportunity to ask questions. Perhaps that's appropriate for an initial meeting but as we stated above if the Y and Eastman Cos. wants the entire community behind the project they will need to alleviate the concerns held by many people. We believe the sooner, the better.
Feb 9, 2004 - This page first appeared on TUF's site.
back to top
© 2003-2010 - Taxpayers United in Franklin
|
