The Town Asset Review Committee will hold a public meeting on January 7, 2019, 7:00 PM at Town Hall.
In order to properly review the status and future use of various properties owned by the Town of Ramapo, Supervisor Specht has formed the Town Asset Review Committee (TARC).
TARC consists of the Supervisor, Deputy Supervisor, member of the Town Attorney’s office, Director of Finance, Director of Parks and Recreation and the Town’s Facilities Manager. The Committee will revie...w the financial status and current use of each site, including the services, if any, each site provides to Town residents, along with all legal and environmental restrictions in order to ultimately recommend proposed actions to the Town Board. Recommendations may include upgrading facilities, changing fee structures, repurposing sites for additional uses, entering into leases or licensing agreements for selected sites, and whether particular properties should be sold or retained. In order to promote transparency and increase public input and participation in this process, the Committee will hold multiple public meetings to inform the public and listen to public comment. The first meeting is scheduled for January 7, 2019 at 7:00 PM at Town Hall. Public participation is not just permitted, but encouraged.
UPDATE:
Since its inception, the TARC Committee has met several times and has reviewed over 190 Town owned properties and is recommending the following five properties be further evaluated:
Tilcon Quarry, 15 Tilton Road, Suffern;
40 Pinebrook Road, Chestnut Ridge;
Hamlets of Ramapo, Lake Street, Hillburn;
Ramapo Cultural Arts Center, 66 North Main Street, Spring Valley; and
96 Camp Hill Road, Pomona
The meeting will solely focus on these five properties and residents are encouraged to express their specific suggestions for these sites. Information about each of the five properties will be distributed at the meeting. In addition, the Committee will accept written comments through January 17, 2019. Comments may be emailed to tarc@ramapo.org.
Following the public input, the TARC Committee will review all possible options for these sites, including but not limited to, declaring them surplus, entering into licensing/leasing agreements or retaining them.
Supervisor Michael B. Specht created this committee in order to promote transparency and public input into the review process.
On January 3rd, the TARC Committee will be recommending to the Town Board that the following properties be retained at this time:
The Saddle River Pool;
The Senior Center;
The Challenger Center;
The Rustic Brook Tennis Facility and
The Equestrian Center
The TARC Committee is also recommending that certain of the above properties be considered for expansion, upgrade or repair at a future time, with a goal of increasing public usage and enhancing the experience provided to Town residents.
A report will be submitted to the Town Board and made available to the public, once completed.