BOROUGH OF NORTH ARLINGTON

COUNCIL PRESIDENT SAYS IT’S TIME FOR THE STATE TO PULL THE ENCAP PLUG

Lyndhurst, Rutherford Joining EnCap Battle

Granell Says State Assistance Needed 

NORTH ARLINGTON -- With the Borough of Lyndhurst backing out of the EnCap deal this week and with Rutherford likely to do the same thing at the start of the new year --- and with North Arlington already battling EnCap in court, the state and the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission get the message and terminate the EnCap project now, says Council President Steve Tanelli.

Tanelli, who, along with e Mayor Peter Massa has opposed to the EnCap project and the redevelopment plans of the developer Cherokee Investment Partners for two years, says he welcomes the support of neighboring towns in the battle to end the EnCap project. 

 “I am glad that Lyndhurst has finally seen the light and I am happy that Mayor-elect John Hipp is going to act decisively against EnCap,” said Tanelli.

 “We welcome them as allies in the battle against this foolish, misleading and possibly illegal development scheme.”  "My only question is when is the state going to realize that no one who lives here wants the EnCap project? 

 “When are the people in state government who backed this plan going make amends to clean up the mess they helped create? “ asked Tanelli  “This is a project that makes no sense financially for the communities. This is a project that has caused nothing but anguish and financial problems for the people of the meadowlands. This is a project that has been pushed on us by the political insider. It’s time Gov. Corzine’s office did the right thing and killed this boondoggle now,” said Tanelli.

 The council president said the recent extension granted to the developer by the state and the NJMC because of the sudden emergence of Donald Trump as a possible partner in the deal is “a dog and pony show that we know is leading us nowhere.”   

“With all due respect to Mr. Trump, he has unfortunately been guided into the intractable political and physical swamps of Jersey and is putting his good name on very bad deal.  I am sure he doesn’t need advice from me, but I would tell him to get out of this deal now. There is nothing for him to gain here,” said Tanelli. 

Councilman Al Granell said: “The time has come for the state, the NJMC and our legislative representatives in Trenton to recognize the problems North Arlington faces financially due to the EnCap debacle. 

Granell said that while some legislative leaders and state officials have offered encouraging words to municipalities struggling with EnCap, it is time to move beyond words.

“You can't be against EnCap and for the taxpayers of North Arlington if you do nothing to rectify the problems caused by EnCap and if you fail to provide real property tax reform for our residents,” said Granell.

Granell and Tanelli said they will be asking the District 36 legislators to sponsor immediate legislation to secure financial assistance in the wake of the EnCap scandal.  “We have shouldered the burden of EnCap too long without assistance or guidance from the state,” said Granell.

"Other communities in New Jersey seem to get plenty of financial assistance from Trenton; it’s time we got some help too.”