Berkeley Heights Town Council and Recreation Department War Against the School District
BOE Representative Joly’s Comments on CMS Lease Agreement During the 03/25/2025 Town Council Meeting
Date: 2025-03-25
Highlights BOE member Kathleen Joly’s public comments on the township’s lease plan, including concerns about transparency and unilateral action.
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https://nj21st.com/2025/03/25/boe-representative-jolys-comments-on-cms-lease-agreement-during-the-03-25-2025-town-council-meeting/
Berkeley Heights Township Tactics: Is the CMS Lease Agreement a Power Grab?
Date: 2025-03-13
Analyzes how the township’s approach to the CMS lease may strategically cut the BOE out of major facility decisions.
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https://nj21st.com/2025/03/13/berkeley-heights-township-tactics-is-the-cms-lease-agreement-a-power-grab/
Council Passes Lease in Special Meeting as Residents Raise Transparency Concerns
Date: 2025-03-28
Describes how the lease was approved during a hastily scheduled meeting, triggering backlash from community members and BOE allies.
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https://nj21st.com/2025/03/28/council-passes-lease-in-special-meeting-as-residents-raise-transparency-concerns/
Influence, Transparency, and Budget Priorities: The CMS Lease, Hard Court Press, and BHPSNJ Budget
Date: 2025-03-15
Connects the turf push to broader governance concerns, including financial pressure placed on the school district.
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https://nj21st.com/2025/03/15/influence-transparency-and-budget-priorities-the-cms-lease-hard-court-press-and-bhpsnj-budget/
Fact vs. Fiction: Exposing the Township’s Misinformation on the Lease Agreement
Date: 2025-03-14
Breaks down misleading claims and factual contradictions in public statements about the lease.
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https://nj21st.com/2025/03/14/fact-vs-fiction-exposing-the-townships-misinformation-on-the-lease-agreement/
Dr. Feltre Responds to Community Questions on Lower Columbia Lease Agreement
Date: 2025-03-05
Covers Superintendent Feltre’s response to public inquiries about the township lease plan and the district’s role.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/03/05/dr-feltre-responds-to-community-questions-on-lower-columbia-lease-agreement/
Berkeley Heights Police Athletic League on CMS Lease Agreement
Date: 2025-03-03
Presents the BH PAL’s perspective on the lease — with implications for school access and field use.
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https://nj21st.com/2025/03/03/berkeley-heights-police-athletic-league-on-cms-lease-agreement/
More Information, Same Questions on CMS Ballot Question
Date: 2024-07-19
Raises unanswered questions surrounding the ballot initiative linked to CMS field use and township control.
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https://nj21st.com/2024/07/19/more-information-same-questions-on-cms-ballot-question/
Sai Akiri Responds on CMS Field Question
Date: 2024-06-27
BOE representative Sai Akiri offers clarification and raises issues with township messaging about the CMS field.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2024/06/27/s_akiri_cms/
Questions the Rec Department and Town Council Should Answer Before Asking Our Schools for the CMS Field
Date: 2024-06-26
Outlines key accountability questions the township has yet to answer about its field plans.
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https://nj21st.com/2024/06/26/questions-the-rec-department-town-council-should-answer-before-asking-our-schools-for-the-cms-field/
Should We Cheerlead the Mayor and Council on the CMS Field Question?
Date: 2024-06-25
Challenges premature celebration over the CMS field while serious procedural and ethical issues remain.
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https://nj21st.com/2024/06/25/should-we-cheerlead-the-mayor-and-council-on-the-cms-field-question/
Mayor Devanney Clarifies CMS Field Discussion Between Rec Department and BOE
Date: 2023-09-12
Features the mayor’s public statement regarding the CMS field and its history with BOE coordination.
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https://nj21st.com/2023/09/12/mayor-devanney-clarifies-cms-field-discussion-between-rec-department-and-boe/
Turf or Grass? Environmental Concerns for Lower Columbia Field
Date: 2025-04-01
Weighs environmental implications of turf vs. natural grass, especially near school grounds.
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https://nj21st.com/2025/04/01/turf-or-grass-environmental-concerns-for-lower-columbia-field/
A Disturbing Abuse of Power: How the Berkeley Heights BOE Budget Meeting Became the Mayor’s Playground
Date: 2025-03-21
Details how the mayor used a BOE budget meeting as a platform to promote township plans, despite lacking jurisdiction.
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https://nj21st.com/2025/03/21/a-disturbing-abuse-of-power-how-the-berkeley-heights-boe-budget-meeting-became-the-mayors-playground/
Only Two Weeks In: Superintendent Faces Strong-Arm Tactics from Mayor Devanney and Recreation Commission
Date: 2025-03-01
Describes behind-the-scenes pressure tactics from township officials early in Dr. Feltre’s tenure.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/03/01/only-two-weeks-in-superintendent-faces-strong-arm-tactics-from-mayor-devanney-and-recreation-commission/
Berkeley Heights Town Council Land Grab?
Date: 2024-08-08
Raises alarm about a potential long-term township plan to absorb school district land and operations.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2024/08/08/bh-towncouncil-land-grab/
Warren–Berkeley Heights Ballot Initiative Raises Questions
Date: 2024-07-21
Explores a regional initiative with major implications for local field control and municipal power.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2024/07/21/warren-bh-ballot/