This Day in History: August 30th, 1909

This Day in History: August 30th, 1909

MILLTOWN COUNCIL MEETS

MILLTOWN, Aug. 31 – The Borough Council held an adjourned meeting on Saturday evening.

The Borough Clerk read an ordinance for the grading of Ford avenue from the westerly side of Main street to a point three hundred feet west of the westerly side of Main street. The ordinance was passed on its first reading. The clerk was authorized to post notices and intentions of the same in public places of the borough.

The profile map of Ford avenue made by the borough engineer was accepted. Mayor Perry stated that the Public Service was now busy in repairing the streets that were disturbed by the laying of the gas pipes. The meeting was then adjourned.

Miss Charlotte Heinz was a visitor of Miss Martha Brant yesterday.

Mr. and Mrs. Williams and daughter, of New Haven, Conn., are visiting at the home of Mrs. Mary Patterson, of Ford Avenue

Misses Lizzie Patterson and Elizabeth Kuhlthau start to-day for a week’s visit at Asbury Park.

Mrs. Conrad Heyl and Miss Alice Heyl, of Main street, have returned from an extended visit to George’s Road.

The Ladies’ Aid Society of the Ger man Reformed Church are busy preparing for their annual harvest home, to be held in the grove at the rear of the church on Thursday, Sept. 2. A good supper will await all that come, and a large crowd is expected.

The Ladies’ Home Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church will be held this evening at the home of Mrs. M. A. Evans, of Main street.

A petition is being circulated, signed by the property holders of North Main street, asking the borough, permission to oil said thoroughfare, providing the borough put the road bed in proper condition, and each property owner paying their share of the cost of oiling. It is, to be hoped that permission. will be granted, as it will greatly add to the beauty of the street and the comfort of those living along its roadbed.


August 2022: Milltown’s Iconic Landmark Water Tower and Smokestack to be Demolished!

August 2022: Milltown’s Iconic Landmark Water Tower and Smokestack to be Demolished!

While it may be said by some that this headline is utterly untrue, the fact is that without public outcry today these structures are in the direct path of the Milltown Ford Avenue Redevelopment Authority’s (MFARA) current legal framework. As of right now the current Ford Avenue Redevelopment Plan as amended in 2021 includes the following language with regard to open space…

            “Delivery of Open Space and Development Parcel: Demolition of
Buildings and Structures. Any and all structures or buildings, parking lots,
sidewalks, walkways, asphalt or concrete pads, and any abandoned below grade
piping, conduit or utility appurtenances, situated on the Open Space Parcel, shall
be removed and/or demolished by Developer. The cost of the demolition on the
Open Space Parcel and Development Parcel shall be shared 50/50 between the
Developer and the County….”

Looking at the conceptual plan it was reasoned and confirmed at a recent meeting of MFARA that one of the proposed building sites would sit at the location of the landmark structures in question.

It is true that there are numerous paths forward to save these structures. Options include the immediate creation of a Historic Preservation Commission to give authority over the designation of historic properties in the borough, the amendment to the four-party agreement, State Historic designation, and or lobbying of your elected officials. It is my opinion that it is too burdensome for the developer to keep the structures and maintain them. With the political will of both local Borough officials and the Middlesex County Commissioners who have the absolute authority to approve the location of the Open Space boundary. It is reasonable for them to ensure that not all structures within the county Open Space are demolished. Such a decision would benefit the residents of the State of New Jersey, Middlesex County, and the Borough of Milltown, as they could retain these landmarks, while also reducing the cost burden of the developer to unnecessarily demolish such iconic structures and the last remaining vestige of Milltown cultural contribution to the United States rubber industry and its own working-class roots.

For a timed video of the recent Milltown Ford Avenue Redevelopment Authority’s meeting where this was discussed see below for a YouTube link.

To contact your local leaders follow the links below.

Middlesex County commissioners.

https://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/government/board-of-county-commissioners

Milltown Ford Ave Redevelopment Agency

http://www.milltownnj.org/261/Ford-Ave-Redevelopment-Agency


Written by: Randy Ruth – August 2022

This day in History: Jan. 6 1922

This day in History: Jan. 6 1922

Milltown Memorial Fund Soon—

MILLTOWN, Jan.6.

A meeting of the memorial committee, was held Wednesday evening at the Public, School, at which time further plans were developed for the memorial fund drive which is scheduled to begin the week of January 16. Those whose efforts have brought the movement to the point where it now is feel very confident that when the drive starts every citizen of the town will respond readily and liberally. The drive is to raise $2,000 to erect a memorial to the soldiers and sailors of the late war. The memorial is to be erected on Ford avenue. The desired results can only he accomplished by the co-operation of the residents, so it behooves everyone to fall in line with this project which, when completed, will be an honor to every man, woman and child who helps and a fine asset to the borough.