The Concerned Citizens Association of Farmingdale, a new civic society started by residents of the Farmingdale community, held its second meeting regarding future plans of the Liberty Site on May 8 at the Farmingdale Public Library. The association, whose first meeting on May 1 comprised of 22 new members, is against property co-owner Jefry Rosmarin's plans to build a 68,000 square foot supermarket and fueling facility on nine acres in the eastern most portion of the 30 acre site.

At their first meeting, the association elected its officers and discussed how to present their arguments and opposition to the plans. The association's Co-President Mike Grello asked Rosmarin to attend the society's meeting on May 8 to provide residents with an opportunity to hear his plans and in turn give Rosmarin the chance to hear residents' concerns.

Rosmarin told residents that while his plans to lease the nine acres of property to a supermarket chain have not changed, he is willing to meet with residents as many times as they deem necessary to consider other options and alternatives for the site, provided that they are economically feasible and reasonable. He explained that he has owned the property for approximately 20 years, has invested millions of dollars in the land, spent millions to clean it up, and to ask him to just "give it away" for something like additional park space is unfair. Residents agreed, stating that something certainly needs to be done to the site, but argued that a supermarket is not the proper solution.

"Why a supermarket?" was the question posed by many residents who stressed that there are several supermarkets in the area and that another one is completely unnecessary. Other than lack of need, residents are concerned about traffic problems which could arise as well as environmental issues associated with the site.

Rosmarin explained that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), after investigating the site for over a decade, found that those nine acres are suitable for commercial property and that redevelopment can begin at any time. He noted that in the 1940s, when the US Department of War plated weaponry at the site during WWII, concerns of contamination did arise. He further noted that there has been no such activity at the site for more than two decades.

"Since 1978, nobody has done any plating at the site," he said, using a tea bag analogy to explain that the more times water is drained through a tea bag and no tea is added, the concentration of the tea becomes weaker and weaker. "My belief is that concentration [of contaminants] has gone down," he said of the ground at the site. "The EPA's consensus is that the land is okay for redevelopment; that the eastern side is clean."

He added that originally, land in the western portion of the property was tested for this project and the EPA found it to be unsuitable for development. The testing region was later expanded to include the eastern portion and results found it to be clean, giving him the go ahead to find a tenant. Rosmarin added that the developers would meet and exceed all zoning codes, including adequate parking.

Some suggestions residents proposed for alternative uses of the property included building a senior housing facility, a post office, expanding Allen Park, constructing a sports complex and possibly a different retail establishment.

Although Rosmarin stated that the idea of senior housing is certainly a good one, and one he has looked into, the cleanup level necessary for such a project varies from the level needed to make the area commercial. Since he has invested so much in cleaning up the location already, Rosmarin said that such a notion, so far, has not proven to be economically feasible. Mark Fischl, of RGE Inc., added that constructing a senior housing facility on the property would require at least $10 million for additional cleanup.

Similarly, a sports complex, Rosmarin said, would also be unsuitable since those currently on Long Island are either facing bankruptcy or not doing well economically. Several projects to build additional post offices on Long Island have also been stopped, some even during mid-construction, since post offices have been losing money in recent times. Expanding Allen Park, which residents would undoubtedly love, he said, would not bring in any tax revenue for Farmingdale and would only raise their current tax rate.

Some residents suggested subdividing the property so perhaps some land could be used to expand the park and the rest could be redeveloped commercially. While Rosmarin was in favor of this idea and had looked into it in the past, he said it's against EPA standards. Grello suggested to residents that they discuss this possibility further with the EPA, since splitting the property would please both members of the community and the property owner.

Rosmarin and Fischl explained that while they are willing to discuss the matter with residents further, they have no intention, as of now, to stop a major supermarket chain from advancing their plans to build on the site. Rosmarin added that he is unsure as to who the definite tenant will be but is almost certain that one of three major supermarket chains will lease the property.

"I don't mind having continuing dialogue," Rosmarin told residents, "I'm prepared to come back as many times as necessary."

Residents said they appreciated Rosmarin's efforts and added that they will continue to explore alternatives. According to Rosmarin, this meeting with residents was unique to him since he had spoken before other community groups including a local fire department and the chamber of commerce and faced no oppositions in regard to his plans.

In the meantime, the civic association continues to seek more residents interested in joining them in their fight against the supermarket. With 22 members present at their initial meeting, with little advertising or notice, Grello said that he anticipates over 30 at the next one, scheduled for June 28 at the library. Anybody interested in joining the Concerned Citizens Association of Farmingdale or for further information on the new society, residents may contact Mike Grello at 249-2106 or email him at BigMike1011@aol.com.