Subdivision of property draws fire
BY ELANA ARON
Correspondent

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - The agenda for the Oct. 5 meeting of the Planning Board called it a minor subdivision, but Nancy Dubois Woods' application certainly drew a crowd.

Woods, who has lived on a parcel of more than 2 acres on Applegate Road for more than 50 years, received a positive resolution to her proposal to subdivide her property. She will remain in her home and sell the newly created second lot to an individual buyer.

Applegate Road is off of Ticonderoga Boulevard.

"If not for financial necessity, she would not do it," said a representative for Woods. "She, along with everyone else, is devastated."

Woods, who once served as the historian for Freehold Township, is well-liked by her neighbors and well-known throughout the township. People who objected to the subdivision are concerned that the acres of woods will be destroyed by new construction.

"I've looked outside into my backyard for 37 years," said neighbor Gerald Dorf. "That land has been pristine for 35, 40 years. Thousands of birds use that area to migrate. We've saved all our trees. Now a builder will come in and cut down any tree they want. To allow this to happen would be tragic."

Another concern with development is the possible destruction of heritage (very old) trees. To this end, Planning Board Chairman Robert C. McGirr has promised that those trees will be protected.

"If heritage trees are identified, they are not to be removed," McGirr said.

Other people voiced concern about possible soil erosion, run-off of water into a creek that runs adjacent to the property, and exacerbation of current flooding problems into surrounding properties.

"I know Mrs. Woods is very proud of that property," Deputy Mayor Raymond A. Kershaw said. "It must be very difficult for her to come to this decision."

But neighbors say they will not stop trying to save their neighborhood.

"The township should buy the land and preserve it," Dorf said. "It should be purchased and named after Mrs. Woods. What a tribute that would be."

Dorf, along with other neighbors, plan to present their concerns to whomever is willing to listen.

McGirr said, "Maybe working together we can try to incorporate conservation easements. But it's her property and she has a right to do those things."

"We are a Tree City, USA," Kershaw added. "There's nobody more concerned than us about trees."