This Day in History: 1959-03-02
A large crowd filled the Mill Road firehouse to capacity as the Planning Board considered a change of zoning to permit the building of a 3,000 acre industrial park in the mountain area paralleling the New York State Line. Some residents like Murray Spear of Valley Road contended that his world open the entire valley to uncontrolled industrial development, while others, such as Jerrold Oakle of Deerhaven said that controlled growth was the only alternative to extremely high taxes. Also opposing town’s masterplan should be enacted before it was changed. Fred Blanplied of Marion Drive countered by stating that stable planning such as the master plan would introduce was needed if the Town was to attract industry. Caesar J. Bertheau of Stag Hill Road deplored the plan because it would interfere with home ownership, “The greatest investment that most people make in a lifetime.” But Michael Warhol of West Mahwah maintained that the Town must have industry to help pay for the taxes so that ordinary people could keep their homes. The Board postponed its decision.
(Bristow)